Aventura and Aeroplan are two popular options for frequent flyer programs in Canada. Both offer a decent mix of travel rewards and benefits, but there are also a number of differences between them.
To help you decide whether Aventura or Aeroplan is the best fit for you, we’ve compared some of the key features on offer with both programs. We’ve also compiled a list of program-affiliated credit cards to give you an idea of where you can earn the most points for every dollar you spend.
Summary of Aventura vs Aeroplan program differences
Feature
Aeroplan
Aventura
Operated by:
Air Canada
CIBC
Ways to earn points:
With membership and credit card
With credit card only
Number of partners:
150+ partners
No partners
Value of points:
Between 0.5 and 2.5 cents
Around 1 cent
Rewards:
Travel, merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations
Travel, merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations
Card types:
Aeroplan Visas from CIBC and TD Bank, American Express Aeroplan cards
CIBC Aventura Visas and Visa Infinite cards (also offered for student, business and US Dollar accounts)
The main difference between how Aeroplan works vs Aventura is that Aeroplan is a standalone frequent flyer program owned by Air Canada while Aventura is associated with a specific bank (CIBC).
Aeroplan. Aeroplan has a wide network of partners it works with to help you earn Aeroplan points (formerly called Aeroplan Miles) when you shop at specific stores. You don’t need to have a program-affiliated credit card to earn points with partners, but you will need one to earn points everywhere else. You’ll get extra points when you shop with partners if you have both a membership card and a credit card.
Aventura. Aventura doesn’t have a network of partners, so you can only earn Aventura Points when you spend money on your Aventura credit card. You can redeem these points for rewards from CIBC’s online catalogue. Aventura is also renowned for having good customer service since it’s directly affiliated with CIBC.
How to compare Aventura vs Aeroplan
There are several features you should keep in mind when you’re trying to figure out whether you should buy into either frequent flyer program. These include the following:
How many points you’ll earn. Look at how many points you’ll get when you spend money with each program.
How much those points are worth. Calculate the value of your Aventura or Aeroplan points in relation to how many points you’ll earn for each dollar you spend.
What types of rewards you’ll get. Check out the rewards on offer from each program to find out what you can use your points to purchase.
What’s the customer service like. Keep an eye on customer reviews to find out which program offers the highest level of customer service.
Compare Aeroplan credit cards
1 - 3 of 3
How many points can I earn with each program?
The number of points you can earn with each program depends on what kind of credit card you have and how frequently you shop at partner stores.
Aeroplan.Aeroplan typically offers a base rate of one point for every dollar you spend with partners. You’ll also earn extra points when you spend money on your Aeroplan credit card. Depending on which card you pick, you’ll typically earn 0.5 to 1.5 points per dollar. Read our guide on how to earn Aeroplan points faster here.
Aventura.The number of points you’ll earn with Aventura depends on which credit card you have. Some cards let you earn more points for daily purchases (like gas and groceries) while other cards offer a flat rate for all purchases. Depending on the card you choose, you’ll usually earn between 1-2 points for every dollar you spend.
What’s the value of my Aventura Points vs Aeroplan points?
The value of Aventura Points vs Aeroplan points will vary based on what rewards you redeem them for. For example, you might get a lower return on points when you redeem them for merchandise than you would if you used them to purchase flights. This can make it difficult to determine the exact value of each point for each program.
That said, many sites agree that the value of an Aeroplan Point sits between 0.5 and 2.5 cents. The value of each individual Aventura Point, on the other hand, is said to be around 1 cent. This means that your Aeroplan points value will be higher than your Aventura Points value in general terms.
What types of rewards will I get with each program?
Most Aventura and Aeroplan cardholders tend to redeem their points for flights and other travel-related rewards. You’ll typically get less value for your points when you redeem them for other categories of rewards.
Travel. You’ll usually get more value for your miles when you redeem them with Aeroplan. This is because it has a wider network of partners that can offer you special discounts and extra Aeroplan points when making travel redemptions.
