CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite

Overview

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is CIBC's mid-tier Aeroplan card — a solid Visa product for Canadians who want to earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending and collect Air Canada travel perks without the $599 CAD price tag of the top-tier card. Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program, redeemable for flights on Air Canada, Star Alliance partners, and dozens of other airlines. At $139 CAD annually, this card sits squarely in the mainstream travel card tier and is aimed at frequent-enough Air Canada flyers who value the free checked bag benefit.

Who this card is for

You need $60,000 CAD individual or $100,000 CAD household income to qualify. The ideal cardholder flies Air Canada at least a couple of times a year, spends meaningfully on groceries, gas, and dining, and wants their everyday spending to feed directly into a flexible airline program. It's a strong fit for someone who flies economy on Air Canada and would benefit from the free first checked bag each trip — that alone can offset the annual fee quickly. Less compelling if you're an infrequent flyer or primarily loyal to a different airline.

Key benefits

The earn structure gives you 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 spent at eligible grocery stores, gas stations, and directly with Air Canada (flights and Air Canada Vacations), and 1 Aeroplan point per $1 on everything else — including dining and food delivery. Spend $2,500 CAD per month on groceries and gas and you're building roughly 45,000 Aeroplan points per year from those categories alone.

The standout perk is the free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same Air Canada reservation. On a round trip for two travellers, that's roughly $140 CAD in bag fees recovered — essentially covering the annual fee in a single trip.

Welcome bonus offers have historically reached 50,000 or more Aeroplan points for new cardholders; check the CIBC website for the current promotion before applying, as offers change frequently. The annual fee is also periodically waived for the first year.

Potential drawbacks

The Visa Infinite income threshold ($60,000 CAD individual) locks out lower-income applicants. Aeroplan points have variable redemption value depending on where you redeem — you'll get more value on Air Canada flights or partner transfers than on merchandise or retail gift cards. The earn rate, while decent, is matched or beaten by the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on similar categories. Visa acceptance is broader than Amex in Canada, which is a genuine everyday advantage.

How it compares

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a near-identical competitor — same Aeroplan program, comparable earn rates, same annual fee range — and the choice often comes down to your primary banking relationship. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is the upgrade path, adding Maple Leaf Lounge access and Air Canada priority benefits for $460 CAD more per year, which makes sense only if you fly Air Canada frequently enough to use those perks.

Bottom line

A practical mid-tier Aeroplan card for Air Canada loyalists who fly a few times a year and can use the free checked bag benefit. If you're already banking with CIBC, combining it with an everyday spend card makes Aeroplan accumulation even more efficient.