How You Can Get Over $1,000 of Travel Value With the Right Travel Credit Card
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite credit card is one of Canada's most popular. Found out why their welcome offer stacks up to big rewards.
Sandra Macgregor
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* credit card is among one of Canada’s most popular travel reward credit cards. It should come as no surprise because it’s packed with a generous welcome offer, attractive travel-friendly perks, and point-earning categories guaranteed to get your travel plans on track faster than ever before.
In fact, right now, if you apply for the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite credit card you could earn $1,000 (or more) in travel value in your first year just by choosing it. Best of all, your turbo-charged travel rewards earning power continues in subsequent years too. We’ll break down just how you can easily earn $1,000 in travel value with the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite credit card.
Best for Travel
based on spending $2,200/mo after the annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 2pts / dollar earn rate
- Welcome bonus
45,000 bonus points (a $450 value)
- Annual fee
see Details
Perks
- This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $1,500 in value including a first year annual fee rebate!† Here’s how you can get up to $1,500 in value
- Get up to 45,000 Aventura Points (up to $ 900 in travel value†):
- 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
- 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
- Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each; $150 value): up to $289 value.†
- Elevate your airport experience with 4 complimentary visits at 1,200+ lounges globally through Visa Airport Companion Program: up to $261 in value.†
- Plus, get a NEXUS◊ Application Fee rebate†: A $50 value† Plus, enjoy extra valuable travel benefits.
- Travel when it’s right for you – your Aventura Points don’t expire†
- Redeem your Aventura Points for more than travel with our Shop With Points/Pay with Points features†
- Travel local – Aventura Points can be redeemed for more than just flights – use your points for hotels and car rentals for a weekend getaway
- 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
- 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards Link and use your CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- This is a digital-exclusive offer.†
- To be eligible for this offer, 1) this offer must have been directly communicated to you from CIBC or from a partner/affiliate; and 2) you must apply for the eligible card through the link provided in the CIBC or partner/affiliate communication to you.† This offer is reserved for you. Please do not forward it to anyone else.
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply
Ratehub’s take
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card really ramps up rewards for everyday purchases such as gas and groceries. It also provides extensive insurance coverage, lounge access, and a Nexus rebate, proving to be a great travel companion for travelers.
Pros
- Access to airport lounges: Enjoy four complimentary visits at over 1,200 lounges globally through the Visa Airport Companion Program
- Extensive insurance coverage: Enjoy a comprehensive insurance package from mobile device insurance to emergency travel medical insurance
- Additional rebates and perks: Receive a NEXUS application fee rebate and annual fee rebates for customers with a CIBC Smart Plus Account
Cons
- Low point earn rate: Other rewards cards offer higher points per spending category
- Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $60,000 may may be prohibitive to some
- Annual Fee: An annual fee of $139 is high compared to others on the market
- Limited travel redemption options: You’ll have to use the CIBC Rewards Centre to book travel with your points, whereas with other cards you can experiment with other providers and platforms to get the most value
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 725
Minimum income: $60,000/yr
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
Annual fee
$139
Points breakdown on everyday spending
With the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card, you get 2 points for every $1 you spend on travel (which includes flights, hotels, cruises, car rentals and vacation packages) when you purchase it through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
You’ll also get 1.5 points for every $1 you spend at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores. (You can even rev-up your savings by getting up to 10 cents off per litre of gas at eligible gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.) Additionally, you’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
So, what does that really mean in terms of your point-earning power for everyday spending with the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite credit card? Here’s an example if you spend an average of $1,600 every month on the following:
Spending Category |
Monthly Spending |
Groceries |
$300 |
Gas |
$200 |
Restaurants |
$150 |
Bills |
$200 |
Travel |
$150 |
Entertainment |
$50 |
Drug Stores |
$50 |
Everything else |
$500 |
Based on the above spending scenarios, you could earn approximately 24,300 points ($1800 x 2 points for travel = 3,600 points, $6,600 x 1.5 = 9,900 points for groceries, gas and drug store purchases and $10,800 x 1 for all other spending = 10,800 points) every single year of card membership based solely on your spending.
You’ll earn even more in your first year because of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card’s welcome bonus, which can get you an extra 35,000 points (see below for details).
That means in your first year as a cardholder you could accumulate 59,300 points. We value CIBC Aventura points at .each, which gives you a total of at least $688 in travel and that’s not even counting the value of all the card’s other perks (see below).
Obviously, your overall point-earning capacity changes depending on your spending habits. It’s important to note that points are worth the most when you redeem them for flights but you can redeem points for other things like cruises, rental cars, vacation packages and even merchandise or gift cards. You can even put your points toward your CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card balance or towards a different CIBC financial product. Points never expire and there are no blackout dates, which means you can fly any airline and select any seat.
