CIBC credit card holders have options when it comes to choosing a rewards program. The Aventura Rewards program is a popular option for people who don’t fly Air Canada frequently (those travellers might be better off with a CIBC Aeroplan Visa), offering more flexibility when choosing rewards. We’ll show you which credit cards can earn the most Aventura points and give you tips for maximizing your CIBC Aventura rewards.
Key Takeaways
- The Aventura Rewards program is owned and operated by CIBC.
- You can redeem Aventura Points for credits, financial products, gift cards, merchandise, and travel.
- Aventura Points are worth 0.63 – 2.29 cents each depending on which rewards category you choose.
- Only CIBC credit cardholders can earn Aventura Points and the fastest way to do so is with the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card.
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What are CIBC Aventura Rewards?
Aventura Rewards is a credit card rewards program run by the CIBC. As one of the big 5 banks in Canada, CIBC has the resources to offer flexible rewards, exclusive credit cards, and major partners like Amazon, Best Buy, Bose, and Dyson.
Here’s everything you need to know about Aventura Rewards:
Currency: Aventura points
Rewards categories: Charity, financial products with points, gift cards, merchandise, payment with points, shopping with points, travel
You can only earn Aventura Points with CIBC credit cards like the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card. Your options range from the zero-annual-fee CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card to the average CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, to the super-exclusive (and expensive) CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
For frequent US shoppers and dual-citizens, there’s also the specialty CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card
Aventura Rewards pros:
- 86,000+ charitable rewards partners
- 100+ gift card and merchandise rewards partners
- 7 flexible rewards categories
- 5 major airline partners
- 6 reward categories with fixed point values
- Points worth up to 2.29 CPP
- No travel blackout dates
- Points don’t expire
- Reward flights count toward frequent flyer programs
- Seasonal travel deals
Aventura Rewards cons:
- Limited airline options
- Points can only be earned with CIBC credit cards
- Points can only be redeemed for economy-class flights
- Points can’t be transferred
- Points worth as little as 0.63 CPP
What are Aventura Points worth?
Unlike the Air Miles rewards program, Aventura Points have fixed values in 4 rewards categories. A fixed points value makes it easier for you to budget for the rewards you want but can also yield as little as 0.71 cents per point
Value of reward in $ / value of reward in points x 100 = cent per point (CPP) value
If we have one piece of advice, it’s "don’t settle for any reward worth less than 1 CPP" (i.e., gift cards and merchandise). If you just want to shop, you might as well switch to a cash back credit card.
Fortunately, we’ve done the math for you and found the Aventura Rewards categories with the highest average and fixed value:
| Category | Redemption options | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | * Aventura Airline Travel Rewards * Aventura Flexible Travel Rewards, including car rentals, cruises, experiences, flights, and hotels | * 1.96 CPP (average) * 1 CPP (fixed) |
| Shopping with points | * Pending transactions (travel-related) * Pending transactions (non-travel-related) | * 1.25 CPP (fixed) * 0.63 CPP (fixed) |
| Charity | * Charitable donations | * 1 CPP (fixed) |
| Financial products with points | * CIBC RRSP, TFSA, and investment contributions * Line of credit, mortgage, and personal loan credits | * 0.83 CPP (fixed) |
| Merchandise | * Children’s toys * Electronics * Fashion * Home appliances * Luggage and bags * Outdoor furniture and recreation * Sports and leisure equipment * Tools * Wellness items | * 0.71 CPP (average) |
| Gift cards | * Retail gift cards * CIBC prepaid Visa credit cards | * 0.71 CPP (fixed) * 0.63 CPP (fixed) |
| Payment with points | * Credit card statement credits * Eligible pending transactions | * 0.63 CPP (fixed) |
How to earn Aventura Points
You can only earn Aventura points using a CIBC Aventura rewards credit card. We’ve rated and ranked all 5 qualifying credit cards in Canada from best to worst:
| CIBC credit card | Welcome bonus | Earn rate | Annual fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee waived† (terms) | * 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 | $139 | Learn more |
| CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card | Up to 35,000 bonus points (terms) | * 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 | $0 | Learn more |
| CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | * 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 | $139 | Learn more |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Up to 80,000 bonus points (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through CIBC Rewards * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, restaurants, and transit * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | $499 | Learn more |
| CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card | 2,500 Aventura Points (terms) | * 1 point for every $1 spent on travel through CIBC Rewards * 1 point for every $2 spent everywhere else | $35 | Learn more |
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is our top pick for a reason – and while it costs $139 per year and requires at least $60,000 of personal income (or $100,000 of household income) to qualify, it’s worth it. This travel credit card pairs advanced Aventura Points earn rates with generous perks, benefits, and travel insurance.
