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Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Cory Santos

| Last updated on February 26th, 2024

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
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None Annual Fee

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

  • 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa Card offers Wells Fargo customers unlimited 2% back, two generous introductory offers, and various protections – all for no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • No annual fee
  • 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Regular Purchase APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You don’t like the hassle of bonus reward categories
  • You want a lengthy 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
  • You want a card with a $0 annual fee

In-Depth Review: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card is a versatile cash back credit card that provides unlimited 2% cash back rewards without the annual fee.

Who Can Benefit from the Active Cash?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card is well-suited for individuals who are looking to maximize their cash back rewards on everyday purchases. This card is especially beneficial for people who fall into the following categories:

  • Frequent Spenders: Individuals who regularly spend on categories such as dining, gas, and streaming services can benefit significantly from the unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, as offered by the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card. The card’s rewards structure is tailored to benefit those who consistently use their credit card for various expenses.
  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: For those who prioritize simplicity and prefer a straightforward cash back structure, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card’s flat-rate rewards system provides an uncomplicated way to earn cash back without the need to track rotating categories or spending caps.
  • Existing Wells Fargo Customers: Current Wells Fargo customers can seamlessly integrate the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card into their banking relationship, potentially unlocking additional benefits or rewards through the bank’s loyalty programs or promotions.

How to Get the Card

Credit Needed

Wells Fargo has strict eligibility requirements for its credit card products. To apply for a Wells Fargo credit card, you will likely need a FICO Score of 670 or higher. However, a score of 700 or higher is more suitable for approval. This means that you must have good or excellent credit to qualify for the Wells Fargo Reflect Card.

Pre-Qualify with No Credit Impact

Wells Fargo offers a pre-qualification tool on its website that allows you to check if you are pre-selected for one of its credit cards, including the Active Cash Card. This process is quick, taking less than a minute to complete, and does not impact your credit score when you apply.

How to Earn Rewards

Welcome Offer

The Active Cash Card also comes with a lucrative sign-up bonus. New accounts earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making $1500 in purchases in the first three months of opening an account. This bonus is essentially 20% cash back, which is an easy-to-achieve bonus that provides substantial value.

However, keep in mind that the $200 sign-up bonus may not apply to those who have opened a Wells Fargo credit card account within the last 15 months. This wrinkle applies to anyone that either received a bonus rewards offer or an introductory APR offer – even if the account is currently closed.

Earn Unlimited Cash Back

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card is an unlimited cash back rewards card in the vein of the TD Bank Double Up and the Citi® Double Cash Card. The card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases.

There are no category limitations or quarterly activations. This versatility makes the card an excellent option since almost all purchases qualify for accelerated rewards (except for gift cards, prepaid cards, cash advances, balance transfers, or gambling).

Earn Additional Rewards with Partners

Active Cash cardholders earn additional rewards through the My Wells Fargo Deals program. This platform lets you earn additional rewards when shopping with eligible retailers.

How to Redeem Rewards

Redeeming cash back with the Wells Fargo Active Cash is straightforward. Cash back redemptions take one of four forms:

  • Cover Purchases:Cardholders can use rewards to cover recent eligible purchases made with the Active Cash Card, with redemptions as low as $1.
  • Statement Credits: Cardholders can use rewards to offset charges on Wells Fargo statements, including mortgages, loans, or other Wells Fargo credit cards.
  • Cash at ATMs:Cash back is redeemable in increments of $20 at ATMs when using Wells Fargo debit or ATM cards.
  • Gift Cards:You can’t earn rewards on gift cards, but you can redeem rewards for them. Wells Fargo offers a huge array of gift cards from which to select.

Wells Fargo cash back rewards don’t expire if the card account is open and active.

Introductory APR Benefits

The Active Cash Card also features a 0% intro APR offer. New accounts enjoy 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (subject to credit approval). Like the cash back bonus, this sign-up bonus may not apply to those who have opened a Wells Fargo credit card account within the last 15 months.

The balance transfer introductory offer also features a special introductory balance transfer fee. New accounts enjoy a BT fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. This 15 months of no interest on purchases easily surpasses the 12 months with the  Citi Simplicity® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, but lags behind the 21 months of 0% APR on transfers both cards provide.

Once the introductory APR ends, the Active Cash features a competitive APR on purchases and balance transfers. That rate is comparable with other leading cash back cards – and about three percentage points lower than the national average.

Other Card Benefits

Other notable features of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® credit card include:

  • Wells Fargo Control Tower access via the mobile app
  • Contactless payment and EMV chip technology
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft (deductible applies)
  • Credit Close-Up℠ credit education skills platform
  • Voice Verification and 2-step Verification at sign-on
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee

Visa Signature Benefits

The card also benefits from Visa Signature protections and perks, including Visa Zero Fraud Liability protection. Her’es everything you can expect from Visa Signature:

Zero Fraud Liability Cardholder Inquiry Services Emergency Card Replacement Luxury Hotel Collection Extended Warranty Coverage
Roadside Dispatch Lost/Stolen Card Reporting ID Navigator from Norton Travel & Emergency Assistance

Comparison

Citi Custom Cash Chase Freedom Flex Wells Fargo Active Cash
Rewards Earn 5% on purchases on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to $500 spent, plus 1% back on all other purchases Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate plus travel through Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1% of all other purchases Earn unlimited 2% back on all purchases
Intro APR 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Annual fee $0 $0 $0

What We Like About the Card

Unlimited Cash Back

If used correctly, the Active Cash Card can have a positive impact on your finances. With unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase, you can save money and accumulate rewards over time. Whether you choose to use your rewards to offset expenses or treat yourself to something special, the card enables you to maximize your rewards.

Introductory APR

The card also provides introductory APR on purchases and transfers. These 15-month APR bonuses make it a useful tool for the existing Wells Fargo customer who wants to maximize their rewards while also paying down an existing card balance.

Things to Consider

 Everything is perfect with the Active Cash, however. The card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of the transaction in U.S. dollars, for example. This significantly reduces the value of cash back rewards when using the card outside of the United States.

Wells Fargo Ratings

How does Wells Fargo rank as a credit card issuer? Here is a selection of reviews for the bank from consumers and financial experts:

Should You Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card?

The is an exciting cash back card that offers great everyday value. The 2% cash rewards on purchases is unlimited, meaning there are no confusing quarterly categories or bonus categories. The introductory bonuses are also lucrative, providing real value for consumers not worried by airline miles, hotel points, or other perks.

The cash back marketplace is becoming increasingly congested thanks to new offers from major players like TD Bank. Fortunately, the Wells Fargo Active Cash stands up to the competition – though not providing anything new in the field.  

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