CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card review

Jan 9, 2025

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Overall rating

First year value

$1,492

Get this card if you:

  • want to accelerate earning Aventura points
  • want comprehensive travel insurance coverage
  • want lounge access and a NEXUS rebate

Scores by category

Welcome Bonus 4.7

Travel 4.6

Rewards 4.3

Highlights

$1,492

First year value

Up to $1,350 value†

Welcome bonus

$139

Annual fee

first year rebated† - $50 each for up to 3 additional cards†

Interest Rates

20.99%

Purchase APR

non-Quebec residents†

22.99%

Balance transfer APR

for non-Quebec residents†

22.99%

Cash advance APR

for non-Quebec residents†

Eligibility

Good

Recommended credit score

$60,000

Required annual personal income

$100,000

Required annual household income

Quick overview of the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* is the forgotten middle sibling of CIBC cards. In that credit card family, it boasts neither the best earning potential (that’d be the CIBC Dividend series), nor the most compelling travel benefits (the CIBC Aeroplan series). There’s no relief for FX fees and the travel insurance is basic. To sum it up: This may be the most boring travel credit card on the market.

Despite its lacklustre features, I’ve been a proud holder of this card. The major draw? A couple years ago, CIBC launched a promotion that doubled the value of Aventura points redeemed against travel purchases — and they’ve shown no signs of ending it. Once CIBC ends this promotion, I’ll downgrade my assessment of this card from boring to downright intolerable.

Due to its weak earning potential, when my card anniversary approached, I booked this card a one-way ticket to my vast ex-credit card graveyard (headstone reads: Died after graciously helping me pay for a fun weekend trip to New York). But if you’re absolutely committed to it, here are the details you need to know.

Who’s the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card for?

This card is for the no-nonsense traveller who doesn’t want to wrestle with some janky travel portal to redeem their points (although the CIBC Rewards Centre does exist for the masochists out there). Alternatively, you’re like me, a dedicated points collector who can’t resist a decent welcome bonus with an annual fee rebate. 

Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • First year annual fee rebate

  • High welcome bonus

  • Easy-to-use points redemption process

  • Nexus application fee rebate

  • Four complimentary lounge passes that can be used at 1,200+ airports

  • Mobile device and extended warranty insurance

Cons

Cons

  • Uninspired travel insurance offering

  • Difficult to earn points through daily spending

  • $139 annual fee that’s hard to justify

NOTE: The $440 value is based on redeeming for the 1.25 cents per point (cpp) value although technically the value can range from 0.63 cpp to 2.29 cpp, or $220 to $800 depending on where you redeem your points. More information below. 

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card welcome bonus

  • Get a total of up to 35,000 Aventura Points (up to $800 in travel value†) during your first year:

    • 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†

    • 20,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in net purchases in the first 4 monthly statement periods†

    Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): up to $189 value†

    Elevate your airport experience with 4 complimentary visits at 1,200+ lounges globally through Visa Airport Companion Program*: up to $277 value*

    Plus, get a NEXUS(TM) Application Fee rebate†: a $100 value†

How to earn Aventura points on the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

After getting the welcome bonus, earning points on this card is a slog. The biggest bang-for-your-buck method is booking travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre, where you’ll earn 2 points on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†. Truthfully, this measly points multiplier doesn’t seem worth it, as you’ll be forced to navigate the ramshackle rewards centre (it froze twice on me while testing it for this article). 

The next best way to earn points is by using it at grocery stores, gas stations, charging stations and drug stores. This method will get you 1.5 Aventura points for every dollar spent.

Some quick back-of-the-napkin math: If you spend $500 a month using this card in these categories, by the end of the year you’ll have 9,000 (roughly $100 in value)... not even enough to cover the annual fee.

After that — you’re stuck with a paltry 1 point per dollar for the rest of your purchases. 

How to redeem name of points on the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

For me, the best method to redeem points is using them for your travel-related purchases at 1.25 cents per point (e.g. 16,000 points will cover your $200 per night luxury villa in Thailand). All you need to do is charge the travel purchase to your card. Then, you can go to the CIBC Online Banking or Mobile App, and click on the purchase while it’s still pending. If you wait too long (usually a couple days) and the transaction posts — you’re SOL. 

Another way to redeem is through the CIBC Rewards Centre. I’ve avoided using this method, not just because the website is janky, but also — it’s difficult to extract the true value from your points. Gift cards and merchandise have a horrifically low points redemption value (0.71 cents per point). 

Using the CIBC Flight Rewards Chart has a high points redemption value, in theory (2.29 cents per points), but due to inflated prices and additional fees, it’s near impossible to make the most of it.

Some more unique ways to spend points are applying them to charity spending or an existing CIBC financial product, such as your loan or mortgage. For the truly lazy, you can, of course, apply the points against your credit card balance for the lowest of all redemption options (0.63 cents per point).

