TD Bank Credit Card, $200 Cash Back & 5% in 3 Categories

Update: Offer is no longer available. Replaced with a 2% back on dining only card and only $100 bonus (HT to Steve in comments below)

TD Bank has increased the sign up bonus for their credit cards from $100 to $200. You can now sign up for the TD Easy Rewards or the TD Cash Rewards credit card and spend $500 within the 90 days after account opening and you will receive a bonus of 20,000 points/$200 cash back.

We have seen this offer last year and now it will be available until March 31st, 2015. Both cards are very similar, so you can apply for either one. However with the Easy Rewards card the rewards can be redeemed online, while you have to call in for the Cash Rewards card.

The cards also have 5% back in certain categories for the first 6 months. You’ll receive that cashback rate at supermarkets, gas stations, dining and cable, phone and utility bills. All other purchases earn 1%. TD Bank has frozen account in the past for abuse, but it is a nice added bonus for those who spend heavily in those categories.

Card Details

• Earn 20,000 bonus points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back when you spend $500 within 90 days after account opening.
• Earn 5x rewards points on eligible purchases with your TD Visa credit card, including dining, groceries, gas and cable, phone and utility bill payments for the first 6 billing statements after account opening
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other categories
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles and 9.24%- 23.24% variable APR thereafter. There is a 4% balance transfer fee (minimum $10) for each transfer. Minimum balance transfer request amount is $250
• Unlimited rewards – no point caps, points do not expire
• Enjoy Visa Signature benefits*, such as complimentary 24/7 concierge service, access to exclusive events, special shopping perks and more, if your credit limit is at least $5,000
• No annual fee

This in an OK deal and I do spent a bit in the 5% categories. The sign up bonus is very low, and the 5% categories only last 6 months. Even in those 6 months, you can’t overdo the spending. I will apply for the card only if I have some other applications to go with it, but I would skip the credit hit just for this card.

Update: There’s a few comments below that mention bad experiences when applying for the card, so maybe it’s not worth the trouble.