Head to head · Reviewed 2026-07-06 · By The Points Standard editorial team
Amex Cobalt Card vs RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Two cards, one Standard Score rubric. The Amex Cobalt Card scores higher overall at 8.3/10 — but the right pick depends on which components match your spending.
| Amex Cobalt Card | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Score | 8.3/10 · Excellent | 7.2/10 · Strong |
| Annual fee | $191.88 ($15.99 charged monthly (increased from $12.99/mo effective November 5, 2025)) | $120 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 15,000 MR points (1,250/month for 12 months of qualifying spend) | Up to 70,000 Avion points (35,000 on approval, 20,000 with spend, 15,000 at anniversary) |
| Est. bonus value | ≈ $300 | ≈ $1,120 |
| First-year net value | ≈ $714 | ≈ $1,000 |
| Earn rates |
|
|
| Points currency | Amex Membership Rewards | RBC Avion |
| No FX fees | No | No |
| Lounge access | No | No |
Where the Amex Cobalt Card wins
- First-year value — scores 9.0/10 on this component
- Ongoing value — scores 8.5/10 on this component
- Flexibility — scores 9.0/10 on this component
- Strategic fit — scores 8.5/10 on this component
Where the RBC Avion Visa Infinite wins
- Low friction — scores 8.5/10 on this component
The verdict
The Cobalt earns faster on food than Avion earns on anything, and MR points transfer to more places than Avion does. But Avion's fixed chart and RBC ecosystem tie-ins reward the patient booker, and it's a Visa — accepted everywhere the Cobalt isn't. Big grocery-and-dining spenders should take the Cobalt for pure earn rate; RBC banking clients and short-haul flyers who like a fixed chart should stick with Avion.
Read the full reviews: Amex Cobalt Card and RBC Avion Visa Infinite, or see how both rank in Best Credit Cards in Canada.