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Royal Bank of Canada review

Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

Royal Bank of Canada suits Canadian households that want a rewards credit card with no yearly charge, carrying an annual fee of CAD 0. The linked debit account adds a monthly fee of CAD 4, so weigh how often you use it against the points you earn on everyday spending.

Key facts

Best for
People who want Avion points on everyday spending with no yearly charge on the credit card.
Annual fee
CA$0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
APR
20.99% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Rewards type
Points (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Rewards rate
1.5 Avion points per $1 on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming; 1 point elsewhere (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card kind
Credit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Phone, Email (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
No annual fee
Features
Rewards
Official website
rbc.com

Debit cards

Monthly fee
CA$4 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card type
Debit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Phone, Email (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Rewards

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store
Elsewhere
Wikidata

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Avion points come back at a higher rate on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, so ordinary errands earn more than purchases elsewhere.
  • The card pays in points, a points reward, and the brand lists rewards as a card feature.
  • Support runs on phone and email, so a question can go out by phone or email.

Cons

  • An APR of 20.99% sits close to the 20.85% median for credit cards, so a carried balance costs about the same as most rivals.
  • Support runs on phone and email only, with no chat or branch option listed.
Royal Bank of Canada

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Who it suits

  • Households that want a rewards credit card with no yearly charge alongside a bank account for everyday spending.
  • People who already bank with Royal Bank of Canada and want the card and the account handled together.
  • Spenders whose money goes on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, which earn the higher Avion points rate.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, whose annual fee is $0, if a secured card is the goal rather than points.
  • Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card), whose annual fee is $0, if you want a secured Visa credit card.
  • Wise, whose card charges an annual fee of £0 in pounds, if your spending sits in that currency.

Where it sits among rivals

On annual fee the credit card sits at 1 among 301 brands ranked, so the yearly cost is among the lowest charged. On APR the position is 69 out of 133, which puts borrowing in the middle of the range rather than near the cheapest end.

How Royal Bank of Canada compares

Where Royal Bank of Canada is available

Available
Canada

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

What does the Royal Bank of Canada credit card cost each year?+

The annual fee on the credit card is CAD 0, and the card is listed on a no annual fee basis. Borrowing is the main ongoing cost, priced at an APR of 20.99%, so carrying a balance costs more than holding the card does.

Is there a monthly fee as well?+

Yes, on the debit account there is a monthly fee of CAD 4. The credit side is listed separately, with an annual fee of CAD 0 and no monthly charge. Support runs on phone and email if you want to check what applies to your own account.

What rewards does the card pay?+

Rewards are paid in points, a points reward on the card. Avion points come back at a higher rate on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, and at a lower rate on other purchases, so the everyday basket is what pays.

Is this a credit card or a debit card?+

It is a credit card on the credit side, and the linked bank account is listed as debit. Borrowing on the card is priced at an APR of 20.99%, and the debit account charges CAD 4 a month.

How do I get help with the account?+

Support runs on phone and email, so you can reach the bank by phone or email. Chat and branch options are not listed. The monthly fee to ask about on the account is CAD 4, and the fee to ask about on the card is CAD 0.

How does the annual fee compare with the other options here?+

This card ranks at 1 among 301 brands ranked on annual fee. The other options here charge $0, £0 and $0, so the yearly cost is not the thing that separates them here.

Who is this card aimed at?+

It suits people who spend most of their money on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, since Avion points come back at a higher rate there. It also suits anyone who wants a points reward on a card with an annual fee of CAD 0.

Is the APR competitive?+

The APR is 20.99%, and the brand sits at 69 out of 133 brands ranked on that measure. For a card you clear each month, the CAD 0 annual fee matters more than the rate, since interest rarely gets charged.

Sources

Compiled from 6 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Currency conversion fee.

Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada

People who want Avion points on everyday spending with no yearly charge on the credit card.

9.0/10See alternatives