The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is one of the premier Aeroplan branded credit cards in Canada. If you regularly fly with Air Canada, or intend on taking a flight with AC, or one of their partner airlines over the next 12-24 months, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card can help propel you to a world class aviation experience.
The Basics
Annual Fee: $599
Sign up Bonus: 70,000 Aeroplan points
First Year Free: No
GCR Rebate: $0
Referral Bonus: None
Lounge Access: Yes
First Year Value: $500
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Sign-up Bonus
New cardholders will earn 20,000 Aeroplan points upon first purchase
New cardholders will earn 20,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 in the first 4 months.
You’ll also earn a bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you renew your card for a second year (after spending $25,000 in the first year) for a total of 70,000 Aeroplan points
Earning Rewards
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a great card for earning Aeroplan points. The earn rates are as follows:
2 Aeroplan Points per dollar spent on Air Canada & Air Canada vacations
1.5 Aeroplan Points per dollar spent on food, gas, & travel
1.25 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent everywhere else
While other cards have higher earning rates for particular categories (the American Express Cobalt card offers 5 Membership Rewards on Food & Drink, which can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio), the CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege Card provides great everyday earning if you are interested in collecting Aeroplan points.
Given that some establishments don’t accept American Express, it’s a good idea to have a Visa card in your wallet that has solid everyday earning. The CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege Card certainly fits that parameter.
It also should be noted that the 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on everyday purchases is equal to premier Aeroplan cards offered by TD & American Express.
If you are someone who is regularly travelling with Aeroplan, you should strongly consider this card, especially given the high earning rate on Air Canada purchases.
Redeeming Your Rewards
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege allows you to earn Aeroplan points.
Read: Your Complete Guide to Aeroplan Points
You can redeem those points for free flights on the following airlines
Canada & US
Note: Aeroplan has also partnered with Pal Airlines, which services Eastern Canada
Central & South America
Europe
Middle East, Africa & India
Asia & Pacific
For Canadians, the most popular Airline you’ll be using is Air Canada.
Aeroplan is part of the “Star Alliance” network.
There are additional partners associated with the Aeroplan program which can be found here
Redemption Zones
In 2020 Aeroplan released a pricing chart based on geographic zones. In total, there are 4 zones (North America, South America, Atlantic & Pacific) which are built into the award chart
The updated dynamic pricing is shown below. As you can see from the chart, Air Canada flights will have a dynamic pricing component, while partner carries will have a more traditional fixed cost to them.
Overall there are 10 different award chats, reflecting travelling between each zone, and also within the zone itself. Here are the updated distance based award charts.
Here’s the new award chart for travel within North America:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Atlantic region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Pacific region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and South America:
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Benefits
Maple Leaf Lounge & DragonPass Access
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card provides you access to the following lounges:
- Maple Leaf Lounge: Cardholders & Supplementary Cardholders are each entitled to complimentary access to any Maple Leaf Lounge located in Canada and the United States. Guests of Cardholders may enter upon paying an applicable fee. Access will be granted in conjunction with a same-day, confirmed ticket on a flight marketed or operated by Air Canada, or any Star Alliance member airline
- DragonPass: Cardholders with a valid Canadian issued Visa Infinite Privilege Card have access to participating lounges within the Visa Airport Companion Program hosted and managed by Dragonpass International (6 annual passes)
Cardholders also get access to Air Canada Cafe locations.
Free Checked Bags on Air Canada Flights
That’s right, cardholders and supplementary cardholders receive their first checked bag for free when traveling on an Air Canada flight. This is a savings of at least $30 per trip.
Priority Airport Services
Cardholders enjoy priority check-in, boarding (you’ll be in Zone 2) and baggage handling when flying with Air Canada. Cardholders will also be prioritized when it comes to standby lists, and eupgade requests.
Once again, these services can be applied to all passengers on your reservation (up to a maximum of 8 people).
Cardholders also receive priority benefits at Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Billy Bishop (Toronto) airports.
Accelerators for Earning Elite Status
Cardholders earn 1,000 status qualifying miles (SQM) and 1 status qualifying segment (SQS) for every $5,000 in purchases charged to your card.
Cardholders can also roll over 200,000 unused SQMs to apply towards elite status in the following year.
For those who are looking to achieve elite status, this can help get you there sooner.
Free Companion Voucher
If you spend $25,000 annually on the card, you will receive a companion voucher which can be used on an Air Canada flight. The companion voucher is essentially a “buy one get one free promotion.” Traveler #1 pays cash for the fare, and traveler #2 will receive a complimentary ticket (+ taxes & fees).
$100 Nexus Credit
Cardholders receive a $100 statement credit towards the NEXUS program. Nexus applications cost roughly $75 CAD, so this credit will cover the the cost of the NEXUS application fee.
Preferred Pricing when Redeeming Aeroplan Points on Air Canda Flights
Cardholders receive preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on AC fights, up to 25% off
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Insurance Coverage
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card is a premier travel credit card, and thus comes with a multitude of insurance coverage, including:
- Out of Country Insurance – up to $5,000,000 (22 days of coverage)
- Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance – up to $2,500
- Flight Delay & Baggage Delay Insurance – up to $1,000
- Car Rental Damage Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance – up to $1,000
- Buyers Protection Plan – automatically extend the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year.
If you fly with Aeroplan on points these benefits apply as you charge the taxes and fees to your card.
Summary
If you’re looking for a credit card that offers great benefits and perks, then the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card may be worth considering, especially if you regularly fly on Air Canada.
Along with its fantastic welcome bonus, you’ll have access to a ton of great perks for Air Canada including Maple Leaf Lounge access and priority services.
Canadians will have to make a personal decision as to whether or not the $599 annual fee is worth taking into the second year. It may be in your best interest to downgrade to a lower tier CIBC credit card after year one, and look at re-applying for this card a few years down the road.
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information, please visit our disclaimer page
