Best CIBC Credit Cards In Canada For October 2025
We reviewed all of CIBC’s credit card offerings and found that the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is the best card with the highest reward earn rate. However, it’s not your only option. We also picked a handful of the best CIBC cards by category.
So, whether you’re looking for a student credit card, a no fee card, or a travel credit card for people with low incomes, CIBC has you covered. We’ll also walk you through the application process and show you how to maximize your CIBC rewards.
Key Takeaways
- CIBC offers cash back, rewards, low interest, and student credit cards.
- The best overall CIBC credit card is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite.
- CIBC's best cash back credit card is the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite.
Best CIBC credit cards for October 2025
| Category | Credit card | Current offer | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best CIBC credit card | CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee waived† (terms) | $139 |
| Best for travel with low income requirements | CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | $139 |
| Best for cash back | CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card | 10% cash back for the first 4 months, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | $120 |
| Best with low income requirements | CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card | 10% cash back for the first 4 months, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | $99 |
| Best for no annual fee | CIBC Aventura Visa Card | Up to 35,000 bonus points (terms) | $0 |
| Best for students | CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students | Up to 10,000 bonus points (terms) | $0 |
| Best cash back for students | CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students | $25 cash back (terms) | $0 |
| Best for low interest | CIBC Select Visa Card | 0% interest on balance transfers for 10 months (terms) | $29 |
1. Best CIBC credit card
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
To earn the most rewards with a CIBC credit card, you'll want to turn to the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. As part of the CIBC Rewards program, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of up to 45,000 points plus an average of 27,900 points per year (based on spending $2,000 per month). Redeeming these points through the CIBC Airline reward chart or CIBC Rewards travel gives you the biggest return.
This card also includes a Visa Airport Companion membership with four free passes to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, up to 10 cents per litre fuel savings at Journie Rewards gas stations, and 12 types of insurance coverage.
Pros:
- Up to 45,000 bonus Aventura points
- Points worth up to 2.29 cents each
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Visa Airport Companion Membership with four free passes
- 12 types of insurance included
Cons:
- High income requirements of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- Low rewards value outside of airline rewards chart
- $139 annual fee
2. Best CIBC travel card with low income requirements
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Love what you see in the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card but don't meet the income requirements? CIBC produces a version of the card that only requires a $15,000 personal income: the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card. You’ll still get the rewards and lounge access, but you’ll lose the Visa Infinite benefits and receive pared-back insurance – just 10 types.
Pros:
- Up to 45,000 Aventura points
- Points worth up to 2.29 cents each.
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Visa Airport Companion Membership with four free passes
- 10 types of insurance included
Cons:
- Low rewards value outside of airline rewards chart
- $139 annual fee
3. Best CIBC cash back card
×1 Award winner Join and earn over $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
1x Award winner Join and earn over $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
Rewards:
- 4%† cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and groceries
- 2%† cash back on eligible restaurants, transportation, and recurring bills/payments
- 1%† cash back on all other purchases
CIBC offers excellent cash back credit cards with its Dividend lineup, and the best of the bunch is the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card. You’ll start with a welcome bonus of up to 10 points and then enjoy an average return of 2.05% on your everyday spending. Redeeming your cash back is easy: request a statement credit once you've accumulated $10 or more in cash back.
Pros:
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Visa Infinite benefits
- On-demand cash back as statement credit ($10 minimum)
Cons:
- Lower insurance coverage compared to similar credit cards
- High income requirements of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- $120 annual fee
4. Best low income requirement CIBC cash back card
Get a first-year annual fee rebate and 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000.†
Get a first-year annual fee rebate and 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000.†
Rewards:
- 3% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and groceries
- 2% cash back on eligible restaurants, transportation, and recurring bills
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
If you’re looking for a cash back card with lower income requirements, the CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card might be a good choice. While you won’t enjoy Visa Infinite benefits and you’ll have a slightly lower earn rate, you’ll still get an average return of 1.63%. You’ll also pay a lower annual fee.
Pros:
- Welcome bonus of 10% cash back for the first 4 months, up to $2,000 in spend
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Redeem cash back on demand
Cons:
- Lower insurance coverage compared to similar credit cards
5. Best no annual fee credit card
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1 point per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores, up to $6,000 spent annually
- 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases
CIBC also offers a handful of no fee cards, with the best being the CIBC Aventura Visa Card. You’ll earn CIBC Rewards on your purchases and based on an average spend of $2,000 per month, that’ll net you about 15,900 Aventura points per year.
