8 Best CIBC Credit Cards in Canada

CIBC, or Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, is one of Canada’s five biggest banks. They offer a range of credit cards to both individuals and businesses, as well as prepaid and student cards. Here are the nine best CIBC credit cards, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. 

Best CIBC credit cards in Canada

Best for: No annual fee points card

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Card

Annual Fee
$0

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
0.67x-1x Points

Intro Offer
10,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

Most cards make you choose between low fees or valuable travel rewards, but the CIBC Aeroplan Visa offers both.

Pros

• An attractive intro offer that could be enough for a one-way economy class flight in North America.
• Your Aeroplan membership will help you earn points twice as fast at Aeroplan partners and retailers in the Aeroplan eStore when you pay with your Aeroplan credit card.

Cons

• To get the best value, you’ll have to be loyal to Air Canada and the Aeroplan rewards program.
• Earn rate on included categories is lower than some other no-fee cards.

Card details

• 1x Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases, up to $40,000 annual spend.
• 1x Aeroplan points per $1.50 spent on all other purchases, including gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases that exceed the $40,000 threshold.
• Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and 170+ online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
• Aeroplan Points never expire and can be redeemed for a variety of travel, merchandise, gift card, and other rewards offered by Aeroplan’s participating partners and suppliers.
• $0 annual fee.
• Primary Aeroplan credit cardholders may get access to preferred pricing, which means you can book flight rewards for even fewer points.
• Get three free months of Uber Pass for discounts on rides, meals and more.
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $6 spent on CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no transaction fees or interest as long as you pay your balance on time.
• Use the CIBC Pace It feature to make installment payments on large purchases.
• Four types of insurance are provided: car rental collision and loss damage insurance, purchase security and extended protection insurance, and common carrier travel accident insurance.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $15,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Best for: Aeroplan points

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card

Annual Fee
$139

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1x-1.5x Points

Intro Offer
Up to 45,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

While it’s a little light on exclusive perks, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite card offers an interesting collection of benefits that should be more than enough to keep many users satisfied.

Pros

• An admirable amount of insurance coverage considering the card’s relatively low annual fee.
• Families can combine their Aeroplan points.

Cons

• Few opportunities to earn double points on purchases, even during the introductory period.
• Beyond the free first checked bag allowance and access to Visa Infinite’s lineup of food, beverage and luxury hotel offers, juicier travel perks are in short supply.

Card details

• Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase. Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $4,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods. Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods. Offer applies to new cardmembers only.
• 1.5x Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and direct Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations, up to a maximum annual spend of $80,000.
• 1x Aeroplan point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.
• Earn points twice by providing your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
• Points can be redeemed for flights, car rentals and hotel bookings, as well as merchandise and gift cards available in the Aeroplan eStore.
• $139 annual fee, which can be reduced each year if you have a CIBC Smart Plus account.
• Access to Visa Infinite offers, including exclusive benefits at luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley.
• Car rental discounts of up to 25% at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
• The Aeroplan Family Sharing plan allows Aeroplan members in the same household to combine their points and speed up the delivery of their next flight reward.
• Primary cardholders hoping to reach Aeroplan Elite Status can receive 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases.
• Access to CIBC Pace It, an installment plan designed to help you pay off large or unexpected purchases over time at a lower interest rate.
• 13 types of insurance provided, including 15-day travel medical benefits (three days if you’re 65 or older on your departure date) — worth up to $5 million in coverage per insured person.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. You must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live who has not declared bankruptcy in the last seven years.

Best for: Aventura points

CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card

Annual Fee
$139

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1x-2x Points

Intro Offer
Up to 35,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

Access flexible rewards, travel insurance and a generous welcome offer worth a flight from any location in Canada or U.S. to any location in Canada or U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska) — no established Canadian credit history required.

Pros

• Annual fee waived for the first year.
• Flexible rewards program.
• Airport lounge access and additional travel perks.

Cons

• $139 annual fee.

