September 7, 2023
Why use LendingTree?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is our pick for best overall Wells Fargo credit card. It boasts a high cash back rewards rate, a generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and a $0 annual fee.
Although the Wells Fargo credit card lineup isn’t as robust as some other issuers’, it still offers something for everyone. Options include a rewards card that gives you cash back on every purchase, a solid balance transfer card with one of the longest 0% intro APRs and even a card that lets you earn points just by paying your rent. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that most Wells Fargo credit cards will require a good to excellent credit score.
Cash back rewards: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase
Our pick for the best overall Wells Fargo credit card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is also a contender for the best 2% cash back card. Unlike other 2% cash back cards, it lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases without strict limitations on how you earn or redeem the cash back. Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, credits to a qualifying Wells Fargo account (credit card, checking account or mortgage), cash back in $20 increments at a Wells Fargo ATM or gift cards. It even offers a generous welcome bonus for new cardholders: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
In addition, it has a longer-than-average 0% intro period for purchases and balance transfers. For purchases, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening, followed by a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR. You’ll also get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR.
When you consider the above — especially its $0 annual fee — it’s easy to see why the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card tops our list of the best Wells Fargo credit cards.
Earn points on rent: Earn 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee
The Bilt Mastercard® is the only credit card that lets you earn points by paying your rent without charging the standard 3% transaction fee. Plus, it reports your rent payments to the credit bureaus each month, helping to build credit.
Although this card doesn’t come with a welcome offer, it does let you earn 1X point on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year; 2X points on travel, 3X points on dining, 1X points on all other purchases. Just be aware that in order to earn points, you must make at least five transactions per statement period.
Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 21 months
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers followed by a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR
An easy choice for one of the best Wells Fargo credit cards, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card also made our of list of the top 10 best balance transfer cards. That’s because it has one of the longest introductory APR periods currently available: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (afterwards, a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR applies). Additionally, the card offers a 0% intro APR 21 months from account opening on purchases, followed by a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR.
One important thing to note is that the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card does charge a balance transfer fee of 5%; min: $5 — this is higher than the average fee of 3% and could substantially cut into your savings.
Travel points: Earn unlimited 3X points on travel, transit and gas stations
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a great choice for anyone looking for a solid travel/rewards card with no annual fee. In addition to earning 3X points on travel, you also score on popular spending categories like restaurants, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus, it has a valuable sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
And while the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is certainly focused on travel and rewards, it’s also a nice option for larger purchases. It offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR.
Rewards rate: 10X points on stays at participating Choice® hotels
The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® is a great choice for avid travelers who prefer staying at Choice Hotels properties. With its generous rewards program, you can earn points quickly and redeem them for free nights, gift cards or transfers to airline partners.
The card also comes with an impressive sign-up bonus: For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months- enough to redeem for up to 11 rewards nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. You must select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer.. Additional benefits include an automatic upgrade to Choice Privileges Elite Gold status and an annual anniversary bonus of 30,000 points. While the card does have a $95 annual fee, its benefits and rewards easily outweigh the cost for Choice Hotels loyalists.
| Credit Cards | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Review Coming Soon
|
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases | 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR | Review Coming Soon |
|
Bilt Mastercard®
Review Coming Soon
|
None | 1X point on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year; 2X points on travel, 3X points on dining, 1X points on all other purchases | 21.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable | Review Coming Soon |
|
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
|
N/A | None | 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR | |
|
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Review Coming Soon
|
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value | Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases | 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR | Review Coming Soon |
|
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Review Coming Soon
|
For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months- enough to redeem for up to 11 rewards nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. You must select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer. | 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases. | XX.XX%, XX.XX%, or XX.XX% variable APR | Review Coming Soon |
Many of the best Wells Fargo credit cards come with card-specific benefits, like competitive rewards programs, introductory APR offers and no annual or foreign transaction fees. On top of that, Wells Fargo partners with Visa and Mastercard — meaning that, depending on what card you get, you may enjoy the following benefits:
| Wells Fargo Visa Benefits | Wells Fargo Mastercard Benefits |
|---|---|
| Cellphone protection | Cellphone protection |
| Zero Liability protection | Zero Liability protection |
| Access to Credit Close-Up℠ credit monitoring tool | No foreign transaction fees |
| Visa Signature® Concierge Services | Purchase security |
| Visa Signature Hotel Collection | Mastercard® World Elite benefits |
| Roadside Dispatch® | Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit |
Determining the best Wells Fargo credit card depends on your individual needs, spending habits and preferences. If you want a solid rewards card with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card are both great choices. However, if you’re looking to finance a large purchase or complete a balance transfer, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card will be your best option.
