Comparison between TD, CIBC and RBC Infinite Travel Cards (updated October 20, 2018)
As requested by one of our readers, this post was due for an update from last time. This post is to compare similar Visa Infinite Travel cards offered by CIBC, RBC and TD.
There were several changes that warrants and up to this comparison post. But first, let’s start with listing the highlights of each card and then the commentary afterwards:
CIBC Aventura Infinite Visa
- $120 annual fee (first year fee waived if you apply before October 31, 2018)
- $50 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder (maximum of 3 cards)
- Earn 15,000 sign up bonus CIBC Aventura points after first purchase
- Received $100 travel credit when booking travel with an Aventura Travel Assistant (if you apply before October 31, 2018)
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on purchases made with the CIBC Rewards Centre
- Earn 1.5 point for every $1 spent on gas, groceries and drug stores
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive 4 free Priority Pass visits
- Rebate $100 (up to) on NEXUS application once every 4 years
RBC Avion Infinite Visa
- $120 annual fee
- $50 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
- Earn 15,000 sign up bonus RBC Avion points upon approval
- Earn up to 5 points for every $1 spent on the RBC Rewards eMall
- Earn 1.25 point for every $1 spent on eligible travel related purchases
- Earn 1.2 point for every $1 spent on Petro-Canada fuel purchases
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Save 3¢ per litre on Petro-Canada fuel purchases
- Earn 20% more Petro-Points on Petro-Canada fuel purchases
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
- $120 annual fee
- $50 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
- Earn 50,000 sign up bonus TD Reward points (if you sign up by December 3, 2018, normally 20,000 sign up bonus)
- Earn 9 points for every $1 spent on travel online through Expedia
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Discount on Priority Pass membership
Annual Fees
All 3 cards have the same annual fee. However, I will give the tie-breaker to CIBC, as they are the only one who frequently waives the first year annual fee. Furthermore, as we go through the analysis, you will see that CIBC offers
Winner: CIBC
Sign Up Bonuses
We value 1 TD point at 0.5 cents per point, while CIBC and RBC are valued at 2 cents per point. We do see frequent higher than normal sign up bonuses, but for the purposes of this post, we will based it on their regular offers (TD 20,000, CIBC 15,000 and RBC 15,000). Which means that TD’s sign up bonus is worth $100 ($0.005 x 20,000), while CIBC and RBC are worth $300 ($0.02 x 15,000).
The edge goes to RBC, because Avion points can be transferred to multiple partners and have transfer bonuses that increases the value of each point!
Winner: RBC
Earning Ratios
TD gives the highest multiplier bonus, whereby 9 points per dollar on Expedia spent comes out to a 4.5% return. However, between the three cards, I would says CIBC gives the best overall earning ratios, with its 2 points per dollar on CIBC Rewards Centre and 1.5 point per dollar on gas, groceries and drug stores. Their multiplier bonuses cover many more valuable categories.
Winner: CIBC
Other Benefits and Perks
TD does not offer any significant other benefits, aside from the discount on the Priority Pass membership, which is not competitive compared to the CIBC and RBC cards.
RBC has a strong partnership with Petro-Canada, with the fuel discounts and bonus points. So if you frequently use Petro-Canada, you will definitely want to have an RBC card in your wallet.
However, CIBC definitely takes the win (value wise) with its newly offered (effective October 15, 2018) lounges passes and discount on a Nexus application.
Winner: CIBC
Conclusion
Because they are all Visa Infinite cards, I did not discuss travel insurance or minimum income requirements as they are very similar anyway.
I am pleasantly surprised to see what CIBC is coming out on top. It is about time that they stepped up their game.
That being said, if I can only pick one card, I still prefer the RBC Avion card as I enjoy having the flexibility to transfer my points to different partners. But we are not limited to one card, so you can have your cake and eat it too!
The Cibc Aventura Card also gives you a gift Certificate of $120.00 when one spends $1000.00 within 3 months.
Great to use for Hotels and travel books if used correctly.
Do you have a link/source for that?
Any updates info. I’m trying to decide between CIBC adventura and TD for trade air points
It’s now 2024
Could look into an updated post. But the quick answer is, if you can make it work, get both! Otherwise, if you absolutely only want to pick one, choose the one that you already bank with to see if you potentially get the fee waived year after year.
Hi Matt
It’s on the cibc online website . Apologies new to this site. Note, the Cibc offer is only good till end of this month.
No worries!
Hi Matt
For Earning Ratios for TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
– Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases = 1.5 cents per dollar similar to CIBC Aventura
Having said that, definitely the new perks with the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite make it a solid card to have in your wallet.
However, for Medical Insurance TD does look better than CIBC + RBC!
TD FCT Travel Visa Infinite – Travel Medical Insurance8
Up to $1 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance (TMI) covers the primary cardholder, their spouse and dependent children for the first 15 days of a trip if the covered person is age 64 or under*, or for the first 3 days of a trip if the covered person is age 65 or older*.
RBC Visa Infinite Avion
Coverage is provided for the first fifteen (15) consecutive days of your trip if you are under 65
years of age or for the first three (3) consecutive days of your trip if you are 65 years of age or older.
Matt, can you confirm for ALL Visa Infinite Card Travel Medical Insurance:
1. Are these cardholder benefits part of the card’s benefits, even if you are NOT charging a flight/rental car or hotel?
ie. as soon as you cross the border, benefits begin day 1 of 21 (for TD) and day 1 of 15 (for CIBC and RBC)?
Thanks for your side-by-side updated comparison!!
I would suggest charging your expense to their credit card if you want to make a claim later on.
p.s. to follow up to above comment, also just realized that I didn’t have the max $$ for CIBC Aventura and RBC Avion
For CIBC, it looks like CIBC has a higher max than TD (up to $5 million for 15 days vs up to 21 days and $1 million with TD)
You, your spouse and your dependent children are automatically insured for
eligible emergency upfront hospital expenses of $5 million whenever you leave
the country or your province for the first 15 days of a trip if the covered person
is age 64 or under, or for the first 3 days of the trip if the covered person is
age 65 or older.
So, my question for #1 still applies .. and do you know RBC Visa Infinite’s medical insurance maximum $ coverage??
Also, perhaps, if you have the time/inclination to update this link, that would be great to compare various cards … or direct me to an updated link if there is one:
https://pointshogger.boardingarea.com/travel-insurance-best-credit-cards-for-emergency-medical-insurance/
Thanks Matt!
Try this?
https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/travel/rbc-visa-infinite-avion/rbc-visa-infinite-avion-certificate-of-insurance.pdf
I checked that link yesterday … can’t find the $ amount, probably because their font is so small 🙂
To use CIBC Travel Credit need to contact the travel centre but due to COVID19, you can’t talk to any agent and the travel credit will end up expiring. I wish their website allow us to use the travel credit without contacting their travel agent.
That’s too bad to hear 🙁