The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa is one of Canada’s standout no-annual-fee cash back cards, earning elevated cash back on restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases — a category most competing no-fee cash back cards overlook. As a product of CIBC’s no-fee digital banking brand Simplii Financial, it combines a strong dining cash back rate with zero annual cost and no income requirement. For Canadians who dine out regularly, it is one of the best no-fee options available on the Visa network.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Canadians who dine out frequently and want strong no-annual-fee cash back on restaurant, bar, and coffee purchases — particularly those who are Simplii Financial banking customers.
Not ideal for: Those who rarely dine out and spend primarily on groceries and gas (where the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite at $120/year earns 4%), or those who want comprehensive travel insurance on their primary card.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 19.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | None |
| Network | Visa |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at simplii.com |
Cash back rates, annual earn caps, welcome bonus, and card terms are subject to change. Always verify current details at simplii.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
Simplii Financial periodically offers a welcome cash back bonus for new Cash Back Visa cardholders.
Always verify the current welcome bonus at simplii.com before applying.
Cash Back Earn Rates
| Category | Cash Back Rate |
|---|---|
| Eligible restaurants, bars, coffee shops | Elevated — verify at simplii.com |
| Eligible gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, pre-authorized payments | Mid-tier — verify at simplii.com |
| All other eligible purchases | Base rate — verify at simplii.com |
Verify exact current earn rates at simplii.com. Annual earn caps may apply on elevated categories.
Why the restaurant category matters
Most no-fee cash back cards earn 1% on dining — or lump restaurants into a general “other” category at the base rate. The Simplii Cash Back Visa’s elevated dining rate means frequent restaurant-goers extract disproportionate value compared to flat-rate alternatives.
For a household spending $600/month on restaurants, bars, and coffee shops:
- At an elevated rate (verify at simplii.com) versus a 1% card: meaningful annual advantage at zero fee
Simplii Financial: Banking Context
Simplii Financial is CIBC’s no-fee digital banking brand — no fees for everyday banking, no monthly account fee, and digital-first account management. The Cash Back Visa integrates with a Simplii chequing account as part of a no-fee banking relationship.
Simplii is backed by CIBC, one of Canada’s Big Six banks. Deposits are CDIC-eligible and the credit card is subject to all FCAC consumer protection regulations.
Card Benefits
As a no-fee card, the Simplii Cash Back Visa includes minimal benefits beyond cash back. Verify at simplii.com:
- Basic purchase protection may apply
- Travel insurance: not expected at this tier — verify at simplii.com
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 19.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Who Is the Simplii Cash Back Visa Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Canadians who dine out frequently (restaurants, bars, cafés) and want elevated cash back at no annual fee
- Simplii Financial banking customers who want a credit card integrated into the Simplii ecosystem
- Those who want a no-fee Visa with tiered category earn (restaurants, gas, grocery, drugstore)
- Applicants without a $60,000+ income who want a no-fee card with above-average dining earn
Less suitable if:
- You rarely dine out — a grocery-focused card (BMO CashBack Mastercard, CIBC Dividend Visa) may better match your spending
- Travel insurance is a priority — this card does not include it
- You are not a Simplii banking customer and prefer a card from your primary bank
Simplii Cash Back Visa vs. Key No-Fee Competitors
| Card | Annual Fee | Restaurant | Grocery | Gas | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa | $0 | Elevated (verify) | Mid-tier (verify) | Mid-tier (verify) | Base |
| Tangerine Money-Back | $0 | 2% (if chosen) | 2% (if chosen) | 2% (if chosen) | 0.5% |
| Rogers Red Mastercard | $0 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Amex SimplyCash | $0 | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | $0 | Base | Elevated (verify) | Base | Base |
Simplii vs. Tangerine: Tangerine allows you to choose 2–3 categories for 2% cash back, and restaurants can be one of those categories. If you select restaurants as a Tangerine category, both cards compete on dining — verify which earns more at current rates. The Simplii card also earns on gas and grocery at a mid-tier rate, while Tangerine earns 0.5% on non-category spending.
Bottom Line
The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa is one of Canada’s best no-fee cards for frequent diners. Its elevated restaurant earn rate — covering restaurants, bars, and coffee shops — on a Visa network card with zero annual fee makes it a genuine top-tier option for eating-out spenders who cannot justify a $120/year premium card.
For Simplii banking customers in particular, pairing the Cash Back Visa with a Simplii no-fee chequing account creates a fully free everyday banking and rewards relationship.
Card terms, cash back rates, annual earn caps, welcome bonus, and benefits are subject to change. Always verify current details at simplii.com before applying.