Best Cash-Back Credit Cards in Canada for March 2026
Summary: Best cash-back credit cards in Canada
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | $119.88 | 2%-4% | Up to $250 | |
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 5.0/5 | $120 Waived first year | 1%–5% | Up to $650 in value | |
| Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | $120 Waived first year | 1%-4% | Up to $200 | |
| TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 5.0/5 | $139 First year rebate | 1%-10% | Up to $600 | |
| Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | 4.5/5 | $0 | 0.5%-2% | $120 | |
Get $120 with a Money-Back World Mastercard! Spend $1,500 in your first 3 months to enjoy this Bonus. It’s the no annual fee Credit Card with the most cash back categories to choose from. Plus, pay 1.95% interest for 6 months on Balance Transfers. Terms and conditions apply. Click “Apply Now” for details.
Looking for a broader selection? Compare cash-back cards against other credit card types, start with our guide to the best credit cards in Canada.
What’s the best overall cash-back credit card?
BACK TO TOP
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cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada.
Cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually).
Cash back on all other purchases.
Getting 2% back on everything is very rare, which makes this card one of our favourites. It also offers 4% back on gas and groceries, comes with comprehensive travel coverage and offers up to $60 in statement credits with Instacart. But the $119.88 annual fee ($9.99 a month) may be too steep for some users. Best for: People who value earning cash back over extensive travel perks.
Pros
- Unlimited 2% cash back.
- Up to $60 statement credit with Instacart.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
Cons
- $119.88 annual fee is higher than average for a cash-back card.
- Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
- Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases.
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- Extensive insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service.
- 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
What makes it the best? Simple high return + strong everyday value — especially if you don’t want to micromanage rewards.
We rate the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express as the best cash-back credit card in Canada because it pairs a rare 2% back on all eligible purchases with 4% back on gas and groceries — without rotating categories or complicated tiering.
If you want cash back that’s easy to earn and easy to rely on, this card is built for it. The flat base rate does the heavy lifting across most spending, while the boosted gas and grocery rates add meaningful upside — without turning your budget into a tracking project.
Not ideal if: You want to avoid an annual fee or you shop frequently at merchants that don’t accept American Express.
Our picks for cash-back credit cards (matched to common earning strategies)
BACK TO TOPNot all cash-back credit cards work the same way. Some prioritize simplicity with a flat earn rate. Others concentrate value in a few everyday categories. Some let you choose your categories — while others adapt automatically as your spending changes.
Here are more cash-back cards we recommend (and why we picked them):
View details
Cash back on groceries.
Cash back on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.*
Cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging.*
Cash back on recurring bill payments.
Cash back on all other purchases*.
A category-strong cash-back card that shines on essential spending categories, including a whopping 5% back on groceries, 4% on transit and 3% on gas. Lofty annual income criteria could be a dealbreaker, though. Best for: Canadians who spend big on groceries or commutes seeking simple cash-back returns.
Pros
- Redeem cash back at any time.
- Discounted airport lounge access for $32 USD per visit.
Cons
- $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
- Get up to $650 in value including $40 cash back each month in your first year. Plus we’ll waive the $120 annual fee in the first year.¹ Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on Balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% transfer fee.*
- Earn more cash back on the categories that mean the most: 5% on groceries.* 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.* 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging.* 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service.* 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.*
- Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
- Extended Warranty Plus.*
- Purchase Protection Plus.*
- Complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.*
- Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world - all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
- Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program.*
- BMO CashBack World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
- BMO Concierge Service.*
- Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
- Enjoy six months of Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit when you enroll your eligible BMO Credit Card.*
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Why?
A good fit if you want one primary card for everyday spending.
Bonus if the card’s added protections and conveniences matter to you.
Works best if you actually use the included benefits.
This pick is for people who want cash back on everyday spend, but still care about the “extras” that can make a card feel premium.
If you travel occasionally and like a bit more built-in protection or convenience, this can be a strong everyday driver.
Not ideal if: You spend more than $500 on groceries or $300+ on gas, EV charging or transit each month (you’ll hit the monthly category caps and drop to the base rate).
View details
Cash back on every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
Cash back on every $1 you spend on gas purchases, daily transit purchases, and food delivery.
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
You can earn a lot of cash back with this card if you max out the spending categories — for example, get up to $1,000 back each year when you spend $25,000 on groceries and recurring payments. The catch: Cash back is only deposited into your account once a year, in November, and the $120 annual fee is higher-than-average for a cash-back card. Best for: Big spenders on groceries and gas who don’t mind reaping their rewards annually.
