50,000 Sign Up Bonus with the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is once again offering its 50,000 sign up bonus Avios upon approval. It seems that the trend is that this promotion is offered once every 6 months or so.
Highlights
Below are the highlights of the credit card:
- Requirement: $60,000 minimum personal or $100,000 household income
- $165 annual fee
- $75 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
- Earn 50,000 sign up bonus Avios (earn 15,000 bonus Avios upon approval and earn an additional 35,000 Avios after spending $9,000 in the first 3 months)
- Earn 2 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways and British Airway Holidays purchases
- Earn 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 10% off British Airways flights departing from Canada
- Receive a Companion Award Ticket (eVoucher) for a reward flight operated by British Airways when you spend $30,000 or more during a calendar year
At first glance, it may seem like the 50,000 sign up bonus is a permanent increase. But after further clicking aorund, i.e. the “Rewards” tab, it shows that you need to apply before October 31, 2016 to get the 35,000 bonus Avios after spending $9,000 in the first 3 months.
Thoughts
The spending requirement may seem high, but the 50,000 Avios is worth it, depending on how you leverage your Avios. Let’s just do a quick calculation of reaching the full $30,000 spending requirement to qualify for the Companion Award Ticket. Even though it may seem steep, there is some value to be had:
- Spend $30,000 to earn 80,000 Avios (50,000 sign up bonus + 30,000 from spending requirement) and a Companion Award Ticket.
I value Avios at 1.6 cents a piece, so 80,000 Avios is worth about $1,280 in value. That is actually some very good value for paying the $165 annual fee.
The spending requirement is way too high. What are some good uses of 50K avios? the fuel surcharges are exorbitant.
I find Cathay Pacific and American Airlines as good value for Avios. You can redeem with some of the other Oneworld alliance members too: http://pointshogger.boardingarea.com/list-airline-alliances-updated-march-17-2016
Matthew
Can you please clarify
Earn 50,000 sign up bonus Avios (earn 15,000 bonus Avios upon approval and earn an additional 35,000 Avios if you spend $9,000 CAD after spending $9,000 in the first 3 months)
Thanks for pointing that out. I also made a few other corrections to the post. Should be good now!
Happy to help I just receive the card and was worried about the spending requirements.
Thanks Matt…
Any thoughts on the new Chase Sapphire Reserve.
looks like the gap between US and CAN market is getting wider in terms of benefits of credit card
I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Amazing card. It will push the competition. Hope to see a bold move like that in Canada soon!
Hello Matthew.
Happy Thanksgiving. If I meet the minimum spending for the additional 35,000 Avios within the first month. Do I have to wait the end of the three months to get it?
I find it hit and miss with credit card companies. If you do hit your minimum spending in the first month, I would follow up like crazy to get them to credit you sooner than the 3 months.
Hello Matthew,
I will let you know how it goes.