American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$597.35
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,607.35
$347.35 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$533.24
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$630
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$139
First Year Value
$1,024.24
$394.24 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5 Million per insured, 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1500 per person, $3000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1500 per person, $6000 combined
Flight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delay
Baggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$500,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Purchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1K
Extended Warranty
1 year
Insurance Included
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5 Million per insured, 15 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500 per person, $3000 combinedTrip Interruption
$1500 per person, $6000 combinedFlight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delayBaggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delayHotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1KExtended Warranty
1 yearEmergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extra Benefits*
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Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program.svg)
Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Application
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Extra Benefits
Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive offers
Free first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%, for Quebec 21.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee*
$250
Annual Fee
$139
$0
First Year Waived
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Welcome Bonus
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods, 10,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Rewards Rate
- 1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
- 1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.765¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits
1¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.765¢ / pointTravel
0.825¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Is this card worth it?
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is great for Air Canada travelers who want to rack up Aeroplan points and enjoy perks like free checked bags and preferred pricing on flight redemptions. With solid reward rates in key spending categories like gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, this card offers decent returns. Additionally, the first-year annual fee waiver and comprehensive travel insurance make it a solid option for those looking for value without the upfront cost. However, its highest value is for people who frequently travel with Air Canada and make use of Aeroplan rewards, especially for flights.
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Pros
- Generous Welcome Bonus: 40,000 Aeroplan points upon meeting the initial spending requirements.
- High Reward Rates: Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases.
- Air Canada Perks: Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions when flying Air Canada.
- Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan Flights: Get access to better Aeroplan point redemption rates for Air Canada flights.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Cons
- Income Requirements: Requires either a $60,000 personal income or a $100,000 household income to qualify.
- Limited Redemption Value: The highest value for points is found when redeeming for Air Canada flights, limiting flexibility if you prefer other types of rewards.
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