The RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card is designed to give you rewards for spending money in US dollars. You won't have to pay currency exchange rates when shopping in the US, and you'll collect 1 RBC Rewards point for every dollar you spend. You’ll also get other benefits such as mobile device insurance, roadside assistance and trip cancellation insurance.
30-second take
Get this card if you regularly shop or travel in the US and you want to avoid currency conversion fees when you make purchases.
Choose something else if you don’t have a source of US income to pay off your balance or you want to earn a higher rate on rewards.
There are no minimum income requirements to qualify for this card.
The basics
If you want to save money on fees when making purchases in the US, then you might benefit from the RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card.
No annual fee. You won’t have to pay an annual fee to keep your account active.
Return on rewards. Earn 1 RBC Rewards point for every $1 spent on your card.
Low introductory interest. You may qualify for a lower interest rate on your outstanding balance for up to six months.
Roadside assistance. Enjoy complimentary roadside assistance whenever you travel by car in the US or Canada.
Many forms of insurance. Enjoy multiple forms of insurance on this card including coverage for mobile devices, rental cars, trip cancellation and lost baggage.
Type of insurance
Level of coverage
Trip cancellation or interruption
Up to $5,000 per trip
Travel accident insurance
Up to $500,000 per trip
Lost luggage insurance
Up to $3,000 per trip
Rental car insurance
Varies
Mobile device insurance
Up to $200 (with a $50 deductible)
Purchase security
Up to $500 per occurrence
The perks
No US address required. You won’t need to show that you reside in the US to qualify for this credit card.
Premier benefits from Visa. You can take advantage of Visa’s signature concierge service to schedule events, purchase tickets and get special discounts.
Pool and transfer points. You’ll be able to pool your points with family and friends or transfer them back to your Canadian RBC account for ease of use.
Easy to pay your bills. You can select the “Pay now” feature in your RBC Direct Checking account to pay down your balance in US dollars.
Tap and pay. It’s easy to use the contactless payment feature at participating merchants to tap your card and hit the road.
Zero-liability coverage. Feel free to relax with the knowledge that you won’t have to pay in case of fraudulent activity on your account.
24/7 support. You can call RBC any time of day or night to troubleshoot issues with your account.
What to watch out for
No welcome bonus. You won’t get a surplus of RBC Rewards points just for signing up.
High interest. A variable interest rate which is prime rate plus a margin between 9.99% and 16.74% will apply on outstanding balances after the 6-month introductory low interest period.
Low return on points. There’s no opportunity to earn accelerated points, and you’ll earn a flat rate of 1 RBC Rewards point across all categories of purchases.
No travel insurance. This card doesn’t include travel medical insurance, so you’ll need to purchase this separately whenever you go overseas.
What should I know before I apply?
Eligibility requirements
To apply for the RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old (19 in some provinces)
You will also need to provide the following documents and information:
Your name, residential status and contact information
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and date of birth
Your email address and phone number
How to apply
Visit RBC’s website and find the page for the RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card.
Click “Apply now” and complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, Social Insurance Number and birth date.
Review and submit your application.
Bottom line
The RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card is designed for customers who regularly travel or spend money in the US. This card lets you make purchases in US dollars without having to pay currency conversion rates. It also gives you a return of Earn 1 RBC Rewards point for every $1 spent on your card. for every dollar you spend and offers many other benefits. There is no annual fee and it is typically paired with the RBC Direct Checking account.
Frequently asked questions about the RBC Visa Signature Black U.S. Credit Card
Yes and no. You won’t get a bonus return on points or a cash back offer when you sign up. However, you will get a low introductory rate on outstanding balances in your first six months along with no annual fees in your first year.
It’s difficult to say how much RBC Rewards points are worth exactly. However, many sites estimate that each point is worth around 1 cent on average. This is based on a number of calculations that factor in variables such as what you redeem your points for.
Yes and no. It’s designed for travellers to the US, but it’s not necessarily suitable as an international travel card. Its main purpose is to save you money on currency conversion fees when you spend US dollars. That said, it comes with a handful of useful travel benefits though it doesn’t include travel medical or airport perks such as lounge access.
Yes, you can apply online. Just go to the RBC website to be redirected to an application.
Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, and an Associate’s Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire’s coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. In her spare time, Claire enjoys rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.
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