Card details

• Earn up to 35,000 Aventura Points (up to $800 in value) during your first year. Receive 15,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods.
• Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): over $189 value.
• Enjoy 4 complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program.
• Plus, get a NEXUS Application Fee rebate: a $50 value.
• Offer applies to newly approved card accounts only.
• 2x for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• 1.5x on for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores, up to $80,000 annual spend.
• 1x for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• 1x for every $4.00 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer, through June 30, 2022.
• Redeem points for airline tickets, merchandise, gift cards and more.
• Apply points to your CIBC Aventura card balance or select CIBC financial products.
• $139 annual fee.
• Access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across the globe. Priority Pass membership with 4 complimentary lounge visits a year. Zip in and out of the country with a rebate on one NEXUS™ application fee every 4 years.
• Fly any airline with points that don’t expire.
• Use Aventura Points to cover full airfare including taxes and fees.
• Link your Journie Rewards card to save on every fill-up at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stationsabout the features of this card.
• Visa’s Zero Liability Policy and Fraud Alerts.
• Valuable insurance included: Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance, Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance, Auto Rental Collision and Loss Damage Insurance, $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance, Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance, Hotel Burglary Insurance and Mobile Device Insurance.
• Access to installment plans through CIBC Pace It.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, and 22.99% for cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
• To be eligible, a $15,000 individual annual income is required and you must be a Canadian resident that has reached the age of majority in your province.

Best for: Airport lounge access

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

Annual Fee
$0, then $139

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1x-2x Points

Intro Offer
Up to 35,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

There’s a lot to like about the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. It’s rife with travel perks, like complimentary airport lounge access, a NEXUS fee rebate and travel insurance. Plus, it offers a high rewards earn rate on travel spending, which will appeal to travel bugs.

Pros

• Accelerated rewards on travel spending.
• Comprehensive travel insurance.
• Four complimentary airport lounge visits annually.
• NEXUS application fee rebate.
• Ongoing annual fee rebates for customers with a CIBC Smart Plus Account.

Cons

• Annual income requirements may disqualify some applicants.

Card details

• Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores, up to $80,000 annual spend.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases or on category spending in excess of the $80,000 annual limit.
• Earn 1 Aventura Point for every $4.00 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer. There are no transaction fees, and you won’t be charged interest as long as you pay your balance by the payment due date.
• Use Aventura Points to cover full airfare, including taxes and fees.
• To redeem your points for hotel stays, vacation packages, cruises, merchandise, gift cards and one-of-a-kind activities, visit the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• Use your Aventura Points to help pay down your credit card balance or contribute them to select financial products.
• Enjoy an annual fee rebate every year for the primary cardholder of up to $139 if you have a CIBC Smart Plus Account.
• Out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance.
• Flight delay and baggage insurance.
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.
• Auto rental collision and loss damage insurance.
• $500,000 common carrier accident insurance.
• Purchase security and extended protection insurance.
• Hotel burglary insurance.
• Mobile device insurance.
• Kick back in a comfortable lounge before boarding and enjoy your four complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program. Zip in and out of the country with a rebate on one NEXUS application fee every four years.
• Score luxury upgrades, tickets and tours through Visa Infinite Exclusive Offers.
• Fly any airline with points that don’t expire. Access personalized travel booking and trip planning with no booking fees through the Aventura Travel Assistant.
• Link your Journie Rewards card to save on every fill-up at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.
• To be eligible, a $60,000 individual or $100,000 household minimum annual income is required.

Best for: Premium perks

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Annual Fee
$599

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1.25x-2x Points

Intro Offer
Up to 110,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card is loaded with enough attractive features — solid travel perks, an annual Companion Pass, low interest rates on major purchases — to make the high cost of entry worth it for some consumers.

Pros

• A generous introductory offer.
• Lounge access and priority status for you and your fellow travellers can bring comfort and enhanced convenience to a long day of travel.

Cons

• A high annual fee and steep income requirements.
• Qualifying for the annual Companion Pass requires a level of spending some cardholders may not be on board with.