Sign up bonus
When you sign up for the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite credit card, you’ll be eligible to take advantage of an incredible welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn up to 35,000 Aventura points in their first year. You earn 20,000 Aventura Points when you charge your first purchase to the card. Plus, you can get an extra 1,250 Aventura points each monthly statement period that you spend a minimum of $1,000.
That’s up to 15,000 points in your first year, for a grand total of 35,000 points.
Furthermore, new cardholders will enjoy a first-year annual fee rebate for themselves, as well as for up to 3 authorized users. That saves you at least $139 in your first year. Add that to the $688 in travel you could earn as a cardholder and you’re looking at a value of at least $827. Clearly, with its impressive travel point-earning potential, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card will get you to your destination faster.
But wait, there's more
Designed with frequent fliers in mind, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card also comes with lots of prime perks globetrotters will love.
One of the most coveted benefits for travel lovers is airport lounge access.
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card not only includes a complimentary Priority Pass membership, it also includes four free airport lounge visits per year.
You’ll get access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide and can expect to enjoy great lounge perks like free meals and beverages, shower areas and possibly even napping areas and spa access.
That Priority Pass membership and four free airport lounge visits are valued at $200.
Cardholders also get a NEXUS application fee rebate every 4 years, which is valued at $50. NEXUS members enjoy dedicated lanes through security and customs for more enjoyable, speedier border crossings.
But that’s not all, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card also has travel insurance perks, like trip cancellation insurance, flight delay and baggage insurance, rental car coverage and more.
Two of the most outstanding insurance benefits are emergency travel medical insurance (up to $5 million for 15 consecutive days for those under the age of 65) and mobile device insurance. Mobile device coverage is a unique perk among Canadian credit cards and is an incredibly useful and potentially a cost-saving extra.
So, all told, the extra complimentary benefits of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card will save you a minimum of $250 per year, which doesn’t even include the hundreds of dollars you could save in insurance premiums. That means the card has a minimum value of $1077 in the first year.
The bottom line
If you love to travel and want a card that will get you to your destination faster and more affordably, then the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is a smart pick. With its points earning potential and travel-friendly benefits, this card offers a value of at least $1000 in the first year and continues to save you money and fast-track trip plans year after year.
Best for Travel
based on spending $2,200/mo after the annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 2pts / dollar earn rate
- Welcome bonus
45,000 bonus points (a $450 value)
- Annual fee
see Details
Perks
- This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $1,500 in value including a first year annual fee rebate!† Here’s how you can get up to $1,500 in value
- Get up to 45,000 Aventura Points (up to $ 900 in travel value†):
- 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
- 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
- Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each; $150 value): up to $289 value.†
- Elevate your airport experience with 4 complimentary visits at 1,200+ lounges globally through Visa Airport Companion Program: up to $261 in value.†
- Plus, get a NEXUS◊ Application Fee rebate†: A $50 value† Plus, enjoy extra valuable travel benefits.
- Travel when it’s right for you – your Aventura Points don’t expire†
- Redeem your Aventura Points for more than travel with our Shop With Points/Pay with Points features†
- Travel local – Aventura Points can be redeemed for more than just flights – use your points for hotels and car rentals for a weekend getaway
- 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
- 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards Link and use your CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- This is a digital-exclusive offer.†
- To be eligible for this offer, 1) this offer must have been directly communicated to you from CIBC or from a partner/affiliate; and 2) you must apply for the eligible card through the link provided in the CIBC or partner/affiliate communication to you.† This offer is reserved for you. Please do not forward it to anyone else.
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply
Ratehub’s take
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card really ramps up rewards for everyday purchases such as gas and groceries. It also provides extensive insurance coverage, lounge access, and a Nexus rebate, proving to be a great travel companion for travelers.
Pros
- Access to airport lounges: Enjoy four complimentary visits at over 1,200 lounges globally through the Visa Airport Companion Program
- Extensive insurance coverage: Enjoy a comprehensive insurance package from mobile device insurance to emergency travel medical insurance
- Additional rebates and perks: Receive a NEXUS application fee rebate and annual fee rebates for customers with a CIBC Smart Plus Account
Cons
- Low point earn rate: Other rewards cards offer higher points per spending category
- Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $60,000 may may be prohibitive to some
- Annual Fee: An annual fee of $139 is high compared to others on the market
- Limited travel redemption options: You’ll have to use the CIBC Rewards Centre to book travel with your points, whereas with other cards you can experiment with other providers and platforms to get the most value
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 725
Minimum income: $60,000/yr
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
Annual fee
$139