Quick overview
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card may just be the perfect companion for travellers who often fly with Air Canada. You can earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly. This includes Air Canada Vacations, as well as one Aeroplan point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. New users get the fee waived in the first year and the opportunity to earn up to 50,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year. Overall, it’s a great way to rack those Aeroplan points quickly – letting you jet set around the globe more often on your credit card’s dime.
However, the card does have its disadvantages. For starters, it lacks lounge access, a popular feature offered with other travel credit cards. It’s also only available to those who make $60,000 per year as an individual or $100,000 as a household.
Who’s this card for?
First and foremost, this card is for travellers who like to see the world while earning points that allow them to do it more often. Specifically, though, it’s for those who prefer flying with Air Canada, since the Aeroplan points system is owned by the airline. If you’re interested in earning Aeroplan miles, the CIBC Aeroplan Infinite card may be the card for you. It offers a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Aeroplan points, and earns you 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, electric vehicle charging and Air Canada purchases, including flights and vacations, and one point for all other purchases.
While you need an individual income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 to qualify for the card, there is a similar alternative for students. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students is a fee-free card that offers 10,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year. You’ll also earn one point for every $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, electric vehicle charging and Air Canada purchases, including flights and vacations, and one point every $1.50 spent on all other purchases. It comes with an interest rate of 20.99% for purchases and 22.99% for cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents). Similar to the standard CIBC Aeroplan Infinite credit card, it also comes with travel insurance. Considering this card has no fee, it’s a great choice for the worldly student who wants to earn points for their next adventure.
Pros and cons
Pros
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Earn up to 50,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year
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Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on purchases
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Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
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Special pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
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Includes travel insurance
Cons
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High income requirement of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
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Rewards go furthest when redeeming for Air Canada flights, so that can limit your travel options
How to earn the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite welcome bonus
- Earn up to 50,000 points in your first year. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase
- Earn 15,000 points when you spend $4,000 or more during your first four months
- Earn 25,000 points as an anniversary bonus when you spend at least $15,000 in your first 12 months
- Get a one-time annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder and up to three authorized users in the first year
How to earn Aeroplan points with the Aeroplan Visa Infinite from CIBC
Earning points is supercharged in the first year, with the card’s generous welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. To unlock all the points, you’d need to spend $4,000 in the first four months of owning the card and $15,000 in total during the first 12. During that period – and beyond – you’ll continue to earn points through regular spending as well.
With this card, you earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on eligible gas, groceries, electric charging stations and with Air Canada. It also earns one point for every dollar spent on other purchases and double the points at over 150 Aeroplan partners and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
You’ll earn the most points the quickest if you spend in the highest category, which includes gas and groceries – two major spending areas for most people.
How to redeem those points
Redeeming points is a straightforward process through Air Canada’s Aeroplan rewards centre, which can be used to redeem points for any of the CIBC Aeroplan credit cards. It’s a nifty hub that houses all your rewards options in one place. On the website, you can redeem your points for Air Canada and partner airline flights, redeem for extras and upgrades on flights, hotels and car rentals, vacation packages, travel experiences, merchandise and gift cards.
No matter what you’re interested in using your points for, it seems there’s something for everyone. Where you’ll likely get the most bang for your buck, though, is with redeeming for travel through Air Canada and its partner airlines. Below is a breakdown of how many points are required to fly within North America.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite benefits of note
- A generous welcome bonus of up to 50,000 points, which is estimated to be worth up to $1,300 in the first year
- Earn 1.5 points on gas groceries, electric vehicle charging, and Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations
- Earn one point on all other spending
- Good travel insurance
- Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
- First year fee is waived
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Insurance coverage
- Flight delay and baggage insurance: This covers reimbursements for expenses to your hotel during a flight delay, up to $100. It reimburses for reasonable living expenses, such as meals and accommodations during a delay, up to a maximum of $500 if the flight was charged to your card. Carry on luggage is covered up to $500 per insured person and up to a limit of $1,000 per claim. Some exceptions apply.
