About this Video

• Video Title: RBC ION+ Visa & RBC Avion Visa Infinite Combo Explained! Better than the Cobalt Card?
• Channel: Lispman Finance
• Speakers: Lispman (assumed, as it's a solo YouTube video from the channel)
• Duration: 10:18

Introduction

This video compares the RBC ION+ Visa and RBC Avion Visa Infinite card combo against the Cobalt card, a popular rewards card in Canada. The speaker analyzes the rewards programs, point values, and overall value proposition of each option to determine which offers the best return on investment.

Key Takeaways

• The RBC ION+ Visa card is most effective when paired with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card. Using them together allows for the transfer of lower-value Avion Premium points (earned on the ION+ card) to higher-value Avion Elite points (associated with the Avion Visa Infinite card).
• The combined card strategy offers approximately 6% rewards on groceries, dining, transit, and streaming services, achieving a potentially higher return compared to using only one card. However, achieving the maximum 7% return involves several limitations and isn't always guaranteed.
• The Cobalt card offers a higher potential reward rate (10%) for groceries and restaurants, but this requires using gift card hacks and faces a $25,000 monthly spending limit. The RBC combo has no such limit.
• The RBC combo uses Visa, not American Express, offering broader acceptance at various merchants, including stores that don't accept American Express.
• The RBC combo provides a gas reward of 3 cents per liter at Petro Canada (approximately 1.5% return). This is an added advantage not available with the Cobalt card.

The video primarily compares the RBC ION+ Visa and Avion Visa Infinite combo to the American Express Cobalt card. A direct, table-formatted comparison isn't explicitly presented in the transcript. However, here's a comparison based on the information provided, organized into a table format. Note that some values are ranges or estimates as the video doesn't give exact figures for all aspects:

Feature	RBC ION+ & Avion Visa Infinite Combo	American Express Cobalt Card	Notes
Annual Fee	$168	~$130 (estimated from monthly cost mentioned)	The exact Cobalt fee may vary.
Grocery Rewards	~6% (Avion Elite points after transfer)	5x points (10% value, assuming 2 cents/point)	RBC percentage is an approximation. Cobalt requires gift card hack for max return.
Restaurant Rewards	~6% (Avion Elite points after transfer)	5x points (10% value, assuming 2 cents/point)	RBC percentage is an approximation. Cobalt requires gift card hack for max return.
Other Rewards	3x points on transit, streaming, etc. (~6% after transfer)	Varies; less generous than groceries/restaurants	RBC percentage is an approximation.
Spending Limit	None mentioned	$25,000 monthly limit on bonus categories	Cobalt's limit impacts maximum rewards.
Card Network	Visa	American Express	Visa offers wider acceptance than Amex at some merchants.
Petro Points	3¢/liter cashback at Petro-Canada (~1.5% return)	None	An additional benefit of the RBC combo.
Point Flexibility	Lower than Amex points	Higher flexibility	Amex points often perceived as more versatile.

Important Considerations: The RBC combo's rewards percentage is an approximation derived from the video's discussion of point values and multipliers. Reaching the maximum potential reward rate with the RBC combo has restrictions (e.g., limited redemption options for Avion Elite points). The Cobalt card's 10% return is contingent on using the gift card hack and staying within the spending limit. The speaker's personal preference and shopping habits also influence their final assessment.