The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is CIBC’s flagship ultra-premium Aeroplan credit card — one of Canada’s most exclusive credit cards by both income requirement ($150,000 personal) and annual fee ($599). It delivers the highest Aeroplan earn rates available on a Canadian credit card, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access, Air Canada priority services, and the most comprehensive travel insurance in CIBC’s card lineup. For high-income frequent Air Canada flyers who bank with CIBC, it is the pinnacle of Aeroplan credit card earning.
Quick Verdict
Best for: High-income Canadians who fly Air Canada 8–12+ times annually, want Maple Leaf Lounge access as a regular perk, maximize Aeroplan point earning on significant monthly spending, and bank primarily with CIBC.
Not ideal for: Occasional Air Canada flyers (the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite at $139 is far better value for 1–5 annual flights), those who don’t meet the $150,000 income requirement, or those who prefer WestJet or other carriers.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| 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% (typical) — verify at cibc.com |
| Personal income requirement | $150,000 |
| Household income requirement | $200,000 |
| Network | Visa Infinite Privilege |
| Rewards | Aeroplan Points |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at cibc.com |
Card terms, earn rates, income requirements, and all features are subject to change. Verify all current details at cibc.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
CIBC typically offers a large Aeroplan welcome bonus for new Privilege cardholders — often 50,000–80,000+ Aeroplan points upon meeting a minimum spend threshold, sometimes with a first-year annual fee rebate offer. The welcome bonus is frequently the primary trigger for applying.
Verify the current welcome bonus and spending requirement at cibc.com. Compare with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege’s current offer — the higher bonus at time of application is typically the better choice between the two identical products (assuming you’re comfortable with either CIBC or TD).
Earn Rates
Verify all current earn rates at cibc.com.
| Spending Category | Aeroplan Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 2 points per $1 — verify at cibc.com |
| Grocery, gas, and travel | 1.5 points per $1 — verify at cibc.com |
| All other eligible purchases | 1.25 points per $1 — verify at cibc.com |
Points earned per $10,000/month at the Privilege rate structure (illustrative)
At $10,000/month with a diversified spending mix:
- 20% Air Canada ($2,000 × 2 = 4,000 points)
- 35% grocery/gas/travel ($3,500 × 1.5 = 5,250 points)
- 45% other ($4,500 × 1.25 = 5,625 points)
- Monthly total: ~14,875 Aeroplan points
- Annual total: ~178,500 Aeroplan points
- Value at $0.015/point: ~$2,677/year in Aeroplan value
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access
The premium benefit that defines the Privilege tier:
Access details
- Primary cardholder + one guest admitted complimentary
- Must be travelling on a same-day Air Canada flight
- Available at major Canadian airport lounge locations
Canadian Maple Leaf Lounge locations
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ): Multiple Maple Leaf Lounges (domestic, US transborder, international)
- Vancouver (YVR): Domestic and international
- Calgary (YYC): Domestic and international
- Montreal–Trudeau (YUL): Domestic and international
- Ottawa (YOW), Winnipeg (YWG), Edmonton (YEG): Selected
- Select US and international locations when flying Air Canada
Annual lounge access value
At 10 round trips per year = 20 Air Canada departures:
- 20 lounge visits × $40–$50 equivalent value = $800–$1,000 in annual lounge access value
- This alone justifies the premium above the $139 Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Air Canada Travel Perks
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Priority check-in | Dedicated lane for Privilege cardholders and companions |
| Priority boarding | Access to priority boarding on Air Canada flights |
| First checked bag free | Primary cardholder + up to 8 companions on same reservation — verify limit at cibc.com |
| Air Canada companion pass | Annual companion ticket offer — verify eligibility and restrictions at cibc.com |
| Maple Leaf Lounge access | Primary + 1 guest complimentary |
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Emergency travel medical | Up to $5 million per insured — verify days and conditions |
| Trip cancellation | Up to verify limit per insured person |
| Trip interruption | Up to verify limit |
| Flight delay | Reimbursement after threshold delay |
| Baggage delay | Reimbursement after threshold hours |
| Lost/damaged baggage | Verify limit |
| Common carrier accident | Verify limit — typically $500K+ |
| Auto rental collision/damage | Included — verify terms |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Verify |
Review the Certificate of Insurance available at cibc.com for complete terms, exclusions, and eligibility conditions.
CIBC Banking Integration
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege integrates with CIBC’s full banking ecosystem:
- CIBC Online Banking and CIBC Mobile: Unified view of banking and credit card accounts
- CIBC PACE It: Instalment plan for large purchases at fixed rates — verify current terms at cibc.com
- CIBC SmartEdge: Smart spending insights and budgeting features
For existing CIBC banking clients, the consolidated view of banking and credit card accounts is a meaningful convenience advantage over switching to the TD version.
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Additional cardholder | Verify at cibc.com |
| 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 Visa Infinite Privilege vs. the Competition
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn on Air Canada | Lounge Access | Income Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan VI Privilege | $599 | 2x Aeroplan | Maple Leaf Lounge | $150K |
| TD Aeroplan VI Privilege | $599 | 2x Aeroplan | Maple Leaf Lounge | $150K |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | 3x Aeroplan (Amex) | DragonPass | None stated |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x Aeroplan | None | $60K |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x Aeroplan | None | $60K |
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve at the same $599/year earns 3x Aeroplan on Air Canada (vs. 2x on the CIBC/TD Privilege) but uses DragonPass rather than Maple Leaf Lounge access, and lacks the Air Canada ancillary benefits (priority check-in, free bags). The choice between Amex and CIBC/TD at this tier depends on whether you prefer Maple Leaf Lounge access (CIBC/TD) or a higher Air Canada earn rate with DragonPass (Amex).
Who Is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Canadians earning $150,000+ who fly Air Canada 8–12+ times annually
- Those who want Maple Leaf Lounge access as a consistent perk on every Air Canada departure
- CIBC banking clients who want their premium credit card fully integrated with CIBC Online Banking
- Cardholders putting $6,000+/month on their credit card who want maximum Aeroplan accumulation
Less suitable if:
- You fly Air Canada fewer than 6 times/year — save $460/year with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
- You don’t bank with CIBC and are comfortable with TD — compare welcome bonuses and choose the higher offer
- You prefer Amex and want 3x Aeroplan on Air Canada — the Amex Aeroplan Reserve earns more per Air Canada dollar
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is the most powerful Aeroplan credit card available through CIBC — earning the highest possible Aeroplan rates, providing Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority Air Canada services, free checked bags, and comprehensive travel insurance. For high-income frequent Air Canada flyers who bank with CIBC, it delivers exceptional value.
The $460 premium above the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite pays for itself primarily through Maple Leaf Lounge access. If you use that lounge 10+ times per year, the Privilege tier is worth it. If not, the standard Infinite is the smarter choice.
Card terms, earn rates, income requirements, Air Canada benefits, and travel insurance coverages are subject to change. Verify all current details at cibc.com and aircanada.com/aeroplan before applying.