Best CIBC credit cards

Best CIBC Credit Cards in Canada 2023

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Last updated on April 20, 2023 Comments: 4

CIBC—the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce—is one of the “Big Five” banks in Canada, providing the full spectrum of financial services and products to people around the country. That product offering includes a wide variety of credit cards in most card categories, like travel rewards, cash back, low interest, student, business, and more.

Choosing the right CIBC credit card can be daunting because there are typically multiple options for each card type. We’ve made your life a little easier by narrowing the CIBC card suite down to the very best cards on offer and going into detail about their strengths and weaknesses.

Card NameCard TypeAnnual FeeBest FeatureRatesRead More
CIBC Select Visa* CardLow Interest$29 (first year rebate)0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee and a first year annual fee rebate 13.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate,
13.99% Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 13.99% Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate
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CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* CardCash Back$99 (first year rebate)After the Welcome Offer ends 3% cash back on gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate,
22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate
Read More
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* CardTravel Rewards$139 (first year rebate)Flexible rewards program with great travel perks20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate,
22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate
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CIBC Dividend® Visa* CardNo Annual Fee Cash Back$0After the Welcome Offer ends, get 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases and up to 1% on everyday purchases like books, movies, food and more, 1% on gas, EV charging, transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments, 0.5% cash back on all other purchases20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate,
22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate
Read More
CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for StudentsStudent Cash Back$0Get 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases and up to 1% on everyday purchases like books, movies, food and more, 1% on gas, EV charging, transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments, 0.5% cash back on all other purchases20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate,
22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate
Read More

† Conditions apply

Best CIBC Low Interest Card

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CIBC Select Visa* Card

Offer Overview

The CIBC Select Visa* Card is one of Canada’s strongest low interest cards overall, and is particularly notable for its best-of-both-worlds balance transfer deal: New cardholders can get 0% interest on balance transfers for 10 months, with a low 1% balance transfer fee. Aside from its balance transfer promotion the card also offers a competitive 13.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 13.99% Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, as well as 13.99% a Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate on balance transfers made outside the special promotion. The $29 annual fee makes it relatively low risk to try out, particularly given that the fee is rebated for the first year.

Key Features

  • Annual Fee: $29 (first year rebate)
  • Balance Transfer Promotion: 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee and a first year annual fee rebate
  • Rates: 13.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 13.99% Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 13.99% Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate

Greedy’s Take

The CIBC Select Visa* Card is a solid low interest card overall, and a market leader in balance transfer promotions. It’s a great option for those who are carrying high-interest credit card debt and need a window of opportunity to pay it off, without worrying about it accumulating more interest in the process.

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete CIBC Select Visa* Card review.

† Conditions apply

Quebec Residents – Learn More about this CIBC product here

Résidents du Québec : Pour en savoir plus sur ce produit CIBC, suivez ce lien

Best CIBC Cash Back Card

Apply Now

CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa Card

Offer Overview

The CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card stands out as an excellent credit card for earning cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and groceries, with a 3% cash back rate in those categories after the Welcome Offer ends. The card’s overall value is made even more impressive given its relatively easy access: Anyone who earns more than $15K annually and has a good credit score is eligible.

Key Features

  • Annual Fee: $99 (first year rebated)
  • Welcome Offer: Get a first-year annual fee rebate and earn 15% cash back welcome bonus of up to $300 (first 4 statements)!
  • Regular Earn Rates: After the Welcome Offer ends 3% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases; 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments, 1% cash back on all other purchases; Get cash back on demand – redeem your cash back at any time when you have a minimum of $25 through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking®
  • Supplementary Cards: $30 per year (3 max)
  • Interest Rates: 20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate

Greedy’s Take

The CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card has some of Canada’s best cash back rates for gas and groceries, which are typically the two largest line items in an average budget. Take a look at your monthly expenditures: if gas and groceries are where you’re putting most of your loonies, we recommend that you strongly consider switching to this card. There’s no annual fee the first year, and you can make up the $99 annual fee in cash back thereafter if you spend at least $275 each month on gas and groceries (and/or EV charging).

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card review.

This is a digital-exclusive offer. To be eligible for this offer, you must apply for a new eligible card using the “Apply Now” link available on this webpage.

