The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card is the entry-level no-annual-fee option in CIBC’s Aeroplan credit card lineup, earning Aeroplan points directly on everyday purchases. It provides a no-cost entry point to the Aeroplan programme through CIBC — the co-issuer (alongside TD) of Aeroplan co-branded credit cards in Canada. For those who want to earn Aeroplan miles on all spending without paying an annual fee, or who don’t qualify income-wise for the Visa Infinite tier, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa is the appropriate starting point.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Canadians who want to earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending at no cost — particularly those who don’t meet the income requirements for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite, or who want to supplement their Aeroplan earning across multiple cards.
Not ideal for: Those who qualify for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year) — the Infinite earns significantly more Aeroplan points on grocery, gas, and Air Canada spending and includes travel insurance.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Additional cardholder fee | Verify at cibc.com |
| Purchase interest rate | Verify at cibc.com |
| Cash advance rate | Verify at cibc.com |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% — verify at cibc.com |
| Income requirement | None for basic Visa tier |
| Network | Visa |
| Rewards | Aeroplan Points (direct) |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at cibc.com |
Card terms, earn rates, and all features are subject to change. Verify all current details at cibc.com before applying.
Earn Rates
Verify all current earn rates at cibc.com.
| Spending Category | Aeroplan Points |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | Elevated — verify at cibc.com |
| Groceries | Elevated — verify at cibc.com |
| Gas | Elevated — verify at cibc.com |
| All other eligible Visa purchases | Base rate — verify at cibc.com |
Why Aeroplan Points Matter
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty programme — and one of Canada’s most valuable travel rewards currencies:
| Aeroplan Value | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic redemptions | AC saver fares can yield 1.5–2.5 cents/point for economy flights |
| Business class | Premium redemptions can yield 2–4 cents/point |
| Star Alliance partners | Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United, ANA, Turkish Airlines and 35+ more |
| Transfer partners | Amex MR, HSBC, and other programmes transfer to Aeroplan |
| No expiry | Points don’t expire with qualifying activity |
50,000 Aeroplan points can be redeemed for a round-trip from Eastern Canada to Florida/Caribbean or trans-Atlantic economy flights.
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | Verify at cibc.com |
| Cash advance rate | Verify at cibc.com |
| Foreign transaction fee | Verify at cibc.com (typically 2.5%) |
CIBC Aeroplan Card Tier Comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Grocery Rate | Air Canada Benefits | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa | $0 | Base rate | Basic Aeroplan earning | Minimal |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Higher (verify) | More AC benefits | Travel insurance |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | Highest (verify) | Maple Leaf Lounge, priority | Comprehensive |
Decision framework:
- Income under threshold / want $0 fee → CIBC Aeroplan Visa (basic)
- $60K+ income, $1,500+/month spending → CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite (best balance)
- Frequent Air Canada traveller, $150K income → CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
CIBC vs. TD Aeroplan Cards: The Two Co-Issuers
Aeroplan Visa credit cards are co-issued exclusively by CIBC and TD:
| Factor | CIBC Aeroplan | TD Aeroplan |
|---|---|---|
| No-fee entry | CIBC Aeroplan Visa | TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum |
| Mid-tier | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139) | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139) |
| Premium | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599) | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599) |
| Banking synergy | CIBC banking clients | TD banking clients |
The Aeroplan earn rates and Air Canada benefits are nearly identical between CIBC and TD cards at the same tier. The choice often comes down to which bank you do your primary banking with.
Who Is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- CIBC banking clients who want to earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending without an annual fee
- Those new to credit or Aeroplan who want a no-cost entry point
- Those who don’t qualify income-wise for the Visa Infinite tier
- Supplementary Aeroplan card holders who want to earn Aeroplan on spending their primary card doesn’t cover
Less suitable if:
- You qualify for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite — higher earn rates and travel insurance justify the $139 fee
- You’re not an Aeroplan member and don’t plan to use Air Canada regularly — a general rewards card is more flexible
- You want no foreign transaction fee — the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or Brim cards are appropriate
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card is a sensible no-annual-fee entry into Aeroplan earning for CIBC clients. Direct Aeroplan point accumulation on everyday spending — with no fee to erode the value — makes it a useful card for those who want to grow their Aeroplan balance at no cost.
That said, most CIBC Aeroplan cardholders should evaluate the Visa Infinite tier ($139/year): significantly higher earn rates and travel insurance typically make the $139 fee worthwhile at any spending level above ~$1,000/month.
Card terms, Aeroplan earn rates, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at cibc.com and aeroplan.com before applying.