RBC and CIBC each offer a travel rewards credit card:
But which of these Visa Infinite cards is the most advantageous?
Let’s look at each of their features in detail, to distinguish these two credit cards. Apart from their almost identical name, what are their differences?
Both credit cards offer a welcome bonus.
By subscribing to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Cardprogram, you’ll currently earn 55,000 points, worth up to $1,100:
With the CIBC Aventura® Visa* Infinite Card, you’ll earn up to 45,000 Aventura Points:
In addition, it offers a one-time refund of the annual fee ($139) to the primary cardholder.
Then, if there are up to three authorized users, another $50 annual fee refund is available for each.
All of these have a value of up to $1,139.
The 35,000 Avion points from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offer are extremely easy to obtain, and you don’t even need to make any purchases with the card to get the points.
Thanks to certain partners, credit cards offer more points or useful discounts for everyday purchases.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has exclusive benefits for Visa Infinite cardholders.
This card also entitles you to :
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card has the same Visa Infinite benefits as its competitor.
In addition, it offers:
For both its travel benefits and offers as well as in everyday life, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card wins this round.
Having access to an airport lounge before a flight is a comfort to be discovered.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card does not offer membership or access to airport lounges.
This card gives you 4 free visits to airport lounges through the Visa Airport Companion Program.
Between the two, only the CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card offers free access to airport lounges.
After the 4 free visits, admission to lounge costs US$32.
Both credit cards offer purchase categories that allow you to earn more rewards points.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has a rate of 1.25 Avion points per dollar for travel purchases.
Travel” expenses include those incurred with :
This has a value of 1.25%.
With the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn :
This is a 2% value.
The point accumulation value for travel expenses is better with the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card with 2%.
However, the big drawback is that this expense must be done directly with the CIBC travel agency.
For more flexibility and without any ties, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is the best.
Outside these accelerated purchase categories, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card offer a basic accumulation rate.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Cardyou can earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This is a 1% value.
This represents a value between 1% and 1.5%.
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card provides more value for everyday expenses such as gas, groceries and drugstore.
Both cards are reward point cards, mainly for travel.
However, the loyalty programs are completely different:
You can use the points from both credit cards for travel.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can apply your points to travel purchases.
The redemption rate is:
Or, via the Avion Rewards site which acts as a travel agency, choose the airline, the one-way or round-trip flight, and the date of your choice. There are no blackout periods or reservations imposed, even during high season.
15,000 points
Flight within a province or neighbouring state. Maximum ticket price: $350
35,000 points
Fly anywhere in Canada or the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska). Maximum ticket price: $750
45,000 points
Western Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Eastern Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $900
55,000 points
Eastern Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Western Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $1,100
65,000 points
Flight from Canada or United States to Europe. Maximum ticket price: $1,300
100,000 points
Fly from Canada or United States to … anywhere in the world! Maximum ticket price: $2,000
So this equals to about 2 cents per point ($350 divided by 15,000 points) on average.
With the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, you can apply your points to travel purchases charged to the card.
For more flexible use, Aventura Points can be used to book any trip with the Shopping with Points option. 8,000 Aventura points will earn you a $50 Statement credit.
However, thanks to a no-limit promotion, you can use 35% fewer points ! This increases the value of your Aventura points and 10,000 Aventura points will give a $100 Statement credit. This has a value of 1 cent per point, which is excellent.
Another option is to use points through a fixed fare structure. Here’s their Aventura Airline Award Chart.
10,000 to 20,000 points
Short-haul flight within a province or neighbouring state. Maximum ticket price: $400
25,000 to 35,000 points
Long-haul flights anywhere in Canada or the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska). Maximum ticket price: $800
40,000 to 60,000 points
To Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $1,000
50,000 to 70,000 points
From Canada and the United States to some European cities. Maximum ticket price: $1,300
75,000 to 125,000 points
Flights from Canada or the United States to select cities in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, the Middle East and South America. Maximum ticket price: $2,000
The 2 tariffs and their valuation are almost similar. Your choice between the 2 depends on the place of departure and the destination.
But for the best flexible exchange rate, the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is the best … for now! Outside of this promotion, you’d be better off choosing RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card.
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card both allow points to be used for other rewards: everyday purchases, gift cards, products, investments.
But we do not recommend these uses because of the low value.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can use 12,000 points for $100 (0.83 cents per point) on:
You can also:
Finally, you can apply your points to everyday purchases: 4,300 points = $25 (0.58 cents per point)
With the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, you can use 12,000 points for $100 (0.83 cents per point) on :
This has a value of 0.83 cents per point.
You can use 14,000 points for a $100 gift card (0.71 cents per point).
Finally, you can apply your points to everyday purchases: 4,000 points = $25 (0.63 cent per point).
It’s hard to tell the two cards apart in this respect: the utilization rate is poor and similar on both sides. Better to use the points for travel!
However, depending on your financial needs at the time, each can be practical. It is up to you to analyze whether you use these financial institutions in your daily operations.
Being able to transfer points to another program is a strength.
The Avion points from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card can be transferred to:
CIBC Aventura Points cannot be transferred to another loyalty program.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has transfer partners and thus, more possibilities!
Please note that a few times during the year, RBC offers transfer bonuses. This is a great way to further increase the value of Avion points.
Both credit cards have roughly similar annual fees.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has an annual fee of $120. It is rare to have an annual fee rebate promotion for this card.
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card has an annual fee of $139.
However, this card often has a first-year annual fee rebate (like right now!).
For its $0 net annual fee, it’s a no-brainer.
Both credit cards offer extensive insurance.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has very comprehensive insurance coverage. View the complete insurance booklet here:
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card offers something similar for insurance. View the insurance summary here:
With its slightly more generous insurance coverages, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is slightly superior. The major differences are in travel medical insurance and flight delay insurance.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card requires:
To obtain a CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card you must meet one of the following criteria
Since they are both Visa Infinite and Visa sets the minimum income requirements, it is only natural that they are both the same.
So? Which Card is the winner?
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card has a slight edge with its mix of lifestyle and travel benefits:
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has excellent value, especially with its welcome offer. In addition, it is better for :
It’s up to you to choose between these two excellent credit cards according to your needs!
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