Card details

• Get up to 110,000 Points: You’ll receive 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, another 30,000 points if you spend $6,000 or more during your first four monthly statement periods, and 60,000 more points as an additional anniversary bonus if you have at least $25,000 in net eligible purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods. This offer only applies to newly approved card accounts.
• 2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Travel Vacations.
• 1.5x Aeroplan points on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining, up to annual $100,000 spend.
• 1.25x Aeroplan points on other purchases.
• Earn points twice by providing your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
• Points can be redeemed for flights, car rentals and hotel stays, as well as complete vacation packages like cruises and all-inclusive resort visits. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise sold through the Aeroplan eStore.
• $599 annual fee, which can be reduced by up to $139 each year if you have a CIBC Smart Plus account.
• An annual Worldwide Companion Pass, worth up to $599, to any destination in the world that Air Canada flies when you spend $25,000 on your card.
• Exclusive access to Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Program, Visa Infinite Dining Series and the Visa Infinite Wine Country Program.
• Reach Aeroplan Elite status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying miles and one Status Qualifying segment for every $5,000 you spend on eligible purchases.
• Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations.
• Authorized users can access travel benefits when travelling without you by linking their Aeroplan number.
• Access to CIBC Pace It, an installment plan designed to help you pay off large or unexpected purchases over time at a lower interest rate.
• 13 types of insurance provided, including 31-day travel medical benefits (10 days if you’re 65 or older on your departure date) — worth up to $5 million in coverage per insured person.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $150,000 (individual) or $200,000 (household) annual income is required. You must be a Canadian resident who has reached the age of majority in your province or territory and who hasn’t made a bankruptcy claim in the last seven years.

Best for: Cashback rewards

CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card

Annual Fee
$120

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1%-4%

Intro Offer
N/A

Our take

Why we like it

You can earn some extremely attractive rates on gas and groceries with the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card — up to a $3,200 cash-back value.

Pros

• Flexible and easy redemption. You can redeem cash back anytime through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
• Generous cash back rates on five popular spending categories.

Cons

• You’ll only earn 1% cash back after spending $80,000 across bonus categories. Most credit cards have specific limits for each category, but the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite collectively caps all bonus rates with an $80,000 limit.
• Insurance offerings are limited compared to what you might expect from a card with a $120 annual fee. However, you can avoid this cost every single year with a CIBC Smart Plus™ Account.

Card details

• 4% on groceries, gas, and electric vehicle charging, and 2% on transportation, dining and recurring payments. Accelerated rates apply to the first $80,000 spent per year.
• 1% on everything else, and after spending $80,000.
• 0.25% cash back for every $1 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no foreign transaction fees.
• Redeem a minimum of $25 cash back at any time through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
• $120 annual fee.
• Visa Infinite benefits, including Visa Infinite Concierge, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining Series, and entertainment and lifestyle offers.
• Save up to 10 cents per litre at Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.
• Access to CIBC Pace It.
• Five types of insurance provided, including 10-day out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical benefits — up to $5 million in coverage.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Best for: Students

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Card for Students

Annual Fee
$0

Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
0.67x-1x Points

Intro Offer
10,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

Credit card beginners can use the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students to accumulate travel rewards thanks to a solid earn rate and a generous welcome bonus.

Pros

• The welcome bonus has no strings attached or hoops to jump through — simply make a purchase a receive 10,000 Aeroplan points.
• Your Aeroplan membership will help you earn points twice as fast at Aeroplan partners and retailers in the Aeroplan eStore when you pay with your Aeroplan credit card.

Cons

• The higher 20.99% interest rate could be a problem for students learning how to use their first credit card.
• To get the best value, you’ll have to be loyal to Air Canada and the Aeroplan rewards program.

Card details

• 1x Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases, up to $40,000 annual spend.
• 1x Aeroplan points per $1.50 spent on all other purchases, including gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases that exceed the $40,000 threshold.
• Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and 170+ online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
• Aeroplan Points never expire and can be redeemed for a variety of travel, merchandise, gift card, and other rewards offered by Aeroplan’s participating partners and suppliers.
• $0 annual fee.
• Get three free months of Uber Pass for discounts on rides, meals and more. Offer ends September 8, 2022.
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $6 spent on CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no transaction fees or interest as long as you pay your balance on time. Offer ends June 30, 2022.
• Maximize your points by adding up to three additional cards and giving them to your spouse or other family members. Points can be shared with other Aeroplan members in your household.
• Earn points by using your CIBC Aeroplan Visa to automatically make recurring bill payments.
• Receive preferred pricing when paying for flights with your Aeroplan points.
• Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating Budget and Avis locations worldwide when paying with your card.
• Save up to 10 cents per litre at participating Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations if you link your card with Journie Rewards.
• Use the CIBC Pace It feature to make installment payments on large purchases.
• Four types of insurance are provided: auto rental collision and loss damage insurance, purchase security, extended protection insurance, and $100,000 in common carrier accident insurance.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, you must have full-time status in a college or university.

