Head to head
The American Express® Cobalt® Card vs RBC ION+ Visa
Fees, rates, rewards, and welcome offers side by side. Every figure links to the issuer's own page.
| Issuer | American Express | RBC Royal Bank |
| Network | American Express | Visa Standard |
| Annual fee | $191.88 | $48 |
| Purchase APR | 21.99% | 20.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 21.99% | 22.99% |
| FX fee | n/a | n/a |
| Welcome (est. value) | ~$300 | ~$280 |
| Top earn rate | 5x Eats & drinks (eligible restaurants, food delivery, groceries in Canada) | 3x groceries_gas_dining_rideshare_streaming |
| Lounge visits | n/a | n/a |
| Min. income | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked
- Is the The American Express® Cobalt® Card or the RBC ION+ Visa better?
- Neither is universally better. The The American Express® Cobalt® Card charges a $191.88 annual fee at 21.99% purchase APR, while the RBC ION+ Visa charges $48 at 20.99%. The right pick depends on how you spend and whether you carry a balance. Confirm all details on each issuer's page before applying.
- Where do these numbers come from?
- Every fee, rate, and offer here is pulled from the card issuer's own product and application pages, never an affiliate feed. Rates and offers change, so always verify on the official issuer page before you apply.
- Is this financial advice?
- No. This is an educational comparison to help you weigh two cards. It is not financial advice.
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