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The best RBC credit cards in Canada for 2024

Natasha-M 1
Natasha Macmillan, Business Unit Director - Everyday Banking

February 20, 2024

Explore the best variety of RBC credit cards, tailored to meet your unique needs. Compare, choose, and apply today for a card that matches your purchasing habits.

Compare Canada’s best RBC credit cards

Best RBC credit card by category

Best overall RBC credit card and best travel RBC credit card

featured

First year reward
$1,193/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 1.25pts / dollar earn rate

Welcome bonus

55,000 bonus points (a $1,100 value)

Annual fee

$120

Ratehub.ca's take

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card is a versatile travel credit card that offers flexibility and impressive rewards for frequent flyers. With a strong emphasis on travel perks and a valuable rewards program, it's an excellent option for travellers looking to elevate their experience. 

Pros

  • Flexible travel redemption: This card provides unparalleled flexibility when it comes to redeeming points as it does not have blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more with your points
  • Comprehensive travel insurance: Benefit from extensive travel insurance coverage most notably including trip cancellation and interruption and emergency medical. Travel with peace of mind knowing you are protected
  • Exclusive concert access: Enjoy exclusive access to concert tickets, including the highly sought-after Taylor Swift concert. With this perk, you'll have the opportunity to secure tickets before they are available to the general public. 

Cons

  • Annual fee: This card comes with an annual fee of $120 which may be prohibitive to some. However, for frequent travelers who take full advantage of the card's perks, the benefits can often outweigh the cost. 
  • No waived foreign transaction fees: Foreign transaction fees are not waived, so consider this if you plan to use the card for shopping abroad 
  • Low earn rate: The standard earn rate of 1 point per $1 may is not as competitive as other travel credit cards

Best airline RBC credit card

featured

First year reward
$735/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $119 annual fee

Earn rewards

1.5pts – 2pts / dollar earn rate

Welcome bonus

450 bonus points (a $450 value)

Annual fee

$119

Ratehub.ca's take

In search of an airline credit card? RBC partnered with WestJet to bring you the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offering impressive travel benefits and a generous earn rate for WestJet dollars. 

Pros

  • Generous earn rate for WestJet dollars: Earn WestJet dollars on every purchase allowing you to save on future WestJet flights, covering not only base fares but also taxes and fees
  • Travel perks: Enjoy a range of travel benefits, including free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions and priority boarding,
  • Companion voucher: Receive one annual round-trip companion voucher that allows you to bring a travel companion along for a WestJet flight at a significantly reduced fare 
  • Comprehensive travel insurance: Enjoy coverage for emergency medical, trip interruption, flight delay, and more

Cons

  • Annual fee: While the card offers exceptional WestJet travel benefits, it does come with an annual fee of $119
  • Limited airline choice: The card's rewards are primarily designed for WestJet flights, which may limit your travel options depending on your flight path
  • Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $80,00 may limit eligibility for some

Best cash back RBC credit card

featured

First year reward
$297/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $99 annual fee

Earn rewards

1.5% earn rate

Annual fee

$99

Ratehub.ca's take

The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard is considered to be RBC's best cash back credit card earning impressive cash back rewards for everyday spending. It is an excellent card for those seeking generous rewards and benefits. 

Pros

  • High cash back earnings: Earn 1.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in annual spend, making this card ideal for those who want substantial rewards on various spending categories
  • Flexible cash back redemption: Redeem cash back at any time in increments of $25

Cons

  • Limited insurance coverage
  • Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $80,00 may limit eligibility for some

Best no fee RBC credit card

featured

First year reward
$74/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 1.5pts / dollar earn rate

Welcome bonus

3,500 bonus points (a $70 value)

Annual fee

$0

Ratehub.ca's take

The RBC Ion Visa is the best entry-level card offered by RBC with no annual fee allowing you to earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on groceries and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.  

Pros

  • No annual fee or income requirement

Cons

  • Limited insurance coverage
  • Low points value: With this card, you earn a slightly modified Avion Rewards point which are worth less than those earned through other RBC Avion cards

Additional considerations for RBC credit cards 

As of September 28th, HSBC credit cards are no longer available as they have been acquired by RBC. Equivalent cards and details on the acquisition will be released soon.

Note: at the request of the card issuer, we have been asked not to display these credit cards.

RBC credit card partnerships

RBC has teamed up with select retailers to offer credit cards tailored to reward their loyal customers. RBC’s credit card partnerships include:

  • The RBC Esso VISA for gas and auto rewards
  • The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard lets you earn rewards towards eligible flights or vacation packages provided by WestJet.

More on RBC

The Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and is among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. It is a diversified financial services company, with personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, and corporate and investment banking. It employs approximately 78,000 employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. In Canada, RBC serves approximately 10 million clients through its 1,209 branches.

Natasha Macmillan, Business Director of Everyday Banking

With over a decade of experience in the finance industry, Natasha works closely with Canada's top financial institutions - from banks to credit unions - to help Ratehub.ca's 1,200,000 monthly users get matched with the right banking products. read full bio

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