CIBC’s credit card portfolio covers every major category — from no-annual-fee cashback to ultra-premium Aeroplan cards with unlimited lounge access. This guide ranks the best CIBC credit cards to help you decide whether to maximize Aeroplan points, earn top-tier grocery cashback, or keep things simple with a no-fee card.
For how CIBC’s lineup compares to other Big 5 banks, see best credit cards in Canada and best Aeroplan credit cards.
Best CIBC Credit Cards by Category
Best Overall: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $139 | Network: Visa Infinite | Earn rate: 1.5× Aeroplan on groceries, gas, Air Canada; 1× elsewhere
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is CIBC’s best mid-tier travel card and the flagship of the lineup. It earns Aeroplan points — Canada’s most popular airline loyalty currency — at accelerated rates on the spending categories that matter most: groceries and gas.
Key features:
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on eligible grocery, gas, and Air Canada purchases
- Comprehensive travel insurance (emergency medical up to $2 million, trip cancellation, car rental)
- 1 complimentary Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge anniversary pass
- Priority check-in and boarding access on Air Canada full-fare tickets
- Supplementary card fee: $50 (lower than TD’s $75)
The $139 annual fee is offset by the welcome bonus (typically 20,000–40,000 Aeroplan points, worth $300–$600 depending on redemption) and the insurance value for travellers.
Best for: CIBC customers who fly Air Canada and want Aeroplan earn from their everyday spending.
Best for Cashback: CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $120 | Network: Visa Infinite | Earn rate: 4% groceries and recurring bills; 2% gas, transit, daily transit; 1% elsewhere
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is one of the strongest grocery-cashback cards in Canada. The 4% earn rate on groceries is available on all grocery-coded purchases up to $20,000 per year — a generous cap that covers most households.
Cashback example (annual):
- Groceries $1,500/month × 4% = $720
- Gas $200/month × 2% = $48
- Transit/dining $300/month × 2% = $72
- Other $1,000/month × 1% = $120
- Total: $960/year vs. $120 annual fee
Cashback is credited annually each January and applied directly to your account. No redemption portals, no minimum thresholds.
Key features:
- Travel insurance package included
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000
- Visa Infinite benefits (hotel perks, concierge)
Best for: Grocery-heavy households who prefer cashback certainty over points strategy.
Best for Costco: CIBC Costco Mastercard
Annual fee: $0 | Network: Mastercard | Earn rate: 3% at Costco; 2% on fuel and dining; 1% elsewhere
The CIBC Costco Mastercard is the only CIBC credit card accepted at Costco Canada — Costco exclusively accepts Mastercard, and CIBC is the exclusive card issuer for Costco Canada. There is no annual credit card fee (your Costco membership is required separately).
Earn rates:
- 3% on Costco purchases (in-warehouse and Costco.ca)
- 2% on fuel (including Costco gas stations)
- 2% on restaurant and food delivery purchases
- 1% everywhere else
Cash rewards are paid annually as a Costco Shop Card in February.
Best for: Costco members who spend $200+/month at Costco and want to maximize rewards on warehouse purchases.
Best Flexible Travel: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $139 | Network: Visa Infinite | Earn rate: 2× Aventura on travel booked through CIBC Rewards; 1.5× on groceries and gas; 1× elsewhere
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite earns Aventura points, which can be redeemed for any flight on any airline through the CIBC Rewards Centre (not limited to Air Canada), as well as hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise. This any-airline flexibility appeals to travellers who do not fly Air Canada exclusively.
Aventura points are valued at approximately 1–1.2 cents each for flight redemptions — similar to Aeroplan for short-haul economy but without the premium cabin sweetspot that Aeroplan offers for transatlantic business class.
Best for: CIBC customers who fly multiple airlines and want flexibility over Aeroplan commitment.
Best No-Annual-Fee Card: CIBC Dividend Visa
Annual fee: $0 | Network: Visa | Earn rate: 1–4% cashback depending on category (entry-level version)
The CIBC Dividend Visa earns cashback with no annual fee. Earn rates are lower than the Visa Infinite version (typically 1–2% on groceries), but there are no income requirements and no annual cost. It serves as a good first cashback card or secondary card for Visa-accepting merchants.
Best for: Those who don’t meet the $60,000 income threshold for Visa Infinite cards, or those who want a no-fee backup Visa card.
Best Premium: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $599 | Network: Visa Infinite Privilege | Earn rate: 2× Aeroplan on Air Canada; 1.5× on groceries, gas, dining; 1.25× elsewhere
CIBC’s top-tier Aeroplan card adds significant Air Canada benefits:
- Unlimited Air Canada Maple Leaf Club lounge access
- Priority Pass Select (6 international lounge visits)
- Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling
- First checked bag free for cardholder and companions
- Emergency travel medical up to $5 million
- Aeroplan Elite Status Qualifying Miles boost
Best for: High-volume travellers who fly Air Canada regularly and spend $60,000+ per year on the card — the lounge access alone (valued at $600+/year for frequent flyers) justifies the premium fee.
All CIBC Credit Cards: Quick Comparison
| Card | Annual fee | Best for | Key earn |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Aeroplan / Air Canada | 1–1.5× Aeroplan |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | Premium Aeroplan | 1.25–2× Aeroplan |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | $139 | Flexible travel | 1–2× Aventura |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | $120 | Grocery cashback | 1–4% cashback |
| CIBC Costco Mastercard | $0 | Costco members | 1–3% cashback |
| CIBC Dividend Visa | $0 | No-fee cashback | 1–2% cashback |
CIBC vs Other Big 5 Banks
CIBC vs TD on Aeroplan: The CIBC and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite cards earn identically (1.5× groceries, gas, Air Canada; 1× elsewhere) at the same $139 annual fee. CIBC wins on supplementary card fees ($50 vs TD’s $75). The decision usually comes down to your banking relationship and which card has the stronger welcome bonus at the time of application.
CIBC vs RBC on travel: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite at $120 is $19 cheaper than CIBC’s Aeroplan card and earns flexible Avion points transferable to four programs. CIBC earns more on groceries (1.5× vs 1×) and includes Air Canada-specific perks.
CIBC vs Scotiabank on cashback: The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite earns 4% on groceries and transit (vs CIBC’s 4% groceries and recurring). The cards are very comparable — choose based on banking relationship.
How to Choose the Right CIBC Card
- Fly Air Canada regularly? → CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
- Prefer cashback over points? → CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
- Costco member? → CIBC Costco Mastercard (mandatory if Costco is a major spend)
- Want any-airline flexibility? → CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
- No annual fee? → CIBC Dividend Visa
- Maximum Air Canada benefits? → CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
See also: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite review · best cashback credit cards in Canada · best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada