CIBC Aventura Visa 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 Aventura Visa Card has earned a 4.46 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 Aventura Visa Card are fees and rewards.

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 Aventura Visa Card the most important factors for scoring this card are its fees and rewards.

Rewards

With the CIBC Aventura Visa 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 Aventura Visa Card would earn $392 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 Aventura Visa Card is worth up to $0.02, depending on how you redeem.

This $392 in rewards value puts the CIBC Aventura Visa Card in the top 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 Aventura Visa Card earns $392 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 $392.

That’s equivalent to a 1.63% return on spending.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Card has an annual fee of $0. After deducting this, we predicted net annual rewards of $392.

This puts it in the top 30% of credit cards for net rewards after fees.

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

Fees

The CIBC Aventura Visa Card has a $0 annual fee.

The average card charges $85. So, the CIBC Aventura Visa 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 Aventura Visa Card scored a 2.1 out of 5 for perks, putting it in the top 30% 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 Aventura Visa Card charges 1% more than the average.

For cash advances it costs 22.99% compared to the average of 19.96%.

Testing the CIBC Aventura Visa Card with a $2,000 starting balance, you can see in the graph how the 1% more in interest rates impacts the interest over a year, compared to the average card.

Insurance coverage

We scored it 2.1 out of 5 for insurance.

It offers 4 types of insurance, whereas the average card has 5 types of coverage.

Approval and qualifying

We scored it 2.5 out of 5 for approval.

We predict that you will require a credit score of at least 760 to qualify for the CIBC Aventura Visa Card, while the average card requires 652 to qualify.

This puts it in the top top 10% of cards by approval difficulty.

The personal income requirements are $15,000, while the average card requires $23,896.

This puts it in the top 30% of cards by the income required to qualify.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Card offers an attractive rewards program with its focus on travel rewards, helping cardholders earn points for their day-to-day purchases. Users can also redeem their accumulated rewards for various experiences and savings. Let’s take a closer look at the key features of this credit card:

Earning potential with the card

Cardholders earn points on every dollar spent using the CIBC Aventura Visa Card. Specifically, users receive 1 Aventura Point for every$1 spent on regular purchases, 1.5 Aventura Points for every $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores, as well as 2 Aventura Points for every $1 spent on travel purchases through the CIBC Rewards Centre.

This structure benefits cardholders who spend heavily on these categories.

Benefits

1. Travel rewards flexibility: One of the primary advantages of the CIBC Aventura Visa Card is the flexible travel rewards redemption program.
   
   Cardholders can use their Aventura Points to book airfare, vacation packages, hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises without blackout dates or restrictions on airlines, providing exceptional value and freedom when planning vacations or business trips.
2. Flight discount: As a CIBC Aventura Visa Cardholder, users have access to a $100 annual travel credit, applicable to any flight booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre. This benefit effectively lowers the cost of yearly travels and adds value to the overall reward program.
3. Travel insurance coverage: The card comes with an array of travel insurance benefits, providing peace of mind during trips. Coverage includes travel medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, baggage loss/damage, and car rental collision/loss damage.
4. Additional Card Features: The CIBC Aventura Visa Card offers a 15,000 Aventura Points signup bonus upon spending $1,000 within the first 4 months, which can be redeemed for travel experiences, merchandise, or gift cards. Additionally, cardholders can enjoy zero annual fees during the first year.

Drawbacks

1. Limited rewards value for non-travel expenses: Although the CIBC Aventura Visa Card earns points on every purchase, it primarily focuses on travel-related rewards. Users who don’t heavily prioritize traveling or are more interested in cashback benefits might find this card less appealing compared to other options in the market.
2. Annual fee after the first year: While the card offers an annual fee waiver in the first year, users are required to pay a $120 annual fee from the second year onward. This may deter cardholders who prefer no-fee credit cards or feel they won’t take full advantage of the card’s travel-focused benefits.

Additional information: 

The CIBC Aventura Visa Card demands a minimum annual income of $15,000 for eligibility. Cardholders can also benefit from common carrier accident insurance and a unique mobile device insurance feature worth up to $1,000 on smartphones or tablets purchased with the card.

In conclusion, the CIBC Aventura Visa Card is a highly rewarding option for users heavily focused on travel rewards and related benefits. The various advantages, insurance coverages, and flexible redemption options make it a strong contender for consumers looking to make the most of their everyday spending and travel experiences.

Not the right fit? You could consider the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card (QC). Or, if you’re looking for other options check out the CIBC US Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card, and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for students.

FAQ

Key benefits

• 15,000 bonus Aventura Points upon sign-up
• Earn 1 Aventura Point for every $1 spent
• Earn 2 Aventura Points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through CIBC Rewards Centre
• Annual fee of $139 plus $50 for each supplementary card
• 19.99% standard purchase interest rate
• 22.99% cash advance interest rate
• Rewards for travel, merchandise, or gift cards
• Up to $1,000,000 in travel medical coverage
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance of up to $1,000