Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Review: Earn a $200 Cash Rewards Bonus

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A Solid Everyday Cash-Back Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card makes earning rewards simple and uncomplicated. Every single purchase earns you an unlimited 2% cash rewards—no activation required and no categories to track. This is an excellent choice for those who want a straightforward flat-rate rewards credit card that they can use on the majority of purchases. You can also pair this card with another card that does earn elevated rewards on bonus categories to maximize your overall reward strategy.

Pros

Earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every single purchase
No annual fee
Automatic cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card

Cons

Points don't transfer to travel partners unlike other card currencies
No bonus earning categories

Cash Rewards Bonus

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes with a generous offer for new cardholders:

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on the card within the first three months of account opening.

The required minimum spend is quite achievable and lower than cards with similar welcome offers. If you put all your regular spending on the card for the first couple of months or time your application around a large home improvement purchase, you can easily hit the bonus requirement.

Just remember that the three months you have to meet the minimum spending requirement begin when your account is opened. This is typically the day you’re approved for the card, and not when your credit card is mailed, received, activated, or first used. However, you can immediately use the card’s digital wallet features once you’ve been approved for a new account.

Who Should Get the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?

Consider applying for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card if you value low-hassle, flat-rate earning with a straightforward cash rewards card. You’ll earn the same 2% rate on all purchases made with this card—without having to worry about bonus categories or activating any rotating categories throughout the year. If you’re busy and just want a simple way to earn cash rewards on autopilot, this could be the card for you.

Plus, if you want to earn higher rewards rates on bonus categories, you can always pair this card with another rewards credit card. To maximize your rewards, look for a card that offers higher earn rates in categories you value, like groceries, gas or online shopping.

What Our Credit Card Experts Are Saying

“I often suggest the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card for anyone looking to finance home repairs or renovations. I’ve used their strong intro APR offer to stretch out payments on larger expenses like new flooring, a bathroom remodel, and a set of cordless power tools. And because this is a no-annual-fee card, its flat 2% back on purchases gives me a reason to keep the card handy for miscellaneous spending.”

Ryan M Tronier Writer

Who Should Skip the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?

Those who are looking to squeeze more value out of a credit card’s rewards or who want higher-value travel and shopping perks may want to skip the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. If you want a card with more valuable rewards beyond this card’s 1:1 cash rewards value, you may want to consider other rewards cards, for example. Some cards offer higher rewards rates and the ability to transfer the points you earn for higher valuations to really maximize your earnings.

And if you’re a frequent flyer or want specific travel benefits like higher transfer rates to hotel and airline partners, you may want to compare travel rewards credit cards before applying for this card. Consider which categories you spend the most in and how much time and effort you want to put into earning rewards before you decide whether this card is right for you.

Earning Rewards

Earning rewards with this flat-rate rewards credit card is simple:

Cardholders earn an unlimited 2% cash reward on all eligible purchases.

There is no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn and no categories to track, which makes it a solid choice for everyday spending. This is as competitive as the Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner Citi, which has a system of offering 1% back at the time of purchase and another 1% when you pay for your purchases.

Wells Fargo Rewards® points are earned as part of the Wells Fargo Rewards Wells Fargo Rewards® program and do not expire as long as the account is open.

How Much Are Rewards Worth?

This card's rewards function in the same way as those of other cash reward programs. One cent is equal to one percentage point of cash rewards. Every transaction receives 2% cash back, which translates to two cents on the dollar. Spend $1,000 on your credit card and get $20 back.

Redeeming Rewards

When it comes to redeeming your cash back, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a number of flexible and practical options.

Credit to a Wells Fargo account. You can redeem your cash rewards as a credit to a Wells Fargo mortgage loan, installment loan, or other line of credit.
Direct deposit into a Wells Fargo checking or savings account. You can also direct deposit rewards into your Wells Fargo bank account.
Cash withdrawals from Wells Fargo ATMs. When you use your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card, you can redeem your cash rewards in $20 increments.
Statement credits. Redeem your rewards to pay for recent, qualified charges made to your credit card.
Gift cards. You may exchange your cash back earnings for gift cards to several well-known stores.

It’s worth noting that cardholders can also share Wells Fargo Rewards® with other Wells Fargo Rewards® customers.

Card Benefits and Perks

Some card issuers, like Citi, have stripped nearly all of the once common purchase protection and travel insurance benefits from their cards. Other card issuers, like Chase for example, have retained their benefits and even enhanced some.

Wells Fargo’s stance on cardholder benefits is somewhat in the middle. It never offered a huge amount of benefits, but in recent years, it hasn’t gone out of its way to eliminate the ones it has traditionally offered.

Included are:

Cell phone protection policy. This policy offers $600 worth of coverage on eligible damage or theft. To utilize this coverage, you just have to pay your monthly mobile phone bill with your card. Just note that there’s a $25 deductible.
Visa Signature Concierge. This service is available 24/7 and offers assistance with travel, dining and entertainment planning.
Visa Signature Luxury Hotel collection. This program offers you substantial hotel discounts and benefits when booking accommodations through it. Sample offers include a third night free when you book two nights, or 30% off room rates. And when staying also receive a $25 food and beverage credit, free continental breakfasts and complimentary in-room wifi. And upon availability, you’ll receive room upgrades and a 3 p.m. late checkout.

Great Cash Back Card

Earn Unlimited 2% Cash Rewards on Purchases

Apply Now

Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees

Drawbacks

The advantages of this card are appealing, but it also has a few drawbacks. The disadvantages, however, are mostly the same as those of other cards in the cash-back credit card category.