You’ll get access to the Visa Infinite program, which includes the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel and Infinite Dining Series, plus 4 complimentary Visa Airport Companion passes to 1,200+ airport lounges worldwide. You can also get a $50 NEXUS Application Fee rebate and save up to 7 cents per litre with JOURNIE Rewards.
How to redeem Aventura points
Redeeming Aventura points is easy – all you have to do is go to the CIBC Rewards Centre, log in, and choose the category you want.
You can redeem your points for gift cards, CIBC prepaid Visa credit cards, and merchandise through the online catalogue for an average value of 0.71 CPP. You can also redeem over the phone by calling 1-888-232-5656.
As you’ve noticed, gift cards and merchandise aren’t the best value for your Aventura Points. The most valuable rewards are flights and other travel-related purchases – but not every option in this category is made equal.
If you’d like to travel with Aventura, you have the option of:
- Booking an Aventura Airline Travel Reward on the CIBC Rewards Travel Centre at an average value of 1.96 CPP
- Booking an Aventura Flexible Travel Reward (car rentals, cruises, hotels, vacation packages, and non-Airline Travel flights) on the CIBC Rewards Travel Centre at a fixed value of 1 CPP
- Or buying a travel-related service from the vendor of your choice with an Aventura credit card and redeeming your points at a fixed value of 1.25 CPP
So what’s the difference? And which one is right for you? We cover travel and other redemption categories in the next few paragraphs.
Remember: Only primary credit cardholders can redeem Aventura Points.
Aventura points for flights
Airline travel rewards are by far the most valuable redemption option for Aventura Points. Depending on what type of flight you choose, you can max out your points value at 2.29 CPP, with an average value of 1.96 CPP.
Airline travel rewards use preferential point values listed in the CIBC Flight Rewards Chart on the Points Flight Finder page:
| Destination | Points | Max ticket cost | Max value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada or US (long-haul flights excluding Alaska and Hawaii) | 25,000 – 35,000 | $800 | 2.29 CPP |
| Canada or US (short-haul flights between neighboring provinces or states) | 10,000 – 20,000 | $400 | 2 CPP |
| Europe (select destinations departing from a major Canadian airport) | 50,000 – 70,000 | $1,300 | 1.94 CPP |
| International (departing from a major Canadian airport) | 75,000 – 125,000 | $2,000 | 1.6 CPP |
The downside is that not all flight tickets are eligible. To qualify, you must:
- Depart and return to the same airport in a major Canadian city (Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, or Winnipeg)
- Have enough Aventura Points to cover at least 80% of your base flight fare (or buy what you need for 3 CPP)
- Purchase a round-trip ticket that doesn’t exceed the maximum ticket cost listed in the chart (or pay the difference with your points or credit card)
Flexible travel rewards
If your points balance or flight details make you ineligible for an airline travel reward, CIBC will offer you a flexible travel reward at a fixed value of 1 CPP. Car rentals, cruises, experiences, hotels, and vacation packages also count as flex travel purchases.
You can cover as much or as little of your purchase as you want with Aventura points.
To redeem, head to the CIBC Rewards Centre, log in, and select the "Travel" tab. Search for round trip, one-way, or multi-city flights by entering your departure, destination, travel dates, passengers, and clicking “Search Now.”
Once you’ve picked your flight and Travel Reward option, you can view your payment options and opt to cover fees, surcharges, taxes, and travel insurance with points. Complete your purchase online or call 1-888-232-5656 to book Travel Rewards over the phone.
Aventura airline travel rewards, flexible travel rewards, and any other tickets booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre use a third-party travel agency. To change your booking or make a complaint, you must contact the Rewards Centre – not the airline, car rental agency, hotel, restaurant, or other company mentioned in your booking.
