How to Use Avion Points

RBC Avion points can go straight to the portal at a flat 1¢/pt, or transfer to a partner program where the ceiling is much higher. British Airways Avios and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles both convert at 1:1. Three redemptions showing what that means in practice.

Portal floor — any flight, hotel, or car through the Avion travel portal
~2.4¢ BA Avios transfer — London economy return on AA-operated flights
~6¢ Asia Miles transfer — Cathay Pacific business class to Hong Kong

3 ways to use the points

The portal is always available. The transfers pay off when there is a confirmed seat worth booking.

Card
Monthly spend $2,500
Starting points 35,000 pts
🌊
Westcoast Adventure
Tofino, BC · Any flight or hotel · Fixed 1¢/pt through the Avion portal
1¢/pt — portal

Two nights in Tofino🌊 Old-growth rainforest behind you, open Pacific in front. Surf if you can, walk the Wild Pacific Trail if you can't. The portal covers flights and hotels at the same flat rate, so the points go toward the flight from Calgary or Edmonton, or straight to the room if you're driving up from the Lower Mainland.

Portal value ~$600
Points required 60,000 pts
Starting points (35,000 pts) −35,000 pts
Remaining to earn 25,000 pts
Monthly earn at $2,500/mo 2,563 pts/mo
Time to goal 10 months
Avion Visa Infinite
10 months
after 35,000 pt bonus
Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
8 months
after 35,000 pt bonus
Earn pace — 60,000 pts
🌊
10 months 60,000 pts goal

~$600 estimate covers two nights at a mid-range Tofino or Ucluelet property (~$300/night), or a return economy flight from Calgary or Edmonton plus one hotel night. Portal covers any flight, hotel, or car at 100 pts per $1; exact trip cost varies. Welcome bonus: 35,000 pts on approval, offer valid through July 15, 2026 — verify at rbcroyalbank.com before applying.

🏰
London, Economy Return
Economy return · YYZ → LHR · AA-operated via BA Avios
~50,000 Avios — ~2.4¢/pt

A week in London🏰 Borough Market for breakfast. The Tate Modern, the South Bank, and a pub that stays warm until midnight. Book the AA-operated transatlantic leg with Avios and there are no fuel surcharges — just airport taxes.

Transfer path: Avion Rewards → British Airways Avios (1:1) → book AA-operated YYZ→LHR (via US gateway) on ba.com. No YQ fuel surcharges on AA metal. Taxes approximately $40–50. Transfers take 2–5 business days — confirm availability before transferring.
Cash fare (economy return, YYZ→LHR) ~$1,200
Avios required (+ ~$45 taxes) 50,000 Avios
Avion points to transfer (1:1) 50,000 pts
Starting points (35,000 pts) −35,000 pts
Remaining to earn 15,000 pts
Monthly earn at $2,500/mo 2,563 pts/mo
Time to goal 6 months
Savings vs. cash fare ~$1,150
Avion Visa Infinite
6 months
after 35,000 pts
Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
5 months
after 35,000 pts
Earn pace — 50,000 pts
🏰
6 months 50,000 pts goal

~$1,200 return economy estimate for YYZ→LHR; fares vary by date and booking window. ~50,000 Avios based on BA partner award pricing for AA-operated transatlantic flights — BA uses dynamic pricing, verify at ba.com before transferring. No YQ fuel surcharges apply on AA-operated flights booked with Avios; government taxes and fees apply. Route typically connects via ORD, JFK, or PHL. Welcome bonus: 35,000 pts on approval, valid through July 15, 2026 — verify at rbcroyalbank.com.

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Vancouver to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Business, one way · YVR → HKG · via Asia Miles transfer
~75,000 Asia Miles — ~6¢/pt

Fourteen hours on a lie-flat seat. The Wan Chai market. Dim sum at six in the morning🥟 Cathay Pacific business class direct from Vancouver — a direct trans-Pacific route on an airline that runs the cabin properly. Arrive rested. Cash fare for the same seat: ~$4,500.

Transfer path: Avion Rewards → Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1) → book on cathaypacific.com. Asia Miles uses dynamic pricing — verify before transferring. Transfers are permanent.
Cash fare (CX Business, YVR→HKG one-way) ~$4,500
Asia Miles required (typical saver) ~75,000 Miles
Avion points to transfer (1:1) 75,000 pts
Starting points (35,000 pts) −35,000 pts
Remaining to earn 40,000 pts
Monthly earn at $2,500/mo 2,563 pts/mo
Time to goal 1 yr 4 mo
Savings vs. cash fare ~$4,300
Avion Visa Infinite
1 yr 4 mo
after 35,000 pt bonus
Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
1 yr 1 mo
after 35,000 pt bonus
Earn pace — 75,000 pts
🥟
1 yr 4 mo 75,000 pts goal

~$4,500 cash fare estimate for CX Business YVR→HKG one-way; actual fares vary significantly. ~75,000 Asia Miles is based on typical saver-level availability — Asia Miles uses dynamic pricing and actual costs may differ. Taxes and fees of ~$100–200 payable in cash. Verify current pricing at cathaypacific.com before transferring. Welcome bonus: 35,000 pts on approval, valid through July 15, 2026.

Avion Visa Infinite vs. Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

Both cards transfer to BA Avios and Asia Miles at 1:1. The earn rate difference matters most for longer accumulation targets like the Hong Kong redemption, where the Privilege closes the gap about 3 months sooner at $2,500/mo spend.

Feature Avion Visa Infinite Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee $120 $399
Earn — travel 1.25 pts/$1 1.25 pts/$1
Earn — all other 1 pt/$1 1.25 pts/$1
Monthly earn at $2,500/mo ~2,563 pts ~3,125 pts
Welcome bonus (on approval) 35,000 pts 35,000 pts
Transfer to BA Avios 1:1 1:1
Transfer to Asia Miles 1:1 1:1
Airport lounge access None 6 passes/year included
Income requirement $60K personal or $100K household $200K personal or household
Avion Rewards program Points value reference

Come in for a free conversation.

Confirm award availability, map your spending to the right card, and walk through the transfer before you commit.