Episode 41 – Become an Avion Expert
In episode 41 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss how to maximize RBC Avion points, including earning methods, point tiers, and redemption strategies amid limited-time elevated credit card welcome offers.
They explain the three Avion point types (Select, Premium, and Elite) and how Avion points of different tiers can be combined. They cover the best ways to earn Avion points, including via credit cards, shopping portals, banking promotions, and card-linked offers.
Finally, they review key Avion transfer partners, including British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines AAdvantage Miles. The team also shares why they caution against WestJet transfers, and outlines the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule and flexible travel redemption options.
(00:47) Luxury Redemptions With RBC Avion Points
The team shares their experiences in using Avion points for luxury redemptions through the use of transfer partners.
(03:49) What is RBC Avion?
Avion points are the in-house currency of RBC and are one of two transferable points currencies in Canada.
(04:52) Avion Point Tiers Explained
Avion points come in three flavours: Select, Premium, and Elite. While they can be used for different redemptions, you can also combine and turn all points into Elite points if you hold the right credit card.
(08:46) Earning RBC Avion Points: Current Credit Card Welcome Offers
The three main RBC Avion credit cards have record-high welcome bonuses at the moment until July 15th, 2026, making it a great time to add one of them to your wallet and start participating in the Avion program if you haven’t already.
(12:40) The Underrated RBC ION+ Visa Card
The RBC ION+ Visa Card offers a lower annual fee that is paired with some unique and strong earning categories, giving it a unique value proposition when it comes to earning Avion points.
(14:12) Other Avion Earning Methods
There is no shortage of ways to earn Avion points, including the Avion shopping portal and bonuses on other banking products.
(17:59) Avion Frequent Flyer Program Transfer Partners
Avion points can be transferred to British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage Miles, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, which are all part of the oneworld airline alliance. They can also be transferred to WestJet points.
(19:10) Transferring Avion to British Airways Avios
British Airways Avios might be the most popular transfer partner for Avion points as it transfers at a rate of 1:1, often with transfer bonuses a few times each year. This frequent flyer program offers many popular redemptions on partner airlines within the oneworld alliance.
(21:38) Transfer Partners Within The Avios Ecosystem
Before you transfer your Avion to Avios, you should understand the value that Avios offers, particularly since it can freely be moved between multiple frequent flyer programs, offering some even better redemptions.
(23:07) Transferring Avion to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Avion points transfer to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles at a rate of 1:1 and offer the best way to actually fly on Cathay Pacific, as they release the majority of their seats to members of their own loyalty program.
(26:06) Transferring Avion to American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Avion points transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage at a lower rate of 1:0.7. While this is the lowest ratio of all transfer partners, the program offers excellent value with low point cost redemptions, low taxes, and excellent flexibility for changes and cancellations.
(33:56) Why We Skip Transferring Avion to WestJet Points
WestJet Rewards is the last transfer partner, and it also transfers at a rate of 1:1, but the value is poor as WestJet points have a fixed points valuation cap of 1 cent per point, representing poor value for your Avion points.
(35:06) RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule
If you aren’t interested in transferring Avion points to partner frequent flyer programs, the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule offers pretty good value for more straightforward redemptions.
(39:51) Flexible Travel Redemption Option
If you hold an eligible credit card, you can also take advantage of the RBC flexible travel redemption option, where 100 Avion points can be used for a $2 CAD credit towards the cost of a business or first class ticket.
(42:14) Conclusion
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