Foreign transaction fees. If you frequently go abroad, you probably shouldn't use the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it has a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Strict approval requirements. Depending on a few variables, you might not be eligible to get the card's promotional APRs or welcome bonus if you opened a Wells Fargo credit card within 6 months of submitting your application. This is a significant disadvantage.
Balance transfer fees. You should be aware that there is a balance transfer fee if you decide to use the card's intro APR on balance transfers: 120 days from account opening, 3% introductory rate of the amount of each balance transfer; thereafter, up to 5% for each balance transfer (with a $5 minimum).

Annual Fee

Although annual fees are sometimes the price of entry for more costly rewards cards, they do reduce the annual value of these cards. This card is easy to keep around for a long time because there is no annual charge.

Intro APR

New accounts receive 0% intro APR financing on both new purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% (Variable) APR applies depending on creditworthiness). Qualifying balance transfers must be made within 120 days of account opening (the day your new account was approved).

When you perform a balance transfer, according to this offer, there’s a 3% balance transfer fee applied to your new balance. But after the 0% Intro APR offer ends, a balance transfer fee of up to 5% applies, and transfers won’t receive the 0% APR promotional financing. There’s a minimum $5 fee for each transfer.

Be sure to use caution with these types of 0% intro APR offers. Receiving financing is great, but not if it encourages you to make unnecessary purchases and incur debt.

Other Fees

Other fees include a 3% Foreign Currency Conversion fee applied to each transaction converted to U.S. dollars. This appears to be slightly different from most cards’ foreign transaction fee, which applies more broadly to any transaction processed outside the United States, even in U.S. dollars. Either way, you’ll come out behind if you use this card to make purchases from foreign merchants in a foreign currency, whether or not you’re actually visiting that country or placing an order from home.

Recommended Credit Score

Unlike some credit card issuers, Wells Fargo doesn’t list either the credit score needed to qualify for their cards, or even a description of the credit score required, such as “good” or “excellent.” Instead, Wells Fargo considers many factors when considering applications for new accounts.

In general, people who’ve had serious credit problems are unlikely to qualify for the most competitive reward cards, like this one. And those without excellent credit who are approved are unlikely to qualify for the lowest interest rates. But the fact that the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is offered with a range of interest rates could be an indication that those with a range of credit profiles could be approved for this card.

Comparing the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great option for those seeking a no-frills card with a welcoming sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and a straightforward rewards structure. However, seasoned credit card users may find it lacking the extra perks typically found on more lucrative cash-back cards. People who are accustomed to earning higher rates on certain types of purchases may find a flat-rate card isn't the ideal method to maximize rewards.

That's why it's important to compare this card with other of the top cash rewards cards in order to determine which is the best option for your needs.

Credit Card	Intro Bonus	Annual Fee	Rewards	Learn More
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	$200Cash Bonus More Info Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.	$0	2%Cashback More Info Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Citi Double Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	$200Cash Bonus More Info 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.	$0	2%Cashback More Info 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.	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply Now	1.5%Extra Cash Back More Info Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.	$0	1.5% - 5%Cashback More Info Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.	Apply Now

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

If you're thinking about getting this card, you should also compare it to its closest rival, the Citi Double Cash® Card from our partner Citi, which offers 1% cash back on purchases and 1% cash back after paying your bill.

The Citi Double Cash Card is already at a disadvantage due to the earning structure. However, the Citi Double Cash Card's lengthy intro APR on balance transfers is where it really shines. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months from the date of the first transfer for balance transfers made within four months of account activation, followed by a variable APR ranging from 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) - making it one of the finest balance transfer credit cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a less complicated alternative to cards such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. The Freedom Unlimited card provides cash back with a twist.

Cardholders can earn:

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
3% cash back on eligible dining and pharmacy expenses
1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Will the 5% and 3% cash-back categories compensate for the 0.5% cash-back gap on everything else? This is a decision that each potential cardholder must make based on their preferences, budget, and spending habits.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited features more perks, such as purchase protection, extended warranties, and a number of travel safeguards. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card covers your cell phone. The welcome incentives on both cards are similar. However, Freedom Unlimited's is structured differently: for the first year you hold the card, earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases, up to $20,000 spent.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited will make more sense for some people. For others, Wells Fargo’s card is straightforward and simple to calculate. The cards may be a suitable match for some, but most people would profit more from combining the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card with a product that earns higher rates in a broader range of categories.

Pairing the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card With Other Cards

The advantage of flat-rate cash rewards cards is that they work nicely with practically any other card you may already have. Pairing your flat-rate cash back card with a card that earns a higher rewards rate on your most significant specialty expenditure categories, such as groceries, restaurants, or gas, is the ideal approach to optimizing your flat-rate cash back card. Then, make use of Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to earn even more rewards on purchases outside of those areas.

UNLIMITED 2% BACK

Ready to apply? Start here.

Apply Now

Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees

FAQs

You are able to apply online, using the Wells Fargo app, on major credit card websites, by mail, or in person at a Wells Fargo branch.
It’s not difficult to get a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. But whether you will be approved depends on various factors, including your credit score, credit history, income, and existing financial relationships with Wells Fargo. Most of the time, this card is for people with good to excellent credit scores, which are usually 670 or higher.
We looked at user reports and found that the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card's credit limit is often between $1,000 and $20,000 or more. That’s because each cardholder has a different credit limit, which is based on many factors like their annual income and credit history.

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a journalist who specializes in covering credit cards, award travel and other areas of personal finance. As one of the nation’s leading experts in the credit card industry, Jason’s work has been featured at mainstream outlets such as Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and Business Insider.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Review: $200 Cash Rewards Bonus