Best for: Businesses

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Plus Card

Annual Fee
$120

Interest Rates
19.99% / 22.99%

Rewards Rate
1x-2x Points

Intro Offer
Up to 60,000 Points

Our take

Why we like it

In addition to a solid earn rate on Air Canada purchases, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Plus card helps businesses earn Aeroplan points on items and services they’ll inevitably spend money on, like shipping, internet and phone services.

Pros

• Strong earn rates on Air Canada purchases and when buying common business items.
• Achievable bonuses, like an Air Canada Buddy Pass and 10,000 bonus points earned after your first purchase.
• Broad selection of travel insurance included, plus perks like four complimentary
• Maple Leaf Lounge™ One-Time Guest Passes per year.

Cons

• Smaller businesses may not spend enough to score the full 60,000 welcome bonus.
• Capitalizing on the highest earn rates won’t be possible if you don’t fly with Air Canada frequently.

Card details

• Intro offer: Earn 10,000 points after making the first purchase, 20,000 points by spending $3,000 during the first four months, and 30,000 points by spending $35,000 during the first year. Plus, an annual fee rebate for the first card and each additional cardholder.
• Receive an Air Canada Buddy Pass, good for a $0 base fare anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, when $3,000 is charged to the account in the first four monthly statement periods.
• Free first checked bag for two travellers for each flight when a round-trip Air Canada flight is taken in the first year.
• Maple Leaf Lounge access: up to four passes worth $25 each for every $10,000 in eligible spend.
• $120 annual fee — rebated in the first year.
• $50 annual fee for each additional card — first year rebate for up to three cards.
• Add up to 15 cardholders to consolidate business expenses and earn points faster.
• Earn 2 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent directly with Air Canada, including through Air Canada Vacations. After $80,000 in net annual card purchases, Aeroplan points are earned at the regular rate.
• Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on shipping, internet, cable, phone services, travel and dining.
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan estore.
• Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards and more.
• Book flight rewards using fewer points when booking through the Rewards Officer.
• Fraud alerts and zero liability protection if a card is stolen or used for fraudulent purchases.
• Travel insurance: trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,000 per insured person per trip to a maximum of $5,000), trip interruption/trip delay insurance (up to $2,000 per insured person per trip), flight delay insurance (up to $500 per occurrence), stolen/lost/delayed baggage insurance (up to $500 per insured person to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence), car rental collision and loss damage insurance (on cars with a suggested retail price of less than $65,000), common carrier accident insurance (up to $500,000 per insured person), purchase security and extended warranty protection.
• Free Uber Pass for six months.
• Access to Visa Spend Clarity for Business, a web-based reporting solution for expense management.
• Preferred rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.

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Summary of best CIBC credit cards in Canada

How to pay your CIBC credit card bill

You can pay your CIBC credit card bill online, through the mobile banking app, over the phone or in person at a CIBC Banking Centre. You can also set up recurring payments so you never miss a payment.   

How to activate your CIBC credit card

When you receive your new CIBC credit card, you can activate it online or through the mobile banking app. Sign in to your account or sign up for a new account to begin the activation process. 

How to cancel your CIBC credit card

If you no longer need your CIBC credit card, you can cancel it over the phone, by mail or by fax. Once canceled, you should cut up the card and destroy any Convenience Cheques associated with the account. You’ll also want to cancel any recurring payments made with the card, or switch to a new payment method. 

What happens to my points?

If your card collects Aventura Points or Gold Bonus Points, you have 60 days from the date the card is cancelled to redeem the points. 

Aeroplan points are automatically transferred to your Aeroplan account, which is not affected by the card’s cancellation.

What happens to my cash back?

If you have a CIBC cash-back card, any remaining cash is either applied to the outstanding balance or mailed to you upon cancellation. If you carry the CIBC Costco®† Mastercard®, you lose any cash back you earned when the account is cancelled.     

How to change your CIBC credit card pin

You can change the PIN on an existing CIBC credit card online, through the mobile banking app or at a CIBC ATM. If changed online or via the app, you must use the card and PIN feature within 14 days, either at an ATM or via an in-person transaction. 

CIBC credit card contact details

You can contact CIBC customer service online, by mail or by phone. 

• General questions: 1-800-465-4653
• Lost of stolen credit cards: 1-800-663-4575
• CIBC rewards: 1-888-232-5656

Types of CIBC credit cards 

CIBC offers the following types of credit cards.

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About the Author

Georgia Rose

Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated…

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