CIBC Rewards Guide 2026: Aventura Points Value & Best Cards

What is CIBC Rewards?

CIBC Rewards, also known as CIBC Aventura, is CIBC’s travel points program. Points are worth 1 cent each on any travel booking and up to about 2.3 cents on economy flights from the fixed-rate flight chart.

The quick facts:

• Points value: 1¢ for flexible travel, up to 2.3¢ on the flight chart, and up to 2.5¢ for Privilege cardholders flying business class.
• Best cards: the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite ($139, first year rebated) for most people, the Infinite Privilege ($499) for big spenders, and the no-fee Aventura Visa to start.
• Welcome bonus: up to 60,000 points on the Infinite.
• Expiry: points don’t expire while your account is open and in good standing. After you close it, you get 60 days to redeem.
• Skip it if: you want airline or hotel transfer partners. CIBC has none.

Here’s what Aventura points are worth, how to earn them faster, and where they go furthest.

How much are CIBC Rewards points worth?

CIBC Rewards points are worth 1 cent each for flexible travel bookings and up to 2.3 cents on the economy flight chart. Independent valuations average around 1.2 cents, and everything that isn’t travel pays less than 1 cent.

How you redeem	Value per point	Rate
Flight rewards chart, business class (Privilege only)	Up to 2.5¢	40,000 points for a base fare up to $1,000
Flight rewards chart, economy	Up to 2.3¢	35,000 points for a base fare up to $800
Flexible travel through CIBC by Expedia	1¢	100 points = $1
Shopping with Points (travel charges already on your card)	1¢	100 points = $1
CIBC financial products	0.83¢	12,000 points = $100
Gift cards	0.71¢	About 14,000 points = $100
Merchandise	About 0.6 to 0.7¢	Skip it
Statement credit	0.63¢	4,000 points = $25. Skip it

The rule: fly on the chart when the fare is high, use the 1 cent options for everything else, and never take a statement credit unless you’re in a bind. Statement credits pay 37% less than travel, but it’s acceptable if you’re behind on your bills.

How do you earn CIBC Rewards points?

You earn Aventura points on everyday spending with a CIBC Aventura credit card, and you earn the most when you book travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre. Points per $1 spent:

Category	Infinite Privilege	Infinite	Aventura Visa (no fee)
Travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre	3	2	1
Gas, EV charging, groceries	2	1.5	1
Dining, entertainment, transportation	2	1	0.5
Drug stores	1.25	1.5	1
Everything else	1.25	1	0.5

At 1 cent per point, the Infinite returns 2% on travel and 1.5% on gas, groceries and drug stores. The Privilege returns 3% on travel, and 2% on dining, entertainment, transportation, gas and groceries.

Welcome bonuses add the most. The Infinite offers up to 60,000 points right now, which is worth about $600 in travel. The offers are compared below.

How to redeem CIBC Rewards points for the best value

The best CIBC Rewards redemption is the fixed-rate flight chart when the fare is high. Flexible travel bookings at 1 cent are the reliable backup.

1. The flight rewards chart

You pay a set number of points for a round-trip flight as long as the base fare fits under the cap. Privilege cardholders can also redeem for business class.

Where you’re flying	Economy points	Max base fare	Business points (Privilege only)	Max base fare
Canada and U.S., short-haul	10,000 to 20,000	$400	40,000	$1,000
Canada and U.S., long-haul	25,000 to 35,000	$800	70,000	$1,750
Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Alaska, Hawaii	40,000 to 60,000	$1,000	80,000	$2,000
Europe (select destinations)	50,000 to 70,000	$1,300	150,000	$3,000
Rest of world	75,000 to 125,000	$2,000	250,000	$5,000

The rules: chart flights are round trip only and cover the base fare. You need at least 80% of the required points, and CIBC charges the shortfall to your card. Taxes, fees and any price overage go on your card too, or you can cover them with points at 1 cent each. The best value is the 35,000-point long-haul tier, at about 2.3 cents per point.

2. Flexible travel on CIBC by Expedia

Book flights, hotels and car rentals through the CIBC Rewards Centre at 100 points per $1. There are no blackout dates, and you earn 2 or 3 points per $1 on the booking with an Infinite or Privilege card. Cruises and vacation packages are booked by phone.

