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American Express Cobalt® Card
RBC ION Visa
Welcome Bonus
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your amex cobalt credit card in the first Year. That's up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points.
Welcome Bonus
Get up to $75 in groceries(1). Apply by September 9, 2025. Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval – that’s up to $50 of value in gift cards(1). Get 3,125 Moi points upon linking to your Moi Rewards card – a value of $25(1)
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,096.08
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$315
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$155.88
First Year Value
$1,255.2
$940.2 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$258.39
ION Avion Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$70
ION Avion Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$0
First Year Value
$378.39
$258.39 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards
How to Earn Rewards
Insurance Included
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Travel Accident
Mobile Device Insurance
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Emergency Out of province Medical
Flight Delay
Insurance Included
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Extra Benefits
Travel Credit
Amex Experiences™
Extra Benefits
Gas Discount
Extra points
Extra points
Interest Rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee
$155.88 (paid monthly)⁕
⁕ For Quebec residents, $150/year.
⁕ IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective November 5, 2025, the monthly fee for non-Quebec residents will increase to $15.99 per month ($191.88 annually), and the annual fee for Quebec residents will increase to $191.88 per year.
Annual Fee
$0
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program
Point Redemption Options
Statement Credits (Cash)
Gift Cards
Merchandise
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
Fixed Point Travel Program
Transfer to Hotel Partners
Amazon.ca
Point Redemption Options
Gift Cards
Merchandise
Statement Credits (Cash)
Most Optimal
Transfer to WestJet
Financial Products
Travel
Is this card worth it?
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible amex cobalt bonus points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Is this card worth it?
This is a decent no annual fee card, great for starting out and low-intermediate rewards. It offers great gas savings, especially for petro Canada gas customers, though insurance coverage is quite limited.
Pros
Pros
Cons
Cons
vs Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
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vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
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vs Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard®
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The American Express Cobalt® Card and the RBC ION Visa have a significant difference in their annual fees. The Cobalt® Card has a moderate annual fee, while the RBC ION Visa comes with no annual fee, making it more accessible to those looking for a no-cost option. Both cards do not have specific income requirements, allowing a broad range of users to apply. The fee difference could be a deciding factor depending on your budget and willingness to pay for premium benefits.
When comparing the rewards structure, the American Express Cobalt® Card offers significantly higher potential rewards, especially in categories like dining and groceries, where it provides a high multiplier on points. It also includes a generous welcome bonus for new cardholders, which further enhances its value. The RBC ION Visa, on the other hand, offers more modest rewards and a smaller welcome bonus, making it less competitive for those seeking maximum returns on everyday spending.
When it comes to redeeming rewards, the American Express Cobalt Card offers more flexibility and potentially higher value. It allows you to redeem points for statement credits, travel, gift cards, merchandise, and even transfer to airline and hotel partners, providing multiple ways to maximize the value of your points. On the other hand, while the RBC ION Visa also offers various redemption options, including travel, financial products, and gift cards, its point value is generally lower, and the redemption flexibility is not as robust as the Cobalt Card. For users who prefer straightforward and high-value redemptions, the Cobalt Card's options are superior, especially since statement credits offer greater flexibility compared to other forms of redemption.
The American Express Cobalt® Card stands out with its comprehensive benefits and insurance coverage, including travel insurance, car rental insurance, and mobile device protection, among others. These perks are extensive compared to the RBC ION Visa, which offers only basic insurance and fewer overall benefits. Additionally, the Cobalt® Card provides unique experiences and perks, like access to American Express exclusive events, that the RBC ION Visa does not match.
For most users, the American Express Cobalt® Card is the superior choice due to its higher rewards, robust benefits, and comprehensive insurance coverage. It is ideal for those who spend significantly on dining and groceries and are willing to pay an annual fee for premium perks. However, if you prefer a no-fee card with basic rewards and benefits, the RBC ION Visa could be more suitable, particularly for budget-conscious individuals or those with lower spending in the higher-reward categories.
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
^When you shop at Metro, Food Basics or Super C, and spend at least $60, you’ll get 1 additional Moi point for every 2 dollars you spend. When you shop at Brunet or Jean Coutu and spend at least $40 you’ll get 1 extra Moi point for every 2 dollars spent and when you shop at Premiere Moisson, and spend at least $20, you’ll get 1 extra Moi point for every 2 dollars spent.
1 “Up to $75 in groceries” represents the combined value of the following promotional offers when you apply by September 9, 2025 and are approved for the RBC ION Visa: (a) 7,000 Avion points, which can be redeemed for most $50 gift cards though Avion Rewards, including Metro gift cards, plus (b) 3,125 Moi points, which are worth $25 in value, based on a redemption rate of 500 Moi points for $4. Point redemption values may fluctuate. For complete terms and conditions that apply to the Moi Rewards program, please visit programmemoi.ca/en/program-terms. For complete terms and conditions that apply to the Avion Rewards Program, please visit avionrewards.com/terms-and-conditions or call 1-800-769-2512.
This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC ION Visa credit card submitted through rbc.com/moirewards by September 9, 2025 (“Offer Period”) and approved by Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”), subject to the conditions below. Additional cardholders(s) (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) on the RBC ION Visa credit card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC Royal Bank personal credit card transferring to an RBC ION Visa credit card during the Offer Period, are not eligible for this offer.