Merchandise. Aeroplan and Aventura offer similar product catalogues and rewards. If you want to cash in on a specific product, you might want to do a bit of in-depth research into which program offers the reward you want for the lowest number of points.
Gift cards. Both Aeroplan and Aventura offer gift cards that you can use to shop with several stores. Just be aware that you’ll typically get a much lower points value if you cash them in for these rewards.
Entertainment. You can exchange your points for a range of events and activities with both Aventura and Aeroplan. These rewards can range from movie and concert tickets to city tours and other must-do experiences.
Charitable donations. If you’re feeling particularly generous, both programs will let you turn your points into cash for your favourite charities. The only difference between Aventura and Aeroplan for this type of redemption is which charities you can choose.
What is the quality of customer service for each program?
Both Aventura and Aeroplan claim to offer a high level of customer service to help you troubleshoot issues with your account. That said, many Aeroplan customers have indicated that it’s difficult to get in touch with an agent through phone and email. That said, this could change now that Aeroplan is under new management with Air Canada.
Since Aventura’s customer service program is linked to CIBC, many customers indicate that it can be easier to get the answers you need from the bank. This is because the program is smaller, which allows for shorter wait times and more dedicated customer support.
How to compare credit cards for both programs
Getting an Aeroplan credit card is one of the best ways to earn more points for every dollar you spend. With Aventura credit cards, it’s essential to have a program-affiliated card if you want to earn points. Once you pick the program you’re interested in, you should look for the following features to help you get the best credit card for your needs.
Return on rewards. Look at how many points you’ll earn with each card and weigh that against the cost of the annual fee.
Welcome offers. Compare cards to find the one that offers the biggest bonus with the best return on rewards and benefits for the lowest fee.
Benefits. Choose the card that gives the best spread of benefits most applicable to your lifestyle. For example, you might want lounge access if you fly regularly but you might prefer roadside assistance if you’re a long-haul driver.
Annual fee. Make sure that if you pay a fee over $100 for your card, you get a top return on rewards and benefits to compensate.
Interest rates. Most credit cards come with an interest rate of 19.99% but you might like to shop around for a card that gives you a lower interest rate.
Other fees. Double-check the details of your contract before you sign onto a credit card so that you’re not caught off guard by any unexpected charges.
Bottom line
Given the sheer size of its program and network of partners, Aeroplan is a top contender for frequent flyer programs in Canada. Aventura, however, may be seen as a safer bet for CIBC customers and those wanting more flexibility with their rewards. That said, it doesn’t have a network of partners and you can only earn points on your program-affiliated credit card.
Aeroplan vs Aventura FAQs
Your Aventura Points will never expire, so there's nothing to worry about there. Your Aeroplan points, on the other hand, will expire if you haven't earned, redeemed, donated or transferred any miles in 18 consecutive months.
Aeroplan is a standalone frequent flyer program that lets you earn Aeroplan points (formerly called Aeroplan Miles) using either your membership card (with partners) or your program-affiliated credit card. Aventura is a bank-owned program that lets you earn Aventura Points everywhere you shop using only your credit card.
Yes. You can buy points with both programs if you don't have quite enough to get the reward you want. Aeroplan charges a little over 3 cents for every point you buy plus applicable taxes. Aventura lets you buy 100 Points for $1 for some categories of rewards.
You won't be able to transfer your Aventura Points to Aeroplan, or vice-versa. This is because the two programs are completely separate and don't have a system for bridging points.
Yes. You can apply online for an Aeroplan or Aventura credit card. You can apply for an Aeroplan card by going to the comparison table above and clicking "Go to Site" next to the card you're interested in using.
Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, and an Associate’s Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire’s coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. In her spare time, Claire enjoys rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.
Compare credit cards for temporary residents and learn how to apply for one in Canada.
Feedback
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
