CIBC Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite^* Card

The tiered bonus structure here is designed to reward sustained use rather than front-loading everything into the first month – you'll need to stay engaged through the first anniversary to unlock the full 45,000 points. That makes this a better fit for someone looking to commit to an Aeroplan card long-term rather than chasing an aggressive first-year haul.

The CIBC chequing account fee waiver is the real value unlock if you're already banking with CIBC or willing to consolidate – you're essentially converting a monthly banking cost into Aeroplan earning without adding another annual fee to your wallet.

The 1.5x earning rate across gas, groceries, and travel makes this a strong daily driver for Canadians who spend heavily in these categories without hitting caps. Electric vehicle charging qualifying as a bonus category is a rare advantage that compounds value for EV owners making the transition away from traditional fuel.

Pair this with a dedicated dining card to cover the gap, and you've built a two-card Aeroplan strategy that handles most discretionary spending efficiently. The uncapped structure rewards high-volume spenders who don't want to track rotating categories or activation windows.

Aeroplan's strength lies in premium cabin awards to Europe and Asia – think Lufthansa business from Toronto to Frankfurt, or ANA to Tokyo – where you'll extract two to three cents per point. Domestic transcontinental first class and Star Alliance partner bookings (Singapore Suites, Turkish fifth-freedom routes) deliver the program's best value.

Skip the "Use Points" cash-equivalent option; it caps value near one cent per point. Book award flights through the search engine to unlock true redemption power, and leverage Aeroplan's ability to mix multiple Star Alliance carriers on a single ticket at no surcharge – routing flexibility few programs match.

The free first checked bag on Air Canada is a sleeper benefit – $35 saved per flight per person, covering companions on the same reservation. For families flying domestically a few times per year, this alone can justify the annual fee without touching the points value.

Beyond that, the perk roster is conspicuously thin. No lounge access, no NEXUS credit, no hotel status – CIBC has positioned this as a pure earning engine rather than a lifestyle travel card.

The standout here is award travel coverage – charge the taxes and fees on your Aeroplan redemption to this card, and you're covered. Most credit cards exclude award tickets entirely, making this a rare and practical benefit if you redeem points frequently.

Rental car coverage caps at vehicles with an MSRP of $85,000 or less, which excludes many luxury models. Consider supplemental insurance if you're renting high-end cars abroad.