What the Card Offers
RBC markets the ION+ Visa as an everyday rewards card: 3 Avion points per $1 on groceries, dining, food delivery, gas and EV charging, transit, rideshare, streaming, digital gaming and subscriptions, for a $48 annual fee that students and anyone 24 or younger can have rebated.
- 3x
Points on everyday categories1
3 Avion points per $1 on groceries, dining, food delivery, gas and EV charging, transit, rideshare, streaming, digital gaming and subscriptions.
- $48
Annual fee, rebated for students2
Students and anyone 24 or younger with an RBC student bank account can have the fee rebated every year.
- $1,000
Mobile device insurance1
Up to $1,000 for 2 years on a phone bought with the card.
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- 28,000
Welcome bonus points2
7,000 on approval, 14,000 after $1,500 in 6 months, and 7,000 anniversary points; up to $200 in gift cards.
- 1,400
Points for a $10 gift card2
Start redeeming at 1,400 points for most $10 gift cards.
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (2)
- RBC ION+ Visa product page (retrieved 2026-10-13)
- RBC ION+ Visa product page legal disclaimers (retrieved 2026-10-13)
Points & Redemption
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Rates: Avion Rewards Terms and Conditions 128366 (06/2026), ss. 13 and 19; RBC ION and ION+ product page legal disclaimers and FAQ (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
Light fine print. The terms are straightforward; point value is the main limit.
3x ≈ 2% back at gift-card valueImpact level: High
Points are worth about 0.7¢ as gift cards, so 3x is roughly 2% back
RBC's own redemption example is 1,400 points for most $10 gift cards, about 0.71¢ per point. The ION cards don't get the Air Travel Redemption Schedule that gives Avion-branded cards their higher flight values.
Why it matters: 3x is a solid but not exceptional return; everything outside the categories earns about 0.7%.
7,000 bonus points need a second-year feeImpact level: Medium
7,000 of the 28,000 welcome points arrive only after the first year, after the second annual fee is charged
The anniversary points are credited 12 to 16 weeks after the first anniversary of the account, and only if the account is still open and in good standing. Annual fees are charged on the first day of the month after opening and every year after, so the second $48 fee is billed before the anniversary points arrive.
Why it matters: Count the welcome offer as 28,000 points only if you plan to keep the card for a second year.
No travel insurance includedImpact level: Medium
No travel insurance; coverage is limited to purchases and mobile devices
The ION+ certificate covers purchase security, extended warranty and mobile devices only.
Why it matters: Trips and rental cars charged to this card have no card-based 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.
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.
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Points lost if RBC closes it for causeImpact level: Medium
Points are cancelled immediately if RBC closes the account for cause, including falling behind on payments
If you close the card, you have 12 months to redeem or convert your Avion points. If RBC closes it for cause, which includes the account not being in good standing (more than two statement periods past due), fraud or bankruptcy, the points are cancelled immediately or converted to a cash value at RBC's choice.
Why it matters: Redeem points regularly rather than letting a large balance build, especially before closing or switching cards.
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.
Bonus rate depends on merchant codesImpact level: Low
Bonus categories depend on how the merchant is coded; warehouse clubs and big-box stores usually don't count as groceries
Bonus earn rates apply only to merchants classified under specific Merchant Category Codes. Stores that sell groceries but aren't coded as grocery stores, such as warehouse clubs and many big-box retailers, earn the base rate, as do merchants located inside a grocery store.
Why it matters: Check where you actually shop before counting on the bonus rate.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Spend mostly on groceries, dining, gas and transit
- Are a student or 24 and under (fee rebate)
- Want rewards for a low annual fee
- Redeem for gift cards or merchandise
- Want phone insurance
Consider alternatives if you...
- Want travel insurance from your card
- Want to redeem for flights at high value
- Spend mostly outside the bonus categories
- Prefer cash back over points
- Make many foreign-currency purchases
Welcome Bonus History
RBC ION+ Welcome Bonus History
The Verdict
The ION+ Visa offers a broad 3x category list for a low $48 fee (rebated for young cardholders), making it a strong everyday points card.
Points are worth about 0.7¢ as gift cards, it lacks the Avion flight grid, and there's no travel insurance.
The Recommendation: A good everyday card for category spending. If you prefer cash, the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite pays 3% in dollars with travel coverage.
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