The real trade-off between these two cards is one percentage point on groceries and gas. The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card earns 4% on both categories. The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card earns 3%. That gap sounds small, but on a household spending $800 a month at the grocery store, it adds up to $96 a year before fees enter the picture. Whether that difference holds up after comparing annual fees, welcome bonuses, and secondary categories is what this comparison is actually about.
Both cards sit in the Visa Infinite tier, share the same income requirement of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household, and both waive the annual fee in the first year. The structural similarities make the category earn rates the deciding factor for most applicants. If you want a broader view of the field, the best cash back credit cards in Canada covers the full range of options across issuers.
| Factor | TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* | CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* |
|---|---|---|
| Value per $1 spent | Up to 3 cents on bonus categories | Up to 4 cents on bonus categories |
| Typical earn rate | 3% groceries, gas, transit, bills, streaming; 1% other | 4% groceries and gas; 2% dining, transit, CIBC by Expedia; 1% other |
| Redemption flexibility | Automatic statement credit, no activation needed | Redeemable once balance reaches $10 via CIBC digital banking |
| Annual fee range | $139 (waived first year) | $120 (waived first year) |
| Income typically required | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household |
| Best for | Broad everyday categories including transit and streaming | High grocery and gas spenders who also dine out |
Where the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card wins
The TD card earns 3% across a wider set of categories: groceries, gas, EV charging, public transit, recurring bills, and streaming services. That breadth matters for households whose spending is spread across multiple categories rather than concentrated at the pump and the grocery store. A commuter paying $150 a month in transit fares and $80 in streaming subscriptions earns 3% on all of it, which the CIBC card does not match on streaming.
The welcome bonus is structured as up to $600 in total value, combining 10% cash back on eligible purchases in the first three months up to $3,500, plus the first-year annual fee rebate. The annual fee of $139 is higher than the CIBC card, but the first-year rebate neutralises that cost for new cardholders. The Deluxe TD Auto Club membership adds roadside assistance value that some households would otherwise pay for separately.
Card Highlight
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
TD
Annual Fee: $139
This card rewards everyday household spending with elevated cash back on common monthly categories and a simple flat rate on everything else. It stands out for frequent commuters and families who want flexible cash back redemptions instead of points.
Where the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card wins
The CIBC card earns 4% on groceries and gas, which is the highest rate available in those two categories at this fee tier among major bank cards. For a household spending heavily at the grocery store and filling up regularly, the extra percentage point over the TD card is meaningful across a full year of spending.
- 4% on groceries and gas outpaces the TD card by one full percentage point in both categories
- 2% on dining covers a spending category the TD card earns only 1% on
- 2% on transportation extends beyond transit to cover a broader range of commuting costs
- Annual fee of $120 is $19 lower than the TD card, which narrows the break-even threshold
- Cash back redeemable once the balance hits $10, which is a low and practical threshold
The honest limitation is that the CIBC card’s value concentrates in groceries, gas, and dining. Cardholders who spend heavily outside those categories will earn only 1% on everything else, the same flat rate as the TD card. The welcome bonus of up to $200 cash back plus a $50 pre-authorized payment bonus and first-year fee rebate is competitive, but the TD card’s first-year offer reaches a higher ceiling for high spenders in the promotional window.
Card Highlight
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC
Annual Fee: $120.00
This card is built for everyday household spending, especially if you spend heavily on groceries, gas and recurring bills. It stands out for its high cash back rates in practical categories and the ability to redeem cash back once your balance reaches $10.
TD Cash Back vs CIBC Dividend: category-by-category breakdown
Comparing earn rates across specific spending categories is where this comparison becomes practical. The numbers below use annual spending figures to show actual cash back earned before the annual fee is subtracted.
- Groceries at $800/month: TD earns $288/year at 3%; CIBC earns $384/year at 4% — a $96 annual difference
- Gas at $200/month: TD earns $72/year at 3%; CIBC earns $96/year at 4% — a $24 annual difference
- Dining at $300/month: TD earns $36/year at 1%; CIBC earns $72/year at 2% — a $36 annual difference
- Streaming and bills at $200/month: TD earns $72/year at 3%; CIBC earns $24/year at 1% — TD leads by $48
- Transit at $150/month: TD earns $54/year at 3%; CIBC earns $36/year at 2% — TD leads by $18
A household that spends heavily on groceries, gas, and dining will come out ahead with the CIBC card. A household with significant recurring bills, streaming subscriptions, and transit costs will close the gap or favour the TD card. The $19 annual fee difference also shifts the break-even point slightly toward CIBC for cardholders who are on the margin.
Real spending scenarios: which card earns more
| Spending pattern | TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* return | CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* return | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800/month groceries | $288/year at 3% | $384/year at 4% | CIBC wins by $96 |
| $400/month gas | $144/year at 3% | $192/year at 4% | CIBC wins by $48 |
| $300/month dining | $36/year at 1% | $72/year at 2% | CIBC wins by $36 |
| $500/month travel (foreign) | $5/year at 1% minus 2.5% FX fee | $5/year at 1% minus 2.5% FX fee | Neither card suits travel abroad |
Across the three core household categories of groceries, gas, and dining, the CIBC card earns $180 more per year than the TD card on these spending levels. The TD card’s $139 annual fee versus CIBC’s $120 annual fee adds another $19 to CIBC’s advantage after year one. For a household that fits this spending profile, the CIBC card is the stronger long-term choice once the first-year bonuses expire.
Which card fits which type of spender
The stronger choice changes depending on where your monthly budget actually flows. These two cards are close enough in structure that the decision comes down to category concentration versus category breadth. Cardholders who want to find the best credit cards for groceries in Canada can compare the full field through the best credit cards for groceries in Canada rankings, which include options beyond the major bank tier.
- Choose CIBC Dividend if groceries and gas represent your two largest monthly spending categories and you also dine out regularly
- Choose TD Cash Back if your spending is spread across recurring bills, streaming, and transit in addition to groceries and gas
- Choose CIBC Dividend if a lower annual fee matters after the first-year waiver expires
- Choose TD Cash Back if the broader 3% category coverage on streaming and bills aligns with your household subscriptions
- Neither card suits frequent international travellers given the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on both
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How this comparison fits the broader cash back landscape
The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card and the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card are both competitive in the major bank cash back tier, but they are not the only options. Cards from BMO and Scotiabank compete directly in the same grocery and gas categories, and the BMO CashBack vs Scotia Momentum comparison covers how those two stack up against each other. Understanding where these cards sit in the full market helps confirm whether either is actually the right fit.
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Credit Cards & Personal Finance Reviewer
A QA professional by trade, Priyanka reviews Canadian credit cards the same way she tests software — by reading the fine print everyone else skips. Based in Toronto, she writes for Canadians who want a straight answer before they apply.
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The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card is the stronger pick for households whose spending is concentrated in groceries, gas, and dining. The 4% rate on the two biggest household categories, a lower annual fee of $120, and a useful 2% dining rate add up to a meaningful advantage for that spending profile. The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card is the better fit for households whose budget spreads across recurring bills, streaming, and transit alongside groceries and gas, where the broader 3% coverage closes the gap. Neither card works well for travel abroad. If you are still weighing your options across the full cash back market, the best cash back credit cards in Canada covers the complete range of cards worth considering before you apply.
