Credit Card Knowledgebase

We believe that as a valued RBC Royal Bank customer, you deserve to be well-informed about your credit card. That's why we've assembled a wealth of information to assist you in making good financial decisions.

An RBC credit card is an effective and helpful means of payment, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of cash.

The RBC credit card is an easy revolving credit facility, enabling you to buy now and pay 24 days later.

An RBC credit card offers the ultimate in convenience: it can be used at over 29 million establishments and close to 1 million ABMs worldwide.

RBC's range of products allows you to choose the card that is right for you.

It is a good idea to carry more than one card for emergencies. For example, an establishment may not accept all types of cards.

RBC's cards offer valuable additional benefits including fraud monitoring. RBC's rates are highly competitive.

With a monthly detailed statement you can track and reconcile your monthly expenditures e.g. make only one monthly payment for your groceries instead of multiple.

RBC's Customer Service Team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers can call us collect or toll-free, ANYTIME, from ANYWHERE.

Please complete the application and drop it off at your nearest RBC Royal Bank branch. We also need you to provide confirmation of employment (job letter and / or pay slips), confirmation of address (e.g. a utility bill) and identification (passport or national ID). If you are not already an RBC client, we encourage you to open a savings or banking account with us so that you can take full advantage of the services that we offer including Digital Banking (where you can view your credit card details and pay it online), pay your card at the ABM, and more service options.

Of course. In most cases if you have been working for at least one year, you should definitely apply for an RBC credit card. Developing a positive credit history through the responsible use of a credit card is an asset which can assist you when you decide to apply for larger financing needs such as a car loan or a mortgage.

You can use your RBC Credit Card to spend up to a pre-agreed amount, called your credit limit. This is indicated on the letter that came with your card and is also on your statement. This limit is based on all the information you provided on the application form you submitted. Should you wish to request an increase to your credit limit, you can call the Card Centre or your Personal Financial Services Officer to discuss this possibility. Should you wish to request an increase to your credit limit, you can call the Card Centre or your Personal Financial Services Officer to discuss this possibility.

Payments can be made at any of our RBC Royal Bank branches, at any ABM located at any of our branches, or via Digital Banking if you have enrolled. With an RBC account, you can also have monthly payments automatically debited from your account.

Your payment due date will appear on your RBC Credit Card statement. It should be close to 21 days after your statement date. To verify your due date, please feel free to contact the Card Centre.

Your new card has a Personal Identification Number (PIN) allowing you to withdraw cash from Automated Banking Machines (ABM) bearing the VISA or MasterCard logos similar to the one on your card. You can also withdraw cash from your card at virtually any financial institution. You are charged a fee for each transaction and interest is calculated from the date of the cash withdrawal.

Such requests can be made in writing via mail or fax, by completing an application form and filling out that portion of the form. The additional cardholder should also sign the form.

Call our 24-hour number (collect if necessary) immediately if your RBC Royal Bank credit card is lost or stolen. Once you have informed us of the loss, we will block the card from future use and issue a new card to you. Once you discover that your card is missing, call us immediately and report it. Stops are then issued on these cards and cards containing new numbers are then issued.

Examine your statements monthly to verify all transactions were made by you. Report any discrepancies immediately. If you do not report fraudulent activity on your card within 30 days of your statement date, you will be held responsible for the transaction.

If you suspect that your RBC Royal Bank credit card is being used without your knowledge or consent, please call our Card Centre.

While most retailers are legitimate, it is wise to proceed with caution when making purchases over the telephone or on the Internet. Remember to follow a few simple rules to minimize risk:

Never give your Credit Card number over the phone, unless you have initiated the call.

When purchasing online, do so only from recognized retailers and only when the site is equipped with security features. Look for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or SET (Secure Electronic Transactions) when you go to make a purchase. Look to see that the site URL begins with HTTPS and not HTTP. This indicates that the area is protected by SSL or SST protocols.

A key or lock symbol will appear at the bottom of your screen when you're making a purchase from a secure Internet site. If the lock or key is broken, this indicates that the site is not secure.

Get the most benefit by understanding the terms to help you successfully manage your RBC Credit Card.

A yearly fee charged for use of the card.

Moving an unpaid balance from one open credit account to another. You will save money if you transfer balances to a credit account with a lower interest rate.

The person to whom the credit card is issued, that is to say, the authorized holder of the account represented by the card that was issued by the financial institution.

Using your credit card to get cash from a bank, ABM, or by writing a convenience cheque. RBC charges a cash advance fee for the transaction and begins charging interest immediately.

The maximum amount that you can charge on your credit card.

A periodic percentage rate that determines the finance charges you pay on your account.

A fee charged when a payment has not been received by the specified due date.

The smallest payment a customer can make each statement period to keep the account in good standing.

A fee charged after the customer has exceeded their agreed credit limit.

