CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card review

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Overall rating

First year value

$249

Get this card if you:

  • want to earn cash back with no annual fee
  • want flexibility in redeeming cash back
  • want purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Scores by category

Cash Back 3.3

Student 3.0

Groceries 2.8

No Annual Fee 2.3

Gas 1.7

At a glance

The CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee cash back credit card offering elevated earn rates on eligible grocery purchases, with additional cash back on categories such as gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. Cardholders benefit from features like purchase security, extended protection insurance, and the ability to redeem cash back at any time through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.

Highlights

$249

First year value

up to 10¢ off/Litre

Welcome bonus

Interest Rates

20.99%

Purchase APR

non-Quebec residents†

22.99%

Balance transfer APR

non-Quebec residents†

22.99%

Cash advance APR

non-Quebec residents†

Eligibility

Good

Recommended credit score

$15,000

Required annual household income

Quick overview of the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card

Cash back rewards are like finding money in your pocket every time you shop, turning your credit card into a money-earning machine that pays you to spend money you were going to spend anyway. If you're looking for a no-fee cash back option, we recommend the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card as one of the strongest contenders in this category.

Who can benefit from the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card?

The CIBC Dividend® Visa is ideal for:

  • Canadians looking to earn cash back without paying an annual fee
  • Frequent grocery shoppers who want to maximize everyday purchases
  • Commuters who rely on gas, public transit, or ridesharing services
  • People with recurring bill payments who want to earn while paying their monthly expenses
  • Students seeking extra savings through the complimentary SPC membership

Pros and cons of the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card

Pros

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • High earn rates on popular spending categories

  • Up to three additional cards at no extra cost

  • Low required household annual income of $15,000†

  • No limit on the cash back you can earn†

Cons

Cons

  • Low earn rates on everyday spending

  • Only option to redeem cash back rewards is statement credit

Welcome bonus with the CIBC Dividend Visa credit card

The CIBC Dividend Visa Card comes with a very modest welcome bonus for new accounts: 

  • Get up to 10 cents off per litre at participating gas stations with Journie Rewards.

That welcome bonus is in lieu of any cash back bonus and is a standard feature with the CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card, though that card does charge an annual fee of $99, waived for the first year.

How to earn cash back with the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card

After the welcome offer ends, this credit card lets you earn [cash back on every purchase:

  • Earn 2% cash back on eligible groceries†
  • Earn 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments†

An eligible grocery store is classified by the credit card network as a grocery store. Costco and Walmart, for example, are not classified as grocery stores, but Loblaws, Sobeys and No Frills are classified as grocery stores

Read more: Best grocery credit cards in Canada

  • Cash back on grocery, gas, EV charging, commuting and dining purchases up to $20,000 annually
  • Cash back on all other purchases up to $80,000 in total annual spending
  • Limits reset after your December statement is printed
  • Cash back is earned on purchases minus returns, not on cash advances
  • Cash back does not apply to CIBC Global Money Transfers™, interest, fees, balance transfers or CIBC Convenience Cheques
  • Merchant categories and terms may change without notice

Set up your recurring bill payments (like subscriptions, utilities, and streaming services) to charge automatically to your CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card. This no-hassle strategy lets you earn 1% back on expenses that you're paying anyway. Set it and forget it!

Cory Santos, Money.ca credit card expert

Redeeming cash back with the CIBC Dividend Visa

The CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card offers a straightforward redemption process designed for simplicity and convenience. Cash back accumulates throughout the year and is automatically credited to your account each December. 

This automatic redemption system means you never have to worry about redemption minimums or point expiration. The full cash back amount earned during the previous 12 months appears as a credit on the December statement, reducing the outstanding balance and saving you headaches. A win-win!

Key benefits of the Dividend® Visa* Card from CIBC

After the welcome offer promotional period ends, you'll earn 2% cash back on eligible groceries, 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments†. Plus, you'll receive 0.5% on everything else††. With no annual fee, you can enjoy these rewards for free.

With no annual fee to offset, every dollar of cash back represents pure value. This makes the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card an excellent choice for budget-conscious Canadians looking to maximize returns on necessary expenses.

In addition to cash back rewards, this credit card offers some insurance coverage. You'll enjoy double the manufacturer's warranty on new purchases, up to one year, and $100,000 in common carrier insurance†. A

The combination of no annual fee, competitive cash back rates on essential spending categories, and practical insurance benefits makes this card an outstanding choice for Canadians seeking everyday value without ongoing costs.