Review the key features, fees and terms of each Wells Fargo card and then choose the one that best aligns with your financial goals and offers the most value for your specific needs.
Applying for a Wells Fargo credit card is similar to other credit card application processes. Before you apply, make sure you check your credit score, as Wells Fargo typically only accepts applicants with good to excellent credit. You’ll also need to provide some basic personal information, such as your name, address and Social Security number. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Wells Fargo cardholder.
1. Check your credit score
You should first check your credit score, as you will most likely need a FICO Score of 670 to 850 to get a Wells Fargo credit card. There are several free ways to do this online, including via LendingTree. You can also use AnnualCreditReport.com to make sure there aren’t any errors that could affect your credit score.
2. Compare card offers
Next, compare the Wells Fargo credit cards to see which one works best for you. This will depend largely on your personal spending habits and financial goals. For example, if you’re looking for a balance transfer card with a long intro APR, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card will be the best option. However, if you want to earn cash back on everyday purchases, we would recommend the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
3. See if you prequalify
You can check to see if you prequalify for a Wells Fargo credit card by visiting the website here. Although prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, it’s a great way to determine which card(s) will give you the best chance for approval. It’s also important to note that the prequalification process is a “soft credit pull,” meaning it won’t have a negative impact on your credit score.
4. Apply for the card
Now that you’ve done the research, it’s time to apply. You can apply online, in person at a local Wells Fargo branch, over the phone or by mail. Online applications typically get the fastest response, with mailed applications taking the longest — after that, it’s simply a waiting game. In the meantime, you can always check your application status by calling 800-967-9521.
Depending on the type of rewards that you earn, you may be able to redeem Wells Fargo rewards for cash from a Wells Fargo ATM, statement credits, gift cards, travel and more. If you’d like to redeem your rewards for cash, you may be able to do so by using your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card at a Wells Fargo ATM. If you’d like to redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, travel or merchandise, you’ll want to follow the steps below.
Alternatively, if you’d like to chat with someone about your rewards or redeem them by phone, you can contact Wells Fargo Rewards customer service at 877-517-1358.
You can contact Wells Fargo’s credit card customer service department at 800-642-4720 or on the Credit Card Help page here.
The best credit cards for beginners are secured credit cards, as they’re easier to get if you have a minimal credit history. Traditional credit cards usually require a good to excellent credit score, while secured credit cards are designed for people looking to build or rebuild their credit. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a refundable security deposit, and the interest rates on secured cards are usually higher. Wells Fargo no longer offers a secured credit card, but there are plenty of secured credit cards from other issuers.
While it’s common for lenders to use all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — they sometimes have a preference for a specific one based on their internal policies or your location. To get the most up-to-date information on which credit bureaus Wells Fargo currently uses, we recommend contacting Wells Fargo directly.
Typically, you will need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for a Wells Fargo credit card, meaning a FICO Score of 670 to 850. If your score doesn’t fall within this range, you might want to look at some of the best credit cards to build credit first. The higher your score is, the more likely it is that you’ll be approved for a Wells Fargo credit card. You can always check your credit score for free on LendingTree.
Since Wells Fargo stopped offering the Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card in 2021, there are no longer any Wells Fargo credit cards we could consider easy to get. Most cards in the current Wells Fargo lineup require a FICO credit score of at least 670. If your score is lower than that, we recommend working on improving your credit score before applying for any of Wells Fargo’s credit cards. In the meantime, you can look into getting a secured credit card to build or rebuild your credit.
Unfortunately, Wells Fargo is no longer offering a student credit card, as the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ Card was removed from the card lineup in 2021. However, you’ll find that there are plenty of other great options out there as you search for the best student credit card.
Luckily for frequent travelers, most Wells Fargo credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees for purchases abroad. The only cards that do charge a fee are the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.
To select the best Wells Fargo credit cards, our experts compared the credit cards offered on Wells Fargo’s site, as well as the Wells Fargo-issued credit cards on LendingTree.com, including cash back cards, travel cards, 0% intro APR cards and more.
We then chose our top picks based on a variety of factors, including rewards rates, welcome bonuses, annual fees and introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers. Additionally, we looked at the benefits offered by each card, such as cellphone insurance and $0 foreign transaction fees.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
