I'm wondering if anyone can explain why the Infinite Program in Canada is being launched as a completely different entity with each bank ?

Over at TD, their supposedly high-end card is going to have the same credit limit as any other gold or platinum card (5000)...apparently, most existing subscribers using the gold card will be upgraded - nothing too special here. This runs counter to others that have a much higher minimum limit plus a freedom for people to go over their limit if need be.

Meanwhile, over at RBC, there are two different cards -- the private banking card will have be uber-exclusive - 250K minimum income plus other rules. But their Avion air miles version will be less exclusive - and upgradeable.

In most of the world, the Infinite card is 'standard' in that it offers the best of the best - but here it seems that every bank has personalized it so much, with so many styles and approaches, that the end result is a less prestigious product...

thoughts?

I can't comment about the RBC cards, but I have the TD Visa Infinite, and it has both a set limit and the freedom to exceed it. With my last statement I received an insert that updated the ToCs which clarified that there is the freedom to exceed the card's limit with no penalty or fees. Basically, you can spend up to your limit normally. If you need to exceed your limit, you are free to do so and can keep charging until the bank gets worried and says stop.

The reward returns for this card are a little worse than its Gold predecessor (they now range between 1.5-4.5% depending on how much one uses the online booking engine) but there are plenty of new added benefits that make up for that (like the concierge service, the hotel benefits, the special events invites, etc.)

I just got my CIBC Aventura Infinite card in the mail. Didn't take any real effort on my part to get it.

The 15,000 bonus points were a real nice treat however.