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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Review

LendingTree's Review

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
4.6
Wells Fargo Active Cash<sup>®</sup> Card
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Extra Perks
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It was not reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Our take: With its flat cash back rate on every purchase and $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid choice if you want a simple approach to earning rewards without the commitment of an annual fee.

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card a good credit card?

Citi is an advertising partner.
If you want to earn a solid cash back rate on every purchase without keeping track of rewards categories or spending caps, this card makes it easy to do so without paying an annual fee. That’s because the $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Plus, it offers an easily attainable sign-up bonus, as well as interest-free periods on purchases and balance transfers for more than a year.

That said, you won’t get robust benefits with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card — but that’s to be expected from a flat-rate cash back card with no annual fee. To help you decide if this is the right card for you, we’ll highlight its pros and cons and show how it compares to similar cash back credit cards.

Quick facts

    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
    • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
    • $0 annual fee.
    • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
    • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
    • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
  • 660 720 850
    Good/Excellent
  • Cellphone protection
  • 24/7 concierge service
  • Access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection
  • Zero liability protection

Intro Purchase APR

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening

Regular Purchase APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Intro BT APR

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular BT APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Annual Fee

$0

Cash Advance Fee

Refer to Important Credit Terms

Foreign Transaction Fee

3%

Balance Transfer Fee

3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5

Pros and cons

  • Flat cash back rate on every purchase
  • Easy-to-earn, valuable sign-up bonus
  • $0 annual fee
  • Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • No bonus earning categories
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Balance transfer fee

What we like about the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

  • Flat cash back rate on every purchase

    With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you won’t have to keep track of bonus earning categories or spending caps. Instead, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. This is one of the highest flat rates you can earn from a cash back credit card.

    You can redeem your cash back the following ways:

    • To cover past purchases (can be as little as $1)
    • As a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo credit card, checking account or mortgage
    • For cash in $20 increments at an ATM (when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card)
    • Toward gift cards from a variety of retailers

  • Easy-to-earn, valuable sign-up bonus

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Meaning, you only have to spend approximately $167 per month for three months to earn the sign-up bonus.

    This is a valuable sign-up bonus, and slightly better than other flat-rate cash back cards — especially once you factor in the card’s rewards rate. For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you earn a 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), but offers a lower cash back rate on general purchases.

  • $0 annual fee

    Since this card comes with a $0 annual fee, everything you earn in rewards will be net cash back from the very start. That is, as long as you don’t rack up interest charges or other fees.

  • Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

    If you want to make a big purchase and pay it off over time, this card lets you do so without incurring interest charges for more than a year. You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases. After that, a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies.

    Or, if you have a large amount of high-interest credit card debt that you want to transfer, the card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After, a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies.

    These are both long intro APR periods — making the card ideal if you want a balance transfer or 0% APR card that also earns rewards.

What to look out for with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

  • No bonus earning categories

    While the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn an elevated cash back rate on every purchase, there are rewards cards available — like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — that offer even higher rates in popular spending categories, such as groceries and gas.

  • Foreign transaction fees

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges foreign transaction fees of 3% of the amount of each transaction when you use your card to make purchases outside the U.S. So if you’re planning a trip abroad, leave this card at home and take one with no foreign transaction fees.

  • Balance transfer fee

    If you transfer your existing credit card debt to this card, you’ll be subject to a balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5. For example, if you transfer $6,000 to the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, you’ll be charged a balance transfer fee of $180 if transferred within the first 120 days, and $300 if transferred after the first 120 days.

    Note, there are a handful of cards available that don’t charge balance transfer fees, but those are mostly issued by credit unions and typically offer shorter interest-free periods on balance transfers than the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

Alternative cards to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

| Disclosures
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site
Rates & Fees
N/A
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
600 660 720 850
Fair/Good/Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

If you want a flat-rate cash back card that lets you to transfer rewards to travel partners, as well as offers a longer intro APR on balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a great alternative.

You’ll earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. Along with redeeming your rewards for statement credit, direct deposit, checks, travel, merchandise and gift cards, you can transfer them to a few of Citi’s hotel and airline partners.

The Citi Double Cash® Card also offers a very long intro APR of 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers. After that, an 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card vs. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

| Disclosures
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
| Terms Apply
0% on purchases for 15 months
19.24%-29.99% Variable
$0
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good/Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

If you spend a significant amount at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retailers and U.S. gas stations, a card that offers accelerated cash back on those purchases, like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, may be a better choice.

You’ll get 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply. Your cash back comes in the form of Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which you can redeem as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.

Similar to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, this $0-annual-fee card offers an 0% on purchases for 15 months (then an 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR) and an intro APR of 0% on balance transfers for 15 months (then an 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR).

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express also offers more benefits than the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, including an annual Disney Bundle credit*, a Home Chef credit*, complimentary ShopRunner membership* and more.

*Enrollment required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card right for you?

If you value simplicity and want to earn consistent cash back on every purchase for a $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice. But if you prefer a longer intro APR on balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash® Card may be a better option.

Or, if your main goal is to maximize your rewards and you don’t have a problem shifting between two cards, consider pairing the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card with another card. For example, if you spend heavily on groceries, gas or online retail purchases in the U.S., you can use your Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express to earn a high cash back rate on those purchases. And for everything else, use your Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if you use this card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you’ll be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.

Wells Fargo allows you to request a credit limit increase by calling 800-642-4720.

Since the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card reports your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), it can help you build credit with responsible usage. This includes paying your bill on time and in full (whenever possible) each month, as well as keeping your credit utilization ratio at or below 30%.

Learn More
on Wells Fargo's secure site
*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.

 

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information related to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.