CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

3.3

Learn more
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Finly rebate
$150

4.7

Apply nowGet $150 Finly rebate

Welcome bonus

Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.

The offer

The offer

Earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points (up to $1,000 in travel value†): 

  • 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase†.  
  • 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 or more during the first 6 monthly statements periods†.
  • 25,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $12,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods†.
  • Enjoy a free first checked bag: a $140 value for 2 travellers for each round-trip flight, assuming you take one round-trip Air Canada flight in the first year†. 

Plus, get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): up to $189 value†. 

  • New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points
  • Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months
  • Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13
  • You could earn up to $4,400 in value within your first 13 months* — combining the Welcome Bonus (up to $1,700), accelerated and everyday spend earn rates (~$1,760), and $1,000 in benefits value. Terms and usage assumptions apply.

What each card is worth

Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.

Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.

$1,539

First-year value

$144

$355

Every year after

-$6

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is worth $1,396 more to you in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $362 a year.

How the first year adds up

Annual rewards

$494.3

26,016 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $1,045

first year only

Annual fee

$139− $0

$139 from year two

First-year value

$1,539.3

1.9¢ a pointAeroplan, redeemed for Flights

Annual rewards

$592.8

31,200 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $0

not reached at this spending

Annual fee

− $599

Finly rebate

+ $150

paid by FinlyWealth

First-year value

$143.8

1.9¢ a pointAeroplan, redeemed for Flights

Where each card earns

A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.

1.5xGroceries, Gas and Air Canada

8,172 pts

$155.27

1xAll other purchases

17,844 pts

$339.04

2xFood and drinks

8,400 pts

$159.6

3xAir Canada

720 pts

$13.68

1.25xAll other purchases

22,080 pts

$419.52

Fees, rates and eligibility

What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.

$139Better of the two
$0 the first year

Annual fee

$599

⁕ Notice: As of Jan 12, 2027, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $799. Annual fees charged on or after this date will reflect the new fee. The Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $249. The Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve No Fee Card will be renamed to the Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve Companion Card and the annual fee will increase to $25. Learn more about new benefits.

$50 (first year waived up to 3)

Additional cards

$199

Interest rates

Interest rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Balance Transfer:

22.99%

Purchase:

21.99%2

Cash Advance:

21.99%2

2 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.

Recommended credit score

Recommended credit score

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring
300
Poor
693
Fair
743⁎
Good
790⁎
Very Good
833⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on TransUnion scoring

Income required

Income required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

How each card earns

The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.

  • 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
  • 3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
  • 2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
  • 1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Points and how we value them

Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.

Loyalty program

Loyalty program

We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Flights, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Flights, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

Point redemption options

Point redemption options

  • Most Optimal

    flight plane

    Flights

    1.9¢ / point
  • car rental

    Car Rentals

    0.9¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    0.825¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.75¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.72¢ / point
  • Most Optimal

    flight plane

    Flights

    1.9¢ / point
  • car rental

    Car Rentals

    0.9¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    0.825¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.75¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.72¢ / point

Insurance and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Insurance

Insurance

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    yes
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to 1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $2,500
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $2,000
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    3 days
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000/person after 6 hours
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    48 days
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $3,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500/person, $6,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000/person after 4 hours

Perks

Perks

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Reach Aeroplan Elite Status sooner: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases made on your card
  • luggage

    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
  • bed furniture

    Free Extra Night at Hotels

    Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

    Exclusive offers
  • gas station

    Gas Discount

    save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
  • discount

    Discount

    Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan EliteTM* Status will receive a 10% head start toward qualification, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated the year before. Roll over any unallocated unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
  • luggage

    Free first checked bag

    First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Air Canada branded flight and up to 8 guests
  • bed furniture

    Free Extra Night at Hotels

    Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide

  • airplane love

    Companion Voucher

    Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    $100 every 4 years
  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes

    Unlimited Access for you and one guest
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more

Our take

Why we like it

Why we like 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.

If you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, having an Aeroplan card for perks like free checked bags and priority service can be very beneficial. Many financial institutions offer Aeroplan cards, but we don't believe the American Express version is the best one. Opting for another option might be better. However, the Amex card does have a very large sign-up bonus, making it a great choice for those specifically seeking that.

