Which has the lower annual fee, CIBC Aventura Gold Visa or Scotiabank GM Visa?

The Scotiabank GM Visa has no annual fee, while the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa charges $120/year.

Which card is better for groceries, CIBC Aventura Gold Visa or Scotiabank GM Visa?

The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa earns 1.5x on groceries, while the Scotiabank GM Visa earns 3%. The better choice depends on your grocery spending and the specific merchants you shop at.

CIBC Aventura Gold Visa vs Scotiabank GM Visa — Which Is Better? | Churnr

Header Quick Take Value Earn Rates Merchants Wallet Bonus FX Benefits Eligibility Perks Downgrade Verdict

Scotiabank GM Visa wins by $342/yr — strongest in groceries

Scotiabank GM Visa earns $192 more on groceries
Scotiabank GM Visa earns $54 more on gas
$120 lower annual fee

Groceries: +$192Gas: +$54Travel: +$24

CIBC Aventura Gold Visa: $30/yr in foreign transaction fees

Scotiabank GM Visa: $30/yr in foreign transaction fees

Showing Year 1 analysis

Dollar Value

$303

/first year

0.7% effective$25/mo

vs 1% no-fee card: −$116

Annual rewards earned+$453

FX costs−$30

Annual fee−$120

Winner

$644

/first year

1.5% effective$54/mo

vs 1% no-fee card: +$226

Annual rewards earned+$674

FX costs−$30

Annual fee−$0

Best for your spendingScotiabank GM Visa—$644Year 1 value

+$342 more than CIBC Aventura Gold Visa

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Earn Rates by Category

Wallet Optimizer

Neither card currently offers a welcome bonus.

Downgrade

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The Bottom Line

Scotiabank GM Visa wins by $342/yr — strongest in groceries

Scotiabank GM Visa earns $192 more on groceries
Scotiabank GM Visa earns $54 more on gas
$120 lower annual fee

Groceries: +$192Gas: +$54Travel: +$24

Showing Year 1 analysis

Scotiabank GM Visa wins in both Year 1 and Year 2+ — consistent long-term value.

Data Sources

Issuer terms & conditions (verified Feb 2026)

Merchant MCC verification (239 merchants)

Insurance certificates (PDF review)

Reward program documentation

User-reported acceptance data

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