We’ve all heard of CIBC. When leveraged properly, CIBC travel credit cards can go a long way to enhancing your travel game, allowing you to see the world for free.

CIBC offers a wide range of services to Canadians including personal and commercial banking, wealth management, investment banking, asset management, and insurance. CIBC provides a wide range of banking and financial services to Canadians. Services which include travel credit cards.

The travel credit cards offered through CIBC come with a number of perks including:

• Travel rewards that can be redeemed for various travel-related expenses such as flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more.
• Great sign-up bonuses
• Travel Insurance
• Airport lounge access
• Travel-related discounts and benefits

Travel credit cards through CIBC allow cardholders to earn either earn Aeroplan points, or Aventura points.

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CIBC Aeroplan Cards

What are Aeroplan Points?

Aeroplan is the top travel program in Canada.

Understanding the do’s and don’ts of the Aeroplan rewards program will allow Canadians to travel the world on the cheap, and free up more money that can be used towards things you enjoy.

The program is a high-profile rewards offering that has been around for over 30 years. Aeroplan members can earn points by flying with Air Canada or its partner airlines, as well as through everyday activities such as shopping, dining, and staying at partner hotels. These points can then be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, vacation packages, merchandise, and other rewards.

It’s the only North American airline loyalty rewards program that offers members access to Air Canada and all Star Alliance partners. As a result, this should be your #1 focus when accumulating travel points here in Canada.

Your complete guide to Aeroplan points

What are the top CIBC Aeroplan Credit Cards

CIBC offers a basic, core & premium version of their Aeroplan cards

	Basic	Core	Enhanced
Card Name	CIBC Aeroplan	CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite	CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Sign up Bonus	up to 10,000 Aeroplan points	up to 50,000 Aeroplan points	up to 80,000 Aeroplan points
Annual Fee	$0	$139	$599
Earn Rate	1 point per dollar on Air Canada & Air Canada Vacations  1 point per dollar on gas 1 point per dollar on groceries 1 point per $1.50 spent on everything else	1 point per dollar on Air Canada & Air Canada Vacations  1.5 points per dollar on gas 1.5 points per dollar on groceries 1 point per dollar spent on everything else	2 points per dollar on Air Canada & Air Canada Vacations  1.5 points per dollar on gas. 1.5 points per dollar on groceries 1.25 points per dollar spent on everything else
Card Benefits	Free first-checked bag on Air Canada flights for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.	Free first-checked bag on Air Canada flights for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation	Free first-checked bag on Air Canada flights for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation MapleLeaf lounge access  6 DragonPass Lounge Visits
Status Acceleration	None	1,000 SQM & 1 SQS per $10,000 spent on the card	1,000 SQM & 1 SQS per $10,000 spent on the card
Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance	No	Yes	Yes

Note: There are also business versions of each card

Redeeming Aeroplan Points

In 2020 Aeroplan released a pricing chart based on geographic zones. In total, there are 4 zones (North America, South America, Atlantic & Pacific) that are built into the award chart.

Overall there are 10 different award chats, reflecting travel 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:

Here’s the new award chart for travel within the Atlantic region:

Here’s the new award chart for travel within the Pacific region:

Here’s the new award chart for travel within South America:

Here’s the new award chart for travel between the Atlantic and Pacific regions:

CIBC Aventura Cards

What are Aventura Points?

CIBC Aventura Points are a type of loyalty rewards program offered by CIBC. The Aventura program allows CIBC customers to earn points on their eligible credit card purchases, and these points can then be redeemed for a variety of rewards, such as flights, hotel stays, vacation packages, merchandise, and more.

Generally, cardholders earn points by receiving a new application “welcome bonus” and using their eligible CIBC Aventura credit card for everyday spending. The points earned can then be used to offset travel-related expenses, which is a popular choice for many customers.

What are the top CIBC Aventura Credit Cards?