Pros:
- Up to 35,000 Aventura points
- Points worth up to 2.29 cents each
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited insurance included
- Low base earn rate of 1 point per $2 spent
6. Best CIBC credit card for students
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1 point per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores, up to $6,000 spent annually
- 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases
If you’re still building your credit or have a lower income, the CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students is easier to qualify for and doesn’t have an annual fee. It offers a decent earn rate and some nice perks, including free SPC membership, fuel savings, and a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 Aventura points.
Pros:
- Free SPC membership
- Save up to 7 cents per litre at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Up to 10,000 bonus Aventura points
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited insurance included
- Low base earn rate of 1 point per $2 spent
7. Best CIBC student credit card for cash back
Rewards:
- 2% cash back on eligible groceries
- 1% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, recurring bills, and dining
- 0.5% on all other purchases
If you’d prefer a cash back student visa, the CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students might be a better pick. You’ll get a generous welcome bonus of $25 cash back after the first purchase, plus free SPC membership and savings at the pump with Journie Rewards. You can get your cash back on demand once you’ve accumulated $10 or more.
Pros:
- Save up to 7 cents per litre at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Free SPC membership
- Welcome bonus of $25 cash back after the first purchase
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Lower insurance coverage compared to similar credit cards
- Low base earn rate of 0.5% cash back
8. Best low interest CIBC credit card
Rewards: None
If you know you’ll be carrying a balance on your CIBC card, it’s essential to find one with low interest rates. Fortunately, the CIBC Select Visa Card has lower-than-average rates across the board (along with a 0% balance transfer offer for 10 months). Although you won’t earn rewards with this card, the low interest rates and easy eligibility requirements make this a card worth looking into.
Pros:
- 13.99% regular interest rate
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards gas stations
- Low annual fee of $29
Cons:
- No rewards on purchases
- Limited insurance included
Compare all CIBC credit cards
This table displays our default Genius Rating, which applies our standard weight to all seven of our scoring categories: rewards, fees, insurance, interest, perks, approval, and acceptance.
What types of credit cards does CIBC offer?
CIBC primarily issues Visa cards, with the exception of Mastercards for Costco members. Within those networks, you’ll find CIBC credit cards that offer you:
- Travel benefits: CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card, CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
- Cash back: CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students, CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card, CIBC Costco Mastercard
- Acceptance at Costco: CIBC Costco Mastercard, CIBC Costco Business Mastercard
- Rewards: CIBC Adapta Mastercard, CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
- No annual fee: CIBC Aventura Visa Card, CIBC Costco Mastercard, CIBC Aeroplan Visa
- Low interest: CIBC Select Visa Card, CIBC bizline Visa
- Student perks: CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students, CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students
- Business tools and rewards: CIBC bizline Visa, CIBC Costco Business Mastercard
As you can see, some of these cards overlap. So, if you’re looking for a card with a few features, keep in mind that it is possible to find a CIBC card tailored to your specific needs.
Pros and cons of CIBC credit cards
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of a credit card can help you decide if it’s right for you.
CIBC credit cards have a lot going for them:
- Wide selection of credit cards. CIBC offers almost any type of credit card you could want – travel points through Aeroplan, flexible rewards with Aventura, or cash back with a Dividend card.
- Premium credit cards with low income requirements. While CIBC’s top offerings have higher eligibility requirements, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card and CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card both have personal income requirements of just $15,000 – and you’ll enjoy more benefits and rewards than with CIBC’s basic cards.
- Savings on gas at Journie Rewards stations. No matter which CIBC credit card you have, you can save 3 cents per litre at Journie Rewards gas stations (Ultramar, Fas Gas, Pioneer, and Chevron). All you have to do is link your CIBC credit card to your Journie Rewards account and pay with your CIBC card.
But there are some downsides to consider, too:
- CIBC only offers Visa cards, with one exception. CIBC only offers Visa credit cards with one exception – the CIBC Costco Mastercard. If you’re looking for a Mastercard, you’ll be better served by another bank.
- High income requirements on premium credit cards. To get the best credit cards CIBC has to offer, you'll need a personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000. If you want a Visa Infinite Privilege card, you’ll need an income of at least $150,000 personal or $200,000 household.
Unlocking exclusive CIBC perks to maximize your credit card
If you’re on the fence about getting a CIBC card, these perks might just tip the scales in their favour. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Fuel savings through Journie Rewards: Link your eligible credit card to the Journie Rewards program to get up to 10 cents off per litre. You can use your card at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron.