Pros
- High 4% cash-back rate on groceries.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage included.
Cons
- Can only redeem cash back once a year.
- Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).¹
- No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.¹
- 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
- 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
- New! 2% Cash Back on Food delivery
- New! Cash Back Anytime feature: Redeem your Cash Back anytime ($25.00 minimum required) instead of having to wait for an annual payout in November.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance & New Mobile Device Insurance coverage
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Why?
A good fit if your spending aligns with the card’s boosted everyday categories.
Bonus if you prefer a set-and-forget setup that still earns aggressively.
Works best if you stay under the program’s accelerated-earn limits and redeem when it’s convenient.
If you consistently spend in the categories this card rewards most, it can deliver excellent value.
It’s a “set it up and use it” category-forward option.
Not ideal if: You want to redeem smaller amounts of cash back whenever you want (Scotia’s “Cash Back Anytime” feature has a $25 minimum per redemption).
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Cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months†.
Cash Back Dollars on Grocery, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging, Public Transit Purchases†.
Cash Back Dollars on Recurring Bill Payments, and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media Purchases†.
Cash Back Dollars on all other Purchases.†
This card offers a good selection of perks, such as travel insurance, rental car discounts and free roadside assistance. Plus, you can earn 3% on a range of everyday purchases — from groceries to digital gaming. But the insurance offerings are limited and the 3% earn rate is capped at $15,000 a year. Best for: Occasional travellers who want to earn accelerated cash back across multiple categories.
Pros
- Medical, baggage and car rental coverage.
- Free Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership.
- Solid 3% earn rate on everyday categories.
Cons
- Higher than average $139 annual fee for a cash-back card.
- 3% earn rate is capped at $15,000 per year.
- Earn up to $600 in value†, includes 10% in Cash Back Dollars in the first 3 months on Bonus Eligible Purchases up to a total spend of $3,500† and receive an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†. Conditions apply.
- 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance with Free Deluxe TD Auto Club membership†.
- Get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
- To receive the first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening. To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder while the offer is in effect.
- Offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
- Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars on Grocery, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging, Public Transit Purchases†.
- Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars on Recurring Bill Payments, and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media Purchases†.
- Earn 1% Cash Back Dollars on all other Purchases.†
- Redeem your Cash Back Dollars to help pay down your Account balance whenever you please - the choice is yours!†
- Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn more Starbucks Stars at participating Starbucks stores. Conditions apply.
- Your Cash Back Dollars never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
- Interest Rates: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Travel Medical Insurance† - Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 10 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance† - Up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person toward the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours or lost.
- Emergency Travel Assistance Services† - Help is just a call away. Toll-free access to help in the event of a personal emergency while travelling.
- Complimentary Visa Infinite* Concierge†: On call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you get the most from life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card.
- Emergency Road Services with Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership† is included with the product.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply.
- This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
Why?
A good fit if you want cash back + benefits that support drivers.
Bonus if the card’s auto-related protections are genuinely useful to you.
Works best if you value the perks enough to justify the annual fee (not just the earn rates).
This pick is for people who don’t just want cash back — they want the card to actively support day-to-day life.
If the perks match how you live, they can materially change the card’s real-world value.
Not ideal if: You prefer redeeming smaller amounts on demand (TD requires $25 to redeem “at any time,” unless you choose annual redemption).
View details
Cash back in two 2% categories of your choice.
Cash back on all your other everyday purchases.
You can earn unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice, making it one of the more flexible cash-back programs in Canada. The card comes with more perks than the Money-Back version — mobile phone and rental car coverage, as well as discounted airport lounge access and a complimentary data roaming plan with Flexiroam. But the $50,000 minimum income requirements may be restrictive for some users. Best for: Travellers who spend big in unique categories and want a flexible cash-back program.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Choose the 2% cash-back categories based on your spending.
- Mobile phone and rental car insurance.
Cons
- Must have a Tangerine savings account to unlock 3rd cash-back category.
- Get $120 with a Money-Back World Mastercard®* Spend $1,500 in your first 3 months to enjoy this Bonus. It’s the no annual fee Credit Card with the most cash back categories to choose from ††. Offer Expires April 30, 2026.
- Two Categories – 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two categories of your choice. OR Three categories Deposit your Rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back category. 13 Categories to explore – Groceries, gas, and beyond, choose from 13 categories to suit your spending. And change them up every 90 days to match your purchases.◊
- 0.5% on everything else.
- With Mastercard Travel Rewards, you can unlock cashback offers and get a rebate applied directly to your statement, by using your Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* at select merchants that accept Mastercard while travelling outside of Canada.
