CIBC Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege^* Card

This bonus structure rewards sustained commitment – half the value arrives in year two after $25,000 spend, which also unlocks the companion pass. Thateback-loading reduces risk: you'll extract real value before paying a second annual fee.

At 100,000 points, this sits mid-pack among premium Aeroplan cards. TD's Privilege has offered 115,000; Amex Reserve occasionally climbs to 130,000 with multi-year structures. You're bound by Aeroplan's once-per-tier rule, so timing matters if you're willing to wait for a peak offer elsewhere.

CIBC's Smart Plus Account can rebate $150–$200 of the annual fee, though the opportunity cost of parking cash may outweigh the savings unless you're already maintaining that balance for other services.

The earning profile is competitive across daily-spend categories – groceries, dining, gas – making this a strong choice if you're consolidating household purchases onto a single Visa. The inclusion of EV charging as a bonus category is a forward-looking touch that matters if you're driving electric.

If you already carry the American Express Cobalt Card, route non-bonus spending there and reserve this CIBC card for its bonus categories and Visa acceptance gaps. This is a solid daily driver, not a category champion.

Star Alliance access is where Aeroplan shines – you're booking Lufthansa First, ANA business, or Singapore Suites with the same points you earn on groceries. The sweet spots are Europe in business for 60,000 points off-peak and 75,000 to East Asia, routinely delivering 2+ cents per point on premium cabins.

Book early for short-haul economy – 6,000 points one-way when saver space opens, but that same flight hits 25,000 last-minute. Mixed-cabin itineraries price at blended rates, useful when premium space is patchy, and non-alliance partners like Etihad fill gaps where Star Alliance thins out.

CIBC's flagship card delivers the full Air Canada ground experience – priority check-in, boarding, and free bags across the network. When travelling within North America, you can bring a guest into Maple Leaf Lounges at no charge, a genuinely useful perk when flying with a companion.

The NEXUS credit covers the entire five-year membership, essentially turning trusted traveller access into a free benefit. Combined with six annual Visa lounge visits outside the Air Canada network, you're well-covered for domestic and international airport downtime.

Spend $25,000 annually and you'll unlock a Worldwide Companion Pass – rare value at this tier, especially when paired with the card's earn rates on Air Canada purchases.

Trip cancellation capped at $1,000 per person is unusually low for a super-premium card – fine for domestic positioning flights, but nowhere near enough for intercontinental premium cabin fares. You'll need supplemental coverage for expensive international itineraries.

Primary rental car coverage up to $85,000 MSRP is the standout here, covering most luxury vehicles without supplemental letters and responding first so you avoid filing through your own auto policy.

The 90-day pre-existing condition stability period is competitive, and coverage extends to Aeroplan reward bookings when you charge taxes and fees to the card.