Comparing CIBC and TD Aeroplan Platinum/Student Cards

See also:

• Comparing American Express, CIBC and TD Aeroplan/Infinite Cards
• Comparing American Express, CIBC and TD Infinite Privilege/Reserve Cards
• Comparing American Express, CIBC and TD Infinite Business Cards

For the time being, this will be the last of a series of Aeroplan co-branded credit cards comparison post.

For today, I will be comparing 3 the lowest tier credit cards that were introduced to the market on the exact same day (November 8, 2020). Unlike the other posts, American Express is not on the list this time. But CIBC does offer 2 options, a student and regular version. Since they have virtually the same features and benefits, they will be lumped into one category.

What I am really happy to see if the no annual fee version of the card. It makes Aeroplan much more inclusive now, especially for people who are very against fees.

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card /CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students

• No annual fee
• Earn 10,000 sign up Aeroplan bonus points after the first purchase
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on Air Canada, gas and grocery purchases
• Earn 1 point per $1.50 spent on all other purchases
• Save 3 cents off per litre at participating gas stations with Journie Rewards
• Travel insurance (common carrier travel accident insurance, car rental collision and loss damage insurance)

TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card

• $89 annual fee (first year fee waived if you apply before January 17, 2021)
• $35 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
• Earn 10,000 sign up Aeroplan bonus points (after the first purchase) (if you apply before January 17, 2021)
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on Air Canada, gas and grocery purchases
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent at participating Starbucks locations (purchases before November 7, 2021)
• Earn 1 point per $1.50 spent on all other purchases
• Travel insurance (delayed and lost baggage insurance, flight/trip delay insurance, common carrier travel accident insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, auto rental collision/loss damage insurance, emergency travel assistance services)

Annual Fee

This is an easy one, CIBC does not have a fee, but TD does.

Winner: CIBC

Sign Up Bonus

With the same sign up bonus at the moment, the tie-break goes to CIBC for having the lower annual fee for the same sign up bonus.

Winner: CIBC

Earning Ratios

CIBC and TD have the same earning ratios, but CIBC has the more lucrative permanent partnership with Journie Reward participating gas stations, while TD has the temporary partnership with Starbucks. The permanent partnership gets the advantage. Furthermore, even if it was not an advantage, earning 1 point per dollar at Starbucks instead of 1 point for $1.50 is not as big of a difference as 3 cents off gas.

Winner: CIBC

Overall Winner

The answer seems pretty obvious, so why is TD charging an annual fee when the differences in benefits almost non-existent. Well, the TD card offers a more comprehensive travel insurance package than CIBC. But personally, I do not think that’s enough to justify the annual fee, but it could for some people. Either way, the winner is CIBC for today!

Please let us know your thoughts on the winner in the comment section below!