Daniela Hanna
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is a flexible travel rewards card with a big welcome bonus, first-year annual fee rebate, lounge access, and NEXUS™ rebate. It’s aimed at Canadians who want versatile Aventura points and solid built-in travel perks.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome bonus: up to 45,000 Aventura Points — 15,000 after your first purchase, plus 30,000 when you spend $3,000 in the first 4 statement periods. First-year annual fee rebate for you and up to 3 authorized users.
- ✈️ 4 complimentary lounge visits per year via Visa Airport Companion, plus NEXUS™ application fee rebate.
- 💳 Earn 2x Aventura Points on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre, 1.5x at eligible gas/EV charging, grocery and drug stores, and 1x everywhere else.
- 🛡️ Strong travel insurance and flexible points that don’t expire as long as your account is in good standing.
Why we like the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
This card hits a sweet spot: a generous welcome bonus, solid ongoing earn structure, flexible Aventura redemptions, and airport perks like lounge visits and NEXUS rebate — all with the first-year fee rebated.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 45,000 Aventura Points in the first year, plus first-year annual fee rebates for primary and up to 3 authorized users.
- ✅ 4 complimentary lounge visits annually via the Visa Airport Companion Program.
- ✅ NEXUS™ application fee rebate to speed up border crossings.
- ✅ Flexible points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals and more.
Good to know
- ⚠️ Minimum income requirement: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household.
- ⚠️ 2.5% foreign transaction fee on non-CAD purchases.
- ⚠️ Bonus earn rates apply up to certain annual spending caps; beyond that, purchases revert to base earn.
Pros
- Strong welcome offer plus first-year annual fee rebate.
- Good category earn rates on travel, gas/EV charging, groceries, and drugstore spend.
- Airport lounge access (4 visits) and NEXUS fee rebate add real travel value.
- Flexible Aventura points with no expiry while the account is in good standing.
- Comprehensive travel insurance compared to many mid-range travel cards.
Cons
- Annual fee of $139 after the first year unless rebated via eligible CIBC banking.
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee on non-CAD purchases.
- Higher income requirement may exclude some applicants.
- Aventura ecosystem is less universal than some broader travel points programs.
Rewards program
- ✈️ 2 Aventura Points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- ⛽ 1.5 Aventura Points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores.
- 💳 1 Aventura Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
How to maximize rewards
- Time your first purchase and at least $3,000 in spend during the first 4 statement periods to unlock the full 45,000-point welcome bonus.
- Book flights and travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre to earn 2x points and keep insurance coverage aligned.
- Use the card for gas/EV charging, groceries, and drugstore spending to capture 1.5x points on everyday essentials.
- Redeem Aventura Points primarily for travel to get more value per point than merchandise or gift cards.
- Use your 4 lounge visits and NEXUS rebate on your busiest travel days to maximize comfort and savings.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- 🩺 Out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance (trip length and age limits apply).
- 🛫 Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance.
- 🧳 Flight Delay, Baggage Delay and Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance.
- 🚗 Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance when you charge the full rental cost to the card.
- 🛍️ Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance on eligible card purchases.
- 🌍 Visa Airport Companion membership with 4 complimentary lounge visits annually.
- 🛂 NEXUS application fee rebate (up to the advertised maximum).
Not included
- ❌ No waiver of foreign transaction fees.
- ❌ No standalone mobile device insurance on this card.
- ❌ Lounge visits beyond the 4 complimentary passes are chargeable at the standard rate.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $139 (rebated in the first year for primary cardholder; additional cards $50 each, often rebated year 1) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 21.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% (may differ for Quebec residents) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% on purchases in foreign currencies |
| Grace period | At least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income |
Best for
- ✈️ Travellers who want flexible, bank-based travel rewards instead of airline-specific points.
- 🍽️ Households with significant spend on gas/EV charging, groceries and drugstores.
- 💺 Flyers who value lounge access and NEXUS to smooth airport days.
- 🏦 Clients who are okay with CIBC as their primary rewards ecosystem.
Where it falls short
- Standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee makes it less ideal as your only travel card.
- Annual fee after year one unless offset by banking bundle or ongoing value.
- Higher income requirement than entry-level rewards cards.
- Aventura points can feel more “locked in” than fully transferable points programs.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“The welcome bonus and first-year fee rebate made my first big trip noticeably cheaper.”
“I like that I can redeem Aventura points for lots of different travel options, not just one airline.”
Critiques
“I wish there were no foreign transaction fees, especially on a travel card.”
“Income requirement is a bit high compared to some competitors.”
Community insights
Points enthusiasts often see this card as a flexible alternative to airline-specific cards, especially for people who value lounge passes and NEXUS. Many pair it with a no-foreign-transaction card to cover overseas spend more efficiently.
AI review (straight talk)
If you want flexible travel rewards, lounge access, and a strong first-year offer — and you meet the income requirement — the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card is a solid pick. If you rarely travel or hate FX fees, a lower-fee cash-back or no-FX travel card may fit better.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card | $139 (rebated year 1) | 2x CIBC travel; 1.5x gas/EV, grocery, drugstore | 1x | Lounge access, NEXUS rebate, flexible Aventura rewards | General travellers |
| CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card | $139 (often rebated) | Similar earn without Visa Infinite perks | 1x | Aventura rewards, lower income requirement | Travellers under the Infinite income threshold |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 (frequent promos) | High earn on groceries, dining, transit, streaming | 1x | No FX fees, strong everyday categories | International travellers & heavy everyday spenders |
| BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®* | $150 (often rebated year 1) | 5x travel; 3x dining, entertainment, recurring bills | 1x | Lounge access, robust insurance, BMO Rewards | Frequent travellers with higher spend |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes. The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card has a $139 annual fee, which is currently rebated in the first year for the primary cardholder and up to 3 authorized users, subject to offer terms.
What is the welcome bonus?
New cardholders can earn up to 45,000 Aventura Points: 15,000 after making your first purchase and an additional 30,000 when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods, plus a first-year annual fee rebate.
What are the earn rates?
Earn 2 Aventura Points per $1 on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre, 1.5 Aventura Points per $1 at eligible gas/EV charging, grocery and drugstore merchants, and 1 Aventura Point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Does it include lounge access?
Yes. The card includes Visa Airport Companion membership and 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year for the primary cardholder.
Do Aventura Points expire?
Aventura Points do not expire as long as your account remains in good standing, though they may be forfeited if your account is closed or not maintained according to the terms.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card is a strong, flexible travel rewards option with a rich first-year offer, useful lounge and NEXUS perks, and solid earn rates on key categories. It’s best suited to travellers who can meet the income requirement and will redeem points strategically for travel.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.5 / 5 — strong category earn and flexible travel redemptions |
| Benefits & protections | 4.4 / 5 — lounge, NEXUS, and solid insurance |
| Fees & costs | 4.0 / 5 — reasonable fee, rebated first year |
| Ease of approval | 3.7 / 5 — higher income threshold |
