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The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and 0% intro APR offer (Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, then a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card APR), which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.

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. 

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review

The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, 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.

It 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 2% cash back credit card, but there are some major differences.

With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you effectively earn 2% cash back but your rewards are doled out in two segments — you get 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you make a purchase and another 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you pay it off. The Citi® Double Cash Card has a 0% introductory APR that only applies to balance transfers and not to purchases (Citi® Double Cash Card, then a Citi® Double Cash Card APR).

If you opt for the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card instead, you'll get the chance to earn a welcome 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.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Benefits and Features

Since this is a no-annual-fee card, there aren't a ton of flashy benefits. But it does come with a couple of perks that can save you money and make your life easier.

Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers

New cardholders are eligible for a Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, followed by a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card 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 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

The Visa Signature Concierge can help you make travel or dining plans or provide other types of personal assistance. This benefit is offered for free 24 hours a day.

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 (a credit card hotel booking program) 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 available
  • Free in-room Wi-Fi
  • Late check-out upon request, when available
  • Complimentary breakfast for two
  • A $25 food or beverage credit

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash welcome bonus offer

New cardholders can earn a Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card. That's a competitive welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee credit card, and the minimum spending requirement is easily attainable for most folks.

It's also similar to offers on comparable cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ - Product Name Only and Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express - Product Name Only.

How to earn cash rewards with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

With this card, you'll earn 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 use rewards from the Wells Fargo Active Cash

Rewards earned with the 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 rewards
  • Redeem for statement credits to a Wells Fargo mortgage, loan, or credit product account
  • Redeem at a Wells Fargo ATM in increments of $20, although you'll need a Wells Fargo debit card to do so
  • Cash in your rewards for gift cards
  • Use 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 rewards expiration

Your cash rewards won't expire as long as your card is open and in good standing (meaning paid on time). If you're late with a payment, you won't be able to redeem rewards until your account isn't delinquent.

And, if you close your account, be sure to redeem your rewards before doing so. You'll forfeit any rewards in your account if you close it, unless you have another Wells Fargo Rewards card.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Annual Fee and Other Costs

The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card has no annual fee, which is a major benefit considering the high rate of cash rewards you get. You'll want to avoid carrying a balance, though, because a regular APR of Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card applies.

There are some other additional fees to keep in mind:

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Cash advance fee
  • Late payment fee

Compare the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Citi Double Cash vs Wells Fargo Active Cash

If you're considering this card, you'll want to also look at its closest competitor, the Citi® Double Cash Card, which earns 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you buy, plus 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you pay your bill.

That earning structure already puts the Citi® Double Cash Card at a slight disadvantage, along with the fact the card doesn't currently offer a welcome bonus. Where the Citi® Double Cash Card shines is in its long intro APR on balance transfers. New cardholders receive a Citi® Double Cash Card, then a Citi® Double Cash Card APR, making it one of the best balance transfer credit cards.

For a deeper dive into the differences between these cards, check out our Citi Double Cash vs Wells Fargo Active Cash card comparison.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Wells Fargo Active Cash

If you don't mind juggling a few bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could be a good alternative to the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can earn Chase Freedom Unlimited® - Intro Bonus.

Plus, you'll earn 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining, 3% cash back at drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on everything else, with no limits. So if you spend a lot on travel, restaurants, and drugstores, you could earn more rewards with this card. It also offers a Chase Freedom Unlimited®, then a 14.99%–23.74% variable APR APR. 

Best cards to pair with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

This card's strength is its 2% cash rewards rate across the board, which makes it great to use for purchases that don't earn a bonus with other cards. The best strategy is to pair it with another that earns a high rate of rewards in categories where you spend the most.

For example, if you spend a lot on groceries, gas, and online shopping, you could pair the card with the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express - Product Name Only, which earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1% back), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1% back), and 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1% back). 

Alternately, you could consider pairing with the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card - Product Name Only, which earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through November 14, 2024, 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One travel, and 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

If you're looking for a straightforward no-annual-fee card with strong cash rewards on purchases, this is a very good credit card. 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.

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash card hard to get?

To qualify for this card, you'll need at least a good credit score, which means a FICO score of at least 670. If your score isn't quite where it needs to be, have a look at the best credit cards for average credit and our list of the best credit cards for bad credit. Some of these cards earn rewards, too.

What is the Wells Fargo Active Cash card?

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, it's not a metal card. It's made of plastic, like most other cards.

Why you should trust us: How we reviewed the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Insider's credit cards team evaluated the card in comparison to similar no-annual-fee cards that earn cash rewards. We looked at several factors, including:

  • Ease of use — Are the rewards from the card easy to earn and redeem, and are there various options for using rewards? Are there any spending caps or other limitations?
  • Earning potential — How do the card's earning rates compare to similar cards in the same category? If there are bonus categories, do any of them have a spending cap, and do they apply to typical everyday spending?
  • Perks — While most cards of this type are fairly no-frills, does the card come with benefits that similar cards lack? For example, cell phone protection, travel insurance, or a strong intro APR offer?

You can find out more about Insider's methodology in our how we rate credit cards guide.

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