- Save on the things you love with your Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®*. Enjoy special benefits and offers from a growing lineup of on-demand apps and subscription services made available to you as a Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* cardholder.
- Make the most of your travel with Mastercard® Travel Pass Provided by DragonPass. Your complimentary membership gives you exclusive dining, retail and spa offers in over 650 airports worldwide, along with access to over 1,300 airport lounges at $32 USD per visit. Learn more at Mastercard® Travel Pass.
- Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance**: Damage and theft protection for your car rental when you rent for up to 31 consecutive days and charge the full cost of your rental to your Card.
- Mobile Device Insurance**: Protection on new cell phones, smartphones or tablets when you charge the full cost to your Card, or when you purchase it through a plan and charge all of your wireless bill payments to your Card. Covers up to $1,000 if your mobile device is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure.
- Preferred rates: 20.95% for purchases, 22.95% for cash advances (including balance transfers).
- To be eligible, a $50,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Why?
A good fit if your top spending categories are predictable month to month.
Bonus if you like choosing your own categories instead of accepting a preset list.
Works best if you keep your boosted categories aligned to your real spend (and update them if your habits change).
Some people don’t need a single “best overall” card — they need a card that matches their spending pattern.
This pick works when you can confidently choose categories you’ll keep using.
Not ideal if: You want cash back paid out as cash or deposited to a non-Tangerine bank account (Tangerine applies rewards as a monthly credit to your Tangerine credit card account).
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With no annual fee and an intuitive rewards program, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a practical choice for cardholders with fluctuating spending habits. Adapta points can be redeemed for cashback, but when compared to other no-fee cash-back options, this card’s 1% cash-back rate isn’t hugely competitive. Best for: Those who want a no-fee, set-and-forget earn structure with straightforward, cash-style redemptions.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Flexible earn rates that are automatically applied to your top spending categories monthly.
Cons
- Less competitive earn rates than other no-fee cashback cards.
- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $100 in value† with no annual fee.† Here’s how it adds up–
- Receive a Welcome Bonus of 3,000 Adapta points after your first purchase (up to $25 value)†
- Get 3,000 Adapta points when you spend $1,000 in the first 4 monthly statement periods (up to $25 value)†
- Includes membership to Roadside Assistance† after you make your first purchase. Services include battery boosting, gas delivery, towing and more, offered by Dominion Automobile Association ($50 value)†
- How do Adapta points work? Each month, you’ll automatically earn–
- 1.5 Adapta points for every dollar you spend in your top 3 spend categories.†
- 1 Adapta point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.†
- What are Adapta points worth? 1,500 Adapta points are worth $10 when applied to your credit card balance or a recent purchase.† 1,200 Adapta points are worth $10 when used toward an eligible CIBC financial product.†
- Save over $600 with CIBC and Skip – Get a 12-month Skip+ free trial and other exclusive benefits when you link your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Skip.†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards – Link and use your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Adapta card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. Select Apply Now to learn more.
Why?
A good fit if your top spending categories change month to month.
Bonus if you like the idea of “category optimization” without managing it.
Works best if you spend across several everyday categories, so the “top category” effect has room to work.
This pick is for people who want strong category value without maintaining a category strategy.
If you want cash back to adapt the way your life does, this is a great fit.
Not ideal if: You want a traditional cash-back program (Adapta earns points that you redeem toward purchases or your balance; redemptions start at 1,500 points for a $10 payment).
View details
Cashback on groceries.
Cashback on recurring payments.
Cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging.
Cashback on everything else.
Neo’s top-tier Mastercard offers up to 5% back on everyday essentials with high monthly caps and a full suite of travel insurance. You’ll also get airport lounge access with DragonPass, but a $32 USD fee applies to each visit. The $80,000 minimum income requirements for the card may exclude some users. Best for: Travellers who spend big at the grocery store and value cash-back over points.
Pros
- High $1,000/month spending caps on top earn rates.
- Robust travel insurance.
- Secured option available.
Cons
- Interest rates can reach 29.99%, depending on credit history.
- Steep $80,000 minimum income requirement.
- Majority of travel insurance not available in Quebec.
- 5% cashback on groceries
- 4% cashback on recurring payments
- 3% cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging
- 1% on everything else
- Average of 5% cashback at 10,000 partner locations nation-wide—on top of the base cashback rates
- Extended Warranty
- Purchase Protection
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance for delayed and lost baggage, flight delay, trip interruption and more
- Emergency medical coverage for out-of-province and out-of-country travel
- Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass
- Track your monthly spending with real-time insights
- Instant cashback that can be redeemed anytime
- Pay your bill instantly with Neo's #1 rated financial app
- Also available as a secured credit card for those looking to build their credit history in Canada
- International IDs accepted
Why?
