What the Card Offers
RBC markets the U.S. Dollar Visa Gold for frequent U.S. travel: purchases in U.S. funds without conversion, 1 Avion point per U.S. dollar, and travel insurance including trip cancellation, for $65 USD a year.
- No FX
Spend in U.S. dollars1
Make transactions in U.S. funds without converting from Canadian dollars.
- 1x
Avion point per U.S. $11
1 Avion point for every U.S. $1 spent on qualifying purchases.
- $2,500
Trip cancellation coverage2
Trip cancellation up to $2,500 per trip for all covered persons, plus trip interruption.
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- Rental
Auto rental collision cover1
Collision and loss damage waiver on rentals charged to the card.
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (2)
- RBC U.S. Dollar Visa Gold product page (retrieved 2026-10-13)
- RBC U.S. Dollar Visa Gold Certificate of Insurance 15990 (03/2025)
Points & Redemption
Show 2 more options (statement credit, travel)Show fewer
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
Moderate fine print. Useful for U.S. dollar spenders, but the insurance has a significant gap.
No travel medical insuranceImpact level: High
No emergency travel medical insurance on a card built for U.S. travel
The RBC U.S. Dollar Visa Gold's certificate of insurance doesn't include out-of-province or out-of-country emergency medical coverage.
Why it matters: Buy separate travel medical insurance for every trip outside your province.
2.5% markup on non-USD purchases, incl. CADImpact level: Medium
Purchases in currencies other than U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars included, carry a 2.5% conversion markup
On the U.S. dollar card, transactions in any currency other than U.S. dollars, including Canadian dollars, are converted to U.S. dollars at 2.5% over the benchmark rate. The percentage is set in the card's Information Box rather than on the product page.
Why it matters: The card only avoids conversion costs on U.S. dollar spending. Using it in Canada, or abroad outside the U.S., costs 2.5% on every purchase.
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.
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.
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Fees billed in U.S. dollarsImpact level: Low
The $65 annual fee and $30 additional card fee are billed in U.S. dollars
The annual fee is $65 USD and each additional card is $30 USD, so the cost in Canadian dollars depends on the exchange rate.
Why it matters: The card saves money only if you'd otherwise pay more than $65 USD a year in conversion markups (about $2,600 USD of spending at 2.5%).
Trip cancellation: $2,500 total per tripImpact level: Low
Trip cancellation is capped at $2,500 per trip for everyone combined
Trip cancellation pays up to $2,500 per trip for all covered persons combined, not per person.
Why it matters: A family trip costing more than $2,500 isn't fully covered.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Spend regularly in U.S. dollars
- Have U.S. dollar income or savings
- Already have travel medical insurance
- Want trip cancellation cover for U.S. trips
- Spend $2,600+ USD a year
Consider alternatives if you...
- Need travel medical insurance
- Would pay the card from Canadian dollars
- Spend in currencies other than USD
- Want high-value rewards
- Spend little in U.S. dollars
The Verdict
The U.S. Dollar Visa Gold removes conversion costs on U.S. dollar spending and adds trip cancellation coverage.
It has no travel medical coverage, its fees are in U.S. dollars, and other currencies carry a conversion markup.
The Recommendation: Worth it if you spend and pay in U.S. dollars. Otherwise, compare a card with no foreign transaction fee.
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