CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card Review

December 19, 2022
Reviews

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers its users a travel plus rewards loyalty program. By earning up to 2 Aventura points on purchases, you can redeem them for any rewards of your choice, whether a Best Buy gift card or a trip to Europe.

With an annual fee of $139, this credit card is highly recommended for frequent travellers. There are a lot of exclusive benefits to enjoy, such as complimentary lounge access, luxury room upgrades, dining and wine experience, and more.  

What Is The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card?

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is a travel reward credit card offered by CIBC. This personal credit card is best to use for its Aventura points and rewards that you can most benefit from if you travel frequently. It starts with an annual fee of $139, a rebate for the first year, and up to 35,000 Aventura points as a welcome bonus.

Applying for this credit card grants you up to 2 Aventura points when you buy groceries, pump gas, or book a flight. When you earn enough Aventura points, you can redeem them for exciting rewards such as merchandise, gift cards, travel purchases, or bill payment.

Other than that, you can also enjoy 4 complimentary visits to airport lounges with the Visa Airport Companion Program and NEXUS application fee rebates every 4 years.

Since it's a travel reward credit card, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card ensures that you travel safely until you land at your destination. It offers a certificate of insurance covering your trips, flights, accommodations, rented cars, purchases, and even your mobile phone.

The Amex Cobalt is another option for those looking to get good travel benefits like travel insurance but at the same time earn more rewards for everyday purchases like food and drink.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card Features

Let us skip the introduction and head on to the unique features of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. From fee rebates to broad insurance coverage, scroll down below and see if this credit card deserves a space in your wallet.

#1 Annual Fee Rebates For The Primary Cardholder

There are two annual fee rebates that you can get if you apply for the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. These fee rebates save you a couple of hundred dollars which you can use for your other household expenses. The first fee rebate is the credit card's annual fee, which has a total value of $139. To qualify for this offer, you need to have a CIBC Smart Plus Account, which will only be rewarded for the first year.

The second fee rebate is when you apply for the NEXUS membership card. This card helps reduce your waiting time at entry ports by using dedicated lanes at land border crossings. You are given up to a maximum value of $100 to pay for your NEXUS application fee as long as you use your CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card.

#2 Earn Up To 2 Aventura Points On Purchases

Similar to other travel rewards cards, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers a loyalty program wherein you can earn up to 2 Aventura points whether you are buying your weekly groceries or planning a trip.

For every $1 spent, you can earn several points from the following:

  • 2 points – travel purchases from the CIBC Rewards Centre
  • 1.5 points – groceries, gas, and drug store items, along with a savings of up to 10 cents per litre from participating gas stations (e.g., Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron)
  • 1 point – all other purchases

You can redeem your Aventura points for the following:

  • Travel purchases
  • Merchandise and gift cards
  • Use as payment for bills, purchases, or investments (e.g., TFSA, RRSP, or CIBC Investor's Edge portfolio)
  • Special offers and contests
  • Auctions
  • Donations to charities

Aventura points do not expire; however, they will be cancelled after 60 days if you do not redeem them after you voluntarily close your account.

Related: if you want to save money on gas directly, you can apply for the no-fee Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard which will give you a 5¢ discount per litre of fuel bought at Canadian Tire Gas+ gas stations.

#3 Enjoy 4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Visits With The Visa Airport Companion Program

Primary cardholders can take advantage of the 4 complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program. This program gives you and your guests access to the participating airport lounges, such as Plaza Premium Lounge, per membership year. You can enjoy special discounts and offers from airport dining and retail stores. 

To become a member and enroll for this benefit, you must download and sign up through the Visa Airport Companion App or on the Program website using your eligible CIBC credit card. 

If you have used all of your free visits, you can pay for another lounge access with an additional fee of $32.

#4 Luxury Upgrades and Dining Experiences With Visa Infinite Exclusive Offers

What makes the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card different from its competitors is that it offers exclusive travel experiences for its users. You can enjoy travel perks such as luxury room upgrades, free Wi-Fi access, breakfast, and late checkout at over 900 Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection properties.

You can also get free access to dining and wine events with renowned chefs, sommeliers, or mixologists to make your evening perfect with food and entertainment.

Lastly, it offers a 24-hour complimentary concierge service where a representative can help you plan your travel itinerary, birthday, or vacation.

#5 Aventura Points Calculator

The Aventura Points Calculator helps you estimate the points you need for your chosen Aventura reward. As you can see from the screenshot above, it has sliders to calculate your monthly spending. You can manually input the amount based on how much you spend on groceries, drug store items, gas, etc. 

This feature is usually helpful when using your Aventura points for free or discounted flights. For starters, gaining at least 10,000 points gets you a free flight to any adjoining province, territory, or U.S. state. If you want another reward, you can also opt for gift cards at any eligible store, such as a free $25 gift card from Petro-Canada.

#6 Insurance Benefits And Security Features

There is no better feeling than to travel with peace of mind. Applying for the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers its users insurance benefits and credit card security features. As a cardholder, you are equipped with insurance coverage ranging from flights to newly-bought purchases.