Shopping with points
Shopping with points enables you to pay a pending transaction on your Aventura credit card with points.
Important note: The transaction must be marked "Pending" (not “Posted”) and you must have enough points to cover 100% of your purchase.
Most purchases offer a fixed exchange rate of 0.63 CPP but flight tickets and other travel-related purchases qualify for 1.25 CPP. So, while it doesn’t quite match the value of an airline travel reward, shopping with points offers 25% more value than booking a car rental, cruise, experience, hotel, or flexible travel reward flight through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
To redeem your points on a recent purchase:
- Log into the CIBC Online Banking website or the CIBC Mobile Banking app
- Click on your Aventura credit card to view the card’s Account Details page
- Select a pending transaction and click "Redeem with points"
Authorized but pending transactions take CIBC several days to process. If you plan to redeem your Aventura Points on a particular purchase, do so as soon as possible.
Aventura Points for charity
You can donate your Aventura points to your favorite cause by visiting canadahelps.org. Donations use a rate of 2,500 points to $25, giving you a fixed value of 1 CPP.
Canada Helps hosts over 86,000 charities targeting a wide range of causes, including animals, the arts, education, the environment, indigenous peoples, international causes, public works, social services, and religion.
Financial products and payment with points
Applying your points to financial products gives you a better value than applying them to your credit card balance at 0.83 versus 0.63 CPP, but the redemption process is similar.
Just like "Shopping with Points," you’ll need to be logged into your CIBC Online Banking or Mobile Banking account.
- Click "Payment with Points"
- Select how you’d like to redeem your points
- Click confirm
You must apply a minimum of 12,000 points ($100) to brokerage accounts, loans, and savings accounts, and a minimum of 4,000 points ($25) to your current credit card statement.
CIBC Aventura vs. Aeroplan
If you’re on the fence about collecting CIBC Aventura vs. Aeroplan points, seeing the similarities and differences side by side might help.
| CIBC Aventura | Aeroplan | |
|---|---|---|
| Reward currency | Aventura points | Aeroplan points |
| Average point value | 0.63 – 2.29 | 0.95 – 2.0 |
| How to earn points | * Using a CIBC Aventura credit card | * Flying Air Canada * Booking travel * Using an Aeroplan credit card * Shopping the Aeroplan eStore |
| Redemption options | * Charity * Financial products * Gift cards * Merchandise * Payment with points * Shopping * Travel | * Flights * Car rentals * Vacation packages * Hotels * Merchandise * Gift cards |
| Distinctions | * Points don’t expire * 5 major airline partners * Fixed points in 6 reward categories | * Points don’t expire if you keep the account active every 18 months * Reward flights must be booked with Air Canada, Air Emirates, or Star Alliance members * 5 Elite Status levels available to earn |
It can also help to read reviews from real-life reward program users, so we searched Reddit for useful feedback.
FAQ
Do CIBC Travel Rewards have blackout dates?
There are no blackout dates for CIBC Travel Rewards but your choice of flights is still restricted by each airline’s schedule and availability.
Do CIBC Aventura Rewards expire?
Because they’re tied to your CIBC credit card, Aventura Points don’t expire as long as your account remains in good standing. If you cancel your card, you have 60 days to use your remaining points.
Can you use CIBC Aventura Points to cover flight taxes and fees?
You can exchange Aventura Points for flight taxes, fees, and surcharges at a rate of 1 cent per point when you book a ticket through the CIBC Travel Rewards Centre.
Can you transfer Aventura Points to other programs?
You can’t transfer Aventura Points to other rewards programs unless you opened a CIBC Aventura World Elite Mastercard, Visa Infinite, or Gold Visa before October 1, 2013. Said users can convert 1 Aventura Point to 1 Aeroplan Point in 10,000-point increments.
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- Air Miles
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Best Western Rewards
- BMO Rewards
- Brim Rewards
- Canadian Tire Triangle Rewards
- CIBC Rewards
- Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS
- Hilton Honors
- IHG Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy Rewards
- MBNA Rewards
- McDonalds Rewards
- More Rewards
- National Bank À La Carte Rewards
- PC Optimum
- RBC Rewards Travel Program
- Scene+
- TD Rewards
- Tims Rewards
- WestJet Rewards
- Wyndham Rewards
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