The CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a new type of credit card that automatically calculates your top spending categories and rewards you with Adapta points. You can redeem these points for cash back or deposit the rewards into financial products, such as investor accounts or a mortgage.
While CIBC offers a lineup of different credit cards, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is the only one that allows you to earn Adapta points. It's also the only rewards card we know of that studies your spending and rewards you for the categories where you spent the most – no pre-set categories, no choosing, just rewards.
Here, we review the Adapta points program, including how you earn and redeem them. This way, you can decide this no fee card from CIBC is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- CIBC launched the Adapta points program in May, 2025 as a flexible way to reward spending.
- You can earn Adapta points with the CIBC Adapta Mastercard or CIBC Adapta Mastercard for Students.
- Redeem Adapta points for statement credits or CIBC deposits.
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How to earn Adapta points
To use your Adapta points, you simply use your CIBC Adapta Mastercard for in-store and online purchases. Unlike other CIBC credit cards, your Adapta points are not part of the Aventura Rewards program.
Spending categories
Here's how CIBC breaks down your purchases into spending categories for this card:
- Grocery and drug stores
- Pet stores
- Dining and drinks
- Gas and EV charging
- Transit and parking
- Entertainment
- E-games and subscriptions
- Home improvement
- Electronics
- Clothing
- Health and beauty
- Hotels and motels
Adapta spend category is dictated by Merchant Category Codes (MCCs), which are four-digit codes that classify transaction type to credit card companies.
How to use Adapta points
When you’re ready to cash out your points, you must first decide if you’d like to receive a statement credit or deposit them into a CIBC financial product. Then, sign into your online account or the CIBC mobile app, and you'll see the points that are available to redeem.
When you select "Payment with Points" or “Recent Purchases”, 1,500 Adapta points equals $10 towards your credit card balance.
If you choose "Financial products", then 1,200 Adapta points equals $10 that you can deposit into a CIBC product like your mortgage, investment account, or line of credit.
Keep in mind that while you’re allowed to add cardholders and pool Adapta points, only the primary cardholder can redeem points.
The CIBC Adapta Mastercard
The CIBC Adapta™ Mastercard® takes the guesswork out of selecting a card that earns enhanced rewards on particular spending. Instead of getting rewarded for a few specific categories, you’ll earn 1.5 Adapta points for every $1 spent on your three biggest spending categories for the month, and 1 point per $1 for all other spending.
CIBC automatically determines your highest spending categories, so you don’t have to.
Plus, the card comes with a 3000, 3000 Adapta point welcome bonus for making your first purchase. You can earn an additional 3,000 Adapta points by spending at least $1,000 in the first four months of having the card.
The CIBC Adapta Mastercard also includes valuable features like roadside assistance from Dominion Automobile Association (valued at $50 a year) and basic credit card insurance, all for no annual fee.
Pros:
- Top spending categories automatically assigned and rewarded
- Low income requirement of $15,000 household or personal income per year
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on fuel at Journie Rewards stations
Cons:
- Can only redeem points for cash back or CIBC deposits
- Lower reward rate than the no fee Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard
The CIBC Adapta World Mastercard
If you make at least $50,000 in personal or $80,000 in household income per year, you may qualify for the World Mastercard version of the Adapta credit card.
The card comes with the same earn rates and interest rates, but you’ll also enjoy World Mastercard benefits, including:
- Exclusive event ticket access and more via the Mastercard Insider Benefits program
- Access to DragonPass lounges
- Extended warranty and purchase protection insurance
- Car rental insurance
- Discounts for FlexiRoam roaming plans for your cell phone
- $30 credit for Fubo streaming
- 30% off tax prep with H&R Block
The CIBC Adapta Mastercard for Students
CIBC wants to make it easier for students and young people to build their credit, so the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is available as a student card too. The card’s earn rates, rewards, interest rates, and perks are all the same as the basic card.
What separates this card from the other Adapta options is its income requirement. Instead of requiring personal or household income, the student card has no income requirements at all, making it a great first credit card for someone establishing a credit history.
It also comes with a free SPC+ membership and a free Skip+ membership for one year.
FAQ
What are CIBC Adapta points?
CIBC Adapta points are reward points you earn for spending with a CIBC Adapta Mastercard. You can earn points for every dollar spent on categories like groceries, dining, pets, gas, transit, recurring bills, and more.
How much is an Adapta point worth?
The value of an Adapta point depends on how you redeem it. If you choose cash back, your rewards are worth 0.67 cents per point (CPP), but if you deposit them, your rewards are worth 0.83 CPP.
How many Adapta points will you earn for every dollar you spend in your top three spend categories each month?
Every month, you’ll earn 1.5 Adapta points per $1 spent in your top three spending categories. All other purchases will earn you 1 Adapta point per $1 spent. Points are calculated automatically at the end of every month.
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