Pros

Pros

  • Generous welcome bonus
  • High reward rates
  • Air Canada perks
  • Aeroplan flight preferred pricing
  • Generous rewards rate
  • Free checked bags
  • Preferred flight pricing
  • Unlimited airport lounge access
  • Extensive coverage
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.

Cons

Cons

  • Income requirements
  • Limited redemption value
  • Limited acceptance
  • Limited loyalty rewards
  • High annual fee
  • Limited lounge brand access

More comparisons

Other cards we've put each of these up against.

Legal


†You can qualify for this offer if you apply and are approved for a new CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card beginning April 7, 2026.

In order to be eligible for this offer, you must also abide by the terms and conditions set out in this footnote.

If you apply and are approved for a new CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* card, you can earn:

i. A welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points. The 10,000 Aeroplan points will appear on your statement after you make your first purchase at any time with your card, if you are eligible.

ii. An additional bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points if you have at least $6,000 in net purchases posted to your account during the first 6 monthly statement periods. The additional bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points will be awarded (i) if the spend requirement is met and (ii) by the end of your next monthly statement period after the spend requirement is met.

iii. The anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points will be awarded to you within 8 weeks after the one year account open date, provided you have at least $12,000 in net eligible purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods and your credit card account is open and in good standing. Additional cardholders are not eligible for this offer.

As set out in and subject to the Aeroplan Program General Terms and Conditions located at [aircanada.com/aeroplan-termsandconditions], you may not be eligible for this offer or to receive any of the Welcome Bonus, Additional Bonus, or Anniversary Bonus, even if CIBC approves your application for an Account, if you have previously received a Welcome Bonus, Additional Bonus or Anniversary Bonus in connection with opening a new Aeroplan credit card account with CIBC or any other issuer of an Aeroplan credit card of the same card category type as the CIBC Account you are applying for.

A one-time annual fee rebate for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users added at the time of the application. This offer does not apply to annual fees for authorized users that are added after you submit your application. This offer applies for the first year only. If your application for an eligible card is not approved, you may be considered for another card (as disclosed in your credit card application). If you are approved for that card, this annual fee rebate offer will apply in the amount of the annual fee, if any, of the alternate card. If you qualify, the rebate will be awarded to you and will appear as a credit against the applicable annual fee(s) within two statements. Your new credit card account must be open and in Good Standing at the time the rebate is awarded.

Offer applies to newly approved card accounts only. Transfers and product changes from other CIBC credit cards are excluded from this offer.

Credit card account must be open and in Good Standing at the time the bonus Aeroplan points are awarded. Aeroplan points are awarded to you within 8 weeks after all qualifying purchase(s) are posted to your account. For this offer, the following do not qualify as purchases: Cash Advances, CIBC Global Money Transfers™, Balance Transfers, Convenience Cheques, fees, interest, payments and Aeroplan points redemptions. It may take up to several business days for purchases to be posted to your account. This offer is not transferable. This offer may be withdrawn or changed without prior notice at any time. This offer may be revoked if you appear to be manipulating or abusing it, or are engaged in any suspicious or fraudulent activity, as determined by CIBC in its sole discretion.

Please ensure that you provide your personal Aeroplan number to be linked to your credit card as linking a different loyalty number will impact the airline benefit fulfillment.

The up to $1,300 value is based on the combined total value of: The annual fee rebate for the first year ($139), plus one additional cardholder ($50); free first checked bags for two people, on a round-trip in the first year ($140), and the 45,000 Aeroplan points upon approval and required spend on your CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card are redeemed for a flight reward ($800), based on the majority of current Aeroplan cardholders who receive a value of $0.02/point or more when redeeming for a flight reward as of September 1, 2025. Redemption calculation is based on actual redemptions made by cardholders between the period of November 8, 2020 to September 1, 2025. Aeroplan points have no cash value but are redeemable under the Aeroplan program for flights and other rewards. The retail value of rewards obtained using Aeroplan points will vary depending on a range of factors including the type of reward issued, details of which may be found on the Air Canada website. Aeroplan points may be redeemed only in accordance with the General Terms & Conditions of the Aeroplan program. Full terms and conditions of the Aeroplan Program are available online on the Air Canada website. All offers are contingent on satisfying the criteria outlined in the offer terms and conditions.

*Subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply.


The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have 2 separate Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate Missed Payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%. See the Information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to changes on your account and other details.


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