- Out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance: This covers the primary cardholder, spouse, and dependent children for up to $5,000,000 per insured person per trip. It also covers access to emergency travel services when travelling outside your province or territory of permanent residence. Get up to $2,000 for emergency dental treatment and up to $300 for licensed chiropractor, physiotherapist, podiatrist, or osteopath that might be required following an emergency.
- Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance: This covers up to $2,000 for trip interruption and $1,500 for trip cancellation.
- Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance: This covers the full value of the vehicle for theft, loss, and damage, if the rental is charged to your card. This coverage has a limit of 48 days.
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance: This offers an extended warranty of a full year on top of the manufacturer’s warranty for items purchased with one of your CIBC Aeroplan cards. This also covers the original cost of purchase in the event of loss, theft, or damage.
- Mobile device insurance: This covers your mobile devices in case of loss, accidental damage, or theft. Coverage is triggered 91 days after your purchase. It covers the cost of the phone, minus depreciation.
Extra benefits
- Exclusive Visa Infinite offers, such as hotel benefits, dining events and 24-hour complimentary concierge services
- Book flight rewards for fewer points
- Get a fourth night free when booking a hotel with Aeroplan points
- Get rental car upgrades, expedited service, and a dedicated phone like with a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus upgrade
What people have to say about CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
One lucky reddit user, who applied for a CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite card, claims they were given the Aeroplan welcome bonus even though they were rejected for the card. It’s unclear how that happened, but the user claims they’re an existing CIBC customer, which might have something to do with it. Then again, it could just be a glitch. Either way, we can’t advise this as a strategy for trying to earn extra points.
How CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite compares
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Vs. CIBC Aventura Visa infinite
This might be the closest 1:1 credit card comparison out there. I mean, they even share a name (almost)! They both have the same yearly fee ($139) with the cost of the first year waived. Both the Aeroplan and Aventura cards have the same interest rates (20.99% for purchases) and 22.99% for cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents). Even their points breakdowns are similar, with both offering 1.5 points for every dollar spent on gas, grocery stores, and electric vehicle charging (though the Aventura card does give points for drugstore purchases). All other spending will net you one point for every dollar spent at other retailers, regardless of the card you choose.
The welcome bonuses are also fairly similar, with the Aeroplan card offering up to 50,000 bonus points and the Aventura card offering 35,000 points. As for insurance, both offer a robust package that includes all of the standard travel offerings.
However, where the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite outshines the Aeroplan card is with its travel perks. It comes with lounge access and four free visits per year, as well as a $50 NEXUS rebate.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Vs. American Express Cobalt
If you’re looking for a rewards card, it makes sense that you’d compare the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite and American Express Cobalt. The Visa Infinite is tailored to travellers, offering 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on gas, grocery stores, and electric vehicle charging and one point per dollar spent on everything else. It costs $139 a year but has the first year fee waived. It also comes packed with travel insurance and the opportunity to get 50,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year.
The Amex Cobalt, meanwhile, will earn you five points for every dollar spent at eligible eats and drinks in Canada (including groceries and food delivery), three points per dollar on eligible streaming services, two points on eligible ride sharing (transit and gas in Canada), and one point per dollar spent on everything else (one additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online). That’s a lot of opportunity to rack up the points, particularly if you’re a foodie – and that’s not even mentioning the welcome bonus, which can earn you up to 15,000 points in the first year. The card does come at a cost, though, with a fee of $12.99 a month ($155.88 per year).
When it comes to interest rates, both cards charge 20.99% on purchases. Choosing one or the other might come down to how you’d like to earn rewards. If you prefer Aeroplan points, the Visa Infinite might be best for you. However, you’ll likely earn more points throughout the year with the Amex, particularly if you enjoy restaurants and ordering in.
Is the CIBC Aeroplan card worth it?
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is worth it if you want to earn Aeroplan points. Its generous welcome bonus of 50,000 points (and first year free) make it an enticing card for any traveller. Couple that with its travel insurance and points earning potential and you’ve got yourself one solid credit card.
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