- Dining benefits through SkipTheDishes: If you love the convenience of food delivery services, you’ll love getting a 12-month Skip+ free trial. All you have to do is sign in to your SkipTheDishes account and link your CIBC card in the payment option.
- Airport lounge access: Frequent flyers, listen up. With select CIBC Aventura credit cards, you can access 1,200+ airport lounges worldwide – including up to four free visits per year with select cards.
- Flexible redemption options: As a big bank, CIBC allows users to redeem points in a number of ways. You can spend your points on travel, merchandise, gift cards, and even CIBC financial products like personal loans.
- Insurance coverage: Read your card’s terms and conditions to see which coverages are included. Many cards come with mobile device insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, rental car coverage, and more.
How the CIBC Aventura Rewards program works
When you use your CIBC credit card, you earn Aventura Rewards points. Exclusive to CIBC credit card holders, the Aventura Rewards program offers point values as high as 2.29 cents per point.
Points can be earned in various ways, depending on the card used. The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, for example, earns 2 points per $1 spent on purchases.
Once you’ve accumulated enough points, there are a few redemption options:
- Travel bookings
- Charitable donations
- CIBC financial products
- Gift cards
- Merchandise
- Statement credits
Pros and cons of Aventura Rewards
Pros:
- Points worth up to 2.29 CPP
- 86,000+ charitable rewards partners
- 100+ gift card and merchandise partners
- Five major airline partners
- Six reward categories with fixed point values
- No travel blackout dates
- Points never expire
- Reward flights count toward frequent flyer programs
- Seasonal travel deals offered
Cons:
- Limited airline options
- Only available to CIBC credit card holders
- Flight redemptions limited to economy-class seats
- Points can’t be transferred
- Points worth as little as 0.63 CPP
How to choose the right CIBC credit card for you
Before you invest time and energy in finding your dream CIBC card, go through your options and narrow them down to the cards you’re eligible for. Remove any that have income levels or credit score requirements that are too high, since you don’t want to risk a hard inquiry on your credit report for no reason. Then, focus on the choices that remain.
The right credit card for you depends on unique factors. It’s important to weigh which perks, rewards, and restrictions are most compatible with your spending habits and lifestyle. If you don’t travel often, you probably won’t get the most value from a travel rewards card; perhaps a cash back card would be better.
If you need help figuring out what kind of card is best for you, take our quick credit card quiz to get started.
How to apply for a CIBC credit card
Once you’ve picked the best CIBC credit card for you, head to the card’s website or mobile app to apply for the card. Skim through the card’s eligibility requirements to double-check that you qualify.
If everything looks good, click "Start Your Application" at the bottom of the screen. If you’re already a CIBC customer, you can streamline the application process by signing in. Otherwise, you can apply as a new client.
After reading the card’s terms and conditions, you’ll enter:
- Your name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Birthdate
- Address and whether you rent or own
- Social Insurance Number (optional)
- Employment details
- Income
- Physical or paperless preferences
Then, agree to the card’s terms and conditions and hit submit. Now all you have to do is wait for CIBC’s decision.
FAQ
How do you pay a CIBC credit card bill?
You can pay your CIBC credit card bill by visiting a local CIBC branch, making a credit card payment over the phone, or paying through your online banking or the CIBC app – the choice is yours.
How do you activate a CIBC credit card?
Call the number on the back of your card and follow the prompts, or log into your CIBC account on the app or online. Click on "Manage My Cards" and follow the prompts to set your PIN.
What's the difference between the CIBC Costco Mastercard and CIBC Costco World Mastercard?
The fees and rates are the same for both Costco Mastercards (the only types of Mastercards that CIBC offers), but the CIBC Costco World Mastercard offers exclusive discounts and experiences only available to World Mastercard holders.
What is the income requirement for the CIBC Costco Mastercard?
CIBC requires a minimum of $15,000 in income for the CIBC Costco Mastercard. For the CIBC Costco World Mastercard, you’ve got to have at least $50,000 in personal income or $80,000 in household income per year.
What is the minimum credit score for CIBC?
The minimum credit score for a CIBC credit card varies depending on the card. Generally speaking, though, a score of 650 or higher is recommended for most credit cards. Premium cards may require a higher score, around 700 or above.
Is the CIBC Aventura card worth it?
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is definitely worth it; it’s the best CIBC card on our list. You’ll get a huge welcome bonus, fuel discount, solid insurance package, and airport lounge access through Visa Airport Companion.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 229 Canadian credit cards.