CIBC offers a basic, core & premium version of their Aventura cards

	Basic	Core	Enhanced
Card Name	CIBC Aventura	CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite	CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
Sign up Bonus	up to 2,500 Aventura points	up to 60,000 Aventura points	up to 80,000 Aventura points
Annual Fee	$0	$139	$499
Earn Rate	1 point per dollar spent at the CIBC Rewards Centre  1 point per dollar on gas 1 point per dollar on groceries 1 point per $2.00 spent on everything else	2 points per dollar spent at the CIBC Rewards Centre  1.5 points per dollar on gas 1.5 points per dollar on groceries 1 point per dollar spent on everything else	3 point per dollar spent at the CIBC Rewards Centre  2 points per dollar on gas 2 point per dollar on groceries, dining & entertainment 1.25 points per dollar spent on everything else
Card Benefits	Save up to 10¢ per litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron gas stations	4 complimentary DragonPass  visits per membership year $50 Nexus rebate	6 complimentary DragonPass  visits per membership year $100 Nexus rebate (up to 2 people) $200 annual travel credit
Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Auto Rental Collision Coverage	No	Yes	Yes

Note: There are also business versions of each card

Redeeming Aventura Points

You can redeem Aventura in one of 6 ways:

• Aventura Airline Rewards Chart flight redemptions,
• CIBC Rewards Travel Centre,
• Shopping with points,
• Statement credits,
• Financial products,
• Merchandise

Shopping, Financial products, and merchandise do represent good value for your Aventura points.

Aventura Airline Rewards Chart

If you would like to redeem your Aventura points for flights, you can leverage CIBC’s distance-based reward chart

• Canada & US Short Haul – 10,000 to 20,000 Aventura
  • Within a province, territory, or U.S. state or to an adjoining province, territory, or U.S. state.
• Canada & US Long Haul – 25,000 to 35,000 Aventura
  • From any location in Canada or the U.S. to any location in Canada or U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska).
• Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Central American, Caribbean – 40,000 to 60,000 Aventura
  • From any location in Canada or the U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America, or the Caribbean.
• Europe – 50,000 to 70,000 Aventura
  • From a major gateway in Canada or the U.S. to select destinations in Europe.
• Rest of the world – 75,000 to 125,000 Aventura
  • From a major gateway in Canada or the U.S. to select destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, the Middle East, or South America.

Leveraging this award chart, you can expect to see a redemption value of 0.5 cents per point to 2 cents per point

CIBC Rewards Travel Centre

Aventura points can be applied at a rate of 1 cent per point when redeeming through CIBC’s in-house travel portal. This can be a good option if you want to redeem your Aventura points for car rentals, or “free agent” (AKA not Marriott or Hilton) hotel stays.

Statement Credits

You can apply CIBC Aventura points toward your credit card statement balance through the “Payment with Points” feature at a rate of (0.625 cents per point). Therefore, a $25 purchase would cost you 4,000 Aventura points.

This can be a good option if you’re staying at hotels that aren’t part of the options offered through the Aventura travel portal. An example of this would be hotels found on Expedia.ca

What is Expedia.ca

Expedia is an online travel company that provides a platform for booking a wide range of travel-related services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and various activities and experiences. The company was founded in 1996 and has since become one of the largest online travel agencies in the world.

On the Expedia website or mobile app, users can search for and book various travel services, compare prices, read reviews, and make reservations. Expedia typically partners with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other travel service providers to offer a comprehensive selection of options for users.

Expedia has expanded its services over the years and owns several other travel-related brands, including Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner). The goal of Expedia is to make travel planning and booking convenient for individuals and to provide a one-stop platform for all their travel needs.

Why Should I Use Expedia?

There are several reasons why individuals choose to use Expedia for their travel planning and booking:

• Comprehensive Options: Expedia provides a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and activities. This allows users to plan and book multiple aspects of their trip in one place.
• Price Comparison: Expedia allows users to compare prices for flights, hotels, and other services from various providers. This can help you find the best deals and discounts available, potentially saving you money on your travel expenses.
• User Reviews: Expedia includes user reviews and ratings for hotels and other accommodations, giving you insights into the experiences of other travelers. This information can be valuable when making decisions about where to stay.
• Bundle Deals: Expedia often offers package deals that combine flights, hotels, and/or car rentals at a discounted price. Bundling these services together can sometimes result in cost savings compared to booking each component separately.
• Loyalty Program: Expedia has a loyalty program called Expedia Rewards, where users can earn points for booking through the platform. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings, providing additional savings.
• Ease of Use: Expedia’s website and mobile app are designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for individuals to search for, compare, and book travel services. The platform provides filters and sorting options to help users find the most relevant options for their preferences and budget.
• Customer Support: Expedia offers customer support services to assist users with any issues or questions they may have before, during, or after their trip.

