RBC ION+ Visa vs American Express® Green Card: Which one is better?
RBC ION+ Visa
3
American Express® Green Card
3.9
Welcome Bonus
14,000 welcome Avion points (“Welcome Points”) will appear on your monthly credit card statement within sixty (60) days 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.
Welcome Bonus*
Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$425.98
RBC ION Avion
First Year Bonus Value
+
$70
RBC ION Avion
Annual Fee
-
$48
First Year Value
$447.98
$377.98 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$467.86
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$210
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$0
First Year Value
$677.86
$467.86 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards
- 3 points for every dollar in Grocery, Dining, Food Delivery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions Purchases
- 1 point for everything else
How to Earn Rewards*
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
Insurance Included
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 days
Extra Benefits
Extra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall.svg)
Gas Discount
save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada
Extra Benefits*
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee
$48
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
Gift Cards
0.72¢ / point
Merchandise
0.7¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.58¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to WestJet
1¢ / point
Financial Products
0.83¢ / point
Travel
0.6¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.91¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
This card is not by any means one of our favorite cards. For an annual fee it offers almost no notable benefits, with many no annual fee credit cards offering much more. The points earned are fine, but given the inflexibility of ION Avion points, it's very hard to get good value for the points earned, and it's much easier to earn more and do the same with some other credit card reward programs.
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.
Pros
- Insurance coverage is very little for a card with annual fee. There are cards with no annual fee that offer even better benefits.
- Avion reward points are generally not very flexible and not as valuable if not used for WestJet travel; therefore, if that's not your plan, there are many better cards that can be used.
- The annual fee isn't justifiable based on the reward program this card offers.
Pros
- No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
- Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
- VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through Amex Experiences™.
- Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.
Cons
- Bonus saving of 3 cents per liter on gas at Petro-Canada stations.
- 12,000 avion points welcome bonus.
Cons
- Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
- Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.
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