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!

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