I will address the Avion Card somewhat.

I think with Royal Bank Avion, you can use the points for the economic ticket throught the Royal Bank contracted travel agancy. I was told last time by a supervisor that if I can pay the fare difference and get a busness class ticket. As far as they are concern, the more expensive ticket, the more money they make That was the bottom line is concerned. THe tickets redeemed from travel agency does have status miles. Also, you can fly any airlines you want (as long as it is in the price range published with Avion card terms or you pay the difference). My last experience with the Royal Bank travel agency was April 2003.

You cannot just use points to get a business class ticket through the Royal Bank travel agency. However, you can convert the points to BA miles or Asia Miles and then redeem for a business class ticket. Of course these awards do not give you status miles. Last time I trasfered tickets for BA miles and then redeemed Business class tickets was April 2007