Aeroplan vs. RBC Avion: Which Is Better?

The short answer

Aeroplan and Avion are different kinds of rewards. Aeroplan is Air Canada's own loyalty program, so its points are built for Air Canada flights and its partners. Avion is RBC's bank-run program, so points are built to be spent on almost any airline or converted to other programs.

That difference decides most cases. If most of your flying is with Air Canada, Aeroplan usually fits more closely. If your airline changes with the route or the price, Avion's flexibility is the main selling point.

Fees and who qualifies

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite has a $139 annual fee, rebated in the first year for new cardholders, and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite has a $120 annual fee with no first-year waiver stated on RBC's page. Both need $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.

How each card earns

The TD Aeroplan card earns 1.5 points per dollar on gas, EV charging, groceries and direct Air Canada purchases, and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. RBC Avion earns 1.25 points per dollar on travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

If a large share of your spending is groceries and gas, the Aeroplan card earns more on those categories. If your spending is spread across general purchases, the gap shrinks.

What the points are worth

Neither program has a single fixed value. TD's own offer maths assumes about 2 cents per Aeroplan point on flights, but the real figure depends on the itinerary. RBC redeems flights through a fixed chart (for example 15,000 points for a round trip with a base fare up to $350) and other travel at 100 points per dollar, which is 1 cent each.

Work out your own typical trip on each program before deciding. A cheap flight redeemed on a fixed chart can be poor value, while a long or expensive flight can be very good value.

Bags, lounges and insurance

The Aeroplan card includes a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on Air Canada flights. RBC Avion lists no baggage benefit.

Neither card includes lounge access on the pages we checked. Both list emergency medical, trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance, but medical cover is shorter for travellers aged 65 and over on both. Read the certificates of insurance before you rely on either.

• Aeroplan card: medical cover for the first 21 days if under 65, and 4 days at 65 and over.
• Avion card: medical cover for the first 15 days if under 65, and 3 days at 65 and over.

Which should you choose?

Choose Aeroplan if you fly Air Canada most often, travel with family or companions who will use the free bag, and spend on groceries and gas.

Choose Avion if you want to book any airline, may want to convert points to WestJet Rewards or British Airways Avios, and would rather avoid tying your points to one carrier.

The cards in this guide

Facts come from each issuer's own pages and were last verified October 28, 2026. Confirm current terms with the issuer before you apply.

• TDTD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

  Card shapeVisa

  TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

  $139 annual fee · 2.5% foreign transaction fee · Aeroplan

  Read the full card profile
• RBCRBC Avion Visa Infinite

  Card shapeVisa

  RBC Avion Visa Infinite

  $120 annual fee · 2.5% foreign transaction fee · Avion Rewards

  Read the full card profile