I had over 131,000 RBC Avion points sitting in my account, and instead of redeeming them through the RBC travel portal, I waited.
When a 30% transfer bonus came around again, I moved my RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios. That bonus turned my regular RBC points balance into over 170,000 Avios.
The extra Avios did not cost me anything. I did not open a new card, buy points, or spend more money. I just waited for the right time to transfer my points.
Most people aren't planning ahead and to take advantage of this opporuntiy. Instead they wait until last minute and then don't have the time to get a transfer bonus. This is the biggest rookie mistake I see...starting later than needed and rushing to use the points.
RBC Avion points can be useful through the RBC travel portal, but if you have
Avion Elite points, one of the highest-upside moves is transferring them to airline partners like British Airways Avios during a transfer bonus.
Right now, RBC is offering a
30% bonus when eligible Avion Elite members convert Avion points to Avios with The British Airways Club. The current offer runs from
May 11, 2026 at 00:01 PT to June 19, 2026 at 23:59 PT. During the promo, every 10 Avion points converted becomes 13 Avios, and the minimum conversion is 10,000 Avion points. RBC says to allow up to 4 weeks for the Avios to appear in your British Airways Club account. But, I've personally transferred several times and the points have come within a few days.
In this guide, I’ll show you how the Avion to Avios transfer works, why the 30% bonus matters, what I personally booked with Avios, and when you should not transfer your points.
Quick answer: RBC Avion points normally transfer to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. During a 30% transfer bonus, the effective rate becomes 1:1.3. That means 100,000 Avion points can become 130,000 Avios instead of 100,000 Avios.
Here is exactly what that looked like in practice:
Who Can Transfer RBC Avion Points to Avios?
This post assumes you have
RBC Avion Elite points.
That matters because not all RBC Avion points work the same way. Some cards earn Avion Elite points, while others earn different types of Avion points with different redemption options.
The RBC cards that earn Avion Elite points include:
- RBC Avion Visa Platinum
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking
- RBC Avion Visa Business
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
If you are not sure whether your card earns Avion Elite points or a different type of Avion point, check your RBC Avion Rewards account before planning a transfer.
For this article, I’m focusing specifically on transferring
RBC Avion Elite points to British Airways Avios.
How the RBC Avion to Avios Transfer Works
The mechanics are simple.
RBC Avion has a transfer partnership with British Airways Club. British Airways uses a points currency called
Avios.
When you transfer Avion points to British Airways, your RBC points leave your Avion account and show up as Avios in your British Airways Club account.
The standard transfer ratio is:
10,000 Avion points = 10,000 Avios
During the current 30% transfer bonus, that becomes:
10,000 Avion points = 13,000 Avios
That 30% bonus is why timing matters so much.
For example:
The transfer is
one way. Once your Avion points become Avios, you cannot move them back to RBC.
That is why you should not transfer just because there is a bonus. You should transfer when you understand what you want to book, or when you are confident you can use Avios well.
My Real Avion to Avios Transfer Example
When I made my transfer, RBC showed the standard 1:1 rate during the transfer process.
That is important because it can be confusing the first time.
Even during a 30% bonus window, the RBC interface may still show the regular number of points being converted. The bonus Avios are added automatically once the transfer processes, as long as the transfer happens during the eligible promo period.
In my case, I transferred
131,700 Avion points to British Airways.
At the normal 1:1 rate, that would be 131,700 Avios.
With a 30% transfer bonus, that same transfer would become:
131,700 × 1.3 = 171,210 Avios
That bonus can completely change what you are able to book!
Why Transfer Avion Points to British Airways Avios?
The big reason is airline access.
Aeroplan and Avios are not the same thing. They belong to different airline ecosystems.
Aeroplan is connected to Air Canada and Star Alliance.
British Airways Avios gives you access to British Airways and many oneworld partner airlines.
That includes airlines like:
- Qatar Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Japan Airlines
- American Airlines
- Iberia
- Finnair
- Aer Lingus
For Canadian travellers, this is huge because it opens up flights that Aeroplan does not always cover well.
The most exciting example is Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways is part of oneworld, and you can book Qatar Airways flights with Avios. That includes Qatar Airways Qsuite business class, which is one of the best business class products in the world.
This is not something you book through Aeroplan.
Example: Toronto or Boston to Doha for 70,000 Avios
I found Qatar Airways business class awards from both
Toronto to Doha and
Boston to Doha for
70,000 Avios one way.
These were nonstop Qatar Airways flights in business class.
Not only can you find a similar redemption with other east cost Canadian airports, but you can find one from an American east coast airports as well as seen below.
This is the kind of booking where the 30% transfer bonus becomes powerful.
Normally, a 70,000 Avios flight requires 70,000 Avios.
