Overview
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is one of the strongest cash back credit cards in Canada. It earns 4% cash back on gas, EV charging, and groceries, 2% on transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases through CIBC by Expedia, and 1% on everything else. Few cards in the market can match 4% on two of the biggest household spending categories — and the 2% tier adds transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases to the mix.
For families spending heavily on gas and groceries, this card can deliver $600–$900+ in annual cash back before accounting for the welcome bonus. The $120 annual fee is waived in the first year, making year one particularly lucrative. Combined with 6 types of insurance, Visa Infinite perks, and Journie Rewards fuel savings, it's a compelling all-around cash back card for high-income Canadians.
Welcome Offer
New cardholders earn a strong first-year package:
- 10% cash back on purchases for the first 4 monthly statements, on up to $3,000 in spending (up to $300 in bonus cash back)
- $50 cash back bonus for setting up one pre-authorized payment within the first 4 statement periods
- First-year annual fee waived ($120 rebate)
The total first-year welcome value is up to $470 — significant for a cash back card. The 10% rate during the promotional period means even everyday purchases like groceries and gas earn at nearly triple the ongoing rate.
Earning Cash Back
The ongoing cash back structure is straightforward and generous:
- 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases
- 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases through CIBC by Expedia
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
$80,000 Annual Spending Cap
The 4% and 2% accelerated rates apply on the first $80,000 in annual spending across those categories. After $80,000, all purchases earn 1%. For context, $80,000/year means you'd need to spend $6,667/month across gas, groceries, transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases to hit the cap — well above typical household spending. Most cardholders will never approach it.
Cash Back Projections
| Monthly Spending | Breakdown | Annual Cash Back | Net (After $120 Fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000/month | $600 gas/groceries, $400 transportation/dining/recurring/travel, $1,000 other | $504 | $384 |
| $3,000/month | $900 gas/groceries, $600 transportation/dining/recurring/travel, $1,500 other | $738 | $618 |
| $5,000/month | $1,400 gas/groceries, $900 transportation/dining/recurring/travel, $2,700 other | $1,146 | $1,026 |
At $3,000/month in spending, the card delivers $618 in net cash back — a 1.72% net return after the fee. The first year is even better with the fee waived and the 10% welcome bonus.
Cash Back Redemption
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite lets you redeem cash back on demand with a minimum balance of $10 through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking. No need to wait for an annual payout, no complicated redemption tiers, no expiry dates. Cash back is applied as a statement credit whenever you choose.
Journie Rewards Fuel Savings
Cardholders save up to 10¢ per litre at Journie Rewards partner gas stations:
- Pioneer
- Fas Gas
- Ultramar
- Chevron
This stacks with the 4% gas cash back. At 50 litres per fill-up, 10¢/L saves $5 per tank. Combined with the 4% cash back on a $75 fill-up ($3), you're saving $8 per tank — over $400/year for weekly fill-ups.
Insurance Coverage
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite includes 6 types of insurance — a meaningful step up from the no-fee Dividend Visa:
| Coverage | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical | $5,000,000 / 10 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Included |
| Mobile Device Insurance | $1,000 |
| Purchase Security | 90 days |
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
Key Insurance Notes
The 10-day emergency medical is useful for short trips — weekend getaways, quick U.S. visits, or short vacations. For trips longer than 10 days, you'll need supplementary travel insurance.
The $1,000 mobile device insurance is a standout perk for a cash back card. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you're covered — a benefit that many travel cards at higher price points include.
What's Missing
- Trip cancellation insurance — not included
- Trip interruption insurance — not included
- Flight delay or baggage delay insurance — not included
The insurance package is designed for everyday protection (purchase security, extended warranty, mobile device) with basic travel coverage. It's not a replacement for dedicated travel insurance on longer or international trips.
Visa Infinite Benefits
As a Visa Infinite card, you get access to the full Visa Infinite perks suite:
- Visa Infinite Concierge — 24/7 personal assistance for travel, dining, entertainment
- Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection — Exclusive rates, room upgrades, complimentary breakfast at premium hotels
- Visa Infinite Dining Series — Exclusive culinary experiences across Canada
- Visa Infinite Experiences — Priority access to concerts, sports, and cultural events
These perks are complimentary with the card and add value beyond the cash back earning — particularly the Luxury Hotel Collection, which can deliver hundreds in savings on hotel stays.
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite vs. Competitors
| Feature | CIBC Dividend Infinite | CIBC Dividend Visa | Scotiabank Momentum Infinite | Tangerine World MC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 (1st yr waived) | $0 | $120 | $0 |
| Gas rate | 4% | 1% | 2% | 2% (if selected) |
| Grocery rate | 4% | 2% | 4% | 2% (if selected) |
| Restaurant rate | 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% (if selected) |
| Recurring bills | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0.5% |
| Base rate | 1% | 0.5% | 1% | 0.5% |
| Spending cap | $80,000 | None | $25,000 | None |
| Insurance types | 6 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Emergency medical | 10 days | |||
| Mobile device | ($1,000) | |||
| Welcome bonus | 10% (4 months) | None | 10% (3 months) | $120 bonus |
| Income required | $60K/$100K | $15K | $60K | $80K |
The verdict: The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite's 4% on gas AND groceries is its killer feature — most competitors offer 4% on one or the other, not both. The $80,000 spending cap is far more generous than the Scotiabank Momentum Infinite's $25,000 cap, making it the better choice for high-spend households. The Tangerine World Mastercard is a strong no-fee alternative, but its 2% categories can't match the Dividend Infinite's 4% rates. If gas and groceries are your biggest expenses, this card wins decisively.
Who Is This Card Best For?
This card is the right choice if you:
- Spend heavily on gas and groceries — the 4% rate is among the highest in Canada
- Want strong cash back on transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases through CIBC by Expedia too
- Prefer simple cash back over points programs that require strategic redemption
- Bank with CIBC for seamless integration with your bank account
- Fill up at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, or Chevron for the Journie Rewards stack
- Want mobile device insurance included with a cash back card
- Earn $60K+ personal or $100K+ household income
It's not the best choice if you:
- Don't meet the income requirements — consider the CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa ($15K income) or the no-fee Dividend Visa
- Travel frequently and need trip cancellation/interruption insurance — consider the Aventura Visa Infinite instead
- Want travel perks like lounge access or free checked bags — the Aeroplan or Aventura cards deliver more
- Spend mainly in foreign currencies — the 2.5% FX fee negates the cash back
- Spend under $2,000/month — the $120 fee may outweigh the incremental cash back over a no-fee card
Fees & Interest Rates
| Annual fee | $120 (waived first year) |
| Additional card fee | $30 each |
| Purchase interest rate | 21.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Eligibility
- Minimum personal income: $60,000
- Minimum household income: $100,000
- Credit score: Good (estimated 660+)
- Instant approval: Available
Bottom Line
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is the cash back card for Canadians who spend big on gas and groceries. The 4% return on two of the largest household spending categories is nearly unmatched in the Canadian market, and the $80,000 spending cap means you won't run into limits the way you would with many competitors. Add 2% on transportation, dining, recurring payments, and eligible travel purchases through CIBC by Expedia, and there's very little everyday spending that earns below 2%.
At $120/year (waived the first year), it's a modest investment for a card that can deliver $600–$1,000+ in annual cash back. The 10% welcome bonus, 6 types of insurance, mobile device coverage, and Visa Infinite perks round out a strong value proposition. If you want simple, high-rate cash back without managing points programs, this is one of the best cards in Canada.