While Expedia is a popular choice for many travelers, it’s essential to note that preferences and experiences can vary. Some users may prefer alternative platforms or direct bookings depending on their specific needs and circumstances. It’s a good idea to explore different options and compare prices and features to find the platform that best suits your preferences and requirements.

When Should I Start Collecting Aeroplan & Aventura Points

The Aeroplan program is one of the best travel programs in the country. All Canadians who travel (even infrequently) should be part of the program. The Aeroplan credit cards are some of the top options available to Canadians. At least one member of your household should be earning Aeroplan points through a visa, including the ones offered through CIBC

I would encourage Canadians to look at loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, or American Express Membership Rewards to get them started on their points journey. Those programs can get you a value of upwards of 10 cents/point if redeemed properly. Aeroplan & Marriott are the two biggest loyalty programs in Canada, so this is where you should start

Once you’ve properly racked enough Aeroplan & Marriott Bonvoy points, you can then start focusing on other points programs in Canada, like Aventura.

Canadians are often in situations where they need to spend cash for their travel purchases. Maybe you’re paying cash for a hotel stay, or maybe you’re flying on an airline that doesn’t have a loyalty program (Flair Airlines for example). For this reason, the Aventura program can have some value. I’ve personally used Aventura points when I’m trying to book a flight with Porter Airlines.

What’s the Optimal CIBC Credit Card Strategy

One of the great things about opening up a credit card line with CIBC is that you can “product switch” between different credit cards. A product switch keeps the same line of credit but changes the credit card associated with it. In some cases, you can receive a modified sign-up bonus every time your product switches.

There are several advantages to doing a product change, rather than a “churn” (canceling and reapplying for a new card):

• You will maintain a longer credit line which helps the average age of accounts on your credit profile, and thus, your credit score
• You won’t receive a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your credit score 

With that information in mind, we can now start to build out our credit card strategy

Aeroplan is the top travel program in Canada, and Canadians should prioritize this program through branded credit cards offered by American Express, TD & CIBC.

Starting with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card makes the most sense given the high signup bonus and first-year annual fee waiver. The 45,000 Aeroplan points will get you a free flight, and you’ll get some Aeroplan perks as well (a free checked bag for example).

It’s probably in your best interest to open 2 (or even 3) Aeroplan cards with CIBC before focusing on Aventura.

Once you’ve maxed out the Aeroplan program, you can then open up a credit line by signing up for the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege. This will give you 80,000 Aventura points, and a few travel perks like lounge access and a $200 travel credit. After the first year, this card can either be downgraded, or canceled (I wouldn’t cancel both lines of credit though).

Conclusion

CIBC offers a range of credit cards with various features and benefits, catering to different customer needs and preferences. There are a few things that make CIBC a desirable credit card issuer:

• Some CIBC credit cards offer luxurious airport lounge access
• CIBC cards provide you access to Aeroplan, Canada’s top travel program
• You can “product switch” between different CIBC cards, continuously earning a modified sign-up bonus each time
• You can also apply for CIBC business credit cards, unlocking even more travel potential

FAQ

Can You Hold Multiple Areoplan Cards at the Same Time?

In short, you can hold one basic, core & premium version of the Aeroplan cards. Aeroplan as of late has been cracking down on welcome bonuses, so there’s a small chance you won’t receive the full welcome bonus.

What Signup Bonus Should I Expect When I Product Switch?

If you are eligible for a welcome bonus or upgrade offer, you can expect to receive the following public bonuses:

CIBC Credit Card	First Purchase Bonus
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege	20,000 Aeroplan points
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite	10,000 Aeroplan points
CIBC Aeroplan Visa	10,000 Aeroplan points
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege	30,000 Aventura points
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite	20,000 Aventura points
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa	20,000 Aventura points