7,000 welcome Avion points (“Welcome Points”) will appear on your first credit card statement after your application has been approved, provided that your RBC ION Visa credit card account (“Credit Card Account”) remains open and in good standing at the time the Welcome points are credited to your account, “good standing” meaning that your Credit Card Account must not be past due for more than two (2) consecutive credit card account statement periods, closed, charged off or in credit revoked status. If you close or change your RBC ION Visa credit card for another type of RBC Royal Bank credit card before the Welcome Points have been credited to your account, you may lose the benefit of this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer with the exception of offers available on rbc.com/moirewards. Royal Bank reserves the right to cancel, modify or withdraw this offer at any time without notice, even after your application has been approved, including if we suspect that you may be manipulating or abusing it, or engaging in any suspicious or fraudulent activity, as determined by Royal Bank in its sole discretion. For complete terms and conditions that apply to the Avion Rewards Program, please visit avionrewards.com/terms-and-conditions or call 1-800-769-2512.
To get $50 worth of gift cards/certificates, you will need a total of 7,000 Avion points, based on a minimum redemption of 1,400 Avion points for most $10 gift cards/certificates. Some exceptions apply. Point redemption values may fluctuate. For general redemption terms, conditions and restrictions that apply to the Avion Rewards program, as well as for current point redemption values, please visit avionrewards.com/terms-and-conditions or call 1-800-769-2512.
To be eligible to receive 3,125 Moi points ("Bonus Moi points"), your application for the RBC ION Visa must be submitted through rbc.com/moirewards by September 9, 2025 ("Offer Period") and be approved by us, and you must link your new RBC ION Visa to your Moi Rewards card within 30 days from the date your credit card application has been approved. Additional cardholder(s) (co-applicant and authorized users(s)) on the RBC ION Visa credit card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC personal credit card transferring to the RBC ION Visa as of the Offer Period, are not eligible for the Bonus Moi points. moi RBC Visa cardholders applying for the RBC ION Visa as of the Offer Period are not eligible for the Bonus Moi points. To link your new RBC ION Visa to your Moi account, you must be enrolled in RBC Online Banking or the RBC Mobile app. Card linking may take up to 2 business days to process. Please allow up to 2-9 weeks for the Bonus Moi points to be awarded to your linked Moi account. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer, with the exception of offers available on rbc.com/moirewards. Offer may be amended or withdrawn without notice at any time, prior to your acceptance. For complete details, including the definition of the capitalized terms used in the disclosures below, please see full Terms and Conditions.
To redeem your Moi points, you must have at least 500 Moi points to get $4 off your transaction at participating Moi Rewards stores. To redeem more than 500 Moi points in one transaction, you may only do so in increments of 125 Moi points thereafter, at a redemption rate of 125 Moi points for $1. Other conditions and restrictions apply. Moi point redemption values may fluctuate. For complete terms and conditions that apply to the Moi Rewards program, please visit programmemoi.ca/en/program-terms.
2 You will earn 1.5 Avion points for every $1.00 in Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions Purchases you make on your RBC ION Visa credit card at merchants classified by Visa’s “Merchant Category Code” (MCC). Depending on how certain merchants are categorized by Visa’s “Merchant Category Code” (MCC) they may not qualify as an eligible MCC. Eligible MCCs are listed as:
(i) “Grocery Stores and Supermarkets” (MCC 5411) are “Grocery Purchases”;
(ii) “Service Stations (With or without Ancillary Services)” (MCC 5541), “Automated Fuel Dispensers” (MCC 5542), “Taxicabs and Limousines” (MCC 4121), “Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries” (MCC 4111), Electric Vehicle Charging” (MCC 5552) are “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”. Non-commuter passenger railway purchases and non-commuter bus line purchases do not qualify as part of “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”;
(iii) “Digital Goods Media – Books, Movies, Music” (MCC 5815), “Digital Goods – Games” (MCC 5816), “Digital Goods – Applications (Excludes Games)” (MCC 5817), “Digital Goods – Large Digital Goods Merchants” (MCC 5818), “Cable, Satellite, and Other Pay Television/Radio/Streaming Services” (MCC 4899) are “Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions Purchases”. The “Digital Goods – Games” MCC does not include games of chance and gambling.
You will earn 1 Avion point for every $1.00 on all other purchases (including pre-authorized bill payments) you make on your RBC ION Visa credit card. Even though some merchants may sell Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions merchandise, purchases made at these locations may not necessarily qualify as Eligible MCCs if the merchant is not classified as such by Visa. Also, you may make a purchase at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC but is located on the premises of a merchant that is classified as an Eligible MCC, in which case your purchase would not qualify as an Eligible MCC. We cannot guarantee that any merchant, operating in whole or in part as a Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions merchant is classified as an Eligible MCC and in no event will we be liable or responsible for any claims with respect to a Grocery, Rides, gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions purchase made at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC. Avion points are earned on net purchases only; they are not earned on cash advances (balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the points earned by the amounts originally charged.
4 Each time you use your linked, eligible RBC payment card to pay for purchases at a Metro location or any participating store, you’ll earn 1 extra Moi point for every 2 dollars you spend^.
Please allow up to ninety (90) days from the date the transaction is posted on your credit card statement for the points to appear in your Moi Rewards account.
5 No points are awarded for purchases of the following products and services: tobacco products, lottery tickets, public transportation tickets and passes, gift cards and other prepaid cards, stamps, postal services, dry cleaning, film and video game rentals, any deposit fees and eco-contributions, SAQ products, alcoholic beverages outside of the province of Québec, order preparation and delivery charges, donations, utensils for ready to eat products, certain products offered on participating partner’s platforms, products offered through food waste reduction platforms, Fragrance Discovery Gift Sets, items linked to a fundraising campaign, prescription drug, other medication and other pharmacy or health care-related products and services according to laws in place in each province, taxes, ecofees and any items excluded by Metro in the future or forbidden by law. Excluded products may vary by province and Metro reserves the right at all times, to add or exclude, at its sole discretion, eligible items for points.
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions. The Website may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into The Website. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.