Anyone know if CIBC is planning on making any changes to the Aerogold card benefit structure? For example, finally integrating Trip Interruption Insurance, Extended Warranty, Purchase Security, and Medical (up to one month)? (BTW: Medical is currently an optional buy-in.)

Their Gold Visa card has these as part of the package; you'd thing that it would make sense to include these items on a card that is targeted at Frequent Flyers...

(and Aerogold already costs $21 bucks more per year than Gold...)

- just asking

There are numerous indications that some major changes will happen, hopefully sooner than later. Advantex was bought by Air Canada and signed extended agreements with CIBC. See the excerpt taking from this link: http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/010201/advantex_c.html

There are people who received phone surveys regarding CIBC Aerogold. (hint: search for old threads in this group) CIBC might come up with a higher card... Aeroplatinum? With more benefits and fees.

Also, how about an internet advertising bar? Like AllAdvantage? It didn't work too well with those companies but let's see if this will work with Air Canada.

Quote:
Christine Croucher, Executive Vice President, CIBC VISA cards products division stated, "We are very pleased to be working with Advantex to create additional value for the holders of CIBC Aerogold VISA and our other premium cards. Advantex has proven its ability as a partner in meeting the needs of our cardholders. Advantex's new online loyalty programs will provide our cardholders with significant opportunities to earn further rewards as they use the Internet."

All of the online programs will feature the Advantex SmartBar(TM), proprietary browser extension technology developed by Advantex. SmartBar is a personal Internet rewards manager that travels with registered cardholders while on the Web providing convenient and immediate access to a broad range of rewards and information. SmartBar will automatically calculate and issue rewards for designated everyday Internet activities including whenever cardholders make purchases at participating e-merchants. SmartBar features a meter that conveniently displays a running total of the rewards earned through the program, keeping CIBC cardholders up-to-date on their rewards accumulation.

Its also true that there's been a lot of wind about revamping the Aeroplan program, so perhaps their relationship to VISA might be a component.

Having said that, I'm still waiting for realtime Aeroplan updates on their lame site...