CIBC · Visa · Aeroplan

Reviewed 2026-07-06 · By The Points Standard editorial team

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card

4.8/10 · PassNo annual fee

A serviceable free on-ramp to Aeroplan. Most frequent flyers should graduate to the Visa Infinite tier.

How we make money & how we rank: rankings are set by the Standard Score, never by compensation. Some card links may become referral links; that never changes a card's score or position. Full disclosure. Last reviewed: 2026-07-06.

Standard Score breakdown — Pass

Six weighted components, each rated 0–10. "Contributes" is the rating × weight — add all six and you get the 4.80/10 Standard Score above.

Component (weight)RatingContributes
First-year value (30%)
4.51.35
Ongoing value (20%)
4.00.80
Flexibility (15%)
6.00.90
Perk usability (15%)
3.00.45
Low friction (10%)
8.00.80
Strategic fit (10%)
5.00.50

See how the Standard Score works or re-weight it to your priorities.

The numbers

Annual feeNone
Welcome bonusUp to 10,000 Aeroplan points (2,500 on first purchase + 2,500 on $1,500 spend in the first 4 statement periods + 5,000 anniversary bonus on $10,000/12 months) — up to $210 in value
Est. bonus value$210
First-year net value$270

Earn rates

Gas, EV charging, groceries, and Air Canada purchases1x per $1
Everything else1x per $1.50

Why it earns its score

  • No-fee entry point into direct Aeroplan earning
  • Anniversary bonus adds 5,000 more points on $10K spend in year one
  • Double points at the Aeroplan eStore and partners

Where it loses points

  • No checked-bag benefit or lounge access
  • Base earn rate (1 pt per $1.50) is weak outside bonus categories
  • The Visa Infinite tier's perks quickly outweigh this card's fee savings once you fly Air Canada regularly

Who it's for

Occasional Air Canada flyers who want to start earning Aeroplan points without an annual fee.

Who should skip it

You check bags on Air Canada often — the Visa Infinite's bag perk alone covers its $139 fee.

Included insurance

Purchase protection

Free Standard Playbook

Get The Standard Playbook — this month's best card per category and the offers closing soon, plus the weekly Brief.

Source: issuer card page · Last reviewed 2026-07-06. Details change often — confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.