But during a 30% RBC Avion to Avios transfer bonus, you would only need to transfer approximately:
70,000 ÷ 1.3 = 53,847 Avion points
So instead of needing 70,000 Avion points to create 70,000 Avios, you would need about
53,847 Avion points during the bonus window.
That is a massive difference.
Important note: Qatar Airways has different award pricing levels. The lower-priced seats are often called
Classic Awards by Qatar. In other points programs, people might call these saver seats or saver awards. These are the seats you want because they cost fewer points (in this case Avios).
If you do not find Classic Award space, the same route can cost much more. In some cases, you may see pricing closer to double the amount.
So yes, you can find North America to Doha in Qatar business class for 70,000 Avios one way, but you need to search for the right dates and book when lower-priced award space is available.
My Montreal to Bangkok Avios Booking
This is where I started to get really excited about the Avion to Avios strategy.
I booked a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. My departure itinerary included a one-way Qatar Airways flight from
Montreal to Bangkok using British Airways Avios.
The outbound itinerary was:
Montreal to Doha
Qatar Airways business class
Doha to Bangkok
Qatar Airways first class
This was not a round-trip booking. It was one way. When booking using points, I typically book my roundtrip flights on seperate itineraries in case things need to change, it has historically made my life easier.
For two passengers, the departure booking cost:
190,000 Avios + $947.04 CAD
That works out to:
95,000 Avios + $473.52 CAD per person one way
That price makes sense because I was not just flying from North America to Doha. I was continuing all the way to Bangkok, and the second segment from Doha to Bangkok was in Qatar Airways first class. I was so excited to experience this rare opportunity to fly in Qatar Airways first class...not business class...first class!
During a 30% transfer bonus, 95,000 Avios would require approximately:
95,000 ÷ 1.3 = 73,077 Avion points
So with the bonus, a Montreal to Bangkok itinerary like this could effectively require about
73,077 Avion points per person one way, plus taxes and fees, if you find the same kind of award availability.
Being able to access 5 figure flights for less than a 10% of the cost is what makes this transfer so valuable.
My Bangkok to Montreal Return Booking
My return flight was also booked with British Airways Avios on Qatar Airways.
The return itinerary was:
Bangkok to Doha
Qatar Airways business class
Doha to Montreal
Qatar Airways business class
For two passengers, the return cost:
190,000 Avios + $859 CAD
That works out to:
95,000 Avios + $429.50 CAD per person one way
So the full round trip worked out to:
190,000 Avios per person round trip
$903.02 CAD per person in taxes and fees
For two passengers, the total was:
380,000 Avios + $1,806.04 CAD
That is still a lot of points, but the cash price of a Qatar Airways premium cabin trip from Montreal to Bangkok can easily be over
$15,000 CAD, especially with one segment in Qatar Airways first class.
For context, I found a Google Flights cash-price example showing the Doha to Bangkok first class segment alone pricing at about CA$6,961 one way. That was the segment I was most excited about because it was true international first class, which many aircraft do not even offer anymore.
My trip was scheduled to depart March 16, 2026 and return April 16, 2026. It was eventually cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. I was disappointed, especially because I had been looking forward to the Doha to Bangkok first class flight, but I also would not have risked flying given the situation. Since the airline cancelled the trip, I received my Avios and taxes/fees back.

That is another reason I like using points strategically: when plans change, award bookings can sometimes be easier to unwind than expensive cash bookings, depending on the airline, program, and fare rules.
What Beginners Need to Know Before Transferring
The biggest beginner mistake is transferring points before knowing what you want to book.
Do not do that.
Avion to Avios transfers are permanent. Once your points are in British Airways Club, they stay in the Avios ecosystem.
That can be great if you know how to use Avios.
It can be frustrating if you transfer first and then realize there are no award seats on the dates you want.
Before transferring, you should:
- Create a British Airways Club account
- Search for the flight you want on British Airways or Qatar Airways
- Confirm the route, date, cabin, number of seats, Avios price, and taxes
- Check that the award is actually bookable
- Then transfer your Avion points
- Book as soon as the Avios arrive
RBC says to allow up to 4 weeks for the transfer to complete, so do not assume the transfer will be instant.
In practice, transfers may arrive faster, but you should plan based on the official timeline.

When I Would Not Transfer Avion Points to Avios
A 30% bonus is exciting, but it is not a reason to transfer blindly.
I would
not transfer Avion points to Avios if:
- You do not have a specific use for Avios
- You only want to book hotels or car rentals
- You prefer the simplicity of the RBC travel portal
- You cannot find award availability for your route
- You need maximum flexibility
- You are booking economy flights where the taxes and fees erase the value
- You are not comfortable searching airline award space
This is where being honest matters.
