Overview
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is the ultimate credit card for Air Canada loyalists — and one of the most feature-rich travel cards in Canada. It earns 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries, dining, and travel, and 1.25 points per $1 on everything else. There are no dead categories — even the base rate outperforms most competitors' 1 pt/$1.
But it's the premium perks that set this card apart. You get Maple Leaf Lounge access when flying Air Canada, 6 free Visa Airport Companion lounge visits per year at 1,200+ lounges worldwide, free first checked bag for up to 9 people on your booking, preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards, and 31-day emergency medical insurance — the longest of any CIBC card.
At $599/year, it demands significant spend to justify. But for high-income Canadians who fly Air Canada regularly, the combination of elite-level earning rates, lounge access, comprehensive insurance, and Air Canada perks delivers value that comfortably exceeds the fee. creditcardGenius has recognized it as one of the best airline, travel insurance, and lounge access cards in Canada.
Welcome Offer
The Infinite Privilege welcome offer is one of the largest in Canada:
- 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 monthly statement periods
- 40,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 in the first 4 monthly statement periods
- 50,000 Aeroplan points anniversary bonus when you reach $25,000 in purchases during the first year
- Free first checked bag for you and companions — a value of $140+ per round trip for two travellers
That's up to 100,000 Aeroplan points worth roughly $2,000 in travel value at approximately 2¢ per point. Combined with the companion pass, baggage savings, and insurance benefits, the first-year value proposition is massive even against the $599 fee.
Earning Aeroplan Points
The Infinite Privilege card significantly upgrades the earning structure over the regular Aeroplan Visa Infinite:
- 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases (including Air Canada Vacations)
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries, dining, and travel
- 1.25 Aeroplan points per $1 on all other purchases
The 1.5x categories are broader than the Infinite tier — adding dining and travel to the accelerated list. This means restaurant meals, hotel bookings, and transit all earn at the higher rate, not just gas and groceries.
The 1.25x base rate is also meaningful. Most travel cards default to 1 pt/$1 on non-bonus spending, so the Infinite Privilege gives you 25% more points on every purchase that doesn't fall into a bonus category.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 2 pts/$1 | 4.0% |
| Gas, groceries, dining, EV, travel | 1.5 pts/$1 | 3.0% |
| All other purchases | 1.25 pts/$1 | 2.5% |
These are elite-tier returns across the board. The 4% return on Air Canada spending and 3% on everyday categories are among the highest available on any Canadian credit card. Even the base 2.5% beats most dedicated cash back cards.
Earning Projections
Here's what you'd earn based on realistic monthly spending, redeemed for flights:
| Monthly Spending | Breakdown | Annual Points | Annual Value (Flights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000/month | $1,200 gas/groceries/dining, $300 AC/travel, $1,500 other | 45,900 pts | ~$918 |
| $5,000/month | $2,000 gas/groceries/dining, $500 AC/travel, $2,500 other | 76,500 pts | ~$1,530 |
| $8,000/month | $3,000 gas/groceries/dining, $1,000 AC/travel, $4,000 other | 122,000 pts | ~$2,440 |
For high spenders putting $5,000+/month on the card, annual rewards alone can exceed $1,500 — significantly above the $599 fee.
Aeroplan Elite Status Credits
Primary cardholders earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $20,000 in eligible purchases, up to 25,000 SQC. These count toward Aeroplan Elite Status tiers, unlocking priority boarding, lounge access, bonus points, upgrade priority, and more. For frequent flyers, earning SQCs through credit card spending can bridge the gap to the next status tier — a perk that's difficult to put a dollar value on but incredibly valuable for road warriors.
Lounge Access
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege delivers two layers of lounge access — making it one of the strongest lounge cards in Canada:
Maple Leaf Lounge Access
When flying Air Canada, you get access to Maple Leaf Lounges across Canada and select international locations. These are Air Canada's premium lounges offering hot food, premium drinks, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and shower facilities at major Canadian airports including Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa.
This is a significant perk — standalone Maple Leaf Lounge membership costs $550+/year, so having it bundled with the card offsets a large portion of the annual fee.
Visa Airport Companion (6 Free Visits)
On top of Maple Leaf Lounge access, you also get a Visa Airport Companion membership with 6 complimentary lounge visits per year at over 1,200 lounges worldwide. This covers airports where Maple Leaf Lounges aren't available — international destinations, U.S. airports, and smaller Canadian airports.
Each visit typically costs $40–$70 USD separately, so 6 visits represent approximately $330–$420 CAD in annual value. Combined with the Maple Leaf Lounge access, you're covered at virtually any airport.
Air Canada Benefits
All the Air Canada perks from the Infinite tier carry over, plus enhanced benefits:
Free First Checked Bag
You, all authorized users, and up to 8 companions on the same booking enjoy a free first checked bag (23 kg / 50 lb) on every Air Canada flight. At ~$35 per bag each way, this saves a family of four $280 per round trip.
Preferred Pricing on Flight Rewards
Book Aeroplan flight rewards for fewer points than non-cardholders — a persistent discount that adds up significantly for frequent flyers.
No Airline Surcharges
No additional airline surcharges on Air Canada flight rewards — you only pay taxes and fees.
4th Night Free on Hotels
Get a free 4th night on hotel stays booked with Aeroplan points — effectively a 25% discount on hotel redemptions.
