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Royal Bank of Canada review

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

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Our verdict

Royal Bank of Canada pairs a no annual fee credit card with Avion points, so it suits Canadian households who want everyday spending rewarded. Borrowing costs sit high at an APR of 20.99%, so carry a balance only if you clear it each month.

Key facts

Best for
Canadian households wanting a no annual fee rewards card alongside a day to day banking account.
Annual fee
CA$0↗
APR
20.99%↗
Rewards type
Points↗
Rewards rate
1.5 Avion points per $1 on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming; 1 point elsewhere↗
Card kind
Credit↗
Legal entity
Royal Bank of Canada↗
Headquarters
Canada↗
Founded
1864↗
Support channels
Phone, Email↗
Pricing model
No annual fee
Features
Rewards
Official website
rbc.com

Debit cards

Monthly fee
CA$4↗
Card type
Debit↗

Savings

Account kind
Easy access↗

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 7 sources

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store
Elsewhere
Wikidata

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Annual fee of CAD 0 on the Royal Bank of Canada credit card
  • Avion points at a higher rate on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, with a lower rate elsewhere
  • A bank founded in 1864 and headquartered in Canada
  • Support by phone and email

Cons

  • APR of 20.99% sits above the 16% median for credit cards on the site
  • The day-to-day banking account charges a monthly fee of CAD 4
  • Support runs on phone and email only, with no branch or chat listed
Royal Bank of Canada

Ready to try Royal Bank of Canada?

Scored 9.3 / 10 by SumCue.

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Who it suits

  • Households in Canada who want a rewards credit card with no annual fee
  • Families spending on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, where the points rate is strongest
  • Anyone who prefers a long established bank, founded in 1864, for both a credit card and a day to day account

Who should look elsewhere

  • bunq, for readers who want a euro account with an annual fee of €0 rather than a Canadian rewards card
  • Wise, for readers who want a multi currency card, with an annual fee of £0
  • Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, for anyone building credit history rather than collecting points, with an annual fee of $0

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

How much does the Royal Bank of Canada credit card cost to hold?+

The annual fee is CAD 0, so there is no charge for keeping the card open. You can still borrow on it, and any balance you carry is charged at an APR of 20.99%. Clearing the balance each month keeps the card free.

What rewards does the card pay and where are they strongest?+

It pays points in Avion points. The rate is higher on groceries, gas, ridesharing and streaming, and lower on everything else, so routine household spending earns more back than other purchases on the card.

What does it cost to run the day-to-day bank account?+

The day to day banking account charges a monthly fee of CAD 4. It is structured as easy access, so money goes in and comes out as needed rather than being tied up for a set period.

Is the borrowing rate competitive against other credit cards?+

The APR is 20.99%. The median across credit cards on the site is 16%, and this card ranks 69 of 138 brands on that measure, so borrowing on it is not the low cost route.

How does the annual fee compare with other cards?+

The annual fee is CAD 0 and it ranks 1 of 312 brands on that measure. bunq charges €0, Wise charges £0 and the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card charges $0, so cards with no annual fee are common.

What kind of card is it?+

It is a credit card, so it lets you borrow and repay rather than only spend your own money. The separate card type in the same range is debit for everyday spending from your account.

How do I get help if something goes wrong?+

Support runs through phone and email, so phone and email cover most questions about balances, rewards and payments. Rewards on the card are paid as points, which is what the support team deals with most.

Who does this card suit?+

It fits Canadian households who want a card with no annual charge and Avion points on routine spending. It suits people who clear their balance each month, rather than those who treat a credit card as a loan, because of the APR of 20.99%.

Sources

Compiled from 7 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

Canadian households wanting a no annual fee rewards card alongside a day to day banking account.

9.3/10See alternatives