CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Review

30-second take

• Earn Aeroplan points on everyday purchases including gas and groceries.

• Challenging to qualify for this card because of the high annual fee and income requirements.

• Join many Aeroplan members and reap the benefits of the Air Canada travel program.

The basics

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card allows users to earn points on everyday purchases, allowing users to work towards their travel goals faster. Below are the basic features of the credit card:

• Point earning rates. Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on gas, grocery and Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases. Earn 1 point for every dollar spent elsewhere.
• Welcome offer. Get up to 40,000 Aeroplan points, plus get a first-year annual fee for you and up to three authorized users.
• Earn points twice. Pay with your Aeroplan credit card and present your regular Aeroplan card at the time of purchase to earn twice the points.
• Travel insurance. Enjoy insurance coverage for your trips including out of province medical, car rental, hotel burglary, trip cancellation/interruption and much more.
• Purchase insurance. Obtain purchase security and extended warranty coverage for purchases made on your card.

The perks

• Travel benefits. Your first checked bag on any Air Canada flight is free for you and up to eight companions. Visa Infinite concierge, hotel benefits and exclusive events are available to you with this card.
• Aeroplan member. Enjoy the benefits of being an Aeroplan member, including cheaper airfare as well as no restrictions and redemptions using points and cash.
• Option to bundle. If you have a CIBC Smart Plus Account, you won’t pay an annual fee for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card.
• Pool Aeroplan rewards. Authorized users on your credit card can link their Aeroplan number. This allows users to pool points to earn and redeem rewards faster.

What to watch out for

• Expensive annual fee. The annual fee is $139.
• Additional cardholders. Each additional user costs $50 per year.
• High interest. Purchases accrue interest at 20.99%. Cash advances accrue interest at 22.99%.
• Annual income requirements. You must earn $60,000 per year as an individual or $100,000 as a household to use this card.

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card interest rates

What should I know before I apply?

Eligibility requirements

In order to qualify for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Canadian resident
• Be the age of majority in your province or territory
• Have not declared bankruptcy in the past seven years
• Have a minimum individual income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000

Required documents and information

During the application process, you will be asked to provide the following details:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Personal information, including your date of birth, full name and residential address

How to apply

Applications for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card can be done by phone, at a banking centre, with a CIBC expert or online. To apply online, follow the instructions below.

1. Go to CIBC’s website
2. Click on Credit Cards, then Explore Credit Cards
3. Click Travel
4. Scroll down to CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, click Apply now
5. Complete the application

Expert review

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is ideal for frequent travellers who routinely spend on everyday purchases. If you do not meet the criteria or prefer other types of credit card perks, keep researching products to find the right card for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

• Do Aeroplan points expire?

  Yes, Aeroplan points expire if there has been no activity on your account for 18 consecutive months. This means you have not earned, redeemed, donated, transferred or converted your points for over a year and a half. So long as you keep your account active, your Aeroplan points will not expire.

• Can I apply online?

  Yes, you can complete an application for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card online. If you would prefer, you can also apply by phone, at a banking centre or by meeting with a CIBC representative.

• How do I dispute a charge?

  If you don’t recognize a charge on your statement, it’s your responsibility to notify CIBC of the transaction within 30 days of the statement date. Before moving forward with disputing a charge, do the following:

  • Be sure that the transaction wasn’t made by an authorized user
  • Try to settle the incorrect transaction with the vendor directly
  • Document interactions with the vendor

  To dispute a charge, call CIBC at 1-800-465-4653. If you’re calling from outside of North America, call 514-861-4653 instead. You will be asked to provide the transaction details including the date, description and statement date. CIBC may request a copy of the receipt from the merchant, if applicable.

  Once your call is completed, a letter will be mailed to you from CIBC. If you would like to proceed with the dispute, review, sign and return the letter.

  Keep in mind that it can take a while for CIBC to investigate the disputed transaction. During this time, continue to make payments as they become due to ensure you do not face penalties.