RBC Avion Points Redemption Guide: Get Maximum Value in 2026

What Are RBC Avion Points Worth?

RBC Avion points have a baseline value of roughly 1.0 cpp when redeemed through the RBC Travel portal, but transferring to airline partners can push that to 2.0 cpp or higher on the right routes.

Redemption Method	Estimated Value
Transfer to British Airways Avios	2.0 cpp
Transfer to Cathay Asia Miles	2.0 cpp
Transfer to WestJet	1.7 cpp
RBC Travel Portal (flights, hotels)	1.0 cpp
Gift cards	0.7 cpp
Statement credit	0.6 cpp
Merchandise	0.4 cpp

Best Redemption Strategies

1. Transfer to British Airways Avios — Short-Haul Sweet Spots

Avion transfers to BA Avios at a 1:1 ratio. Avios are distance-based, making them exceptional for short flights. Routes under 1,150 miles cost as little as 7,500 Avios one-way in economy — think Toronto to New York, Vancouver to Seattle, or Montreal to Boston.

Warning: BA charges high fuel surcharges on its own long-haul flights ($300–$700). Only use Avios for short-haul flights where surcharges are low ($20–$80).

2. Transfer to WestJet — Best Domestic Option

At 100 Avion points = $1 WestJet, this is the simplest path to domestic flights. Transfer 25,000 Avion to get $250 toward any WestJet flight. No blackout dates, no complex award charts — just a fixed dollar value applied to the fare.

3. Transfer to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

For Asia-bound travel, transfer Avion to Cathay at 1:1. Asia Miles unlock oneworld partner flights and are competitive for routes from Canada to Hong Kong, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Expect 2.0 cpp on well-chosen redemptions.

4. RBC Travel Portal — The Value Floor

The portal gives a guaranteed 1.0 cpp on any travel booking. It functions like a regular travel site — book any airline, hotel, or car rental and pay with points. Taxes and fees are included in the portal price, so there are no surprises.

Portal Tradeoffs

The RBC Travel portal is convenient but leaves value on the table compared to transfer partners:

Option	CPP	Effort	Best For
BA Avios (short-haul)	2.0	High	YYZ-JFK, YVR-SEA, YUL-BOS
WestJet transfer	1.7	Medium	Any domestic WestJet flight
Cathay Asia Miles	2.0	High	Asia routes via oneworld
RBC Travel portal	1.0	Low	Any travel, no searching required

Rule of thumb: Use the portal for last-minute bookings or when you cannot find award availability through partners. For planned travel, transfer to an airline partner for 70–100% more value.

How to Earn RBC Avion Points

Card	Best Category	Earn Rate
RBC Avion Visa Infinite	Travel	1x base, bonuses on travel
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege	Travel	1x base, higher bonuses
RBC Avion Visa Platinum	Everything	1x base

Tips for Maximum Value

1. Transfer in blocks — transfers to BA and Cathay happen in 3–5 business days, so plan ahead
2. Check BA Avios pricing first — for any short-haul route, BA distance-based pricing often beats the portal
3. Combine with WestJet companion voucher — if you hold the WestJet RBC World Elite, stack the companion voucher with transferred WestJet dollars
4. Avoid merchandise and statement credits — you lose 50–70% of your points' value
5. Use the portal as a floor — never accept less than 1.0 cpp

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Points not showing after a purchase? RBC Avion points typically post 1-2 billing cycles after the transaction. Check your statement for pending vs posted transactions.

Transfer to BA taking too long? Avion-to-Avios transfers take 3-5 business days. If it has been more than 7 days, contact RBC Rewards support. Ensure your BA Executive Club number is entered correctly.

Can I transfer Avion to Aeroplan? No. RBC Avion does not currently have an Aeroplan transfer partnership. Your airline partners are British Airways, WestJet, and Cathay Pacific.

Do Avion points expire? Points do not expire as long as your RBC Avion card account remains open and in good standing.

Portal showing higher prices than other sites? The RBC Travel portal is powered by a third-party booking engine. Prices may differ from airline or hotel websites. Always compare before booking — if the portal price is inflated, transfer to a partner instead.