Conditions apply

Quebec Residents – Learn More about this CIBC product here

Résidents du Québec : Pour en savoir plus sur ce produit CIBC, suivez ce lien

Best CIBC Travel Card

Apply Now

CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card

Offer Overview

With a lucrative welcome offer, solid earn rates, a valuable lounge access package, and comprehensive insurance, the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card offers very well rounded value for any traveller. The card’s combined travel value is particularly notable given its low minimum annual household income requirement of $15,000; travel credit cards of this caliber usually require a $60K minimum annual income or more. The Aventura® Points that the card earns are noteworthy, because unlike with many travel rewards programs, Aventura® Points can be used to cover taxes and fees, and they can be redeemed at a max value of up to $0.02 per point. That’s double the redemption value you’ll get for most travel rewards programs.

Key Features

  • Annual Fee: $139 (first year rebate)
  • Welcome Offer: Join and get over $1,250 in value including a first year annual fee rebate!
  • Earn Rates: 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre; 1.5 points per $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores drug stores; 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Lounge Access: Elevate your airport experience with 4 complimentary visits at 1,200+ lounges globally through Visa Airport Companion Program: over $190 in value.
  • Insurance Highlights: Up to $500 in combined flight delay coverage; emergency travel medical insurance applies even if your trip was not charged to the card
  • Special Feature: NEXUS application fee rebate ($50 U.S. value)
  • Interest Rates: 20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate

Greedy’s Take

There are a number of competitive travel credit cards in Canada, but what makes this card stand out to us is its accessibility. If you have a good credit score and are willing to pay the annual fee, you can most likely qualify for it regardless of your income, which is very rare among travel credit cards at this level. Those who are interested in the card and make more than $60K annually should instead apply for the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, which has a slightly better insurance package and identical features otherwise.

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card review.

This is a digital-exclusive offer. To be eligible for this offer, you must apply for a new eligible card using the “Apply Now” link available on this webpage.

Conditions apply

Quebec Residents – Learn More about this CIBC product here

Résidents du Québec : Pour en savoir plus sur ce produit CIBC, suivez ce lien

Best CIBC No Annual Fee Card

Apply Now

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card

Offer Overview

Though the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card is the most appealing no annual fee card among the CIBC card suite, it’s not super competitive with other top no annual fee cards pound for pound, and its cash back structure is a bit complicated. After the Welcome Offer ends, get 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases and up to 1% on everyday purchases like books, movies, food and more, 1% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, dining purchases, and recurring payments, and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Key Features

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Welcome Offer: Get 5% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000 (up to $100 cash back).
  • Earn Rates: After the Welcome Offer ends, get 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases and up to 1% on everyday purchases like books, movies, food and more; 1% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments; 0.5% cash back on all other purchases; also, get cash back on demand – redeem your cash back at any time when you have a minimum of $25 through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking®
  • Other Features: Low-interest installment payments available via CIBC’s Pace ItTM program
  • Interest Rates: 20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate

Greedy’s Take

The CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card is an ok option if you absolutely need a Visa card, as, for whatever reason, most of the top no annual fee cards in Canada are Mastercards. But if you’re willing to compromise on that front, we suggest exploring other options. There are other no annual fee cards that can potentially earn back as much or more on groceries, like the BMO CashBack Mastercard or the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard, and there are also alternative no annual fee cash back cards that earn 1% or more on all spending, all the time, like the AMEX SimplyCash.

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card review.

This is a digital-exclusive offer. To be eligible for this offer, you must apply for a new eligible card using the “Apply Now” link available on this webpage.

Conditions apply

Quebec Residents – Learn More about this CIBC product here

Résidents du Québec : Pour en savoir plus sur ce produit CIBC, suivez ce lien

Best CIBC Student Card

Apply Now

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students

Offer Overview

This student version of the Dividend® Visa* Card is quite similar to the regular Dividend card, but is available exclusively to students in post-secondary education. Though it has the same cash back structure as the regular Dividend® Visa* Card, its welcome offer is slightly different: New cardholders get an easy $60 in cash back after making their first purchase within the first 4 months.

Key Features

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Welcome Offer: Get $60 cash back after you make your first purchase within the first 4 months!
  • Earn Rates: Get 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases and up to 1% on everyday purchases like books, movies, food and more; 1% back on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, dining, and recurring payments; 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
  • Special Feature: Eligible student clients can get a free SPC+ membership, and receive over 450 deals on everyday purchases, bigger discounts, special experiences and exclusive giveaways.
  • Interest Rates: 20.99% Purchase Annual Interest Rate, 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Cash Advance Annual Interest Rate, and 22.99% (for non-Quebec residents only) Balance Transfer Annual Interest Rate

Greedy’s Take

CIBC appears to be one of the few banks where students are actually given preferential treatment; the welcome bonus that comes with this student version of the Dividend card makes the card perhaps even more appealing than the regular version. Plus it has the added advantages of SPC membership (normally $10 per year).  Overall it’s one of the strongest student cards in Canada.