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
When you spend $25,000 on your card in a calendar year, you earn an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass. This lets a companion fly with you in economy class on Air Canada for a flat rate of $99 to $599 plus taxes and fees — potentially saving hundreds or even thousands on a second ticket. This is one of the most valuable companion benefits on any Canadian credit card, especially for couples or families who fly together regularly.
Insurance Coverage
The Infinite Privilege card offers 12 types of insurance with enhanced limits — one of the most comprehensive packages on any Canadian credit card:
Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Infinite Privilege | Infinite (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical | $5,000,000 / 31 days | $5,000,000 / 15 days |
| Emergency Medical (65+) | 10 days | 3 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 per trip | $1,500 per trip |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 per trip | $2,000 per trip |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 | $500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Rental Car Collision & Loss | Included | Included |
The 31-day emergency medical is exceptional — long enough for extended vacations and short-term stays abroad. The $5,000 trip interruption and $1,000 flight delay limits are among the highest in Canada.
Purchase & Device Insurance
| Coverage | Infinite Privilege | Infinite (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Device Insurance | $1,500 | Included |
| Purchase Security | 180 days | 90 days |
| Extended Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
The 180-day purchase security and 2-year extended warranty are double the Infinite tier — exceptional protection for big-ticket purchases.
Visa Infinite Privilege Benefits
As CIBC's top-tier card, you get the full Visa Infinite Privilege suite:
- Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge — Enhanced 24/7 personal assistance
- Visa Infinite Privilege Luxury Hotel Collection — Premium rates, guaranteed upgrades, complimentary breakfast
- Visa Infinite Privilege iLounges — Exclusive Visa-branded airport lounges
- Visa Infinite Privilege Dining Series — Exclusive culinary events across Canada
- Exclusive Event Access — Priority access to premium concerts, sports, and cultural events
- Avis Preferred Plus — Complimentary upgrade with one-car class upgrades
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege vs. Competitors
| Feature | CIBC Aeroplan VIP | TD Aeroplan VIP | CIBC Aventura VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 | $599 | $499 |
| Best earn rate | 2 pts/$1 (Air Canada) | 1.5x (gas, groceries, AC) | 3 pts/$1 (CIBC travel) |
| Accelerated categories | Gas, groceries, dining, travel, EV | Gas, groceries | Gas, groceries, restaurants, transit, EV |
| Base earn rate | 1.25 pts/$1 | 1.25 pts/$1 | 1.25 pts/$1 |
| Rewards program | Aeroplan | Aeroplan | Aventura |
| Maple Leaf Lounge | |||
| Visa lounge visits | 6/year | 6/year | 6/year |
| Emergency medical | 31 days | 31 days | 31 days |
| Free checked bag | (up to 9 people) | (up to 9 people) | |
| Travel credit | $200/year | ||
| NEXUS rebate | (2 people) | ||
| Best for | Air Canada loyalists | Air Canada loyalists | Airline-agnostic travel |
The verdict: The CIBC and TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege cards offer nearly identical core benefits — Maple Leaf Lounge, free bags, preferred pricing. The CIBC version adds dining and travel to the 1.5x accelerated categories and offers a 2x rate on Air Canada, giving it a slight edge on earning rates. The CIBC Aventura Infinite Privilege is the better choice if you don't fly Air Canada specifically — it offers a $200 travel credit and NEXUS rebates that the Aeroplan cards lack.
Who Is This Card Best For?
This card is the right choice if you:
- Fly Air Canada frequently — the Maple Leaf Lounge access alone is worth $550+/year
- Want the highest Aeroplan earning rates on a CIBC card
- Spend heavily on gas, groceries, dining, and travel — the 1.5x rate builds points fast
- Travel internationally and want lounge access everywhere (6 Visa Airport Companion visits)
- Need premium travel insurance — 31-day emergency medical, $5K trip interruption
- Want to earn Aeroplan Elite Status through credit card spending (SQCs)
- Value free checked bags for your whole travel group
- Earn $150K+ personal or $200K+ household income
It's not the best choice if you:
- Don't fly Air Canada regularly — the AC-specific perks (lounge, bags) lose their value
- Can't justify the $599 annual fee — you need significant spend and travel to break even
- Spend frequently in foreign currencies — the 2.5% FX fee is punishing at this price point
- Prefer cash back or simpler rewards — this card's value requires strategic redemption
Fees & Interest Rates
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Additional card fee | $149 each |
| Purchase interest rate | 21.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Eligibility
- Minimum personal income: $150,000
- Minimum household income: $200,000
- Credit score: Excellent (estimated 760+)
- Instant approval: Available
Bottom Line
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is the premium card for Canadians who live in the Air Canada ecosystem. The combination of Maple Leaf Lounge access, free checked bags, preferred flight reward pricing, 31-day emergency medical, and elite-level earning rates makes it one of the most complete travel cards available in Canada.
At $599/year, it's a serious commitment. But for someone spending $5,000+/month who flies Air Canada several times a year, the card can deliver $1,500+ in annual rewards plus $1,000+ in lounge access, baggage savings, and insurance value — a total exceeding $2,500/year. The math works convincingly for the right cardholder.
The key question is simple: do you fly Air Canada enough to use the Maple Leaf Lounge access and free checked bags regularly? If yes, this card is hard to beat. If you prefer airline flexibility, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege offers a lower fee with a $200 travel credit and NEXUS rebates instead.
