RBC Avion Rewards is one of Canada's most flexible points programs, allowing transfer to WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, American AAdvantage, and other partners. For Canadians flying short-haul or wanting flexibility across multiple airlines, Avion is a powerful alternative to Aeroplan. This guide covers the complete Avion earning and redemption landscape for 2026.
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RBC Avion Transfer Partners
| Partner | Transfer Ratio | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| WestJet Dollars | 100 Avion = $1 WestJet | WestJet flights, packages |
| British Airways Avios | 1:1 | Short-haul AA flights, JAL Japan |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Asian premium cabin flights |
| American AAdvantage | 1:1 | AA domestic, oneworld partners |
| Avion Travel portal | 100 pts = ~$1 | Any flight booking |
RBC Avion Cards in Canada
| Card | Earn Rate | Annual Fee | Key Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | 1 pt/$; 1.25x travel | $120 | Priority Pass (limited) |
| RBC Avion VI Infinite Privilege | 1.25 pts/$ all; 1.5x travel | $399 | 6 Priority Pass visits |
| RBC Avion Visa Platinum | 1 pt/$ | $0 | Basic Avion earning |
British Airways Avios — The Best Avion Transfer Strategy
Transferring Avion to British Airways Avios at 1:1 unlocks some of the most valuable short-haul redemptions available to Canadians. BA Avios uses distance-based pricing:
- Flights under 650 miles: 6,000 Avios one-way economy on AA or BA
- Flights 651–1,151 miles: 9,000 Avios one-way economy
- Example: Toronto–New York on American Airlines = 6,000 Avios (worth $150–$200 in cash fare)
- Example: Tokyo domestic on JAL = 4,500 Avios one-way
On a 1:1 Avion transfer, 6,000 Avion → 6,000 Avios → $150–$200 flight = 2.5–3.3¢/pt. Exceptional value for the short-haul strategy.
WestJet Transfer — Simple and Direct
Avion transfers to WestJet at 100 points = $1 WestJet dollar. WestJet dollars never expire and can be used on any WestJet fare. The effective value is 1¢/Avion point — solid but not spectacular. Best used when WestJet fares are the right fit for your travel and you don't want to navigate complex airline award programs.
Asia Redemptions via Cathay Pacific
Avion transfers to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles at 1:1. Cathay's award chart for business class redemptions to Asia is among the best available to Canadians, rivaling Aeroplan for flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Southeast Asia. The transfer typically takes 3–5 business days.
Avion Strategy for 2026
- Short-haul expert: Transfer to BA Avios for AA/JAL redemptions (2.5–3¢/pt)
- WestJet traveller: Transfer 100:$1 WestJet (simple, reliable)
- Asia travel: Transfer to Cathay Asia Miles for premium cabin value
- Avoid: Avion travel portal (1¢/pt cap — transfers beat this)