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card key benefits

  • Welcome bonus of up to 35,000 Aventura Points† for meeting the spending criteria
  • Join and get up to $1,350 in value† including a one-time annual fee rebate!†
  • 4 Visa Airport Companioncomplimentary lounge passes 

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* insurance coverage

The insurance coverage for this card is what you’d expect from your basic travel credit card, with a few added perks. Here’s what’s included:

  • Out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance: $5,000,000 of coverage for 15 consecutive days, for cardholders under 65. Three days of coverage for card holders over 65 
  • Trip cancellation insurance: For cancellations, each insured person is covered up to $1,500 per trip, up to a maximum of $5,000. 
  • Trip interruption insurance: For interruptions, each person is covered up to $2,000
  • Car rental collision/Loss damage insurance: Rental cars charged to this card will be covered for a rental period of 48 days (for rental cars up to $65,000 in value) 
  • Common carrier accident insurance: Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment, resulting from riding as a passenger on a common carrier is covered up to $500,000
  • Flight delay and baggage insurance: When a flight is delayed, all insured passengers are eligible for $500 combined to cover reasonable living expenses (e.g. meals, accommodations, clothes). In the case of delayed baggage, insured passengers are eligible for $500 each, up to a maximum of $1,000. 
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance: Insured passengers are eligible for $500 per person, up to a maximum of $1,000
  • Purchase security and extended protection insurance: Provides coverages for certain items bought with the card, if these items are lost, stolen and damaged (up to 90 days from date of purchase). For items bought on this card with warranty, an extra year following the expiry of the original warranty will be added
  • Mobile device insurance:  Provides coverage for mobile devices that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged up to $1,000 per occurrence, per insured person. Either the full device cost was paid with this card, or any portion of the price is financed with the card through a Canadian wireless service provider
  • Hotel burglary insurance: Covers up to $2,500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined in the case that accommodations are burglarized

Extra benefits

  • NEXUS(TM) Application Fee rebate† every four years
  • Visa Infinite perks, including complimentary concierge service and luxury upgrades

What people have to say about this card

I am not a fan of the CIBC Aventura. When using points there is a significant premium compared to the market rate.

OldRefrigerator8821

There’s surprisingly little chatter about this card online, outside of credit card churners gunning for the welcome bonus. In posts discussing the best travel credit cards, conversations veer toward shinier objects like the beloved Amex Cobalt

As /u/OldRefrigerator8821 mentions, there is often a premium on redemptions booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre, making it difficult to squeeze out the maximum value from the points.  

How the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card compares

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* has some competitors in the travel credit card space, including a few in its own house. Let's take a look. 

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card vs. CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card

up to $1,350

Welcome Bonus

$1,281

First Year Value

$481

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get a total of up to 35,000 Aventura Points (up to $800 in travel value†) during your first year.

Learn More Apply Now On CIBC's Secure Site

†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

The information for the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card vs. RBC Avion Visa Infinite*

35,000 pts

Welcome Bonus

$236

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval** (travel value of up to $750†).

Learn More Apply Now On RBC's Secure Site

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card vs. CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

up to 40K pts

Welcome Bonus

$1,383

First Year Value

$583

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus:  Get a total of up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (up to $800 in travel value†)

Learn More Apply Now On CIBC's Secure Site

†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Category CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Annual fee $139 (first year rebated† - $50 each for up to 3 additional cards†) $139
Welcome offer up to 35,000 Aventura Points† up to 40,000 Aeroplan points
Insurance Decent travel coverage, plus mobile and purchase protection Decent travel coverage, plus mobile and purchase protection
Benefits 4 lounge passes per year, NEXUS(TM) Application Fee rebate† every four years
Review You’re reading it CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite review
Learn more Apply now Apply now

Is the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card worth it?

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is certainly worth it for at least one year. After that — probably not. Unless you fall in love with the CIBC Rewards Centre for booking your vacations, you’re probably better off ditching this card before the second year annual fee comes due. 

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card eligibility criteria

  • $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income
  • Good (760+) credit score

FAQs

  • Does the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* have lounge access?

    +

    Yes! You get 4 complimentary lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program.

  • How much are 10,000 CIBC Aventura points worth?

    +

    The worth of 10,000 CIBC Aventura points ranges from $230 at the high end (maximizing redemption with the Aventura Flight Rewards Chart) to $60 dollars at the low end (applying to credit card statement).

  • What’s the difference between CIBC Aventura Gold and Infinite?

    +

    These two cards are identical except the minimum income requirement ($15,000 for Gold vs. $60,000 individual/$100,000 householder for Infinite). The CIBC Aventura Gold also doesn’t offer travel cancellation/interruption insurance, nor emergency medical for people 65 and older.

  • Does the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* have car rental insurance?

    +

    Yes, for rental cars up to $65,000 in value and for a rental period of 48 days.

  • Does the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card charge a foreign transaction fee?

    +

    Yes, you will be charged a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.5% when you use this card abroad.

  • †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
  • The information for the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer

Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.

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