CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card review

Quick overview

What we have here is what you may refer to as the Cadillac of travel credit cards. You’ll feel like a million bucks wherever you take it – it’s packed full of features like six free complimentary airport lounge visits, a $200 travel voucher and a NEXUS◊ application rebate every 4 years. You’ll also earn up to 3 points for every dollar spent, meaning you can enjoy travel more often with the points you’ll earn. 

However, the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card doesn’t come cheap. At a price of $499 per year and a minimum income of $150,000 (or $200,000 household) – not to mention its high interest rates – means it’s reserved for only the wealthier among us. Just like a classic Cadillac. 

Who’s this card for?

We won’t beat around the bush with this one: the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is for the wealthy traveller. Those who like to travel often and in style, skipping pesky airport security lines via NEXUS, sipping mimosas in airport lounges and spending enough each year to earn the necessary points to offset the high $499 fee. If this sounds like you, read on. If not, you might want to check out a card that’s more suited to your lifestyle.

Pros and cons

Welcome bonus

Join and get over $2,300 in value† including up to 80,000 Aventura Points†.. Here’s how it works:

How to earn points

The good news is that, right off the bat, you’ll earn a tonne of points with this card via its generous welcome bonus. The not-so-good news is that the best way to earn everyday points, outside that bonus, is in a category that’s typically only used by the world’s most well-travelled. However, that’s who this card is really geared toward. Here’s how the points break down.

You’ll earn 3 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre. So, if you’re a jet setter who spends a lot on travel (and you don’t mind doing all your bookings through CIBC’s website), you can take advantage of the card’s highest point earning category. Outside of that, you’ll still earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining, entertainment, transportation, gas, electric vehicle charging and groceries. The points earned for electric vehicle charging is a unique feature here, which might sway those with an EV to choose this card over a similar alternative.

Finally, you’ll earn 1.25 points on all other purchases†. 

How to redeem points

While this CIBC Aventura VIP card is tailored to the world traveller, its point redemption system actually caters to a wide range of Canadians who might prioritize spending on things outside travel.

Of course, you can book personalized travel with your points, including flights, hotels, tours and vacation packages through the CIBC Rewards Centre. You can also use points to purchase merchandise and gift cards, use them toward existing purchases with Shopping with Points, and Pay with Points to use them to pay down your card balance. 

Another great feature is Financial Products with Points, which allows you to use your points to help you reach your financial goals. With this feature, you can make a mortgage prepayment, make a TFSA or RRSP payment to a CIBC account, make payments toward CIBC lines of credit or personal loans and make contributions to a CIBC Investor’s Edge brokerage account. 

How to redeem points is fairly straight-forward, regardless of what you want to put your points toward. Shopping with Points or booking travel with points can be done either through CIBC Online Banking or CIBC Mobile Banking; Paying with Points and Financial Products with Points can be redeemed through CIBC Online Banking. 

Key benefits

• Join and get over $2,300 in value† including up to 80,000 Aventura Points†.
• Earn 2 points on eligible dining, entertainment, transportation, gas, electric vehicle charging, and groceries†
• Robust travel perks, including lounge access, exclusive bookings, and a NEXUS◊ application rebate every 4 years.
  

Insurance coverage

• Out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance: Up to $5 million per insured person per trip. 15-day coverage period for those 64 and under.
• Car rental collision/loss damage insurance: Covers vehicles with an MSRP up to $85,000 for a rental period of 48 days
  
• Common carrier accident insurance: Up to $5,000,000 per insured person
• Flight delay insurance: Up to $500 per insured person
• Delay of checked baggage: Up to $500 per insured person 
• Lost or stolen baggage: Up to $1,000 per insured person
• Purchase security and extended protection: Up to 180 days from date of purchase for purchase security and up to 2 additional years following expiry of manufacturer warranty for extended protection
• Mobile device insurance: Up to $1,500 per occurrence, per insured person
• Hotel burglary insurance: Up to $2,500 combined per occurrence for all insureds

Extra benefits

• Save up to 25% off auto rentals at Avis and Budget locations worldwide
• The account comes with a metal card, which reflects its premium perks
• Save up to 10 cents per litre of gas at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron stations when you link your card to Journie Rewards
• Access to exclusive business class bookings
• Dedicated taxi and limo services
• Exclusive dining and wine experiences

What people have to say about this card

Reddit users point to its travel insurance as a great feature for those who want peace of mind while visiting other countries, as well as the travel perks, which include access to business class bookings and dedicated taxi and limo services. 

Others claim the card is worth it, noting the great benefits and point accumulation. The NEXUS rebate is another feature mentioned. The yearly travel credit is also popular, with one Reddit user explaining that it can be used for anything travel-related, such as flights, hotels and car rentals. 

However, another Reddit user had an issue booking travel with the rewards centre, claiming it takes two to four days to receive an email reply and two to three hours on hold to speak to a representative. This example suggests it’s a good idea to plan ahead when using rewards.

How the card compares

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Vs. Scotiabank Platinum American Express

Both are premium travel cards targeted at the bougie traveller. Both offer generous welcome bonuses (up to 80,000 points† with the Visa Infinite Privilege and up to 80,000 points with the Scotiabank Platinum American Express) and include travel perks like lounge access and luxury travel privileges. Where the Amex shines is with its lower fee ($399 per year vs. $499), its lower interest rates and no foreign exchange fees. The Scotia Amex also comes with 10 complimentary airport lounge passes compared to CIBC’s 6.  

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Vs. American Express The Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum card may just be the OG VIP travel card, having been the top choice for luxury travellers for decades. It may have to move aside for the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card as the go-to choice for modern-day travellers, though.

For starters, the Amex Platinum isn’t cheap, costing $799 per year. However, the Amex unlocks access to a and unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. 

But, the Amex offers 2 points per dollar spent on dining, food delivery and travel, and 1 point on everything else. The CIBC card, on the other hand, offers 3 points for every dollar spent on travel, 2 points for every dollar spent on dining, entertainment, transportation, gas, electric vehicle charging and groceries, and 1.25 points on everything else.

This gives the CIBC card another edge. 

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Vs. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card

It’s the battle of the Visa Infinite Privilege cards. They both have similar interest rates, offer NEXUS rebates, robust travel insurance and complimentary airport lounge visits. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege costs more at $599per year but does have a more enticing welcome bonus.

The one you choose may come down to which point program you prefer. However, you should note that in terms of point accumulation, the CIBC Aventura has the advantage, giving users 3 points on travel purchases through CIBC Rewards Centre†, 2 points on eligible dining, entertainment, transportation, gas, electric vehicle charging, and groceries†, and 1.25 points on all other purchases†. The Aeroplan card, meanwhile, will give you 2 points† on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®, including flights and vacations, 1.5 points† for every $1 on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases and 1.25 points† on all other purchases. 

Is the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card worth it?

If you’re wondering if the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is worth it, it’s really up to you. If you travel a lot and like to do so in style, having access to 6 complimentary lounge visits, a NEXUS◊ application rebate every 4 years, and 3 points for every dollar spent on travel through the CIBC rewards centre might make up for the high cost of the card. 

FAQs

The information for the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available in Quebec.