A good fit if you’re willing to engage with a more “structured” earn setup.
Bonus if your routine spending overlaps with the places Neo boosts.
Works best if you’re comfortable optimizing a bit to unlock higher upside.
This is a pick for optimizers. If you like extracting extra value — and you’re comfortable with a more structured way of earning — this can deliver outsized returns in the right routine.
Not ideal if: You want cash back that’s entirely passive and never requires interacting with an app to redeem (Neo cash-out is done through your Rewards Wallet; minimum is $1).
View details
Cash back for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
Cash back on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
Cash back on eligible gas purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible grocery purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible drugstore purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible pre-authorized payments (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
With no annual fee, no fees on global money transfers and up to 4% back on purchases, this card offers solid rewards for people on a budget. But the top cash-back rate of 4% on restaurants, bars and coffee shops is capped at $5,000 a year, which may be too restrictive for people who spend big on dining out. Best for: Foodies who send money overseas and don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 4% back on restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
- Get cash back on fee-free global money transfers.
Cons
- Low 0.5% cash-back base rate.
- No complimentary travel insurance.
- Earn 20% cashback† for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
- Earn 4% on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
- Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 per year†.
- Earn 0.5% on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
- Redeem cash back as a statement credit in December.†
- No annual fee.
- Cash back when you send money abroad with a Simplii Financial Global Money Transfer. No transaction fees and no interest charges.†
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance provided.†
- Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases‡, 22.99% for cash advances‡.
- To be eligible, a $15,000 (individual/household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. Banking services are not available in Quebec.
- ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.
Why?
A good fit if you spend consistently on restaurants, takeout, or coffee.
Bonus if you want a no-fee “specialist” card to complement a primary card.
Works best as a specialist companion card — you use it mainly in its strongest categories to get the most.
This is a lifestyle pick. If your routine matches what this card rewards most, it can deliver great value — especially paired with a “default” everyday card.
Not ideal if: You want to redeem cash back on demand — Simplii cash back is automatically redeemed once per year (end of December statement) and applied as a credit.
View details
Cash Back†† on eligible gas and grocery purchases for the first 6 months (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500).
Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500).
Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases.
With a low $39 annual fee and up to 2% back on everyday essentials like groceries and gas, this card is a solid pick for beginners. However, there are no-fee cards with better cash-back rates on the market. Best for: Cash-back beginners.
Pros
- Low $39 annual fee.
- Up to nine free authorized users.
Cons
- 2% earn rate is capped at $500 per month.
- Minimal insurance coverage.
- Accelerate cash back on common purchases!
- Get 5% Cash Back†† on eligible gas and grocery purchases for the first 6 months (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500).
- Get 2% Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500).
- Get 1% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases.
- $39 annual fee.
- Standard Annual Interest Rates of 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques, and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Your personal annual income must be greater than $50,000, or your household annual income must be $80,000 or greater††††
- Take advantage of a card that provides Cash Back on eligible purchases.
- ††, ‡, ✪, ***, ††††, Terms and Conditions apply.
- This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the "Apply Now" button.
Why?
A good fit if gas and groceries are predictable, steady expenses for you.
Bonus if you want a low-fee way to boost returns in those categories.
Works best if your combined gas + grocery spend stays under the program’s monthly cap.
If you’re trying to earn more in a couple of predictable everyday categories, this pick keeps things simple and targeted — and the annual fee is modest.
Not ideal if: You’ll regularly spend more than $500/month on gas + groceries (the higher earn rate only applies up to that monthly cap).
View details
Cash back on groceries.
Cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments.
Cash back on everything else.
The CIBC Dividend Visa Card is a solid option for budget-savvy households that frequently spend at the grocery store. With no annual fee, no-fuss redemption options and bonus savings on gas, this card offers reliable everyday savings.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Redeem cash-back rewards any time.
- Gas discounts of up to 10 cents per litre.
Cons
- Limited insurance coverage.
- 0.5% base earn rate.
- 2% cash back on groceries.
- 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments.
- 0.5% cash back on everything else.
- No limit on the total cash back you can earn.
- Get your cash back anytime through CIBC Online Banking® and the CIBC Mobile Banking® App.
- When you charge eligible purchases to your card, you can enjoy Purchase Security Insurance. Plus, with Extended Warranty Insurance, extend the period of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on most purchases charged to your card.
