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Side by Side Credit Cards Comparison
Which one is better?

American Express CobaltĀ® Card
4.9

RBC ION+ Visa
4.5
Welcome Bonus
Earn 1,250 Membership RewardsĀ® 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 RewardsĀ® points.
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 21,000 Avion points, up to $150 of value in gift cards, when you apply by May 6, 2026. Get 7,000 Welcome Points and earn 14,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in your first 6 months.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,037.82
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$300
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$191.88
First Year Value
$1,145.94
$845.94 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$433.74
RBC Avion (Premium) Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$140
RBC Avion (Premium) Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$48
First Year Value
$525.74
$385.74 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
Mobile Device Insurance
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Flight Delay
Insurance Included
Mobile Device Insurance
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Extra Benefits
Travel Credit
Amex Experiencesā¢
Extra Benefits
Gas Discount
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
$191.88 (paid monthly)
Annual Fee
$48
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
AeroplanĀ® Flights
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 one of 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 AeroplanĀ® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Is this card worth it?
The RBC Ion+ Visa delivers exceptional value for its modest $48 annual fee, offering an impressive 3x Avion points on a comprehensive range of everyday spending categories including groceries, dining, gas, streaming, and transit. What makes this card particularly appealing is its standout mobile device insurance coverage up to $1,000 for two years, plus the fee waiver for students with qualifying RBC accounts. While the card earns Avion Premium points, they can be converted 1:1 to the more valuable Avion Elite points when paired with an eligible RBC Avion card, unlocking premium travel redemptions and airline transfers, making this one of the best low-cost rewards cards available in Canada.
Pros
Pros
Cons
Cons
vs Marriott BonvoyĀ® American ExpressĀ®* Card
vs Neo World EliteĀ® MastercardĀ®
vs American Express Platinum CardĀ®
vs SimplyCashĀ® Card from American Express
vs American ExpressĀ® AeroplanĀ®* Reserve Card
vs American ExpressĀ® AeroplanĀ®* Card
vs Scotia MomentumĀ® Visa* Card
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs CIBC AeroplanĀ® Visa Infinite* Card
vs BMO CashBackĀ® World EliteĀ® MastercardĀ®
vs Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard
vs Amazon.ca Rewards MastercardĀ®
vs SimplyCash⢠Preferred Card from American Express
vs TD First Class TravelĀ® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TDĀ® AeroplanĀ® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
vs Scotia MomentumĀ® Visa Infinite* Card
vs MBNA Rewards World EliteĀ® MastercardĀ®
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs American ExpressĀ® Green Card
vs Simplii Financial⢠Cash Back Visa* Card
vs Neo MastercardĀ®
vs American Express Gold Rewards CardĀ®
vs Walmart Rewards⢠World Mastercard®
vs Walmart Rewards⢠Mastercard®
vs Rogers Red World EliteĀ® MastercardĀ®
vs Scotiabank PassportĀ® Visa Infinite* Card
vs RBC ION Visa
vs Scotiabank Gold American ExpressĀ® Card
vs Rogers Red MastercardĀ®
vs TD AeroplanĀ® Visa Infinite* Card
The American Express CobaltĀ® Card has a higher annual fee compared to the RBC ION+ Visa. Both cards do not have a minimum income requirement, making them accessible to a wide range of applicants. However, the difference in annual fees should be considered based on how much you value the rewards and benefits offered by each card.
The American Express CobaltĀ® Card offers significantly higher rewards, especially in categories like dining, groceries, and travel. It also has a more substantial welcome bonus. In contrast, the RBC ION+ Visa offers fewer rewards overall, though it does provide points for everyday purchases like groceries and gas. The CobaltĀ® Card is more suitable for those who spend heavily in its bonus categories, while the ION+ Visa is better for moderate spenders looking for a low-cost option.
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 CobaltĀ® Card offers more extensive benefits, including a wider range of travel insurance options and additional perks like exclusive experiences. The RBC ION+ Visa includes some basic insurance and a modest gas discount, but its benefits are limited in comparison. For those who prioritize insurance coverage and unique perks, the CobaltĀ® Card is the better choice.
