CIBC Aventura

CIBC Aventura points can pay for travel, eligible transactions, or a payment toward your card balance. Their value depends on the redemption. The airline chart can provide more value than a balance payment, but its fare caps and extra charges affect the result.

Earn CIBC Aventura points

You earn points with an Aventura credit card. However, earning rates vary by card and spending category. A rate of 1 point per dollar therefore does not describe the entire range.

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa* Card has no annual fee. It earns 1 point per dollar at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores, and 0.5 points on other purchases. Its terms also cover eligible electric vehicle charging purchases.

For a premium travel profile, the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite Privilege* card adds travel benefits and access to a business class airline chart. Its $499 CAD annual fee calls for regular use of those benefits.

Welcome offers have their own spending requirements and deadlines. Read the current card details before applying, rather than relying on a previous promotion.

Use the airline rewards chart

The official CIBC chart covers eligible round-trip tickets booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre. Its economy categories are:

• Canada and U.S. short-haul: 10,000 to 20,000 points, with a maximum base fare of $400 CAD.
• Canada and U.S. long-haul: 25,000 to 35,000 points, with a maximum base fare of $800 CAD, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
• Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Central America, and the Caribbean: 40,000 to 60,000 points, with a maximum base fare of $1,000 CAD.
• Europe: 50,000 to 70,000 points, with a maximum base fare of $1,300 CAD.
• Other eligible regions: 75,000 to 125,000 points, with a maximum base fare of $2,000 CAD.

The caps apply to the base fare. Taxes, other charges, and any amount above the cap require payment with your card or additional points. Availability and eligible destinations also govern each booking.

You need at least 80% of the required points to use the program’s points shortfall option. The Rewards Centre quote then shows the amount payable.

Point value versus spending return

If 20,000 points actually cover a $400 CAD base fare, the redemption gives you 2 CAD cents per point. That does not automatically mean a 2% return on spending.

To estimate your spending return, multiply the point value by your card’s earning rate. Then subtract costs you would not otherwise have paid. Also compare the cash price and change conditions of the same flight.

Business class with Privilege

The Privilege card provides a separate business class chart. Its point requirements and fare caps differ from economy. Describing all Aventura airline rewards as economy-only would therefore leave out an available option.

Other redemption options

CIBC’s points payment page distinguishes several services:

• Shopping with Points: select an eligible pending transaction in online or mobile banking. The on-screen quote determines the redemption.
• Payment with Points: redemptions start at 4,000 points for a $25 CAD payment toward your card balance.
• Eligible financial products: redemptions start at 12,000 points for a $100 CAD payment or contribution.

A $25 CAD payment for 4,000 points gives you 0.625 CAD cents per point. This differs from an airline redemption. It is also a point value, rather than your card’s spending return.

Shopping with Points should therefore not be described as a universal 1-cent credit against any posted travel purchase. It applies to eligible pending transactions.

Which card fits your needs?

For Aventura without an annual fee, consider the basic Visa card first. For lounge benefits and the business class chart, compare the Privilege card’s benefits you will use against its fee.

If groceries and dining drive your spending, compare other programs as well. The American Express Cobalt^® Card and National Bank World Elite Mastercard^® are relevant comparisons. However, their points have different values and redemption rules.

The U.S. dollar Aventura card addresses another need: paying for purchases in U.S. dollars. Consider how much you spend in that currency before choosing it.

Our best credit cards guide compares these profiles and their costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions