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The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a flat rate of cash rewards with no annual fee. It’s got a solid sign-up bonus and 0% intro APR offer, and comes with a handful of perks that can save you money.
Review: Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash the best credit card for you?
There’s a lot to like about the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card, and that’s especially true if you’re looking for a card that offers a high rate of rewards without rotating categories or earning caps. The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card earns a flat 2% cash rewards for each dollar you spend, and without any hoops to jump through.
This card also comes with no annual fee, and new cardholders get a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, followed by a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card APR.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card starts you off with a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card, which makes it more rewarding than its closest cash-back competitor — the Citi® Double Cash Card. Most people know the Citi® Double Cash Card as the other major rewards card that offers 2% back on purchases, but there are some major differences.
With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you effectively earn 2% back but your rewards are doled out in two segments — you get 1 point per dollar (1% back) when you make a purchase and another 1 point per dollar (1% back) when you pay it off. Also note that the Citi® Double Cash Card does not offer a sign-up bonus, and that its 0% introductory APR only applies to balance transfers and not to purchases (Citi® Double Cash Card, then Citi® Double Cash Card).
If you opt for the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card instead, you’ll get the chance to earn a sign-up bonus and 2% cash rewards for each dollar you spend, and the card comes with benefits like cell phone protection and Visa Signature Concierge to boot.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn cash rewards with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card offers 2% cash rewards on purchases with no rewards category limitations or quarterly activation. This means you can use it for your purchases and earn this flat rate of rewards for each dollar you spend.
It doesn’t get any more simple than that, which is one of the biggest upsides of this card.
How to redeem rewards from the Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card
Rewards earned with the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card belong in the Wells Fargo Rewards program, which means you can redeem them in several ways. For example, you can:
Redeem to cover purchases charged to your card in amounts starting at $1 in rewardsRedeem for statement credits to a Wells Fargo mortgage, loan, or credit product accountRedeem at a Wells Fargo ATM in increments of $20, although you’ll need a Wells Fargo debit card to do soCash in your rewards for gift cardsUse your rewards to book travel, including airline tickets
This kind of flexibility is good news for consumers who want more than one way to redeem their cash rewards. However, you should note that a few of the redemption options available are only for Wells Fargo customers, including payments to Wells Fargo loan products and cash rewards at a Wells Fargo ATM.
Wells Fargo Active Cash card benefits and features
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card comes with decent benefits for a no-annual-fee card.
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
New Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card cardholders are eligible for a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, followed by a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card variable APR.
This isn’t the longest intro APR Wells Fargo offers (that honor goes to the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card), but if you’re looking to save on interest in the short term, it’s a very good deal.
Cell phone protection
Pay your phone bill with your Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card and you’ll become eligible for cell phone protection coverage. This benefit is worth up to $600 per claim against damage or theft, although a $25 deductible applies. There’s a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.
24/7 Concierge Service
Visa Signature concierge can help you make travel or dining plans or provide other types of personal assistance. This benefit is offered for free and 24 hours a day provided you’re a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card customer.
Emergency card disbursement and card replacement
If your credit card is lost or stolen, this protection can replace your card in as little as 24 hours.
Roadside dispatch
This benefit includes a phone number you can call for pay-per-use assistance when you’re on the road. For example, you can call roadside dispatch for help with a flat tire, tire changes, or lockout service.
Travel and emergency assistance services
This benefit is offered 24 hours a day, and it comes in the form of an assistance hotline. You can use this hotline to get help with medical or legal referrals, emergency transportation assistance, emergency translation services, and more. The service itself is complimentary, but you’re responsible for any third-party costs.
Access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
Cardholders can book through the Visa Signature Hotel Collection and receive additional perks, including:
When you make a reservation through Visa Signature Hotels, you’re automatically entitled to the following:
Room upgrade upon arrival, when availableFree in-room Wi-FiLate check-out upon request, when availableComplimentary breakfast for twoA $25 food or beverage credit
Fees and costs
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card doesn’t charge an annual fee, which is a major benefit considering the high rate of cash rewards you get.
With that being said, there are some other additional charges that can apply. For example, fees can be charged for balance transfers and cash advances, and you could be charged a late fee or returned payment fee up to $40. This card also charges 3% in foreign transaction fees when you make purchases abroad.
Comparison: Wells Fargo Active Cash vs other Wells Fargo credit cards
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
Annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
Rewards rate
2% cash rewards on purchases
3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
N/A
Welcome bonus
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
N/A
Card benefits
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (then a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card APR)
Cell phone protection
Visa Signature Concierge
Roadside dispatch
Travel and emergency assistance services
Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement
Access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card (then a Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card APR)
Cell phone protection
Car rental insurance
Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement
Roadside dispatch
Travel and emergency assistance services
Visa Signature Concierge
Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
No foreign transaction fees
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card (then Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card APR)
Cell phone protection
Review
Wells Fargo Autograph card review
Wells Fargo Reflect card review
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card vs other cash-back credit cards
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rewards rate
2% cash rewards on purchases
1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you buy, plus 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you pay your bill
5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% cash back (3x points) on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on everything else
Welcome bonus
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
N/A
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Card benefits
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (then a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card APR)
Cell phone protection
Visa Signature Concierge
Roadside dispatch
Travel and emergency assistance services
Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement
Access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
Citi® Double Cash Card, then Citi® Double Cash Card
Access to Citi Entertainment
Chase Freedom Unlimited®, then a 14.99%–23.74% variable APR
Extended warranty
Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise)
Trip interruption/cancellation insurance
Travel and emergency assistance services
Review
Chase Freedom Unlimited card review
Wells Fargo Active Cash card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash card worth it?
If you’re looking for a straightforward no-annual-fee card with strong cash rewards on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is hard to beat. Few cards match its 2% cash rewards rate, and while it isn’t jam-packed with benefits, it comes with a few handy perks that can save you money.
However, if you prefer a card with a few more bells and whistles, or you’re looking to earn a higher rewards rate in specific categories (such as groceries or gas), a different cash-back card could be in order. You can read our guide to the best cash-back credit cards for all the top options.
What credit score do you need for the Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card?
To qualify for the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card, you’ll need at least a good credit score, which means a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 700.
If your score isn’t quite where it needs to be, have a look at the best credit cards for fair credit and our list of credit cards for bad credit. Some of these cards earn rewards, too.
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash a Visa or Mastercard?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is a Visa Signature card. This means it comes with extra perks, including access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection and Visa Signature Concierge.
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash made of metal?
No, the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card isn’t a metal card. It’s made of plastic, like most other cards.