The CobaltĀ® Card, being an American Express, is not as widely accepted as the RBC ION+ Visa, which is a Visa card. Visa is generally accepted almost everywhere, whereas American Express is not. If acceptance and flexibility in spending locations are crucial to you, the RBC ION+ Visa may be more convenient.
For most users, the American Express CobaltĀ® Card is the better option due to its superior rewards, benefits, and insurance coverage, despite the higher annual fee. However, those who prefer a lower-cost card with broader acceptance might find the RBC ION+ Visa to be a better fit.
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.
® / ⢠Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. ┠All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s).
^ This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC ION+ Visa credit card received between January 21, 2026 and May 6, 2026 (āOffer Periodā) and approved by Royal Bank of Canada (āRoyal Bankā), 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 Avion points (āWelcome Pointsā) 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 (āCredit Card Accountā) remains open and in good standing at the time the Welcome points are credited to your account, āgood standingā 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.
14,000 additional Avion points (āBonus Pointsā) will be awarded to you if a total of $1,500 (āQualifying Transaction Amountā) or more in qualifying net purchases and/or pre-authorized bill payment transactions (āQualifying Transactionsā) are posted to your Credit Card Account within the first six (6) months from your Credit Card Account opening date (āPeriodā). The Bonus Points will appear on your monthly credit card statement within sixty (60) days after you reach $1,500 in Qualifying Transactions, provided your Credit Card Account is in good standing at the time the Bonus Points are credited to your account.
Qualifying Transactions exclude cash advances (including balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges and fees, and credits for returns and adjustments posted to your Credit Card Account during the Period will reduce the amount of your Qualifying Transactions. The Qualifying Transaction Amount is based on the transaction posting date of each Qualifying Transaction, not the transaction date. This means that transactions that take place prior to the last day of the Period will not be considered for the Qualifying Transaction Amount if they have not yet been posted or processed by the merchant, the payment network (Visa) or Royal Bank by the last day of the Period.
If you close or change your RBC ION+ Visa credit card for another type of RBC Royal Bank credit card before the Welcome Points and/or the Bonus 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. Royal Bank of Canada 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 www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800-769-2512.
ā To get $150 worth of gift cards/certificates, you will need a total of 21,000 Avion points. 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 https://www.avionrewards.com/terms-and-conditions.html or call 1-800-769-2512.
2 You will earn 3 Avion points for every $1.00 in Grocery, Dining, Food Delivery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Gaming & Subscriptions Purchases you make on your RBC ION+ Visa credit card at merchants classified by Visaās āMerchant Category Codeā (MCC). Depending on how certain merchants are categorized by Visaās āMerchant Category Codeā (MCC) they may not qualify as an eligible MCC. Eligible MCCs are listed as:
(i) āGrocery Stores and Supermarketsā (MCC 5411), āEating Place sand Restaurantsā (MCC 5812), āDrinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) ā Bars, Taverns, Nightclubs, Cocktail Lounges, and Discothequesā (MCC 5813), āFast Food Restaurantsā (MCC 5814), are āGrocery, Dining, and Food Delivery Purchasesā. Government liquor agencies and package stores that sell beer, wine, and liquor do not qualify as part of the āDrinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)ā Bars, Taverns, Nightclubs, Cocktail Lounges, and Discothequesā MCC;
(ii) āService Stations (With or without Ancillary Services)ā (MCC 5541), āAutomated Fuel Dispensersā (MCC 5542), āTaxicabs and Limousinesā (MCC 4121), āLocal and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferriesā (MCC 4111), āElectric Vehicle Chargingā (MCC 5552) are āRides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchasesā. Non-commuter passenger railway purchases and non-commuter bus line purchases do not qualify as part of āRides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchasesā.
(iii) āDigital Goods Media ā Books, Movies, Musicā (MCC 5815), āDigital Goods ā Gamesā (MCC 5816), āDigital Goods ā Applications (Excludes Games)ā (MCC 5817), āDigital Goods ā Large Digital Goods Merchantsā (MCC 5818), āCable, Satellite and Other Pay Television/Radio/Streaming Servicesā (MCC 4899) are āStreaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions Purchasesā. The āDigital Goods āGamesā 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, Dining, Food Delivery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, 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, Dining, Food Delivery, 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, Dining, Food Delivery, 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.
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.
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