Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
vs. U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offer cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them strong contenders for your wallet. However, the Wells Fargo Active Cash edges ahead with its straightforward unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it an excellent choice if you prefer simplicity and consistent value across all spending.

In contrast, the U.S. Bank Cash+ has customizable rewards that can yield higher cash back but require active management. This program may benefit you if you enjoy tailoring your rewards to your spending patterns.

You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you value straightforward rewards without the need to track spending categories. Its unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases and additional perks like cell phone protection make it a strong contender for simplicity and value.

You might prefer the U.S. Bank Cash+ if your spending aligns with the card's bonus categories and you don't mind putting in a bit of work to maximize your rewards. It's a great fit for strategic spenders because you can earn up to 5% cash back in the categories you choose.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features side by side clarifies which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you spend heavily in specific categories, U.S. Bank Cash+ might be advantageous, whereas Wells Fargo Active Cash offers simplicity with a flat rewards rate.

Wells Fargo Active Cash is the go-to for consistent and hassle-free rewards. It offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. It's a solid choice for those who value simplicity and don't want to keep track of category bonuses.

On the other hand, the U.S. Bank Cash+ has a customizable rewards program. It allows you to earn up to 5% cash back on two categories you select, 2% on an everyday category of your choice and 1% on all other purchases. This card is better suited for those willing to actively manage their rewards to maximize returns. However, the 5% cash back comes with a $2,000 purchase limit per quarter, which may limit its appeal for high spenders. Note that you must enroll each quarter into your chosen categories to earn the higher cash back rates.

The table below details the bonus categories for each card to help you compare at a glance.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash allows for straightforward cash rewards redemption in various forms, including statement credits and direct deposits, starting at $20 increments. Importantly, rewards do not expire as long as your account remains active.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers redemption for statement credit or direct deposit into U.S. Bank accounts once you've accumulated at least $25 in cash back. However, flexibility is somewhat limited as rewards cannot be redeemed for paper checks or into non-U.S. Bank accounts. Rewards also expire after 36 months, necessitating more frequent redemption to avoid loss of cash back.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash and U.S. Bank Cash+ based on their performance in various use cases. For this comparison, we focus on the cash back category, where each card's highest score lies.

The most significant contributors to the cash back score are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for the offer. Other considerations include annual fees, issuer satisfaction, and recommended credit.