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

Updated: October 15, 2024

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Chase Freedom Flex® Card both offer enticing rewards and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash stands out for its simplicity and high cash back rate, making it an excellent choice for straightforward, unlimited rewards. But the Freedom Flex should not be overlooked, especially if you value rotating bonus categories that could potentially boost your cash back in specific areas.

Both cards are strong contenders, but the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases and absence of an annual fee give it a slight edge for those who prefer a no-fuss rewards structure.

Credit Card logo for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Credit Card logo for Chase Freedom Flex® Card
Chase Freedom Flex® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
Rates & Fees
MoneyGeek Rating
3.6/ of 5
Rates & Fees
REVIEW & APPLY
On Issuer's Site
REVIEW & APPLY
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you value simplicity and efficiency in your credit card rewards. With a flat 2% cash rewards rate on all purchases and no annual fee, this card is a workhorse for everyday spending without the need to track rotating categories or spending caps.

You might prefer the Freedom Flex if you are adept at maximizing credit card rewards and don't mind keeping track of bonus categories. If the Freedom Flex offers higher rewards rates in categories where you frequently spend, it could yield more value than a flat-rate cash back card.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you prefer straightforward cash back, the Wells Fargo Active Cash might appeal with its unlimited 2% rewards. Alternatively, the Chase Freedom Flex could be attractive for its rotating bonus categories.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Wells Fargo Active Cash

    The 20.49% starting variable APR of the Chase Freedom Flex is higher than the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's starting APR of 20.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and the Chase Freedom Flex Card offer the benefit of a $0 annual fee.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Wells Fargo Active Cash

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, with a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5). The Chase Freedom Flex Card does not have a similar offer.

    coins icon

    Rewards: Freedom Flex

    The Freedom Flex is better for users who maximize spending in its rotating categories and bonus rewards on travel, dining, and drugstores. The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases, appealing for its simplicity.

    However, the potential value from the Chase Freedom Flex's varied rewards rates, especially in bonus categories, can surpass the flat rate of the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you align your spending accordingly.

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    Welcome Offers: Wells Fargo Active Cash

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for welcome offers, featuring a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Freedom Flex cards cater to people with good to excellent credit scores.

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    Penalties and Fees: Tie

    Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Freedom Flex cards impose up to $40 for late payments, charge either $10 or 5% for cash advances (whichever is greater), and have a 3% foreign transaction fee. Neither card has a penalty APR.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Fredom Flex

    Chase has a user satisfaction rating of 4.1, slightly higher than Wells Fargo's rating of 4.0.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Wells Fargo Active Cash includes Visa Signature Concierge and up to $600 cell phone protection. The Chase Freedom Flex offers a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription.

Rewards Comparison

Category
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Chase Freedom Flex

Travel

2%

5% if purchased through portal

Dining

2%

3%

Drugstores

2%

3%

Quarterly Bonus Categories

2%

5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate/1% thereafter

All Other Purchases

2%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

Both the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome offer various redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposits to bank accounts and gift cards. Importantly, your rewards do not expire, providing peace of mind that you can use them when it's most convenient for you.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates credit cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Chase Freedom Flex across various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Freedom Flex Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
What are the introductory offers for these cards?
How do the APRs compare between the two cards?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.

Read Full Bio »
*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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