What the Card Offers
RBC markets the British Airways Visa Infinite as Canada's only Avios-earning card: 50,000 bonus Avios, 3 Avios per $1 on British Airways, 10% off BA flights, and a companion voucher for big spenders.
- 3x
Avios on British Airways1
3 Avios per $1 on British Airways purchases, 2 on dining and food delivery, 1 on everything else.
- 10%
Off British Airways flights1
10% off British Airways flights booked and paid with the card.
- Companion
Voucher at $30,000 spend1
A companion reward seat (or 50% off your own Avios fare) when you spend $30,000 a year.
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- 50,000
Welcome bonus Avios2
50,000 Avios after $6,000 in purchases within 90 days.
- 31 days
Emergency medical insurance2
Emergency medical for the first 31 days of a trip (7 days if 65 or older).
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (2)
- RBC British Airways Visa Infinite product page (retrieved 2026-10-13)
- RBC British Airways Visa Infinite product page legal disclaimers (retrieved 2026-10-13)
Points & Redemption
Rates: RBC British Airways Visa Infinite product page (retrieved 2026-10-13). The CardTruth estimate is our own valuation, not a rate stated in the terms. The program states no fixed cash value, so what a point is worth depends on how you redeem it. Ranges marked est. are CardTruth estimates, from a conservative redemption to a typical one.
The Fine Print Report
Moderate fine print. The value is concentrated in British Airways travel.
Bonus needs $6,000 in 90 daysImpact level: High
The 50,000 Avios bonus requires $6,000 in purchases within 90 days
The whole welcome bonus depends on $6,000 in net purchases posted within the first 90 days, about $2,000 a month. There's no partial bonus for lower spending.
Why it matters: If you can't spend $6,000 in three months, the card's main draw is gone.
Medical: 31 days, 7 at 65+, call firstImpact level: High
Emergency medical covers 31 days of a trip under 65, but only 7 days at 65 or older, and you pay 20% if you don't call first
Out-of-province emergency medical coverage applies to the first 31 consecutive days of a trip if you're under 65 and the first 7 days if you're 65 or older. If you don't call the assistance centre before getting treatment, or use a non-approved provider, you pay 20% of covered expenses up to $25,000.
Why it matters: Longer trips need top-up coverage, and a trip of more than 7 days at 65 or older isn't covered beyond day 7.
Companion voucher needs $30,000/yrImpact level: Medium
The companion voucher needs $30,000 a year in spending, and taxes and surcharges still apply
One companion voucher is issued per calendar year when you spend $30,000. It covers a companion's reward seat on an Avios booking (or 50% off the Avios on a solo booking), but taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable on both tickets.
Why it matters: British Airways surcharges on long-haul reward flights can be several hundred dollars per ticket.
No trip cancellation insuranceImpact level: Medium
No trip cancellation or interruption insurance
The certificate covers emergency medical, travel accident, rental cars, delay and baggage, hotel burglary and purchase protection, but not trip cancellation.
Why it matters: Expensive prepaid trips need separate cancellation coverage.
2.5% FX markup; refunds won't fully reverseImpact level: Medium
Foreign currency purchases are converted at 2.5% over the benchmark rate, and refunds won't fully reverse
Purchases in a foreign currency are converted to Canadian dollars at 2.5% over the benchmark exchange rate; some are converted to U.S. dollars first. If you carry a balance, interest is charged on the full converted amount. If a foreign purchase is refunded, the agreement says the charge and credit won't exactly balance because of the exchange rate.
Why it matters: Every $1,000 spent abroad or online in foreign currency costs about $25 in conversion markup.
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2 missed payments: higher rates for a yearImpact level: Medium
Two missed payments in 12 months raise your rates until you pay on time for 12 straight months
If your minimum payment isn't made by the due date and still isn't paid by your next statement date, twice in any 12-month period, RBC raises your purchase and cash advance rates to the higher rates in your Information Box. The higher rates apply to new transactions and all remaining balances until you make 12 consecutive on-time minimum payments.
Why it matters: Carrying a balance becomes more expensive for at least a year. Automatic minimum payments prevent it.
RBC can debit your other accountsImpact level: Medium
RBC can take what you owe from your other RBC accounts without telling you first
If you don't meet the agreement's payment terms, RBC can deduct amounts owing on the card from any other account you have with RBC and apply them to the card, without notice in advance.
Why it matters: If your chequing account is also at RBC, a missed card payment can lead to a withdrawal you didn't schedule.
Avios value varies; 1x on most spendImpact level: Low
Avios have no fixed value, and the card earns 1 Avios per $1 on most spending
Avios are redeemed through British Airways at prices that vary by route and date. Groceries, gas and most other purchases earn 1 Avios per $1.
Why it matters: Value depends on BA and oneworld award availability.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Fly British Airways or oneworld regularly
- Can spend $6,000 in 3 months
- Spend $30,000+ a year (companion voucher)
- Want 31-day travel medical
- Collect Avios already
Consider alternatives if you...
- Rarely fly British Airways
- Need trip cancellation insurance
- Can't meet the $6,000 bonus spend
- Want flexible, airline-agnostic points
- Make many foreign-currency purchases
Welcome Bonus History
RBC British Airways Welcome Bonus History
The Verdict
The British Airways Visa Infinite is the only Canadian card that earns Avios directly, with a 10% BA discount and long medical coverage.
The bonus needs heavy early spending, the companion voucher needs $30,000 a year, and there's no trip cancellation coverage.
The Recommendation: Good for frequent BA travellers. Otherwise RBC Avion points convert to Avios 1:1 and keep more options open.
Before you apply: This teardown is general information, not financial, legal or insurance advice, and reflects the issuer's documents as of October 2026. Terms, rates, fees and offers change, and the issuer's own agreement, disclosure statement, insurance certificates and program terms are what govern your card. Read them in full and confirm details with the issuer before you apply. Full disclaimer