Jack Prenter, Founder of Dollarwise
Several CIBC credit cards continue to standout as fantastic options, earning accolades for their rewards programs, cashback rates, travel benefits, and more.
This article delves into the top CIBC credit cards available to Canadians, highlighting their features and benefits to help potential cardholders make an informed choice.
What is the best CIBC credit card?
The best CIBC credit card is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite because it offers a compelling blend of travel rewards, comprehensive insurance coverage, and exclusive perks.
Cardholders earn Aventura points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses without blackout dates. It provides premium travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel medical coverage, ensuring peace of mind while on the go.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
| Annual Fee | $139 |
| Intro Offer | 40,000 points |
| Annual Rewards | $638 |
The CIBC Aventura Visa is a popular choice among credit card enthusiasts for several reasons. For starters, new cardholders can benefit from a generous welcome bonus upon signing up.
When you make purchases with this card, you can earn Aventura Points, especially when you spend on travel, dining, or transportation. These points can be redeemed for various travel options, like flights, hotels, or even full vacation packages.
For those who travel often, the card offers comprehensive travel insurance which covers you in cases like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or even if you lose your baggage. If you’re someone who enjoys the finer side of travel, you’ll appreciate the Visa Infinite Privilege benefits that give you access to airport lounges and priority boarding.
And if you’re worried about travel restrictions, there’s good news: there are no blackout dates, so you can book flights whenever you want, without worrying about airline restrictions or peak times.
However, like all credit cards, the CIBC Aventura Visa has its downsides.
One major concern for some might be the $139 annual fee, though there are times when promotions might waive this fee for the first year.
If you often shop internationally, be wary of the 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee.
Moreover, when compared to some other travel rewards cards, this card has limited partnerships, particularly with airlines.
If you’re considering this card, you should know that you’ll need a strong credit score and must meet high-income requirements. Some users have also pointed out its higher than average interest rates for both purchases and cash advances.
Best CIBC Cashback Credit Card
The best CIBC Cashback Credit Card is the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite because it offers up to 4% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases, making it a top choice for those who prioritize straightforward rewards.
Additionally, the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite boasts a suite of travel and insurance benefits, making it not just a cashback card, but a comprehensive financial tool.
Its low $120 annual fee, coupled with 15% cashback offer, further cements its position as the leading cashback option within CIBC’s credit card lineup.
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
| Annual Fee | $120 |
| Intro Offer | 15% Cashback |
| Annual Rewards | $456 |
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is a notable credit card option for those who spend frequently on gas and groceries. Cardholders can earn an impressive 4% cash back on these types of purchases.
For those who often use their card for transportation, dining, or recurring payments, they’ll receive 2% cash back. All other purchases made with the card will earn a 1% cash back.
Another advantage of this card is the complimentary roadside assistance it offers, which can come in handy for travelers or those with vehicle issues. The card also provides travel medical insurance, ensuring peace of mind while on the move.
Purchases made with the card are protected through purchase security, and the card also offers extended warranty protection. A significant benefit for many is that there’s no set minimum income to qualify for this card.
However, there are some downsides to consider. There’s an annual fee of $120, which might be a deterrent for some.
While the card offers bonus cash back for certain categories, it’s essential to note that not all retailers might qualify for this bonus.
Another limitation is that the cash back rewards are only credited to the cardholder once a year.
For residents of Quebec, the cash back rate is lower compared to other regions in Canada. Lastly, while it does offer some travel-related perks, its travel rewards are somewhat limited in scope.
Best CIBC Low Income Card
The Best CIBC Low Income Card is the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa because it offers a unique combination of affordability and value for individuals with lower income brackets.
Despite its accessible income requirement, the card boasts a competitive rewards program where cardholders can earn up to 2 Aventura points on travel, 1.5 on everyday spend and 1 point on everything else.
These points can then be redeemed for flights, merchandise, and more.
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa
| Annual Fee | $139 |
| Intro Offer | 40,000 points |
| Annual Rewards | $638 |
The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa is a popular choice for many due to its competitive welcome offer. For avid travelers, this card stands out with its ability to earn 2 Aventura Points for every dollar spent on travel-related expenses.
Additionally, cardholders can accumulate 1.5 points for every dollar they spend at gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores. For other types of purchases, the rate is 1 point per dollar.
Another appealing feature is the comprehensive travel insurance, which covers aspects like travel medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and auto rental collisions. On top of that, cardholders can enjoy priority access to airport lounges, which can make traveling more comfortable.
The card also offers purchase security and extended warranty protection, adding an extra layer of assurance for your buys. For those keen on monitoring their financial health, this card gives free access to your credit score via CIBC CreditSmart.
However, the card is not without its downsides. There’s an annual fee of $120, which some might find a bit steep. When it comes to redeeming the earned points, the options can be somewhat restrictive as they are primarily channeled through the Aventura Travel Assistant.
Unlike some other cards, there’s no fee waiver if you want to get additional cards for family members. The higher earning rate, though beneficial for travel expenses, does limit the overall points accumulation for non-travel-related purchases.
Lastly, to qualify for this card, there’s a minimum annual income requirement: either $15,000 for an individual or $25,000 for a household.
Best CIBC No Fee Credit Card
The Best CIBC No Fee Credit Card is the CIBC Aventura Visa because it offers a compelling mix of benefits without any annual fee. Cardholders can earn 0.5 Aventura points per dollar on their everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or gift cards.
Additionally, the card features a host of travel-related perks such as travel insurance and complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge access.
Coupled with its competitive interest rates and the prestige associated with the Aventura line, this card proves to be an exceptional value proposition for those who seek rewards without the burden of an annual fee.
CIBC Aventura Visa
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Intro Offer | 12,000 points |
| Annual Rewards | $377 |
The CIBC Aventura Visa is a credit card that offers many advantages for its users. One of its primary benefits is the ability to earn Aventura points on everyday purchases.
These points can then be used for flexible travel rewards. This means you can choose how you’d like to spend your points when you’re planning a trip.
Another significant benefit is its travel insurance coverage, which can give you peace of mind when you’re on the go.
If you frequent airports, you’ll appreciate the complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge access, making your wait times more comfortable. Plus, if you’re looking to book a flight using your rewards, there are no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
However, the card does come with some drawbacks. There is an annual fee for both the main cardholder and any supplementary cardholders. Also, if you want to redeem your Aventura points, you must do it through the CIBC Rewards Centre, which might limit your choices.
If you’re a frequent flyer, you might find that there are limited airline partner options. Some versions of the Aventura card also have a high minimum income requirement. Lastly, if you use the card for purchases outside of Canada, foreign transaction fees will apply.
Other CIBC Cards
If you’re looking at exploring other CIBC cards, you can start here:
- CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
- CIBC Classic Visa
- CIBC Classic Visa Card for Students
- CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for students
- CIBC Select Visa Card
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa
- CIBC Costco MasterCard
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card
- CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Business
- CIBC bizline Visa Card for Small Business
- CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card (QC)
- CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
- CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card
How did we rank these CIBC cards?
We collected an enormous amount of data for every credit card in our system, with 100+ pieces of data for each card.
Using this data, and what we believe is an average breakdown of monthly spending habits, we’re able to predict the rewards that you would earn using each credit card. We then consider other reviews, our personal experience and the commission that we earn on referrals to decide how to rank them.
Factors in our data include:
- rewards
- annual fees
- welcome bonuses
- interest rates
- perks
- insurance
Our goal is to be as impartial as possible and as a business the referral fees we earn do play a small role in our rankings, or whether a card is included on the site at all.