Its insurance benefits include

  • Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
  • Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance
  • Auto Rental and Loss Damage Insurance
  • $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
  • Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance
  • Hotel Burglary Insurance
  • Mobile Device Insurance

On the other hand, its credit card security features include

  • Visa's Zero Liability Policy
  • Digital Disputes Platform
  • Online Credit Card Management
  • Spend Alerts
  • Fraud Alerts
  • Credit Report Alerts

One thing the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite doesn't bring is some good hotel benefits, which are important for travel. The Marriott Bonboy American Express can help you there with its great perks with some of the finest hotels in the world.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card Pros And Cons

Pros

  • Receive a total of up to 35,000 Aventura points within the first four months
  • Earn up to 2 Aventura points for every dollar spent on travel purchases, groceries, gas, drug store items, and everything else
  • Enjoy an annual fee rebate every year for the primary cardholder and up to three authorized users.
  • Free 4 complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program
  • Get a NEXUS Application fee rebate with a $50 value.
  • Manage your expenses and travel itineraries with Aventura Travel Assistant and CIBC Pace It Installment Plans
  • Get protected with broad insurance coverage against flight delays, accidents, car rental damages, stolen devices, and more.

Cons

  • A $139 annual fee and a $50 extra fee for additional credit cards
  • A 20.99% purchase rate and 22.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents) cash interest rate 
  • It requires a personal income of $60,000 and a household income of $100,000

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card Pricing

Other than learning about the features and perks of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, it would help if you also were mindful of its fees and additional transaction charges. This credit card may have taken you an interest; however, there are a lot of other credit cards to choose from. Below are the interest and fees of the CIBC credit card and its competitor  – TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite CardTD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Annual Fee$139$139
Additional Credit Card Fee$50$75
Minimum Personal Income$60,000$60,000
Minimum Household Income$100,000$100,000
Purchase Rate20.99%20.99%
Cash Interest Rate22.99% or 21.99% if you reside in Quebec22.99%
Interest-Free Grace Period21 days21 days
Overlimit Fee$29$29
Cash Advance Fee$5Up to 1% of any cash advance. If the fee is less than $3.50, then it charges up to a maximum of $10
$5 if it is outside Canada
Unique FeaturesEarn up to 2 Aventura points on groceries, gas, drug store items, travel, and everything else
Free 4 complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program
Get a NEXUS Application fee rebate with a $50 value.
Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on groceries, gas, travels, and everything else
Earn 2x points when you shop at Aeroplan eStore.
Free first-checked baggage (up to 8 companions)
Exclusive benefits include 24-hour Visa Infinite Concierge, luxury hotel perks, dining events, wine tours, entertainment, and Troon Rewards golf courses.

Both the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offer insurance coverage such as Purchase Security and Extended Warranty. Purchase Security covers purchases made with a credit card when stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. On the other hand, an Extended Warranty extends the item's warranty by up to one additional year, saving you money if any repairs or maintenance are needed.

In Summary

The CIBC Aventura Visa Card is your go-to travel rewards card, especially if you are a frequent traveller or a business owner. For only $139 per year, you can benefit from the Aventura Rewards program, complimentary lounge access, annual fee rebates, luxury room upgrades, and exclusive culinary experiences. You can also ensure that your travels and belongings are safe since it provides insurance coverage, including flight delays, car rental damages, purchase security, extended warranty, and more. 

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card FAQs

How much does the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card cost?

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card costs an annual fee of $139 and an extra fee of $50 for up to 3 additional credit cards. You can get an annual fee rebate every year if you are a CIBC Smart Plus Account cardholder.

Is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card worth it?

Yes, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is worth it. You can get up to 2 Aventura points on purchases which you can redeem for merchandise, gift cards, flights, or as bill payments. It also has exclusive features such as one-time annual fee rebates, complimentary visits at airport lounges, and luxury hotel and dining travel benefits. 

Is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card safe?

Yes, CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is safe to use. It has security features such as Fraud and Spend Alerts that protect you against fraudulent or unauthorized activities using text, email, or phone notifications. You can also report a lost or stolen credit card using the CIBC Mobile Banking App and CIBC Online Banking.

Does the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite have lounge access?

Yes, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite has free lounge access for its cardholders. It offers 4 complimentary visits to participating airport lounges with the Visa Airport Companion Program. The primary cardholder benefits not only from the promotion but also from their accompanying guests.

If you're looking for a high-end premium card with even better lounge access, you can check out the American Express Platinum, which will grant you up to three hours of access to the Centurion Lounge, one of the most prestigious lounges in the world, and unlimited access to over 1,200 other lounges worldwide.

Do Aventura points expire?

No, Aventura points do not expire as long as your CIBC credit card is active and in good standing. However, your points would only be cancelled if you redeem your points for 60 days after you close your account voluntarily.

Can Aventura points be converted to cash?

Yes, you can convert Aventura points to cash to pay for your bills, purchases, and even financial products (e.g., TFSA, RRSP, CIBC Investor's Edge). To settle your credit card bill, you need at least 4,000 points or $25 to redeem them. Likewise, you need at least 12,000 points or $100 to pay for your contribution to an existing CIBC financial product.

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