CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card: Which one is better?
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
3.9
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
$646.25
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$0
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$599
First Year Value
$47.25
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
Travel Accident
$500,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesEmergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Travel Accident
$500,000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Trip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$2,000Lost or Stolen Baggage
$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
Nexus Application
$100 every 4 years
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Airport Benefits
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 Benefits
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)
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%, for Quebec 21.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee
$139
$0
First Year Waived
Annual Fee*
$599
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*
60,000 Aeroplan® points after spending over $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Cardmember, plus 25,000 Aeroplan® points when you spend $2,500 in month 13. Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
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*
- 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
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?
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 I 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
- 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
- Generous rewards rate with up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers.
- Enjoy free checked bags when flying with Air Canada, reducing travel costs.
- Access to preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards, maximizing the value of your points.
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada, providing a more comfortable travel experience.
- Extensive insurance coverage, including 11 types of insurance, offering peace of mind during your travels.
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
- As an American Express card, it may have limited acceptance compared to other credit cards, potentially limiting its use in some places.
- The most valuable rewards are generally tied to Air Canada flights, which may not appeal to travelers who fly with other airlines.
- The card comes with a high annual fee of $599, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
- The unlimited lounge access is limited to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafe lounges which don't have a great worldwide coverage.
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