CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card Review

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Performance test results

At DollarWise, for each credit card we test 7 different factors including the rewards, value for money, perks, insurance, strengths and weaknesses of the card.

You can see our full testing methodology here to learn why we’re the most trusted source for credit card reviews.

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card has earned a 5.00 DollarWise Rating out of 5. This score is based on a weighted average of the two highest scoring factors (excluding acceptance and approval).

The highest scoring categories for the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card are fees and interest.

These factors are weighted 70% to the highest scoring factor and 30% to the second highest score to get an overall review score.

This weighting allows us to judge cards on their merits and the customers they are designed for.

For the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card the most important factors for scoring this card are its fees and interest.

Rewards

With the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card, here’s the rates at which you earn rewards for different spending categories per dollar you spend:

Calculating your annual rewards

We estimate that spending $2,000 per month with the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card would earn $240 in rewards over the year.

Our performance testing research uses an accurate estimation of the average Canadian households spending patterns to predict the rewards a card will earn.

We found that you’d earn this per category:

Our study investigating the value found that each dollar spent on the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card is worth up to $0.00, depending on how you redeem.

This $240 in rewards value puts the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card in the bottom 40% of credit cards in Canada based on rewards earned.

The average credit card in our database earns $337 in rewards for the same spend that the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card earns $240 in rewards value.

We can compare this card to other options by looking at the earn rate by category.

This earn rate is the percentage return that you would get when you spend on this card, assuming you redeem at the predicted maximum value.

For example, if a card earned 5 points per dollar on gas and each point is worth up to $0.02, then the earn rate is 5 points multiplied by $0.02 each, divided by the dollar you spent.

In this example, that’s a 10% earn rate on gas.

For an annual spend of $24,000, we estimated annual rewards value at up to $240.

That’s equivalent to a 1.00% return on spending.

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card has an annual fee of $0. After deducting this, we predicted net annual rewards of $240.

This puts it in the bottom 50% of credit cards for net rewards after fees.

In comparison, the average card earns net annual rewards of $254.

Fees

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card has a $0 annual fee.

The average card charges $85. So, the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card is in the bottom 50% of cards based on the cost of the annual fee.

Perks

We manually review the perks of each credit card to determine how they compare to other cards.

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card scored a 1.7 out of 5 for perks, putting it in the top 50% of cards.

The average card scores 1.6 out of 5 for perks.

Interest Rates

The average (median) credit card has a purchase interest rate of 19.99% and so the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card charges 19.99% less than the average.

For cash advances it costs N/A% compared to the average of 19.96%.

Testing the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card with a $2,000 starting balance, you can see in the graph how the 19.99% less in interest rates impacts the interest over a year, compared to the average card.

Insurance coverage

We scored it 0.0 out of 5 for insurance.

It offers 0 types of insurance, whereas the average card has 5 types of coverage.

Approval and qualifying

We scored it 5.0 out of 5 for approval.

We predict that you will require a credit score of at least 300 to qualify for the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card, while the average card requires 652 to qualify.

This puts it in the top bottom 20% of cards by approval difficulty.

The personal income requirements are $0, while the average card requires $23,896.

This puts it in the top 50% of cards by the income required to qualify.

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card offers a unique solution for consumers who want a simple, multi-currency card for their travels. This card review will discuss the earning potential, benefits, drawbacks, and additional information about this card to help Canadians decide if this is the right option for them.

Earning potential with the card

The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card is not a typical rewards card and does not offer traditional points or cashback programs. It focuses primarily on providing users with a convenient way to carry and spend up to 10 different currencies while travelling. Therefore, traditional reward categories such as dining, travel, and groceries do not apply to this card.

Benefits

1. Multi-currency Access: As mentioned, one of the card’s major advantages is that it allows users to load and spend money in 10 different currencies. It helps to manage funds and lock in the foreign exchange rate, providing cost-saving and convenience while travelling abroad.
2. No Foreign Exchange Fees: When using the card in any of the supported currencies, there will be no foreign exchange fees. This benefit is advantageous for users who frequently travel or make purchases in other countries, as it can save a significant amount of money compared to standard credit cards that often charge foreign transaction fees.
3. 24/7 Access to Funds: The card allows users to access funds anytime via the CIBC Online Banking portal, letting you manage and transfer money between currencies with ease. Also, online view of transactions and real-time balance information provides better control over your finances while travelling.
4. Security and Peace of Mind: The CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card provides enhanced security and protection. The funds in the card are not directly linked to your primary bank account, reducing the potential risks associated with lost or stolen cards.
   
   Additionally, the card is backed by Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, ensuring cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized transactions.

Drawbacks

1. Limited Access to Currencies: While the card supports 10 currency options, it may not include every currency a traveller may encounter on their trip. For instance, you may still need to use other payment methods or exchange services when venturing into a country that is not supported by this card.
2. No Cash-back or Reward Points: The primary drawback of this card is the absence of cashback or reward points programs. This card may not be suitable for users looking to earn additional rewards on their spending alongside the currency conversion benefits.

Additional information

It’s essential to note that this card is a prepaid Visa card rather than a traditional credit card, which means users ought to “load” the card with their money before using it. By understanding the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card’s benefits and drawbacks, Canadians can decide if this multi-currency option is the ideal choice for their travel needs and spending habits.

Is the CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card not convincing you? Consider the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card or the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card. Still not the right credit card? Make sure not to miss the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card.

FAQ

Key benefits

• 24/7 customer support availability
• Mobile application for easy management and reloads
• Worldwide Visa card acceptance
• Initial card issuance cost: $19.95 CAD
• Cash withdrawal fees: $3.50 CAD (Canada) / $4.50 CAD (International)
• Maximum card balance: $20,000 CAD
• Minimum reload amount: $100 CAD
• Maximum daily ATM withdrawal: $2,000 CAD
• Travel medical insurance included for up to 15 days