RBC ION+ Visa vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card: Which one is better?

RBC ION+ Visa
4.2

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.4
Welcome Bonus*
Get up to $125 in groceries(1). Apply by September 9, 2025. Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval – that’s up to $100 of value in gift cards(1). Get 3,125 Moi points upon linking to your Moi Rewards card – a value of $25(1)
Welcome Bonus*
In the first 2 months, get a bonus 10% cash back up to $100. During your first 30 days, transfer balances up to your credit limit and pay an interest rate of only 1.95% on the transferred balance for 6 months (22.95% after that). A Balance Transfer fee of 1% on the amount transferred will apply.11
Our Cash Offer
$50 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Our Cash Offer
$50 $120 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Promotional rebate expires on Sep 1, 2025
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$425.98
RBC Avion Premium
First Year Bonus Value
+
$140
RBC Avion Premium
Annual Fee
-
$48
Finly Rebate
+
$50Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$567.98
$377.98 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$278.6
First Year Bonus Value
+
$100
Annual Fee
-
$0
Finly Rebate
Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$498.6
$278.6 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending and assuming you have a Tangerine Savings account. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards*
- Earn 3X Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining, gas, food delivery, rideshare, streaming services and more2
- Earn 1X Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases2
How to Earn Rewards*
- 2% on the choice of two categories chosen from the 10 offered by Tangerine (Grocery, Restaurants, Gas, Entertainment, Furniture, Hotel-Motel, Drug Store, Reoccurring Bill Payments, Home Improvement, Public Transportation and Parking).
- Have your cash back Reward deposited in a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back Category.
- 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 daysMobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 days
Extra Benefits*
Gas Discount
Save 3¢/L instantly at the pump and get 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion pointsExtra points
Earn 1 extra Moi point for every $2 spent at participating Moi Rewards stores (minimum purchase required)Extra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
Extra Benefits*
N/A
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.95%2
Cash Advance:
22.95%2
Balance Transfer:
22.95%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*
N/A
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to WestJet
1¢ / pointFinancial Products
0.83¢ / pointGift Cards
0.72¢ / pointMerchandise
0.7¢ / pointTravel
0.58¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
0.58¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Not Applicable
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?
While we think Tangerine isn't the best single credit card to own, it's still a valuable card to have in your arsenal for maximizing your rewards. It offers one of the highest cashback rates for pharmacy and recurring bill payments, areas where your other credit cards might not provide significant rewards. This card only requires a Fair credit score, making it an excellent choice for people who don't have a high credit score yet.
Pros
- Save on fuel at Petro-Canada locations, with an overall 7 cents per litre value
- Great welcome bonus offer
- 3x points per $1 spent on high spend categories
Pros
- Allows you to change the categories, and you get a 2% reward depending on how your spending is changing every 90 days.
- 2% cashback on recurring Transactions and pharmacy purchases. One of the highest cashback rates on these categories among credit cards in Canada.
- Has cashback on Furniture and Home Improvement categories. Two categories that are not covered by any other card in Canada.
- Easy credit score requirements needed for this card.
- Overall, it is a good no-annual-fee cashback credit card, especially if you have a Tangerine Savings account.
Cons
- The ION Avion membership isn't quite as flexible as regular Avion
- Insurance coverage is very limited
Cons
- Insurance coverage is the most basic.
- Very low cashback rate on the other categories not selected.


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