CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card review

Jan 24, 2025

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Overall rating

First year value

$569

Get this card if you:

  • frequently travel with Air Canada and collect Aeroplan points
  • want travel perk like complimentary first checked bag
  • value a generous welcome offer

Scores by category

Groceries 3.6

Rewards 3.5

Gas 3.3

Travel 3.1

Welcome Bonus 2.9

Highlights

$569

First year value

up to 10K pts

Welcome bonus

Interest Rates

20.99%

Purchase APR

non-Quebec residents†

22.99%

Balance transfer APR

22.99%

Cash advance APR

Eligibility

Fair

Recommended credit score

$15,000

Required annual household income

Quick overview

The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card is like your first vehicle. It might not be the prettiest or the most feature-packed, but it’ll get you from point A to point B reliability. Sure, you won’t be bragging to your friends about it, but it’ll open up a new world to you (in the case of the card, travel points, and the benefits they come with), on the cheap. Very cheap, considering one of the benefits of this particular card is that it’s free. Yep, you read that right, a rewards card with $0 annual fee.

With it, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including Air Canada Vacations. You’ll also earn 1 point for every $1.50 you spend on all other purchases†. Which, of course, won’t line your proverbial pockets with bushels of points, but the welcome bonus might help make up for that.

The long and short of it with this card is that you’ll earn fewer points than with other cards – including some alternative CIBC Aeroplan cards, like the Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege – but its lack of yearly fees might be enough to sway you to choose this entry-level offering. Oh, and the fact that it only required a $15,000annual household income makes the CIBC Aeroplan card one of the more accessible travel card options in the market.

Who’s this card for?

This card allows you to get into the travel rewards world without having to shell out extra money each year to pay for a credit card fee. It’s a great way to dip your toe into the rewards world slowly, to check if it’s one you’re interested in spending more time in. The points accrual might be slow with this card, but that’s okay because you’re just feeling out whether or not travel rewards are for you. Think of it this way: It lets you try something new without too much of a commitment. Try it and, if it’s not for you, no worries. However, if you’re interested in a travel card that’s packed with perks, like comprehensive travel insurance and lounge access, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students

For those new to credit cards, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students is an excellent choice to start earning travel rewards. With a competitive earn rate and a generous welcome bonus, accumulating Aeroplan points is made easy.

Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • Earn one Aeroplan point per dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and with Air Canada directly, including Air Canada Vacations

  • Earn twice the points at over 150 Aeroplan partners and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore

  • No annual fee

Cons

Cons

  • You only earn one point for every $1.50 spent on everything else

  • No travel insurance

  • No lounge access

Welcome bonus

Get a total of up to 10,000 Aeroplan points (up to $200 in travel value†).

  • Welcome bonus details

    +

    Get a total of up to 10,000 Aeroplan points (up to $200 in travel value†):

    • 2,500 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase†.

    • 2,500 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods†.

    • 5,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods†.

How to earn points

With CIBC Aeroplan credit cards, you earn points right off the bat with a welcome bonus. In this case, it’s a meager yet still appreciated welcome bonus points that will help kick-start that nest egg of virtual travel cash. After that, it’s all about taking advantage of the card’s top spending category. To do that, you’ll need to focus your spending on gas or electric charging, groceries, or directly with Air Canada (including Air Canada Vacations).

You can also encourage family members to contribute to the points accumulation by giving them a card tied to the account. If you want to earn even more points, you can transfer other rewards points to Aeroplan. Other points programs can be transferred to Aeroplan. They include; Marriot Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Best Western Rewards, Choice Privileges, Coast Rewards, IHG One Rewards, Shangri-La Golden Circle Award and Wyndham Rewards. So, you can sign up for one or more of these reward programs, earn their respective points, and then transfer them to Aeroplan points.

Finally, you can even purchase Aeroplan points. They’re typically available at a cost of 3.5 cents each but sometimes go on sale for a discount.

How to redeem points

Redeeming points is fairly simple 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 sleek little platform that houses everything you need to know about redeeming points – telling you what you can redeem your points for and how to do it. You can use points for Air Canada and partner airline flights, redeem them for extras and upgrades on flights, purchase hotels and car rentals, pay for a vacation package or experience and buy merchandise or gift cards. 

There’s really something for everyone when it comes to redeeming points for rewards. Your points will likely go the furthest if you use them to book flights with Air Canada or its partner airlines. Check out how many points are required to fly within North America to give you a sense of how many you’ll need to book your dream vacation.

Interested in flying to farther-flung parts of the globe? Have a look at the Air Canada Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart to start your daydreaming and trip planning. 