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card insurance coverage

The CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card doesn’t have the robust suite of insurance you’ll find with many fee-based cash back credit cards, but it does offer several additional perks and features beyond cash back rewards:

Insurance Coverage amount
Extended warranty 1 year
Purchase protection 90 days
Common Carrier travel accident insurance Up to $100,000

  • Car rental savings: Get up to 25% off vehicle rentals at Avis® and Budget® locations worldwide when you pay with your CIBC credit card.
  • Send money abroad with $0 fees: Send money abroad to over 120 countries with a $0 transfer fee.
  • CIBC mobile app access: Set up alerts, pay your bill, track your cash back rewards, and more with the CIBC Mobile Banking App and CIBC Online Banking.
  • Mobile wallet connectivity
  • Credit report alerts

How the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card compares

As we mentioned above, your possibilities for a no-fee cash back credit card in Canada are not endless. That said, there are several good competitors in the market. Here’s how the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card compares:

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

3.8

Finalist: No Annual Fee

10% cash back

Welcome Bonus

$484

First Year Value

$384

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for 2 months† (up to $100). Expires Apr 30, 2025

Though the Tangerine Money-Back may only offer 0.5% cash back on all purchases, it still gives you 2% back on two categories of your choice and also offers a reduced rate balance transfer, which is helpful in case you need to consolidate your credit balances.

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome offer:
Get up to 10 cents off per litre at participating gas stations with Journie Rewards.
Welcome offer:
Earn 10% cash back for 2 months† (up to $100).
Earn rates:
2% cash back on eligible groceries† and up to 1% 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments,† 0.5% on everything else†

Earn rates:
2% back on two categories of your choice, 0.5% back on all other purchases (Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a third 2% cash back category.)
Insurance:
Extended Protection Insurance, Purchase Security, common carrier insurance†
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase assurance
Minimum income requirement:
$15,000
Minimum income requirement:
$12,000
Apply Now Apply Now

Disclosures:

  • †Terms and Conditions Apply

bonus 5% back

Welcome Bonus

$438

First Year Value

$338

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn a bonus 5% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).

Learn More Apply Now On American Express' Secure Site

If you don’t see yourself spending enough to benefit from the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card, the SimplyCash® Card from American Express might be more appealing to you. Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible groceries in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually), and 1.25% cash back on everything else. Plus, the card’s welcome bonus is notable.

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card SimplyCash® Card from American Express
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome offer:
Get up to 10 cents off per litre at participating gas stations with Journie Rewards.
Welcome offer:
Earn a bonus 5% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).
Earn rates:
2% cash back on eligible groceries† and up to 1% 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments,† 0.5% on everything else†
Earn rates:
Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible groceries in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually) and 1.25% cash back on everything else.
Insurance:
Extended Protection Insurance, Purchase Security, common carrier insurance†
insurance:
Travel accident, buyer’s assurance, purchase protection, car rental and theft damage
Minimum income requirement:
$15,000
Minimum income requirement:
N/A
Apply Now Apply Now

Disclosures:

  • Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students

3.0

$100 cash back

Welcome Bonus

$349

First Year Value

$249

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get $100 cash back after you make your first purchase within the first 4 months!†

Apply Now On CIBC's Secure Site

CIBC offers a student version of the card: the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students.

The CIBC Dividend Visa and the CIBC Dividend Visa Student card look alike, but they're purpose-built for different financial situations.

How the CIBC Dividend Student Visa differs from the no-fee version

Both cards offer the same earn rates on purchases and offers the same basic insurance protections and gas savings with Journie Rewards.

However, the student version differs in several other ways:

  1. 1 Income: The regular CIBC Dividend Visa requires a $15,000 minimum annual household income, while the student version has no minimum income requirement, making it accessible for students who may not have established income yet
  2. 2 Credit limits: The student CIBC Dividend Visa offers credit limits up to $5,000 for Canadian students (and up to $2,000 for international students). In comparison, the regular version of the card has no set maximum limit
  3. 3 Student perks: The CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students includes a free SPC+ membership, giving students access to exclusive discounts at hundreds of brands and retailers—a benefit not available with the regular card.

Is the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students worth it?

If you're a student looking to build credit while earning rewards on everyday essentials, the CIBC Dividend Visa Student card is specifically designed for your needs, with no income requirements and student-specific perks. The regular CIBC Dividend Visa is better suited for non-students with established income who want similar cash back benefits.

Read more: The best student credit cards in Canada

Is the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card worth it?

If the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card regular earn rate was higher and new cardholders were offered a welcome bonus to accelerate their cash back, this card would be perfect.

While Extended Protection Insurance and Purchase Security are great tools, additional travel insurance would further enhance this credit card's appeal. The absence of a cash back limit and the option to obtain free supplementary cards make it a potentially excellent choice, depending on your individual spending habits.

CIBC Dividend® Visa eligibility requirements

To apply for the CIBC Dividend® Visa, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including:

  • Be a Canadian resident
  • Be the age of majority in the province in which you live
  • Have a credit score of ≥ 640.
  • Have a minimum annual income of $15,000

How to apply for the CIBC Dividend Visa credit card

You can apply for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card online, over the phone, or at your local branch. You must be a Canadian resident and the age of majority in your province. If you aren’t a CIBC customer already, you’ll need to provide information like your address and income. The entire process of applying takes about five minutes and you will get a response in as little as 60 seconds. There is no annual fee for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card, so applying is free.

Disclosures:

  • †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
  • The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Jordann Brown is a freelance personal finance writer whose areas of expertise include debt management, homeownership and budgeting. She is based in Halifax and has written for publications including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and CBC.

Cory Santos Credit card expert

Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk.

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