If Aeroplan is your loyalty program of choice, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is one of two flagship options available to Canadians — the other being the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. Both cards earn Aeroplan points at identical rates and carry the same $139 annual fee. The key reason to choose CIBC over TD comes down to your existing banking relationship, specific insurance needs, and whichever card is running the stronger welcome bonus at the time you apply.
For a full comparison of all Aeroplan cards, see best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada.
Card at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| Supplementary card | $50 |
| Minimum income | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household |
| Network | Visa Infinite |
| Rewards program | Aeroplan |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
Welcome Bonus
CIBC frequently runs promotional welcome bonuses on the Aeroplan Visa Infinite, typically ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 Aeroplan points. The standard offer often includes a condition such as spending $3,000 in the first four months. Welcome bonus values change frequently — check the current CIBC offer before applying.
At a conservative valuation of 1.5 cents per Aeroplan point (redeemed for short-haul economy flights), 20,000 bonus points is worth approximately $300. Redeemed strategically for business-class international flights, those same points can exceed $600 in value.
Earn Rates
| Purchase category | Points per $1 |
|---|---|
| Groceries | 1.5 points |
| Gas | 1.5 points |
| Air Canada purchases | 1.5 points |
| Everything else | 1 point |
| Eligible Aeroplan partner purchases | Bonus multiplier applies |
The 1.5x earn rate on groceries and gas rewards everyday spending, which is where most Canadian households concentrate their credit card volume. If your annual grocery and gas spending is $20,000, you earn approximately 30,000 Aeroplan points from those categories alone each year — enough for a round-trip domestic flight.
Insurance Coverage
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite includes a comprehensive travel insurance package:
- Out-of-province/country emergency travel medical — up to $2 million, first 15 days (31 days for travellers under age 65)
- Trip cancellation — up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 maximum
- Trip interruption — up to $2,000 per person, $10,000 maximum
- Common carrier accident — up to $500,000
- Baggage delay — up to $500 per person
- Lost or stolen baggage — up to $500 per person
- Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver — up to 48 days
- Hotel burglary protection — up to $2,500
- Mobile device insurance — up to $1,000
The travel medical insurance coverage is particularly valuable for Canadian travellers. Stand-alone travel insurance for a two-week trip typically costs $80–$200 per person; two adults using this coverage twice per year can recoup the entire annual fee in saved insurance premiums alone.
Cardholder Perks
Beyond insurance, CIBC Aeroplan cardholders receive:
- Maple Leaf Club Day Passes — one complimentary Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge day pass on your card anniversary
- Priority check-in — access to Air Canada’s Priority Check-in queue when flying on a full-fare ticket purchased with the card
- Aeroplan status boost — eligible purchases count toward earning Aeroplan Elite Status qualifying miles
Who Should Get This Card
Best fit:
- CIBC customers who want their credit card and banking under one roof
- Frequent Air Canada flyers who want Aeroplan earn with Visa acceptance
- Canadians who spend heavily on groceries and gas ($15,000+/year in those categories)
- Those who travel internationally and will use the travel medical insurance
Consider alternatives if:
- You already bank with TD — the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is functionally identical
- You want premium lounge access — step up to the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year) for unlimited Priority Pass lounge access
- You shop at Costco frequently — Costco only accepts Mastercard in Canada; pair this card with the CIBC Costco Mastercard or another no-fee Mastercard for Costco spending
- You want to maximize dining and food delivery rewards — the Amex Cobalt earns 5 points per dollar on those categories
CIBC vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Since both cards are nearly identical, the comparison usually comes down to secondary factors:
| Factor | CIBC | TD |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 | $139 |
| Base earn rate | 1.5× groceries, gas, Air Canada | 1.5× groceries, gas, Air Canada |
| Supplementary card fee | $50 | $75 |
| Priority boarding | Yes (full-fare tickets) | Yes |
| Anniversary lounge pass | 1 Maple Leaf Club pass | 1 Air Canada Maple Leaf Club pass |
CIBC wins on supplementary card fees ($50 vs $75), which matters for households that add a second cardholder. TD’s welcome bonus is sometimes more generous during promotional periods — always compare current offers before applying.
Verdict
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is an excellent mid-tier travel credit card for Aeroplan collectors. Its value comes from the combination of a solid earn rate on everyday spending, comprehensive travel insurance, and Air Canada-specific perks — all for a $139 annual fee that is easy to offset with the welcome bonus alone in year one.
For CIBC customers already banking with the institution, it is the natural choice. For everyone else, compare the current welcome bonus against the TD equivalent and pick whichever is running the stronger promotion.
See also: best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada · Aeroplan points guide · how Aeroplan points are valued