The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is CIBC’s flagship flexible travel card — a Visa Infinite product that earns Aventura points redeemable for travel on any airline or at any hotel through CIBC’s travel portal. For Canadians who want airline-agnostic travel rewards without committing to Air Canada’s Aeroplan ecosystem or WestJet’s Rewards programme, the Aventura card offers a compelling alternative within the CIBC banking relationship.
Quick Verdict
Best for: CIBC banking customers who want flexible travel rewards redeemable on any airline, with a comprehensive travel insurance package and a Visa card accepted at Costco and other non-Amex merchants.
Not ideal for: Frequent Air Canada flyers who would earn more from a co-branded Aeroplan card, those who want transferable airline currency for premium cabin redemptions, or cardholders who prioritise the highest possible grocery earn rate.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 (first additional card free) |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household |
| Network | Visa |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer with CIBC |
Welcome bonus offers, earn rates, benefit details, and annual fee are subject to change. Always verify current terms at cibc.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
CIBC periodically offers welcome bonuses on the Aventura Visa Infinite, typically as an Aventura points bonus after meeting a spend threshold in the first few months, along with potential annual fee waiver promotions.
Always verify the current welcome bonus directly with CIBC before applying.
Earn Rates
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite earns Aventura points across multiple spend tiers, with the highest rate on travel booked through CIBC’s portal.
| Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Travel booked through CIBC Rewards Centre | 3x Aventura points per dollar |
| Dining and entertainment | 2x Aventura points per dollar |
| Gas, groceries, and drugstores in Canada | 1.5x Aventura points per dollar |
| All other purchases | 1x Aventura points per dollar |
Verify current earn rates, eligible merchant categories, and any earn caps with CIBC at cibc.com before applying. Earn rates have changed historically and promotional offers may alter the earn structure.
Annual spend calculation
Based on a household spending $2,000/month:
| Category | Monthly Spend | Rate | Annual Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel (via CIBC) | $300 | 3x | 10,800 |
| Dining | $400 | 2x | 9,600 |
| Groceries | $700 | 1.5x | 12,600 |
| Gas | $200 | 1.5x | 3,600 |
| Other | $400 | 1x | 4,800 |
| Total | $2,000 | 41,400 |
41,400 Aventura points per year — at approximately 1 cent per point for travel bookings, this represents approximately $414 in travel value.
After the $139 annual fee, this household nets approximately $275 in annual value from everyday earning.
Aventura Points: Value and Redemption
Aventura points are redeemed through the CIBC Rewards Centre for travel purchases on any airline or at any hotel.
Best redemptions
1. Travel through CIBC Rewards Centre
Flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre can be paid entirely or partially with Aventura points. The value per point varies by redemption — travel is typically the best use of Aventura points.
2. Statement credits
Aventura points can be applied as a statement credit against eligible travel purchases made outside the CIBC portal. This is a useful option for purchases made directly with airlines or hotels.
3. Gift cards and merchandise
Generally lower per-point value than travel redemptions. Not the recommended primary strategy.
Key advantage over airline programmes: Because Aventura is not tied to a single airline, you can book the best-priced fare on any carrier and apply points to offset the cost. There are no blackout dates, and you earn frequent flyer miles on the operating airline in addition to your Aventura points on the purchase.
Travel Perks and Benefits
Travel emergency medical insurance
Emergency medical coverage for eligible cardholders and immediate family members when travelling outside their home province. Coverage limits, trip duration, and age restrictions apply — review the Certificate of Insurance at cibc.com.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Coverage for non-refundable pre-paid trip expenses when a trip is cancelled or interrupted due to a covered reason. Limits apply per person and per trip.
Travel accident insurance
Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment when travelling as a passenger on a common carrier when the full fare is charged to the card.
Flight and trip delay insurance
Coverage for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses when a flight is delayed by a specified number of hours.
Delayed and lost baggage insurance
Coverage for essential purchases when checked baggage is delayed, and for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage when travelling on a common carrier.
Rental car collision/loss damage insurance
Provides coverage for collision damage or theft of rental vehicles when the full rental cost is charged to the card and you decline the agency’s coverage.
Purchase security and extended warranty
- Purchase protection: 90 days against loss, theft, or 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) | $0 (first additional card free) |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Who Is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- CIBC banking customers who want a single travel rewards card that earns on everyday spending and redeems for travel on any airline
- Canadians who do not fly predominantly on Air Canada or WestJet and want airline-agnostic travel points
- Those who want a comprehensive travel insurance package included at the $139 fee tier
- Cardholders who want Visa acceptance, including at Costco, where Amex is not accepted
Less suitable if:
- You fly Air Canada exclusively — the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns more and provides Air Canada perks (free bag, NEXUS credit)
- You want the highest possible grocery earn rate — the 1.5x on groceries trails cash back alternatives
- You travel internationally and want no foreign transaction fee — the Aventura charges 2.5%
- You want transferable points for premium cabin award redemptions — Aventura is not an airline transfer currency
CIBC Aventura vs. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Feature | Aventura Visa Infinite | Aeroplan Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Points currency | Aventura (flexible) | Aeroplan (Air Canada) |
| Airline flexibility | Any airline | Air Canada ecosystem |
| Air Canada perks | None | Free first checked bag, NEXUS credit |
| Grocery earn | 1.5x | 1.5x Aeroplan |
| Annual fee | $139 | $139 |
Choose Aventura if you fly multiple airlines and want flexibility.
Choose Aeroplan if you fly Air Canada regularly and want to earn Aeroplan points with free bag and NEXUS benefits.
Alternatives to the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Aeroplan points, Air Canada perks |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite | $139 | 6x dining/groceries, 8x Expedia for TD |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | No FX fee, Scene+ points, lounge passes |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | Avion points, Visa, $20 lower fee |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite | $120 | 5x groceries/dining/gas/transit, $50 credit |
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is a solid flexible travel card for CIBC banking customers who want airline-agnostic rewards and a strong travel insurance package. The multi-tier earn structure rewards everyday spending, and the ability to book any travel through CIBC’s portal is a meaningful benefit versus airline-specific co-branded cards.
Where it trails competitors is on the everyday earn rates — particularly on groceries (1.5x) versus cards like the TD First Class Travel (6x on groceries) or the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite (5x). If maximising grocery and dining earn rates is the priority, alternative cards in the $120–$139 fee tier deliver higher returns. But for CIBC customers who value banking consolidation and airline flexibility, the Aventura Visa Infinite remains a competitive option.
Card terms, earn rates, welcome bonus offers, and annual fees are subject to change. Always verify current details at cibc.com before applying.