Overview
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa is the entry-level Aeroplan card for Canadians who want to earn Air Canada rewards without paying an annual fee. It earns 1 Aeroplan point per $1 on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases, and 1 Aeroplan point per $1.50 on everything else. There's no annual fee, no income barrier to speak of, and you still get the flagship Aeroplan perk: a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights.
This card won't deliver the accelerated earning or insurance of its Infinite and Infinite Privilege siblings — but for students, light travellers, and anyone who wants to pool Aeroplan points in their household without paying a fee, it's a sensible pick.
Welcome Offer
New cardholders can earn up to 10,000 Aeroplan points through tiered spending milestones:
- 2,500 Aeroplan points after your first purchase
- 2,500 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,500 in the first 4 statement periods
- 5,000 Aeroplan points anniversary bonus when you reach $10,000 in purchases during the first 12 months
At approximately 2¢ per point when redeemed for flights, 10,000 points are worth roughly $200 in travel value. It's a modest bonus, but notable for a card with no annual fee — you're essentially being paid to sign up.
Earning Aeroplan Points
The earning structure is simple:
- 1 Aeroplan point per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries, and Air Canada purchases
- 1 Aeroplan point per $1.50 on all other purchases (equivalent to ~0.67 points per $1)
The accelerated categories cover essential everyday spending — fueling up and grocery shopping. The base rate of 1 point per $1.50 is below average for a travel card, which is the trade-off for having no annual fee.
What Are Aeroplan Points Worth?
Aeroplan points have variable value depending on how you redeem:
| Redemption Method | Value Per Point | 1,000 Points = | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (Aeroplan chart) | ~2.0¢ | ~$20.00 | Best value — Air Canada + Star Alliance |
| Air Canada gift cards | ~1.0¢ | ~$10.00 | Simple, guaranteed value |
| Car rentals (Avis/Budget) | ~0.9¢ | ~$9.00 | Through Aeroplan portal |
| Vacation packages | ~0.83¢ | ~$8.30 | Air Canada Vacations |
| Hotels | ~0.82¢ | ~$8.20 | Through Aeroplan portal |
| Merchandise | ~0.74¢ | ~$7.40 | Online catalogue |
| Gift cards | ~0.71¢ | ~$7.10 | Various retailers |
Effective Return Rates (Flight Redemption)
When redeeming at approximately 2¢ per point for flights:
| Earning Category | Earn Rate | Effective Return |
|---|---|---|
| Gas, groceries, EV, Air Canada | 1 pt/$1 | 2.0% |
| All other purchases | 1 pt/$1.50 | 1.33% |
The 2% return on gas and groceries is respectable for a no-fee card. The 1.33% base rate is where the card falls short — paid cards like the Aeroplan Visa Infinite earn 1 pt/$1 (2%) on everything.
Earning Projections
Here's what you'd earn based on realistic monthly spending, redeemed for flights:
| Monthly Spending | Breakdown | Annual Points | Annual Value (Flights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500/month | $500 gas/groceries, $1,000 other | 14,000 pts | ~$280 |
| $2,500/month | $800 gas/groceries, $1,700 other | 23,200 pts | ~$464 |
| $4,000/month | $1,200 gas/groceries, $2,800 other | 36,800 pts | ~$736 |
Earn Aeroplan Points Twice
Like all Aeroplan credit cards, you earn points on the card and through Aeroplan when you fly. Book an Air Canada flight, pay with this card, and you're earning Aeroplan points from both the card and the airline — double-dipping that compounds over time.
Air Canada Benefits
Despite being a no-fee card, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa includes the core Air Canada benefits that make Aeroplan cards worth holding:
Free First Checked Bag
You and up to 8 companions on the same booking enjoy a free first checked bag (23 kg / 50 lb) on Air Canada flights. At ~$35 per bag each way, this saves a couple $140 per round trip — more than many annual-fee cards deliver in their first perk.
For a no-annual-fee card, this alone can justify keeping it in your wallet. Even one domestic trip a year saves you $70+ per person.
Preferred Pricing on Flight Rewards
Book Aeroplan flight rewards for fewer points than non-cardholders. This is a persistent discount that applies every time you book, making your points stretch further.
No Airline Surcharges
No additional airline surcharges on Air Canada flight rewards. You only pay taxes and fees — not the carrier-imposed surcharges that inflate award tickets.
Insurance Coverage
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa includes basic insurance that's appropriate for a no-fee card:
| Coverage | Details |
|---|---|
| Extended Warranty | Adds 1 year to manufacturer's warranty |
| Purchase Security | 90 days against theft, loss, or damage |
| Travel Accident Insurance | $100,000 |
| Rental Car Collision & Loss Damage | Included |
What's Missing
The no-fee card does not include:
- Emergency medical insurance
- Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
- Flight delay or baggage delay insurance
- Mobile device insurance
If you travel frequently or internationally, the lack of emergency medical insurance is a significant gap. You'll need separate travel insurance for any trip, which is the main reason to consider upgrading to the Aeroplan Visa Infinite.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa vs. Competitors
| Feature | CIBC Aeroplan Visa | CIBC Aventura Visa | CIBC Dividend Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Best earn rate | 1 pt/$1 (gas, groceries, EV, AC) | 1 pt/$1 (gas, groceries, travel) | 2% (groceries) |
| Base earn rate | 1 pt/$1.50 (~0.67 pts/$1) | 0.5 pts/$1 | 0.5% |
| Rewards program | Aeroplan | Aventura | Cash back |
| Free checked bag | (up to 9 people) | ||
| Preferred pricing | |||
| Emergency medical | |||
| Insurance types | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Best for | Air Canada flyers | Flexible travel | Cash back simplicity |
The verdict: The CIBC Aeroplan Visa wins if you fly Air Canada — the free checked bag alone is worth $70–$140 per trip, which no other free CIBC card matches. The Aventura Visa has slightly different bonus categories but lacks Air Canada perks. The Dividend Visa is better if you prefer straightforward cash back without needing to fly.
Who Is This Card Best For?
This card is the right choice if you:
- Want to earn Aeroplan points with no annual fee
- Fly Air Canada even occasionally — the free checked bag pays for itself
- Are a student or low-income earner looking to enter the Aeroplan ecosystem
- Want a companion card to supplement a household member's premium Aeroplan card
- Spend primarily on gas and groceries where the 1 pt/$1 rate applies
- Want basic insurance (purchase security, extended warranty, rental car) without paying a fee
It's not the best choice if you:
- Want strong earning on all purchases — the 1 pt/$1.50 base rate lags behind paid cards
- Need travel insurance — no medical, cancellation, or delay coverage
- Want lounge access — upgrade to the Infinite Privilege
- Spend significantly in restaurants or travel — these earn at the lower base rate
- Prefer cash back — consider the CIBC Dividend Visa instead
Fees & Interest Rates
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Additional card fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 21.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Eligibility
- Minimum personal income: $15,000
- Minimum household income: $15,000
- Credit score: Good (estimated 660+)
- Instant approval: Available
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa is the simplest way to start earning Aeroplan points in Canada. There's no annual fee, no complex tier structure, and no high income requirement. You earn points on gas and groceries, get a free checked bag on Air Canada, and access preferred pricing on flight rewards.
It won't compete with the Aeroplan Visa Infinite's accelerated earning rates and comprehensive insurance. But for anyone who wants Aeroplan points in their pocket without paying for them — or who flies Air Canada once or twice a year and wants to save $70–$140 on checked bags — this card delivers quiet, consistent value at zero cost.