Key benefits

  • Join and get up to $200 in value in your first year!† Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points!†
  • Earn 1 Aeroplan point on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®†
  • Earn 1 point for every $1.50 you spend on all other purchases.†
  • Flexible rewards that allow you to redeem for flights, vacations, hotels, car rentals, gift cards and more
  • Points can also cover the cost of tax when redeeming
  • $0 annual fee

Insurance coverage

  • Common carrier accident: Covers accidental death or dismemberment resulting from riding on a common carrier, which includes land, air, or water transport
  • Purchase security and extended protection: Offers 1 additional year of protection above the manufacturer’s original warranty
  • Auto rental collision/loss damage: Covers theft, loss and damage up to the actual cash value of the rental vehicle, if the entire cost is charged to your card, for up to 48 consecutive days

Extra benefits

  • Points never expire as the long as the primary account holder account is open
  • Send money abroad to over 120 countries with no transfer fees
  • Visa’s zero liability policy: You won’t be held responsible if someone steals your card, card number, or card details; and you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent purchases
  • Fraud alerts: CIBC monitors fraud trends and activity and will flag suspicious purchases, putting them on hold and contacting you to confirm the purchase is legit
  • Book rewards for less: Primary cardholders can sometimes book flight rewards for fewer points
  • Get a fourth night free when you book 3 hotel nights with Aeroplan points

What people have to say about this card

It seems CIBC will sometimes give bonus points during certain promotional periods, according to this one RedFlagDeals CIBC Aeroplan Visa thread. One user noted CIBC was offering seven times the Aeroplan points on eligible travel purchases to a certain maximum. For CIBC Aeroplan Visa cardholders, that meant the ability to earn additional points on travel.   

One user, in a CIBC Aeroplan Visa reddit thread about switching from Aventura to Aeroplan through CIBC (the bank offers both loyalty programs), shared frustrations that the welcome points weren’t offered to those transferring from one rewards program to the other. As another helpful user pointed out, a workaround would be to apply for the Aeroplan card as a new customer. In that case, the customer would qualify for the bonus points and would then be able to close their Aventura card, if they so choose.

How the card compares

up to $1,300

Welcome Bonus

$436

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300 in value† including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply.

Learn More Apply Now On TD's Secure Site

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card Vs. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

Think of the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card as the big brother (okay, maybe older cousin) of the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card. They’re related but have different parents (banks). The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite does everything the CIBC Aeroplan Visa does, but with a little more style. The TD card comes with more welcome points (40,000†  vs. 10,000), and earns points faster. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.

The CIBC card earns one point for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, electric vehicle charging, and through Air Canada. The TD card, meanwhile, earns 1.5 points† for every dollar spent in those categories (except electric vehicle charging). TD also lets you earn 1 point† for every dollar spent on everything else while CIBC offers one point for every $1.50 spent. Additionally, the TD card offers savings on baggage fees, robust travel insurance and rental car savings. 

Both cards have the same interest rates, but the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card will cost you $139 per year (get an annual fee rebate for the first year†) and $75† per additional card. To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening and you must add your Additional Cardholders while this offer is in effect. In contrast, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card has no yearly fee and free additional cards.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.  

The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.

†Terms and conditions apply.

10% back

Welcome Bonus

$620

First Year Value

$420

Annual Value

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Vs. Scotiabank Momentum Visa infinite

If you’re considering the CIBC Aeroplan Visa and Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite, think about the type of rewards you’d like to earn. CIBC’s offering will earn you Aeroplan points while the Scotiabank Momentum earns you straight cash back. That right there could be the determining factor.

The Momentum card is also a more premium offering, packing many more features. It comes with travel and mobile device insurance and a much richer point plan, earning users 4% cash back on groceries and recurring payments, 2% on gas and daily transit, and 1% on everything back. That’s superior to CIBC’s breakdown of 1 point for every dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and with Air Canada directly, including Air Canada Vacations and 1 point for every $1.50 spent on everything else.

Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

up to 90K pts

Welcome Bonus

$671.6

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived on your first anniversary for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.*

Learn More Apply Now On BMO's Secure Site

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Vs. BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®*

The BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®* packs a lot into this $150 per year card: Earn 5 points for every travel dollar spent, 3 points for every dining, entertainment and recurring bill dollar, and 1 point for every dollar spent on anything else. It’s worth noting that you’ll need an income of $80,000 individually or $150,000 household to qualify for the World Elite card.

*Terms and conditions apply.

BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.

up to $1,300* value

Welcome Bonus

$926

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card Vs. Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card 

The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card  turned heads when it was first released as a travel card packed to the brim with features. We’re talking lounge access with 6 free passes a year, $0 foreign transaction fees and travel insurance. It’s also a great way to rack up the points, offering 3 points for shopping at certain grocery stores (like Sobeys, Safeway, IGA and Foodland), 2 points when eating out, on entertainment and on transit.

Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.

Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Is the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card worth it?

While it may not be the most impressive travel card, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is a great option for those who want to earn Aeroplan points while not having to pay an annual fee. Its interest rates are high, so you might want to avoid it if you typically carry a balance. Overall, it’s a great choice as a first credit card for those looking to build credit history while also earning rewards. 

FAQs

  • Does the CIBC Aeroplan Visa have lounge access?

    +

    No, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa does not have lounge access. However, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite does have lounge access, though it costs $139 per year.

  • Does the CIBC Aeroplan Visa have travel insurance?

    +

    No, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa does not have insurance. It does, however, have common carrier accident insurance, purchase security and extended protection insurance, and auto rental/collision loss damage insurance.

  • Is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa a student card?

    +

    While the CIBC Aeroplan Visa card is a good choice for students, CIBC does also offer a very similar card called the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students. It has zero annual fee and the same point structure as the standard Aeroplan Visa.

†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer it not available to the residents of Quebec.

The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® 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.

Justin da Rosa Freelance Writer

Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.

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†Terms and Conditions apply.