Avios can unlock amazing value, but only if you use them well. If you are not ready to learn award bookings yet, the RBC travel portal may be simpler, even if it does not offer the same upside.
When You Should Wait for a Transfer Bonus
If you are not in a rush, I would usually wait for a transfer bonus.
The 30% bonus is significant.
On a 100,000-point transfer, the bonus gives you an extra 30,000 Avios. That can be the difference between having enough for a redemption and being short.
For example, if a Qatar Airways business class flight costs 70,000 Avios, you would need:
70,000 Avion points without a bonus
But during a 30% transfer bonus, you would only need:
About 53,847 Avion points
That is why I waited.
The exception is when you find rare award space that you really want. If there are only one or two seats left, waiting for a future bonus could mean losing the flight entirely.
In that case, I would rather transfer at 1:1 and book the seat than wait for a bonus and miss the trip.
How Often Does RBC Offer an Avion to Avios Transfer Bonus?
RBC has historically offered Avion to Avios transfer bonuses more than once per year, often around spring and fall.
That said, you should not treat these as guaranteed. The timing, bonus percentage, eligibility rules, and end dates can change.
The current offer gives eligible Avion Elite members a 30% bonus when converting Avion points to Avios with The British Airways Club between May 11 and June 19, 2026.
The best way to know if a bonus is active is to check your Avion Rewards account directly.
You can also watch for announcements in Canadian points and miles communities, but always confirm the details inside RBC before transferring.
Step by Step: How to Transfer RBC Avion Points to British Airways Avios
Here is the basic process:
- Log in to your RBC Avion Rewards account
- Go to the points transfer or convert points section
- Select British Airways Club as the transfer partner
- Enter your British Airways Club membership number
- Choose how many Avion points you want to transfer
- Confirm the transfer
- Wait for the Avios to appear in your British Airways Club account
- Book your award flight
The minimum transfer for the current promo is 10,000 Avion points. RBC also says the Avios may take up to 4 weeks to appear in your British Airways Club account.
During a bonus window, do not panic if the RBC screen only shows the standard transfer amount. The bonus may not display the way you expect during the transfer process.
When I transferred, the RBC side showed the regular conversion details. The bonus was part of the promo terms, not something I manually selected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avion to Avios Transfers
How do I transfer RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios?
Log in to your RBC Avion Rewards account, go to the convert or transfer points section, choose British Airways Club, enter your British Airways Club membership number, and select how many points you want to transfer.
Always search for award availability before transferring because the transfer cannot be reversed.
What is the RBC Avion to Avios transfer ratio?
The standard transfer ratio is 1:1.
That means 10,000 Avion points normally becomes 10,000 Avios.
During the current 30% transfer bonus, every 10 Avion points converted becomes 13 Avios.
How many Avion points do I need for 70,000 Avios during a 30% bonus?
You need approximately
53,847 Avion points.
The math is:
70,000 ÷ 1.3 = 53,847
That is why a 30% transfer bonus can be so valuable for premium cabin awards.
Can I book Qatar Airways Qsuites with RBC Avion points?
Not directly.
You first transfer eligible RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios. Then you use Avios to book Qatar Airways award flights, when available.
This is how I found Qatar Airways business class awards from Toronto and Boston to Doha for 70,000 Avios one way.
Can I transfer Avios back to RBC Avion?
No. Once you transfer Avion points to British Airways Avios, the transfer is one way. You cannot move them back to RBC. That is why you should confirm award availability before transferring.
Are all RBC Avion points eligible for British Airways transfers?
No. This post is specifically about
Avion Elite points.
If you have a different RBC Avion product, check your Avion Rewards account to see which transfer options are available to you.
The Bottom Line
Transferring Avion to Avios is one of the best ways to get more value from RBC Avion points, but only if you use the strategy properly. The RBC travel portal is easier. But, Avios can be more powerful.
With a 30% transfer bonus, 100,000 Avion points can become 130,000 Avios. That opens the door to premium cabin redemptions on airlines like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Aer Lingus, and other oneworld partners.
I used this strategy to book Qatar Airways premium cabin flights between Montreal and Bangkok. The outbound cost 95,000 Avios + $473.52 CAD per person one way, with Montreal to Doha in business class and Doha to Bangkok in first class. The return cost another 95,000 Avios + $429.50 CAD per person in business class.
The full round trip was
190,000 Avios + $903.02 CAD per person for a trip that could easily cost over
$15,000 CAD in cash.
That is why I do not transfer Avion points randomly.
I build the balance, wait for the bonus when I can, confirm the award space, transfer, and book quickly.
Before you transfer, make sure you understand both sides of the Avion program: when the RBC travel portal makes sense, and when airline transfers beat it.
