The Value of CIBC Aventura Points

The dollar value of 1 Aventura Point is
$0.0116

Dollar value of 1 point	Flexibility of points	Can points cover taxes and fees?
$0.0116	Medium	Yes

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How much are your Aventura worth?

Before we begin, it is important to note that CIBC Aventura "Points" and "Rewards" are the same and will be used interchangeably.

CIBC uses five flight zones that have fixed points requirements. Certain flight regions provide better value for your CIBC Aventura points. Here at Ratehub.ca we calculated the average dollar value of an Aventura point for every flight region. Here is an Aventura rewards chart outlining what we found:

Flight Region	Max. Ticket Price	Destination	Points Required	Value/Point	Average
Short Haul: Canada/US	$400	Montreal	10,000-20,000	$0.0092	$0.0104
		Ottawa	10,000-20,000	$0.0090
		New York	10,000-20,000	$0.0130
Long Haul: Canada/US	$800	Los Angeles	25,000-35,000	$0.0142	$0.0132
		Vancouver	25,000-35,000	$0.0135
		Las Vegas	25,000-35,000	$0.0118
Mexico, Hawaii, Central America, Caribbean	$1,000	Cancun	40,000-60,000	$0.0107	$0.0116
		Honolulu	40,000-60,000	$0.0124
		Costa Rica	40,000-60,000	$0.0117
Europe	$1,300	Paris	50,000-70,000	$0.0115	$0.0109
		Dusseldorf	50,000-70,000	$0.0102
		Helsinki	50,000-70,000	$0.0109
Rest of the World	$2,000	Bangkok	75,000-125,000	$0.0101	$0.0119
		Melbourne	75,000-125,000	$0.0123
		Capetown	75,000-125,000	$0.0134
Total Average					$0.116

Ratehub.ca’s research revealed that on average one Aventura point is worth $0.0116. However, there is a large discrepancy in the value of your points when redeeming for flights in different regions. For example, on average you receive $0.0092/point when redeeming for a flight from Toronto to Montreal, compared to $0.0135/point for a flight from Toronto to Vancouver. The examples below will demonstrate how to value your points.

Here is the methodology we used to value CIBC Aventura Points:

A. Find the price of a comparable flight on Kayak (we use this flight price because if you did not book through CIBC Aventura you would have your choice of booking through any provider).

B. Look up a comparable flight on CIBC Aventura’s rewards centre on the same dates.

C. Add the points required for taxes as well as the dollar value in points of exceeding the maximum ticket price, if applicable, to the general point requirement (dollar value x 100 points/dollar = number of points).

D. Divide the price of a flight found on kayak by the total points required for a comparable flight to find the value of one Aventura rewards point.

Example 1: Flying from Toronto to Ottawa in September 2014

The example below was priced out by Ratehub.ca in 2014.

Total Cost of Flight	Aventura Points Required
^$187.86 Price of a flight found on Kayak	16300 Points

Step 1: Determining Total Number of Points Required

16300 points required for flight 12723 points required for taxes, fees & surcharges =

29023 total number of points

Step 2: Calculating the Value of One CIBC Aventura Point

^$187.86 price of flight ÷ 29023 Aventura Points =

^$0.0065 / Aventura Point

When redeeming your points for a flight to Ottawa in September you receive $0.0065/point, which is poor value for your points. As you’ll see in the example below, certain flight regions provide significantly better value for your points.

Example 2: Flying from Toronto to Los Angeles in September 2014

The example below was priced out by Ratehub.ca in 2014.

Total Cost of Flight	Aventura Points Required
^$549.00 Price of a flight found on Kayak	35000 Points

Step 1: Determining Total Number of Points Required

35000 points required for flight 14411 points required for taxes, fees & surcharges =

49411 total number of points

Step 2: Calculating the Value of One CIBC Aventura Point

^$549.00 price of flight ÷ 49411 Aventura Points =

^$0.0110 / Aventura Point

When redeeming your points for a flight to Los Angeles in September you receive $0.011/point, which is great value for your points.

Overall Flexibilty: Medium

Taxes and fees covered?	Consistent value?	Transferable to/from other rewards programs?
Yes	No	Limited
CIBC Aventura points can be redeemed to cover all aspects of travel, including taxes and fees.	No, the value of your Aventura points change by flight destination/region.	CIBC Aventura card holders who have an eligible Aventura account issued before October 1, 2013 are able to redeem Aventura points for Aeroplan miles. The exchange ratio is 1 point: 1 mile, in increments of 10,000 points.
More than one airline involved in program?	Can the points be used retroactively?	Expiration date on points?
Yes	No	No
Yes, the CIBC Aventura program allows access to hundreds of airlines, however airlines are subject to availability. Popular airlines include Air Canada, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways.	No, they must be used online at CIBCrewards.com or via the call centre in advance of redeeming rewards or travel.	Aventura Points do not expire as long as your account remains open. They will expire if they remain unredeemed for 60 days after you voluntarily close your Aventura credit card account, or within 12 months of the primary cardholder’s death.

With the CIBC Aventura program, you are able to redeem for flights on hundreds of airlines, without blackout dates or seasonal restrictions. Moreover, the 'Aventura Flexible Travel' option gives you the option to pay for flights, vacation packages, cruises, hotels and car rentals with any combination of Aventura points and credit using your CIBC credit card.

CIBC Aventura points require you to order (redeem) miles towards travel or merchandise exclusively on the CIBC website or over the phone. This lowers the flexibility of the Aventura program since it removes your ability to shop around on popular travel sites for the best deals and flights, like many other rewards programs. Unfortunately, once ordered, rewards are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and non-transferable.

The CIBC Aventura program allows you to redeem points to cover all taxes, fees, and surcharges.

Best Way to Use Your CIBC Aventura Points

Redeem for flights in the most valuable regions

Ratehub.ca’s research revealed that on average one Aventura point is worth $0.0116. However, there is a large discrepancy in the value of your points when redeeming for flights in different regions.

To maximize the value of your points it is important to use your points strategically by flying to destinations that provide good value. The best flight regions are Long haul: Canada/US and 'Rest of the World' (Asia, Australia, Africa). To maximize the value of your points you should try to redeem your points for flights in these regions.

Europe

Departing From	Flight Region	Value/Point
Toronto	Short Haul: Canada/US Within a province or U.S. state or to an adjoining province or territory or U.S. state	$0.0104
	Long Haul: Canada/US From any location in Canada or U.S. to any location in Canada or U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska)	$0.0132
	Mexico, Hawaii, Central America, Caribbean From any location in Canada or U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America or Caribbean	$0.0116
		$0.0109
	Rest of the World From a major gateway in Canada or U.S. to select destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Middle East or South America	$0.0119