CIBC moved its travel booking from Merit Travel to Expedia on October 1, 2024. The Aventura Travel Assistant has been replaced by the CIBC Rewards Centre.

3. Shopping with Points

Booked travel on another site? Apply points to eligible charges after the fact at 100 points per $1. Primary cardholders can also put points toward their card balance or CIBC financial products.

What to avoid

Gift cards, merchandise and statement credits pay 0.71 cents or less. Financial products at 0.83 cents are fine if you’re paying down a CIBC mortgage or topping up an investment.

Best CIBC Aventura credit cards right now

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is the best pick for most people because of its low fee and big welcome bonus. The Infinite Privilege only pays off for high earners who will use the travel credit, lounge visits and business class chart.

Card	Annual fee	Welcome offer	Income needed	Perks
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite	$139, first year rebated	Up to 60,000 points: 15,000 on first purchase, 30,000 after $3,000 in 4 statement periods, 15,000 more with $5,000 in net purchases in that time	$60,000 personal or $100,000 household	4 lounge visits a year, NEXUS rebate, free Skip+ membership for a year
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege	$499	Up to 80,000 points: 25,000 after $3,000, 25,000 more after $6,000, both in 4 statement periods, plus 30,000 on your anniversary with $25,000 in net purchases	$150,000 personal or $200,000 household	$200 travel credit, 6 lounge visits a year, 2 NEXUS rebates, business class on the flight chart
CIBC Aventura Visa	$0	Up to 12,500 points, plus free Skip+ membership for a year	$15,000 household	Points don’t expire while the account is open, gas savings of up to 10¢ per litre

The Aventura Gold Visa is a middle option at $139 with up to 45,000 points. Offers have no published end date and change often, so check CIBC’s site before you apply.

5 tips to get more from CIBC Rewards

1. Target the 35,000-point tier. Canada and U.S. long-haul flights with a base fare near $800 return about 2.3 cents per point, the best economy value on the chart. Use it for pricey fares, not cheap ones.
2. Book travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre. You earn 2 points per $1 with the Infinite and 3 with the Privilege, so even a cash booking earns extra.
3. Use the 80% rule. You don’t need the full points balance for a chart flight. Hold 80% and CIBC charges the rest to your card.
4. Cover other travel with Shopping with Points. Booked on another site? Apply points afterward at 1 cent each.
5. Don’t close your last Aventura card with points in it. Points survive while an account is open, but you only get 60 days to use them after it closes. A no-fee Aventura Visa is an easy place to park a balance.

How does CIBC Rewards compare to other Canadian programs?

CIBC Rewards has a competitive flight chart, with up to 2.3 cents per point in economy, but it has no airline or hotel transfer partners. That puts it in the middle of the pack among bank programs. Amex Membership Rewards and Aeroplan offer more flexibility, and RBC Avion adds four airline transfer partners to a similar fixed-rate chart.

CIBC’s strengths are quick point accumulation, no blackout dates and the option to redeem after the fact with Shopping with Points. If you want more redemption flexibility, compare it against RBC Avion Rewards, TD Rewards and Scene+ based on how you spend.

CIBC Rewards FAQ

Are CIBC Rewards and CIBC Aventura the same thing?

Yes. Aventura points are the CIBC Rewards currency, and you spend them through the CIBC Rewards Centre on CIBC by Expedia.

How much are CIBC Rewards points worth?

One cent each for flexible travel, and up to 2.3 cents on the economy flight chart. Statement credits, gift cards and merchandise pay less than 1 cent.

Do CIBC Rewards points expire?

Not while your account is open and in good standing. After you close it, you have 60 days to redeem.

Does CIBC Rewards have transfer partners?

No. You can’t move points to Aeroplan, airlines or hotel programs.

How does the 80% rule work?

For a chart flight, you need at least 80% of the required points. CIBC charges the shortfall to your card.

Can I fly business class with CIBC Rewards points?

Yes, but only with the Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege. Business class chart flights start at 40,000 points.

Can I use points for a cruise or vacation package?

Yes, at 100 points per $1 by calling the CIBC Rewards Centre. Cruises and packages aren’t available on the flight chart.

What is the best CIBC Rewards credit card?

The Aventura Visa Infinite ($139, first year rebated) for most people. The Infinite Privilege ($499) suits high earners.