CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: Which one is better?
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
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.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$506.17
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$630
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$1,016.17
$386.17 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
Travel Accident
$500,000
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Travel Accident
$500,000Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 yearCar Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Extra Benefits
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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
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
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
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
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Extra Benefits*
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 cardFree first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air CanadaFree Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%, for Quebec 21.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
30% Annual2
Cash Advance:
30% Annual2
Annual Fee
$139
$0
First Year Waived
Annual Fee*
$120
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
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
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 on your Card within the first 3 months. Additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in month 13.
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
Rewards Rate*
- 2 points on Aircanada and AirCanada Vacations
- 1.5 points on Dining
- 1 Point on everything else
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Travel
0.825¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointTravel
0.825¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / point
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.
Is this card worth it?
This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.
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.
Pros
- Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.
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.
Cons
- The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
- The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
- In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.
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