Click here to apply for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students.

This is a digital-exclusive offer. To be eligible for this offer, you must apply for a new eligible card using the “Apply Now” link available on this webpage.

† Conditions apply

Quebec Residents – Learn More about this CIBC product here

Résidents du Québec : Pour en savoir plus sur ce produit CIBC, suivez ce lien

Want to Look Beyond CIBC?

If you didn’t find a CIBC card on this list that meets your needs, consider switching focus to another card issuer. We recommend that you start by checking out our list of the best credit cards in Canada, which might open your eyes to some great cards that you weren’t previously aware of.

FAQs

The easiest way to get a CIBC credit card is to click the green ‘Apply Now’ buttons on our site under whatever card you’re interested in. This will then direct you to CIBC’s application for that card. Be ready to submit some personal information like your date of birth, address, and annual income.
You can request a credit limit increase with CIBC by signing on to CIBC’s Online Banking platform, then navigating to ‘Banking Services’ and ‘Request a credit limit increase.’ You can also request an increase by calling CIBC’s customer service at 1-800-465-4653.
To figure out which CIBC card is best for you, we recommend that you first reflect a bit on your lifestyle and financial circumstance. What are your biggest expenses each month? Do you travel frequently? Do you currently have a credit card balance subject to high interest rates? After giving that some thought we recommend reading this list of the best CIBC credit cards in each category and choosing based on which card offers the features you need.
You can withdraw cash from your CIBC credit card by doing a cash advance. It’s important to note that most credit cards have a higher interest rate on cash advances; the CIBC card with the most favourable interest rate for cash advances is the CIBC Select® Visa*.

Author Bio

GreedyRates is Canada’s go-to resource for all things personal finance. Our expert articles and videos cover every topic under the financial sun, including credit cards, credit scores, loans, bank accounts, budgeting, investing, RSPs, TFSAs, GICs, taxes, and more. Want our advice on a personal finance issue? Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll gladly give you some free tips.

Article comments

4 comments
Weeraya says:

Hi The Greedyrates Team,

I am new to Canada and I am s student. I am looking for a credit card that can build up my credit so that later on I might be able to buy a cell phone, loan car or a house. Which card and company will you recommend to me.

Best regards,

Nate Siegel says:

Hey Weeraya,

Thanks for coming to GreedyRates, we’ll definitely help you out. If you’re a student with low income and no credit, then one of the many SPC (Student Price Card) cards out there will be a perfect fit, as they don’t consider your credit rating and offer a ton of low-price discounts to cardholders. You need to be a student to get one, so actually, they’re intended for you! Other great options are a secured credit card, because they lose the student-only designation, and allow you to adjust your credit limit by depositing with the bank. Cards like the Home Trust Secured Visa or the Refresh Financial Secured Visa are good examples, and help you boost your credit score over time.

The other cards on this list, such as the Tangerine Money-Back card offer a lower-tier option if you think you’re ready for unsecured credit (no cash deposit). This one will earn 2% in two categories of your choice, and even help you save! If you deposit your cash back into a Tangerine Savings account then you’ll unlock a third cash back category. Finally, our best advice is simply to go to a local bank, explain your newness, and explore the options they’ll be sure to offer. Best of luck and welcome to Canada.

GreedyRates

Richard says:

CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite classifies gas and groceries in the Retail and Grocery classification along with clothing and shoes, Department and discount stores and specialty retail. It would appear that in addition to gas and groceries the 4% cash back applies to these purchases as well or do they have another way to pull out gas and groceries from the others?

The GreedyRates Team says:

Hey Richard!

Thanks for the great comment. We’re glad that you’re loving the CIBC Dividend Visa and are discovering new perks about the card such as its fast rate of cash back on groceries and gas. However, we’re not sure that the card actually offers 4.00% on clothing, shoes and other retail items at department and discount/specialty stores. We looked in the fine print for the card and the 4.00% is applied to purchases “classified by the credit card network as grocery stores or service stations/automated gas dispensers.” There’s no mention of retail, so we believe that you might be mistaken. Mind commenting back to us with how you discovered this?

Normally a credit card is able to differentiate between retailers and even between purchases, based on the merchant code and product code scanned at the time of purchase. This is why some Walmart locations are labeled as retail and some as grocery (Supercentres), for example. Visa isn’t in the business of leaving any loopholes open, so don’t get excited quite yet!

GreedyRates