The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is one of Canada’s most widely held travel credit cards and a direct competitor to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. It offers the same annual fee, similar core earn rates, and comparable travel insurance — with one meaningful advantage: an elevated 1.5x earn on Air Canada purchases, which TD’s version does not match. If you book Air Canada flights regularly, CIBC’s card edges ahead.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Regular Air Canada flyers who want to earn elevated points on both everyday spending (grocery, gas) and their actual Air Canada bookings.
Not ideal for: Cardholders who primarily shop at non-Sobeys-banner grocery stores (earn rate applies to eligible grocery), or those wanting no foreign transaction fees.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 ($0 for first year — verify with CIBC) |
| Additional cardholder fee | $50 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household |
| Network | Visa Infinite |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points (verify current offer with CIBC) |
Always verify the current welcome bonus and any fee waiver promotion with CIBC before applying.
Welcome Bonus
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite typically offers welcome bonuses in the range of 20,000–50,000 Aeroplan points, structured as a first-purchase bonus plus additional points for reaching a minimum spend within the first 3–4 months.
What 50,000 Aeroplan points are worth:
- Economy round trip within Canada: ~25,000–40,000 points → surplus remaining
- Economy round trip to a US gateway city: ~35,000–50,000 points
- At 2 cpp (long-haul economy): approximately $1,000 in flight value
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Groceries (eligible) | 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 |
| Gas | 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 |
| Air Canada purchases | 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 |
| Everything else | 1 Aeroplan point per $1 |
The most notable difference from the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is the 1.5x earn on Air Canada purchases — which includes flights, Air Canada Vacations packages, checked baggage fees, upgrade purchases, and inflight spending. TD’s Visa Infinite earns only 1x on Air Canada transactions.
Annual earning example (based on $2,000/month spend + $3,000 annual Air Canada flights):
| Category | Spend | Rate | Annual Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $12,000 | 1.5x | 18,000 |
| Gas | $2,400 | 1.5x | 3,600 |
| Air Canada | $3,000 | 1.5x | 4,500 |
| Other | $9,600 | 1x | 9,600 |
| Total | 35,700 |
That’s roughly 35,700 points — worth approximately $535–$785 in economy flight redemptions per year.
Travel Perks and Benefits
First checked bag free on Air Canada
The primary cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same Air Canada booking each receive their first checked bag at no charge. This benefit is identical to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and can easily recoup the annual fee for families flying together.
Air Canada bonus perks (CIBC-specific)
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite cardholders may be eligible for additional perks when flying Air Canada, which can include preferential pricing on upgrades and access to specific Air Canada cardholder benefits. Verify current Air Canada cardholder perks directly with CIBC.
Emergency travel medical insurance
Up to $5 million in emergency medical coverage for trips up to 31 days — a stronger limit than the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite’s $2 million / 21-day coverage. For older travellers or those taking longer trips, this is a meaningful advantage.
Trip cancellation insurance
Coverage up to $2,500 per person (up to $5,000 per trip) for non-refundable trip costs if your trip must be cancelled for a covered reason.
Trip interruption insurance
Coverage up to $5,000 per person if a trip must be cut short due to a covered reason.
Flight and trip delay insurance
Coverage up to $500 per person (up to $1,500 per trip) for accommodation, meals, and reasonable expenses when a flight is delayed 4+ hours.
Lost and delayed baggage insurance
Up to $500 per person for delayed baggage, and up to $1,000 per person for lost or damaged baggage.
Rental vehicle collision/loss damage insurance
Coverage for rental vehicle collision damage or theft when you decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver, for rentals up to 48 days.
Purchase security and extended warranty
- 90-day purchase protection against theft, loss, and accidental damage
- Extended warranty doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (primary) | $139 |
| Annual fee (additional) | $50 |
| Purchase interest | 20.99% |
| Cash advance | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction | 2.5% |
CIBC vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: The Key Differences
| Feature | CIBC Aeroplan VI | TD Aeroplan VI |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 | $139 |
| Grocery earn | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Gas earn | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Air Canada earn | 1.5x | 1x |
| Emergency medical | $5M / 31 days | $2M / 21 days |
| Trip cancellation | $2,500/person | $1,500/person |
| NEXUS reimbursement | Not included | Included |
| Additional card fee | $50 | $75 |
CIBC wins: Air Canada earn rate, emergency medical limits, trip cancellation coverage, lower additional card fee.
TD wins: NEXUS reimbursement, slightly broader marketing in English Canada (which may mean slightly better promotional offers).
For most Canadians who book 2+ Air Canada flights per year, the CIBC card earns measurably more due to the 1.5x on Air Canada purchases. At $3,000/year in Air Canada spend, the CIBC earns 4,500 points vs. 3,000 points for TD — a difference of 1,500 points worth approximately $22–$33 annually. Small, but cumulative.
Who Is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Regular Air Canada flyers who book through aircanada.com and want 1.5x on every dollar spent with the airline
- Travellers who value the stronger emergency medical coverage ($5M / 31 days)
- Families who benefit from the lower additional cardholder fee ($50 vs. TD’s $75)
- Grocery and gas spenders wanting elevated Aeroplan earning at no extra cost
Less suitable if:
- You never fly Air Canada (the differentiating Air Canada earn rate has no value)
- You need NEXUS reimbursement (TD includes it, CIBC does not)
- You travel internationally frequently and want a no-FX-fee card (neither CIBC nor TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite waives the foreign transaction fee)
Quebec Availability
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is available to Quebec residents. However, some promotional welcome bonus offers may differ in Quebec due to the province’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requirements. Verify current offers for Quebec on the CIBC website.
Alternatives to the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | NEXUS reimbursement, 1x Air Canada |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | 3x Air Canada, 2x dining, Maple Leaf Lounge |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa (no fee) | $0 | No fee, 1x everywhere |
| Scotiabank Passport VI (Scene+) | $150 | No FX fee, 6 lounge passes, Scene+ program |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite FAQ
Is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite better than the TD version? For regular Air Canada flyers, CIBC edges ahead due to the 1.5x Air Canada earn rate and stronger medical coverage. For non-Air Canada spenders, the cards are virtually equivalent — apply to whichever bank you already bank with.
What income is required? CIBC requires $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household income. CIBC’s total financial relationship (existing deposits, investments, or mortgage) may influence approval, particularly at the margin.
Does the free first checked bag apply on partner airlines? No. The free checked bag benefit applies only on Air Canada operated flights. Codeshare flights operated by a partner carrier may not qualify — verify with CIBC before travel.
Can I hold both a TD and CIBC Aeroplan card? Yes, and many Aeroplan collectors do. Points from both cards flow into the same Aeroplan account. Holding both provides a very small earn advantage in specific scenarios (e.g., using CIBC for Air Canada spending and TD for NEXUS-related benefits). For most people, one card is sufficient.
Is the annual fee waived for the first year? CIBC periodically offers first-year annual fee waivers. Check CIBC’s current promotions or speak with a CIBC advisor.
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is a compelling mid-tier Aeroplan card that earns 1.5x on groceries, gas, and Air Canada purchases — giving it a clear earn rate advantage over the TD version for Air Canada regulars. Its stronger emergency medical coverage ($5M vs. $2M) and lower additional card fee also tilt the comparison toward CIBC for multi-card households.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite remains competitive thanks to its NEXUS reimbursement. The choice often comes down to your existing banking relationship and whether Air Canada is your primary airline. Either card is a strong Aeroplan earning platform at the $139 price point.
Card terms, earn rates, and welcome bonus offers are subject to change. Always verify current details at cibc.com before applying.