CIBC Aventura Credit Card Review: An Underrated Choice?

Introduction

The CIBC Aventura program has been around for a while, offering Canadians a way to earn and redeem points primarily for travel. However, it hasn’t reached the same level of recognition as Aeroplan or American Express Membership Rewards. Why? It has a more limited ecosystem and fewer transfer partners, making it somewhat niche.

But does that mean it isn’t worth considering? Not necessarily. In this guide, we’ll break down the CIBC Aventura lineup, comparing its bonuses, earn rates, perks, and redemption options to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your wallet.

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CIBC Aventura Credit Cards Overview

CIBC offers four Aventura credit cards, catering to different spending habits and travel needs.

Card	Annual Fee	Welcome Bonus	Key Perks
CIBC Aventura Visa	$0	10,000 points	SkipTheDishes Plus, gas savings, basic travel insurance
CIBC Aventura Visa Gold	$139 (waived 1st yr)	35,000 points	Lounge access, travel insurance, Nexus credit
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite	$139 (waived 1st yr)	35,000 points	Same as Gold but with better insurance
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege	$499	80,000 points	6 lounge visits, Nexus credit, premium travel perks

Let’s break them down further.

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CIBC Aventura Visa (No Annual Fee)

This is the entry-level option, perfect for beginners or those who want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee.

Key Features:

• Welcome Bonus: 10,000 Aventura Points
• Earn Rate:
  • 1 Point per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries, drugstores, CIBC Travel Portal
  • 1 Point per $2 on everything else
• Perks:
  • SkipTheDishes Plus membership (12 months free + discounts)
  • Gas discounts: Save $0.10 per liter at select gas stations
  • Purchase security insurance

Is It Worth It?

If you want a no-fee travel rewards card, this isn’t a bad option, but better no-fee travel cards exist (like the BMO eclipse Visa or Scotiabank American Express).

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CIBC Aventura Visa Gold (Best Value in the Lineup)

This is arguably the best Aventura card for most people, offering a balance of rewards, perks, and affordability.

Key Features:

• Welcome Bonus: 35,000 Aventura Points
• Earn Rate:
  • 2X points on travel booked through CIBC Travel Portal
  • 1.5X points on gas, groceries, EV charging, drugstores
  • 1X point on everything else
• Perks:
  • 4 free airport lounge visits per year (Visa Airport Companion)
  • Nexus application fee rebate (every 4 years)
  • Travel insurance (trip cancellation, baggage, flight delay)

Is It Worth It?

Yes, if you travel semi-frequently and want lounge access without paying a high annual fee. The first-year fee waiver makes it an easy choice to try.

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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite (A Slight Upgrade)

The Visa Infinite version is nearly identical to the Gold but with stronger insurance.

Key Features:

• Welcome Bonus: 35,000 Aventura Points
• Earn Rate:
  • Same as Aventura Gold
• Perks:
  • More comprehensive travel insurance
  • Same lounge access & Nexus perks as Gold

Is It Worth It?

Only if you value extra travel insurance. Otherwise, the Aventura Gold is just as good for a lower income requirement.

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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege (Premium Option)

This is CIBC’s high-end travel card, packed with premium travel benefits—but at a steep $499 annual fee.

Key Features:

• Welcome Bonus: 80,000 Aventura Points
• Earn Rate:
  • 3X points on CIBC Travel Portal bookings
  • 2X points on dining, entertainment, gas, EV charging, and groceries
  • 1.25X points on everything else
• Perks:
  • 6 free airport lounge visits per year
  • Nexus rebate
  • $200 annual travel credit
  • 30% off car rentals with Avis & Budget
  • Best travel insurance of the bunch

Is It Worth It?

Only if you travel frequently and can fully utilize the lounge passes, travel credit, and premium insurance. Otherwise, the Visa Infinite is a better deal for most.

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How to Use Aventura Points

The value of Aventura Points depends on how you redeem them.

Redemption Method	Value per Point	Best Use?
Fixed-Rate Travel Portal	Up to 2.29¢	✅ Best value
General Travel	1¢	✅ Good
CIBC Financial Products (TFSA, RRSP)	0.83¢	⚠️ Decent
Gift Cards	0.71¢	❌ Meh
Statement Credit	0.63¢	❌ Not worth it
Merchandise	0.5¢	❌ Worst value

For best value, redeem for flights through the Aventura Fixed-Rate Travel program.

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Should You Get a CIBC Aventura Credit Card?

Who Should Get It	Who Should Skip It
Travelers who want lounge access without a high annual fee	People who prefer transferable points (e.g., Aeroplan, Amex MR)
CIBC banking clients (for easier rewards management)	Those who don’t book travel through CIBC Travel Portal
Someone who wants free Nexus & travel insurance perks	People who want No-FX-fee credit cards

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking for more flexibility, consider:

• American Express Cobalt – Better earn rates & points transfer to Aeroplan
• RBC Avion Visa Infinite – Transfer points to multiple airline partners
• Scotiabank Gold Amex – No FX fees + strong earn rates

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Final Verdict: Is the CIBC Aventura Program Worth It?

While Aventura isn’t as well-known as Aeroplan or Amex Membership Rewards, it still offers decent value, especially for CIBC clients. The program’s main drawback is its lack of airline transfer partners, meaning your best redemptions are limited to CIBC’s ecosystem.

✅ Get it if you want a solid travel rewards card within the CIBC ecosystem.
❌ Skip it if you want flexible points that transfer to airline programs.

If you already bank with CIBC, these cards could make sense, just be sure you’ll use the perks and redeem points efficiently.