RBC Avion transfer partners: where your points can go

Avion points sit in your RBC account doing nothing until you move them somewhere useful. The transfer partner list is what separates a flexible travel currency from a closed-loop rewards program, and RBC’s roster is broader than many cardholders realize. The real question is not whether you can transfer, but where the transfer actually delivers value.

How RBC Avion point transfers work

When you transfer Avion points to a partner program, the points leave your RBC account permanently and are converted into the partner’s currency at a set ratio. Transfers are generally one-way. You cannot move points back to Avion once the transfer is complete, so it pays to be deliberate before initiating one.

Transfer minimums apply, and processing times vary by partner. Some transfers post within a day or two; others can take several business days. If you are booking a specific award flight, initiate the transfer well before the seat disappears. Say you are eyeing a business class redemption on a partner airline and need 70,000 miles in your frequent flyer account by Friday — waiting until Thursday to transfer is a real risk.

RBC Avion transfer partners and ratios

RBC Avion transfers to both airline frequent flyer programs and hotel loyalty programs. The ratios differ by partner, and not all transfers are equal in terms of the value you receive per Avion point spent. The table below covers the main rbc avion transfer partners available to Canadian cardholders.

Transfer ratios can change, and RBC does not always publicize updates prominently. Confirm the current ratio directly with RBC or through your online banking portal before committing to a transfer. The ratios listed above reflect commonly published terms but should be verified before you act.

Which avion transfer partners offer the best value

Not every transfer partner gives you equal purchasing power. The value of an Avion point after transfer depends on the redemption you make inside the partner program. Transferring to a program with a weak award chart or limited partner availability can leave you worse off than redeeming directly through RBC’s own travel portal. For a deeper look at how one of the most popular destinations stacks up, the How much are Aeroplan points worth in Canada (2026)? breakdown covers Aeroplan redemption value in detail.

• Air Canada Aeroplan: the most useful destination for most Canadians, given Air Canada’s domestic network and Star Alliance partner coverage. A 1:1 transfer ratio preserves your point count, and Aeroplan’s award chart rewards short-haul domestic flights efficiently.
• British Airways Executive Club: valuable for short-haul redemptions on partner carriers using Avios, particularly transatlantic routes on oneworld partners. Distance-based pricing means short flights can cost very few Avios.
• American Airlines AAdvantage: useful for accessing oneworld partners and certain transatlantic or transpacific routes where AAdvantage pricing is competitive. Less relevant for purely domestic Canadian travel.
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: a strong option for premium cabin redemptions to Asia and beyond, particularly on Cathay Pacific metal where availability tends to be reasonable.
• WestJet Rewards: transfers convert to WestJet dollars rather than a traditional points currency, which limits flexibility but makes redemptions straightforward for WestJet flights.
• Marriott Bonvoy: hotel transfers can work for high-value property redemptions, but the conversion rate from Avion to Bonvoy points typically makes this a lower-priority option compared to airline transfers.

When an avion points to airline transfer makes sense

Transferring Avion points to an airline program makes the most sense when you have a specific redemption in mind and the award space is already confirmed. Transferring speculatively, hoping to find availability later, is how points get stranded in a program you rarely use.

• You have identified award space on a specific flight and need to top up a frequent flyer balance to cover the redemption.
• The airline program’s award chart prices the route you want at a lower effective cost than RBC’s own travel redemption rate.
• You are targeting a premium cabin redemption where the cents-per-point value is materially higher than economy or cash-equivalent redemptions.
• You already hold status with the partner airline and want to consolidate points there for elite benefits on the redemption.
• You are combining a transfer with a points purchase or transfer bonus promotion that temporarily improves the ratio.

Finding the right card for your Avion strategy

The transfer partner network only matters if you are earning Avion points at a rate that makes transfers worthwhile. RBC offers several Avion-earning cards at different annual fee tiers, and the earn rate on your primary spending categories determines how quickly you accumulate enough points to make a transfer redemption practical. Running your actual monthly spend through the calculate your rewards shows which card configuration builds your Avion balance fastest.