A security code that the customer uses with debit and credit cards to authorize transactions such as cash advances. This PIN is different from the user ID and password customers' use to access account information online.

The length of time between your statements.

Even though all credit cards may result in fees and interest, you can effortlessly enjoy all the benefits of your RBC Credit Card without any penalties. There are basically two types of charges: interest and fees.

This is what you pay for borrowing money and is shown on your statement. Interest is charged on revolving balances, but by paying your balance in full and on time every month, you will not incur any interest whatsoever. However, it is not possible to avoid interest on cash withdrawals, convenience cheques and balance transfers, which is charged from the date of the transaction. The interest rate on cash advances may vary from the interest rate charged for purchases.

An annual fee allows you to access all the benefits listed in this guide and will be charged every year, even if you always pay your balance on time.

Late charges occur if you do not make a payment, if your payment arrives after the payment due date, or if your payment does not cover the minimum payment due. You can avoid this by checking the "Payment due date" and "Minimum payment" sections on your statement or online.

Over-limit charges occur if your total of purchases, cash advances, interest and fees goes over your credit limit. If the possibility exists that you may exceed your limit, check online or call Customer Service to find out how much credit you have available. If you feel you need a higher limit, our Customer Service team will be happy to discuss it with you and do all they can to help.

Cash withdrawal fees will be charged if you withdraw cash on your card from a non-RBC cash machine. If withdrawing funds abroad, please see the foreign exchange rate on your statement. Also, there may be an additional charge levied by the ABM that you are using. This fee is not controlled by RBC.

  •   Allow plenty of time for your payment to arrive.
  •  Make sure you know the date your payment is due every month and what the minimum payment amount is.
  •  To make payments on time take full advantage of helpful electronic tools like autopayments, Digital Banking payments and ABM payments.
  •  Sign up for our Digital Banking services so that you will be able to check your balance and see how much you have available to spend.
  • Pay off your RBC Credit Card balance in full each month.
  • If you choose not to pay off your balance in full, try to pay more than the minimum balance due.
  • Read your statement every month to make sure you always know the date your payment is due and what the minimum payment amount is.
  • Remember that the faster you pay off your outstanding balance, the less interest you will pay.

At RBC, our priority is to protect your information and ensure the security of your financial transactions. It’s always a good idea to follow safe banking practices.

As RBC is always working to reduce fraud, we have recently introduced an advanced, state-of-the-art fraud monitoring system which gives RBC the opportunity to detect fraud immediately as it is being carried out. Therefore we may try to contact you immediately if your card is being used in an unusual way, to ensure that it is indeed you, who is using the card. This is in no way a reflection of your credit worthiness.

If we are unable to contact you we may limit further use of the card to ensure you are protected. To optimize the efficiency of RBC's fraud prevention service, please let us know if you are moving and give us a call before you travel abroad.

  • Treat your RBC credit card as if it were cash – do not leave it lying around and always be aware of where it is.
  • Upon receipt, sign your card immediately in the panel designated "Authorized Signature", found on the reverse side. Use a ballpoint pen.
  • Never lend your card to anyone, even your friends or family.
  • Don't respond to unsolicited emails or calls requesting personal details or financial information.
  • Protect your confidential details and keep all of your banking information in a safe place.
  • Destroy all banking correspondence you receive when you no longer need it, even transaction slips as they may display your card number. What you consider rubbish can be useful to a fraudster.
  • Always check receipts and purchase amount when you sign the transaction slip and then again against your monthly statement and report errors right away.
  • Be vigilant to ensure that the merchant swipes your card through a genuine POS machine.
  • Never disclose your credit card details over the phone unless you initiated the call Shop only on Internet sites that offer secure ordering. If the URL (web address) starts with “https” then the site is using a secure server.
  • Most browsers also display special icons, for example a padlock or a key, in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window, to indicate secure sites.
  • Many merchants also advise of the security precautions they have taken on their site. Look for this advisory. If you don't see it, ask about it.
  • Whenever you are traveling or you change your address or phone number, notify the Card Centre in advance.
  • Be sure to report lost or stolen cards immediately.

Your responsibilities as a cardholder are outlined in your cardholder agreement. Take time to review it correctly. Using your Client or credit card confirms that you have already read and understood the agreement and agree to its terms and conditions.

  • It is vital that no one gets hold of your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
  • Select a PIN that would not be obvious such as 1234, your birthday, car registration number, etc.
  • Never tell anyone your PIN or let them enter it for you.
  • Never give your PIN when ordering by phone, post or online, with your RBC Credit Card.
  • Authorized users of your account will have their own PIN.
  • Never write your PIN down.
  • When using a cash machine or point of sale terminal, shield the machine with your body to ensure no one will be able to see your PIN. If you feel crowded, ask others to stand back before you enter your PIN.
  • Be wary of anyone trying to watch you enter your PIN. Don't let yourself get distracted.