"Should I get a CIBC Aventura or CIBC Aeroplan card?"

"If you fly Air Canada at least once or twice a year, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is usually better — Aeroplan points are worth 1.5–5+ cents each on Air Canada and Star Alliance flights, versus Aventura's maximum of 1.0 cent per point. If you prefer any-airline flexibility without learning award charts, or primarily fly non-Air Canada carriers, Aventura's simplicity may suit you better."

"Can I transfer CIBC Aventura points to Aeroplan?"

"No. CIBC Aventura points cannot be transferred to Aeroplan. They are redeemed through the CIBC Rewards Centre only. If you want Aeroplan points, you need a CIBC Aeroplan credit card — which earns Aeroplan directly and is a completely separate programme."

"Which CIBC card earns more on groceries — Aventura or Aeroplan?"

"The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite earns 1.5x Aventura at grocery stores (~0.75¢/$ at 0.5¢/pt). The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns 1.5x Aeroplan at eligible grocery stores (~2.25¢/$ at 1.5¢/pt average Aeroplan value). In terms of real travel value, the Aeroplan card delivers 3x more per dollar at the grocery store."

"Which CIBC card has better travel insurance?"

"Both the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite include comprehensive travel insurance packages. The Aeroplan card often includes strong Air Canada-specific benefits. Verify the current coverage details for each card at cibc.com — insurance terms change and are a key differentiator."

CIBC Aventura vs. CIBC Aeroplan: Which CIBC Travel Card Is Better? 2026

CIBC offers two distinct families of travel credit cards — Aventura (CIBC’s in-house portal programme) and Aeroplan (Air Canada’s co-branded programme). Choosing between them is one of the most important decisions for CIBC banking customers.

At a Glance

Feature	CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite	CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Programme	CIBC Aventura	Aeroplan
Annual fee	~$139	~$139
Network	Visa Infinite	Visa Infinite
Grocery earn	1.5x Aventura	1.5x Aeroplan
Travel earn	2x Aventura	3x Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Point value	0.5–1.0¢/pt	1.5–5¢+/pt
Airline flexibility	Any airline (portal)	Best on Air Canada / Star Alliance
Transfer partners	None	Aeroplan IS the airline programme
Lounge access	Verify at cibc.com	Verify at cibc.com

All figures subject to change. Verify at cibc.com.

Point Value: The Critical Difference

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite:

0.5¢/pt standard redemption rate
1.5x grocery = ~0.75¢/dollar in travel value
100,000 Aventura pts = $500–$1,000 (depends on tier)

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite:

~1.5¢/pt average economy redemption on Air Canada
2–5¢/pt on business class or Star Alliance sweet spots
100,000 Aeroplan pts = $1,500–$5,000+ depending on how redeemed

For every 100,000 points earned on the same category spend, Aeroplan delivers 3–10x more travel value than Aventura. This gap is the central argument for the Aeroplan card.

Earn Rate Comparison

Category	CIBC Aventura VI (earn → value)	CIBC Aeroplan VI (earn → value)
Air Canada flights	2x = 1.0¢/$	3x = 4.5¢/$ (avg Aeroplan)
Groceries	1.5x = 0.75¢/$	1.5x = 2.25¢/$
Gas & drugstore	1.5x = 0.75¢/$	1x = 1.5¢/$
Everything else	1x = 0.5¢/$	1x = 1.5¢/$

Across every category, the Aeroplan card delivers 2–4.5x more travel value per dollar spent — driven entirely by the higher per-point value of Aeroplan vs Aventura.

When Aventura Makes Sense

Despite the lower point value, Aventura suits specific profiles:

1. Any-airline flexibility Aventura lets you book any airline at the cash price with no restrictions. For travellers who prefer WestJet, Porter, international carriers, or consolidator fares, Aventura’s portal flexibility avoids the limitations of Aeroplan award space.

2. Simpler redemption process No award charts, no partner rules, no transfer wait times. Book travel like you would on Expedia — pay with points. For travellers who don’t want to learn programme mechanics, Aventura is easier.

3. Non-Air Canada flyers If you live in a market primarily served by WestJet or a regional carrier, Aeroplan’s premium value on Air Canada flights is less relevant. Aventura’s flat portal rate applies equally to any airline.

Who Should Get Each Card

Choose CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite if:

You fly Air Canada at least once or twice a year
You want access to business class and premium redemptions
You’re building Aeroplan from other sources (Amex Cobalt) and want a second earn stream
You care about Star Alliance partner airlines (Lufthansa, Swiss, Singapore)

Choose CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite if:

You prefer any-airline flexibility over Air Canada-specific value
You want a simple portal programme without award chart research
You primarily fly non-Air Canada carriers
You’re a CIBC banking customer who wants a straightforward travel card

The Verdict

For most travellers: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite. The 3x superior point value on Air Canada travel and the 2x+ advantage on all everyday spend categories is difficult to overcome. Unless you specifically need Aventura’s any-airline flexibility, Aeroplan delivers more travel for every dollar spent.

The counterargument: If you never fly Air Canada and book consolidator fares on international carriers, Aeroplan’s Air Canada premium doesn’t help you — Aventura’s portal flexibility is genuinely useful.

Card details, earn rates, and annual fees subject to change. Verify at cibc.com. See our Advertiser Disclosure.