TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite vs. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite: full comparison
| Feature | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | ||
| Annual fee | $139 | $139 |
| Effective fee (best case) | ~$114 (with Nexus credit at $25/yr) | $0 (with Smart Plus waiver) |
| Income requirement | $60K personal / $100K household | $60K personal / $100K household |
| Earn rates (identical) | ||
| Air Canada / gas / EV / grocery | 1.5x Aeroplan | 1.5x Aeroplan |
| Everything else | 1x Aeroplan | 1x Aeroplan |
| Bonus earn cap | $80,000/year | $80,000/year |
| Perks | ||
| Nexus credit | $100 per cardholder (once per 48 months) | — |
| Banking fee offset | — | Up to $139 with Smart Plus chequing |
| Free checked bag | Yes — cardholder + up to 8 companions | Yes — cardholder + up to 8 companions |
| Aeroplan status acceleration | 1,000 SQC per $20,000 (max 25,000/yr) | 1,000 SQC per $20,000 (max 25,000/yr) |
| Travel insurance | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
Both cards earn Aeroplan points at the same rates and both include free checked bag, travel insurance, and status acceleration. The Nexus credit and Smart Plus waiver are the sole meaningful differentiators. Learn more about Aeroplan →
The Nexus credit vs. the Smart Plus waiver
TD’s $100 Nexus credit applies once per 48 months per cardholder — so for a primary cardholder, that is $25 saved per year, reducing the effective fee from $139 to $114. For couples where both cardholders hold Nexus, the savings double. CIBC’s Smart Plus waiver is worth $139 per year when the balance requirement is met — but the Smart Plus account is only valuable if you already bank at CIBC. Switching banks to capture a $139 credit while incurring a $29.95/month chequing fee without the balance waiver would cost more than it saves.
Does the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite annual fee pay off?
For CIBC Smart Plus account holders who maintain the $4,000 minimum balance, the effective annual fee is $0. That makes the question moot: the card costs nothing net, and earns 34,800 Aeroplan points per year at a $2,500/month spend mix. At 1.5 cents per point, that is ~$522 in Aeroplan value for free.
For cardholders who do not bank at CIBC, the card costs $139 — the same as TD. In that case, TD’s Nexus credit is a concrete offset that reduces the effective fee to ~$114, and the TD card is the stronger option for Canada–U.S. travellers.
Which card is right for you?
| Choose TD if | Choose CIBC if | |
|---|---|---|
| Banking | You already bank at TD, or you prefer not to change banks for a card benefit | You already bank at CIBC and maintain or can maintain a $4,000 Smart Plus balance |
| Border travel | You frequently cross into the U.S. and the $100 Nexus credit per cardholder is a real offset | You rarely cross the Canada–U.S. border and have no use for a Nexus membership |
| Fee sensitivity | A $25/yr net reduction via Nexus is worth a banking relationship at TD | A $0 net fee is the priority and your CIBC banking already qualifies |
How card spend and status SQC combine on a Japan route. See how card choice affects both points earned and status trajectory on one of Air Canada’s busiest routes.
See the math →