RBC ION Visa vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: Which one is better?
RBC ION Visa
2.6
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.5
Welcome Bonus*
Get up to $75 in groceries1. Apply by September 9, 2025.
Welcome Bonus*
New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 20,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership. Offer ends August 18, 2025. This could add up to 110,000 points in a year. That’s up to $1,100 towards your next vacation.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$258.39
RBC ION Avion
First Year Bonus Value
+
$70
RBC ION Avion
Annual Fee
-
$0
First Year Value
$328.39
$258.39 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$598.87
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$1,890
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$250
First Year Value
$2,238.87
$348.87 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards*
- Earn 1.5X Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, rideshare, streaming services and more2
- Earn 1X Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases2
How to Earn Rewards*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 yearPurchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$500,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500
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
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
American Express® Experiences
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Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program.svg)
Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee*
$0
Annual Fee*
$250
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¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
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.
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
- Good savings on gas if you are a regular petro-Canada gas customer.
- No annual fee.
- Up to 1.5 points per $1 spent on purchases
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Cons
- Insurance coverage is the most basic.
- Reward categories are not the best.
- Avion reward points are generally less valuable.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
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