The Points Standard

Head to head · Reviewed 2026-10-04 by The Points Standard

RBC ION Visa vs RBC ION+ Visa

Two cards, one Standard Score rubric. The RBC ION+ Visa scores higher overall at 6.5/10, but the right pick depends on which components match your spending.

5.5/ 10

RBC ION Visa

Situational

6.5/ 10

RBC ION+ Visa

StrongHigher overall

Independent.Methods and assumptions are published; compensation never sets the order.·Last reviewed Oct 4, 2026·Full disclosure

The verdict

Strong

RBC's two entry Avion cards, $48 apart, and they earn on the same everyday list: groceries, dining, gas, transit, rideshare and streaming. The free ION pays 1.5x there; the $48 ION+ pays 3x, with a bigger welcome (up to 28,000 Avion points versus 14,000). The extra 1.5 points per dollar covers the fee after about $2,000 a year of spending in those categories, which most households pass easily, so the ION+ is the better card unless you want no fee at all.

See offer · current RBC ION+ Visa offer, direct from the issuer

Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.

Side-by-side comparison
RBC ION VisaRBC ION+ Visa
Standard Score5.5/10 · Situational6.5/10 · Strong
Annual feeNone$48
Welcome bonusUp to 14,000 Avion points (7,000 on approval + 7,000 on $500 spend in the first 3 months); offer ends November 4, 2026Up to 28,000 Avion points (7,000 on approval + 14,000 on $1,500/6 mo + 7,000 at first anniversary); offer ends November 4, 2026
Est. bonus value≈ $224≈ $448
First-year net value≈ $260≈ $490
Earn rates
  • 1.5x: Groceries, gas, rideshare, streaming, and more
  • 1x: Everything else
  • 3x: Groceries, dining, food delivery, gas, EV charging, transit, rideshare, streaming, digital gaming and subscriptions
  • 1x: Everything else
Points currencyRBC AvionRBC Avion
No FX feesNoNo
Lounge accessNoNo

Where the RBC ION Visa wins

No component wins: its rival scores at least as well on every Standard Score component.

Where the RBC ION+ Visa wins

  • First-year value: scores 6.0/10 on this component
  • Ongoing value: scores 7.0/10 on this component
  • Flexibility: scores 7.0/10 on this component
  • Perk usability: scores 5.5/10 on this component
  • Strategic fit: scores 6.5/10 on this component

Read the full reviews: RBC ION Visa and RBC ION+ Visa, or see how both rank in Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada.

What the points are worth in dollars: RBC Avion Points Value. Each has a calculator for your balance.