- Save up to 10 cents per litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.
- Send money abroad to over 120 countries with a $0 transfer fee. Cash advance fees don’t apply and there’s no interest if you pay your balance by the payment due date.
- Get up to 30% off base rates with Avis® Pay Now or up to 35% off base rates with Budget Pay Now at participating locations worldwide when you pay with your CIBC Dividend Visa card.
- Get a 12-month Skip+ free trial when you link your CIBC credit card with your Skip account.
- $15,000 minimum annual household income required.
Why?
A good fit if you want simple cash back with no annual fee.
Bonus if you prefer a mainstream issuer and an easy long-term keeper card.
Works best if you want a baseline card you can use broadly without thinking about strategy.
This is a practical baseline option: straightforward cash back, no fee barrier, and easy day-to-day usability.
It also earns cash back on eligible travel purchases made through CIBC by Expedia.
Not ideal if: You want premium earn rates or insurance/perks that typically come with higher-tier cards.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPHow did we select cards for this roundup?
For this roundup, we focused on cash-back cards that match common spending patterns. Our evaluation put the most emphasis on:
earn rates and category caps (where you earn the most — and for how long).
annual fee tradeoffs (whether the value can justify the cost).
redemption rules (minimums, timing and payout method).
practical benefits that can increase real-world value, like insurance or statement credits.
How cash-back credit cards deliver value
BACK TO TOPCash-back credit cards return a percentage of eligible purchases to you — usually as a statement credit or direct deposit. The biggest differences between cards come down to how rewards are earned.
The 3 main ways cash-back structures
Flat-rate cash back. Flat-rate cards earn the same rate on most purchases. This is the simplest setup — and often the best fit if your spending is spread across many categories.
Bonus-category cash back. These cards offer higher earn rates in select categories like groceries, gas or dining. They’re best when your spending is predictable and concentrated in a few areas.
Flexible or dynamic categories. Some cards let you pick the categories that earn the most cash back. Others automatically boost the categories where you spend most.
Watch for spending caps
Many cash-back cards limit how much you can earn at the highest rate. If you regularly exceed a cap, a strong base-rate card can sometimes beat a higher headline bonus rate.
Issuers use merchant category codes to define spending categories, and these can vary. Some merchants won’t fall into the category you expect (for example, warehouse clubs are often not “grocery”). If you’re unsure, your card issuer can confirm how a specific merchant is categorized.
How to choose the right cash-back card
If you’ve decided cash back is your preferred rewards style, focus on three things:
Your top spending categories. Look at the last 2–3 months of spending and choose a card that pays more where you already spend.
Annual fee vs. return. If you won’t earn back the fee through higher rewards or usable perks, a no-fee option may be the better fit.
Redemption rules. Consider how and when rewards are paid out (on-demand vs annual; statement credit vs deposit).
Redemption requirements by issuer
Issuer | Minimum redemption | Redemption timing | Redemption method |
|---|---|---|---|
American Express (SimplyCash / SimplyCash Preferred) | No minimum. | Annual (appears on September statement). | Statement credit. |
BMO CashBack | $1 (auto deposits start at $25). | Any time. | Statement credit or deposit to eligible accounts. |
CIBC Adapta points | 1,500 points for a $10 payment. | Any time. | Apply to purchases / pay down balance. |
CIBC Dividend cash back | $10. | Any time (credited within ~5 days). | Statement credit. |
MBNA Smart Cash (MBNA Dollars) | 50 MBNA Dollars. | Any time. | Statement credit, electronic deposit, or donation. |
Neo cash back | $1. | Any time. | Cash out to Neo credit account or Neo Everyday account. |
Scotiabank Momentum cash back | $25. | Any time via “Cash Back Anytime”. | Statement credit or deposit to eligible accounts. |
Simplii cash back | N/A (auto redemption). | Annual (end of December statement). | Statement credit (next statement). |
Tangerine Money-Back | No minimum. | Monthly (credited around billing date). | Statement credit or deposited into eligible accounts. |
TD Cash Back | $25 (no minimum if redeemed annually). | Any time, or annual (January). | Statement credit. |
Frequently asked questions
What is a cash-back credit card?
A cash-back credit card earns a percentage back on eligible purchases, typically redeemable as a statement credit or deposit.
Are cash-back rewards taxable in Canada?
Generally, cash-back rewards are treated as a rebate or discount, not income.
When should I redeem my cash back?
Redeem whenever it’s useful for you — monthly, after you hit a minimum threshold, or annually, depending on the card. If your account isn’t kept in good standing, you may forfeit accumulated rewards.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell