Aeroplan elite status changes what you walk onto the plane with. Card choice builds the points and the SQC. Status determines the upgrade, the lounge, and the priority reward waiting at the milestone.
TD and CIBC both issue Aeroplan Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege cards. Earn rates on Air Canada, gas, and groceries are identical across issuers. Differences come down to welcome bonus, issuer perks, and fee waiver options.
Direct to Narita from Vancouver ✈️ Shibuya crossing, ramen in Shinjuku, sake bars in Shimokitazawa 🌸 Senso-ji at first light, before the crowds arrive 🏮
Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) nonstop on Air Canada. Economy estimate ~75,000 pts one-way / 150,000 pts return; business class estimate ~250,000 pts one-way / 500,000 pts return. Aeroplan partner award chart pricing for transpacific routes (verified May 2026). Cash economy return ~$1,400–$1,800 CAD; business class return ~$8,000–$12,000 CAD (May 2026). Taxes and fees approximately $200 CAD economy / $350 CAD business, per person. Air Canada does not charge fuel surcharges (YQ) on its own-metal transpacific flights. Free checked bag applies on AC-operated flights when booking with an eligible Aeroplan card. Verify at time of booking.
TD and CIBC both issue the Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege at identical earn rates on Air Canada, gas, and groceries. CIBC Privilege earns 1.25 pts on everything else; TD Privilege earns 1.0. The differences come down to welcome bonus, issuer perks, and fee waiver options.
| TD Visa Infinite | TD Infinite Privilege | CIBC Visa Infinite | CIBC Infinite Privilege | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & bonus | ||||
| Annual fee | $139 | $599 | $139 (can be $0 w/ Smart Plus) | $599 (~$460 w/ Smart Plus) |
| Welcome bonus | ~45,000 pts | ~85,000 pts | ~50,000 pts | ~100,000 pts |
| Earn rates (credit card spend) | ||||
| Groceries | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 |
| Dining & restaurants | 1 pt / $1 | 1.5 pts / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | 1.5 pts / $1 |
| Gas & transit | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 |
| Everything else | 1 pt / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | 1.25 pts / $1 |
| Air Canada purchases | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 | 1.5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 |
| Air Canada perks | ||||
| Free first checked bag | ✓ + up to 8 on booking | ✓ + up to 8 on booking | ✓ + up to 8 on booking | ✓ + up to 8 on booking |
| Preferred Aeroplan pricing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maple Leaf Lounge access | — (unlocks at 50K–75K Elite) | ✓ unlimited · + one guest | — (unlocks at 50K–75K Elite) | ✓ unlimited · + one guest |
| Worldwide Companion Pass | — | ✓ after $25K spend ($99 base fare) | — | ✓ after $25K spend ($99 base fare) |
| Issuer extras | ||||
| NEXUS rebate | $100 / 48 months | $100 / 48 months | — | — |
| Gas discount | — | — | Journie 10¢/L | Journie 10¢/L |
| Fee waiver option | — | — | Smart Plus ($0/yr) | Smart Plus (~$460/yr) |
| Troon golf status | — | Platinum | — | — |
| Skip+ / Disney+ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Eligibility | ||||
| Minimum personal income | $60,000 | $150,000 | $60,000 | $150,000 |
Companion pass applies to Air Canada cash economy bookings only. CIBC fee waiver requires a CIBC Smart Plus chequing account. NEXUS rebate is ~$100 CAD every 48 months on both TD Visa Infinite and Privilege cards. Verify current earn rates, welcome offers, income requirements, and full terms with each issuer before applying.
TD vs. CIBC Visa Infinite. The earn rates are identical: 1.5 pts per dollar on Air Canada, gas, and groceries, and 1 pt everywhere else. The decision comes down to banking and lifestyle. If you already bank with CIBC, a Smart Plus chequing account waives the $139 annual fee entirely, making it free to hold year over year. CIBC also starts with a slightly higher welcome bonus (50,000 pts vs. 45,000) and includes a Journie Rewards gas discount of up to 10 cents per litre.
TD's main differentiator is the NEXUS rebate: $100 CAD every 48 months toward the application fee. NEXUS costs about $165 CAD and grants TSA PreCheck in the US alongside expedited border crossing in both directions. For anyone who flies to the US even occasionally, that rebate is worth flagging.
TD vs. CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege. Both earn 2 pts per dollar on Air Canada, 1.5 pts on gas, groceries, dining, and travel. The gap is on everything else: CIBC earns 1.25 pts per dollar; TD earns 1.0. At $5,000 a month in general spend, that difference adds up to roughly 1,500 additional points per year. CIBC also comes in with a higher welcome bonus (100,000 pts vs. 85,000) and the Smart Plus account shaves about $139 off the $599 annual fee.
TD Privilege has the NEXUS rebate, Platinum Troon golf status at over 150 courses worldwide, and a metal card. If you golf frequently or cross the border regularly, those extras have real value. For clients focused on accumulation, CIBC's higher bonus and better base earn make it the stronger starting point.