Summary of the RBC Avion Visa Business Card
The RBC Avion Visa Business Card is designed for business owners in Canada who want to maximize travel rewards through their daily operational spending. Below is a comprehensive overview containing the necessary information to evaluate the card and proceed with an application.
| Issuer | RBC |
| Type of Reward | Avion Points (RBC Avion Rewards – Elite, Travel Rewards) |
| Cashback Rate | 1 Avion Point per $1 on all purchases |
| Annual Fee | $120 |
| Interest Rates (CAT) | Purchase: 19.99%; Cash Advance: 22.99%; Balance Transfer: 22.99% |
| Network/Tier | Visa (Business) |
Rewards and Earning Potential
The RBC Avion Visa Business Card features a consistent earning structure that simplifies reward accumulation for business owners. Cardholders earn 1 Avion Point for every $1 spent on all eligible purchases made with the card. This flat-rate system ensures that every business expense contributes to the total reward balance without the need to track complex category rotations.
While the base rate is 1 point per $1, the rewards apply to a wide variety of specific business and personal spending categories. These include grocery purchases, gas and transportation, dining, and food delivery services. Additionally, travel bookings, recurring bill payments, and telecom services are eligible for this earning rate.
Business-centric expenses such as office supplies, online transactions, and local transport also generate 1 Avion Point per $1 spent. The flexibility extends to everyday items purchased at drugstores and convenience stores, as well as spending on entertainment and streaming services. This broad range makes the RBC Avion Visa Business Card a versatile tool for capturing rewards on diverse operational costs.
The Avion points earned are part of the RBC Avion Rewards Elite tier. These points are notable for their flexibility, as they can be transferred to various RBC Avion partners. Furthermore, the program allows for travel bookings with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, providing business travellers with more options when scheduling trips.
Fees and Interest Rates
Understanding the cost structure of the RBC Avion Visa Business Card is essential for financial planning. The primary card carries an annual fee of $120. If a business requires additional cards for employees or partners, the first additional card is available for a fee of $50.
The interest rates for this card are set at 19.99% for purchases. For transactions involving cash advances or balance transfers, the interest rate is 22.99%. These rates are standard for business-tier Visa products in the Canadian market. It is also important to note that the card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on all purchases made in currencies other than Canadian dollars.
Benefits and Additional Perks
The RBC Avion Visa Business Card includes several high-value perks and insurance coverages designed to protect the business and the cardholder during travel and daily operations. New cardholders are eligible for a welcome bonus of 20,000 Avion Points upon approval of the application.
- Trip Cancellation Insurance: Provides coverage up to $1,500 for cancelled travel arrangements.
- Trip Interruption Insurance: Offers protection up to $5,000 for interrupted travel plans.
- Auto Rental Insurance: Covers loss or damage to rental vehicles with a value up to $65,000 for a duration of up to 48 days.
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Coverage: Provides up to $2,500 in insurance for personal property stolen from a hotel or motel room.
- Purchase Protection: Offers security for new business purchases against accidental damage or theft.
- Extended Warranty: Doubles the manufacturer’s original warranty by up to one additional year.
The combination of travel insurance and purchase security adds a layer of financial protection for business-related activities. The ability to book any seat on any airline without restrictions is a significant benefit for businesses with unpredictable travel schedules.
Considerations and Drawbacks
While the RBC Avion Visa Business Card offers robust rewards, there are factors that applicants should consider. The $120 annual fee and the $50 fee for the first additional card represent an ongoing cost that must be weighed against the value of the points earned. Additionally, the 2.5% foreign transaction fee may impact the total cost of international business travel or purchases from suppliers located outside of Canada.
The earning rate of 1 point per $1 is consistent but may be lower than specific category bonuses offered by other premium cards. Businesses that spend heavily in one particular area may find that a card with tiered rewards offers higher yields, although the simplicity and flexibility of the Avion program remain a primary draw for this specific product.