Originally Posted by jerry305 (Post 28796964)

https://online.royalbank.com/apply/c.../avion_inf.png

This RBC Avion 25,000 point offer was mentioned on another thread:
https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/service...ofr2-f-or.html

This offer is 25,000 Avion points. I don't see that the $120 annual fee is waived.

If you walk into an RBC branch and display a competitor's card, and say you want to switch, you should be able to get 15,000 Avion points, with $0 annual fee.

So the comparison is 25,000 ($120) versus 15,000 ($0).
Yes, it does require the time you spend at the branch to do it, though.

Also, the tiers with the RBC Avion program are:
15,000 Short-haul: Canada/United States Within or to an adjacent Province/Territory/U.S. State $350
35,000 Long-haul: Canada/United States Anywhere in Canada/U.S except Hawaii and Alaska $750
etc.

The in-branch offer gets you 15,000 points, which is right at one of the thresholds. My plan is to get my 15,000 Avion points, book a short haul flight (value $350), and call it a day with that card.

If you start with 25,000 Avion points, though, then you need to spend $10,000 more, to earn another 10,000 Avion points, to be able to use all your points.

So, if you're looking for a flight that's gonna be worth close to $750, then that might be the better option.

Originally Posted by flyer05 (Post 28797196)

The "competitor Visa Infinite" offer is available over the phone as well. So you can apply online for the 25,000 points, then call in and ask them to waive the fee because you hold another Visa Infinite product.

Just tested this myself and it works. ^ The $120 had already posted to my account and the rep was more than happy to reverse it. Didn't even ask for proof or anything.

Originally Posted by I came to fly (Post 28804939)

RBC fought me on this, hard. had to call twice and the second rep kept putting me on hold with the excuse of "let me check with my supervisor". He tried to negotiate a reduced FYF, i refused and went on hold for another 10 mins. He eventually agreed to full refund of $120

Originally Posted by jerry305 (Post 28796964)

https://online.royalbank.com/apply/c.../avion_inf.png

This RBC Avion 25,000 point offer was mentioned on another thread:
https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/service...ofr2-f-or.html

This offer is 25,000 Avion points. I don't see that the $120 annual fee is waived.

If you walk into an RBC branch and display a competitor's card, and say you want to switch, you should be able to get 15,000 Avion points, with $0 annual fee.

So the comparison is 25,000 ($120) versus 15,000 ($0).
Yes, it does require the time you spend at the branch to do it, though.

Also, the tiers with the RBC Avion program are:
15,000 Short-haul: Canada/United States Within or to an adjacent Province/Territory/U.S. State $350
35,000 Long-haul: Canada/United States Anywhere in Canada/U.S except Hawaii and Alaska $750
etc.

The in-branch offer gets you 15,000 points, which is right at one of the thresholds. My plan is to get my 15,000 Avion points, book a short haul flight (value $350), and call it a day with that card.

If you start with 25,000 Avion points, though, then you need to spend $10,000 more, to earn another 10,000 Avion points, to be able to use all your points.

So, if you're looking for a flight that's gonna be worth close to $750, then that might be the better option.

Originally Posted by pokee (Post 28807766)

I went ahead and applied for this, but won't know the outcome for a few days. I applied using the link for the 25K, but it directed me to log into my my RBC account if I had one (I do, since I currently hold the Westjet MC).

If I do get the card, I'm concerned I won't get the 25K bonus, since there's nothing on their website about it - looks like a targeted offer to NEW RBC customers - not just to new Avion/RBC Rewards Cardholders. Anyone know for sure?

Originally Posted by yannerd (Post 28807056)

Not sure if this has been mentioned here but HSBC has a new Premier World Elite card for Premier customers. There's no forex spread and you're getting 1.2 Avios per $1 on non travel spend and 2.4 Avios per $1 on travel spend. They also transfer to Krisflyer at 1.08/$1 and Asiamiles at 0.96/$1 on non travel spend and double that on travel. IMO this beats out the RBC offering for Avios and almost beats the Asiamiles card. Only thing is you need to be an HSBC Premier customer.

Originally Posted by claurianta2 (Post 28808403)

Have you figured out how to apply without being a Premier customer (which requires $100,000 in deposits or investments with them)?

Originally Posted by I came to fly (Post 28804939)

RBC fought me on this, hard. had to call twice and the second rep kept putting me on hold with the excuse of "let me check with my supervisor". He tried to negotiate a reduced FYF, i refused and went on hold for another 10 mins. He eventually agreed to full refund of $120

Originally Posted by flyer05 (Post 28806066)

Yeah. It should also be noted that my FYF was granted "as a one-time exception" even though it's well-advertised that RBC are having this promotion. All's well that ends well, I suppose.

Originally Posted by flyer05 (Post 28808049)

We shall see... if it's the 15K points that show up instead, I'm sure a phone call or two, to point out the offer you applied through, will do the trick.

Originally Posted by flyer05 (Post 28815088)

[MENTION=601908]pokee[/MENTION] an update... my first statement posted and I got the 25K points. ^

Originally Posted by pokee (Post 28815748)

That's great! But, did you apply through your RBC account? This is where I think the 'link' to the 25K promo got lost for me (their website still continues to say the bonus is 15K). Unless the 25K is awarded to everyone based on the date they applied, rather than the link they used or if they're not a current RBC customer?

http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-c...ite-avion.html

Originally Posted by flyer05 (Post 28816347)

Yep I logged into my account during the application, and it tracked the offer just fine. There was no indication in the URL or anything either, so it must have been behind-the-scenes.

Originally Posted by allbrosca (Post 28789272)

I had two for awhile. Only problem I had is when I accidentally used the card which charged per visit instead of the free visit one. When I saw it on my credit card bill I called in and it was reversed.