Discover it Chrome vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card Comparison

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Both the Discover it Chrome and Wells Fargo Active Cash Card have no annual fees and good introductory APR offers. However, the** Wells Fargo Active Cash Card edges ahead with its unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases**, making it a compelling choice for those seeking simplicity and consistent value.

However, the Discover it Chrome remains a strong contender. Discover it Chrome has an intro 0% APR offer. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your preference for rewards structure and financial planning.

Discover it® Chrome

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.8/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
0% for 12 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Cashback Match
Earn $200 Cash Back
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–2% cash back
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
0% for 12 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of the amount of each transfer after intro fee
3% of the amount of each balance transfer
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
None
None
Not sure?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash edges out the Discover it Chrome with its unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases and a $200 welcome bonus. While both cards have no annual fee, the Discover it Chrome offers a longer intro APR period on balance transfers. However, the Wells Fargo Active Cash provides a better overall reward rate without category restrictions and a valuable welcome offer, making it a more versatile card for everyday spending.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you frequently spend on gas and dining out, as you'll benefit from the 2% cash back in these categories. Additionally, if you travel abroad, you'll save with no foreign transaction fees. The first-year cash back match can also be a significant boon if you use your card regularly for all purchases.

You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you value simplicity and a high rewards rate on all your spending. With an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and a $200 welcome bonus, this card offers straightforward value. Plus, the added perks like cell phone protection can provide extra peace of mind.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features side by side helps you decide which card suits your needs. For instance, if you frequently dine out or fill up your car, Discover it Chrome's bonus categories might appeal to you, whereas consistent spenders across all categories may prefer the unlimited 2% rewards with Wells Fargo Active Cash.

Regular APR: Discover it Chrome

Discover it Chrome offers a lower starting APR of 18.24% compared to Wells Fargo Active Cash's 20.24%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Discover it Chrome and Wells Fargo Active Cash Card have no annual fee.

Introductory 0% APRs: Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a more advantageous introductory 0% APR period, with 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, compared to Discover it Chrome's six months on purchases and 18 months on balance transfers. Additionally, Wells Fargo's balance transfer fee is lower, making it the better choice for those seeking introductory 0% APR offers.

Rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash

Wells Fargo Active Cash offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, compared to Discover it Chrome's 2% on gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 each quarter and 1% on other purchases. Both cards offer flexible redemption options, but the simplicity and higher rate of Wells Fargo Active Cash make it more appealing for general use.

Welcome Offers: Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a better welcome offer, featuring a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months, translating to a high return on investment. In contrast, Discover it Chrome provides a cash back natch at the end of the first year, with a lower return on investment.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Discover it Chrome and Wells Fargo Active Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are equally accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

Discover it Chrome offers a more lenient fee structure, with no foreign transaction fees and the first late payment fee waived, compared to Wells Fargo Active Cash's up to $40 late fee and 3% foreign transaction fee.

Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Chrome

Discover has a higher issuer satisfaction rating at 4.5, compared to Wells Fargo's 4.0.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Discover it Chrome provides free overnight card replacement and online personal information protection. Wells Fargo Active Cash offers benefits like Visa Signature Concierge and up to $600 cell phone protection, subject to a $25 deductible.

Rewards Comparison

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card leads with an unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases. This simplicity and higher rate make it a strong choice for those who prefer a no-fuss approach to earning rewards across all spending without any caps or category tracking.

In contrast, the Discover it Chrome card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%. While this is competitive, it's limited by the quarterly cap and specific categories. However, for users who spend significantly in these areas, it could be a draw, especially in the first year with Discover's cash back match feature.

View the table of bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards.

Category	Discover it Chrome	Wells Fargo Active Cash
Gas Stations	2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter	2%
Restaurants	2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter	2%
All Other Purchases	1%	2%

Redeeming Rewards

Discover it Chrome offers versatile redemption options, including gift cards and direct deposits, with the added perk that rewards never expire. In contrast, Wells Fargo Active Cash allows redemptions through various means, such as statement credits and ATM withdrawals, also with no expiration as long as the account is active. However, it lacks point transfer options to travel partners. Both cards provide straightforward redemption processes, ensuring that the rewards you earn can be easily converted to tangible value.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process assigns multiple scores to each credit card, reflecting different uses like balance transfers and cash back. In this comparison, the Discover it Chrome and Wells Fargo Active Cash are evaluated based on their highest-scoring use cases. The Discover it Chrome is assessed for its balance transfer features, with a focus on the introductory purchase rate and regular APR.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is scored for cash back, emphasizing the effective reward rate and regular APR. These factors, among others, contribute to a comprehensive score that guides potential cardholders.

FAQ: Discover it Chrome vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?

Discover it Chrome offers 2% on gas and dining, while Wells Fargo Active Cash offers unlimited 2% on all purchases. These are among the best cash back rewards cards.

Do either of the cards offer a welcome bonus?

Wells Fargo Active Cash provides a $200 bonus. Discover it Chrome matches cash back after the first year.

Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

Discover it Chrome has no foreign transaction fees. Wells Fargo Active Cash charges 3%.

What are the introductory APR offers for each card?

Discover it Chrome offers 0% on purchases for six months and 18 months on transfers. Wells Fargo Active Cash offers 0% for 15 months. Both cards are among the best for introductory APR offers.

Can I benefit from cell phone protection with these cards?

Wells Fargo Active Cash offers up to $600 protection. Discover it Chrome does not.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Discover it® Chrome vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card