^It's random.
Also, sometimes CIC charges the credit card but if there is a need to return the application, they will simply send a cheque to reimburse the charges. My point is that credit card/cheque encashment is just one step; AoR is still the best indicator of your application being queued for processing (alternatively, if you can access the online status in the absence of the AoR email since the latter sometimes falls through the cracks).
