If you’re looking for a no-fuss, everyday credit card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a top-tier choice. You earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. This no-annual-fee card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases. Although it lacks bonus categories, its simplicity makes it a solid choice for everyday use.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Review: Stress-Free 2% Cash Back and 0% APR
Updated: July 1, 2024
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MoneyGeek’s Take
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rewards EarningEarn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer3% of the amount of each balance transfer
APR Regular20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable
Annual Fee$0
Recommended Credit670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Overview
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is a straightforward option for those who want to earn consistent cash back without the hassle of tracking bonus categories. With unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, it’s tailored for busy folks who want a simple, rewarding card.
The card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which is helpful for large purchases or consolidating debt. There’s no annual fee, and it comes with a signup bonus. However, it’s not the best card if you want to get higher rewards on specific spending areas.
>>MORE: MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Details
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Card Uses |
|
Annual Fee | $0 |
Introductory Offer | Earn a $200 cash reward bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months |
Introductory APRs | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers |
Rewards | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases |
Regular APRs | 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable |
Penalty APR | None |
Balance Transfer Fees | 3% of the amount of each balance transfer (minimum $5) |
Late Fees | Up to $40 |
Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% of each transaction |
Other Perks |
|
Rewards Program Overview
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a straightforward cash back program. It lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, eliminating the need to track spending categories or rotating rewards. Its cash back rate is higher compared to the 1.5% cash back that comparable flat-rate cards offer.
You can redeem your cash rewards as a check, statement credit, direct deposit, merchandise, gift cards, travel or a Wells Fargo ATM withdrawal in $20 increments. Additionally, your rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
Why You Might Want to Get This Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a top choice if you want a stress-free credit card to earn cash back on your purchases.
Unlimited 2% Cash Back
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is one of the few cards that let you earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. This straightforward reward structure means you don't have to worry about rotating categories or spending limits, making it perfect for everyday use.
0% Intro APR Period
The card lets you enjoy a 15-month 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. It’s useful if you plan to make a large purchase or transfer a balance from another card, giving you time to pay it off without accruing interest.
Welcome Offer
By spending $500 in purchases in the first three months, you’ll earn a $200 bonus. This generous offer amounts to a 40% return on your spending, and its spending requirement is lower compared to other cards that go as high as $2,000.
No Annual Fee
With a $0 annual fee, you can maximize your rewards without worrying about an annual cost eating into your cash back earnings.
Why You Might Want a Different Card
Here are some potential drawbacks to consider before you decide on the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
No Bonus Categories
While the card offers a flat 2% cash back on all purchases, it doesn't have any bonus categories. If you spend heavily on specific areas like supermarkets, online retail and gas stations, you may get more rewards from a card like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Longer 0% Intro APR Periods Are Available
If you want maximum flexibility in dealing with your credit card debt, you can find cards that offer a longer 0% intro APR period. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with 21 months of no interest, which is helpful if you want to lower your monthly payments as you deal with your credit card balance.
How Wells Fargo Active Cash Compares
To help you make an informed decision, we compare the Wells Fargo Active Cash with similar cash back cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday Card offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases and gas stations (up to $6,000 per year for each category). However, its base cash back rate is lower at 1%. Still, if you spend heavily on groceries and gas, you may get more cash back from Blue Cash Everyday.
Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
From the same issuer, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a longer 0% intro APR period of 21 months on balance transfers and purchases. However, it does not provide any cash back rewards. If you’re focused on dealing with your credit card balance or financing a large purchase, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card can be a worthy alternative.
Cards to Pair With Wells Fargo Active Cash
By thoughtfully pairing credit cards together, you can maximize the rewards you earn and the benefits you can access. We analyzed card offerings on the marketplace to find a card that perfectly complements the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Pairing With the Capital One Savorone Cash Rewards Card
To maximize the cash back you get, you can pair the Wells Fargo Active Cash with a card like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery stores, which can help you get higher cash back on those common spending categories. Meanwhile, you can use the Wells Fargo Active Cash for all other purchases to get 2% cash back. This strategy ensures you’re earning high rewards on all your swipes.
Is Wells Fargo Active Cash Right for You?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a great choice for those who want a simple, no-fuss cash back card. With unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, a $200 signup bonus and a 15-month 0% intro APR offer, it’s hard to beat among flat-rate cards. However, it’s not the best card for people who want to maximize the cash back they get from their purchases due to its lack of reward categories.
BEST CASH BACK CARDS OF 2024
Can’t decide if the Wells Fargo Active Cash is a good fit for your needs? Check our picks of the best cash back credit cards to help you find an option that matches your spending habits and lifestyle.
How We Evaluated the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
We reviewed 60 cash back cards, focusing on key features weighted as follows to generate our scores:
- Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures how rewarding the card is based on its cash back rate. A 5 rating indicates a highly rewarding card.
- Annual Fee (10%): Assesses the cost of maintaining the card. A 5 rating means no annual fee.
- Offer Return on Investment (ROI) (10%): Evaluates the return on investment from introductory offers. A 5 rating signifies a high ROI.
- Regular APR (5%): Rates the ongoing interest rate. A 5 rating indicates a low APR.
- Foreign Transaction (5%): Assesses fees for international transactions. A 5 rating means no foreign transaction fees.
- Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on customer satisfaction with the card issuer. A 5 rating reflects high satisfaction.
- Penalties (5%): Evaluates penalty rates and fees. A 5 rating indicates no penalties.
- Intro Purchase (5%): Rates the introductory APR offer on purchases. A 5 rating signifies a long 0% APR period.
- Recommended Credit (5%): Assesses the credit score range required for approval. A 5 rating means the card is accessible to a wide range of credit scores.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card earned a perfect MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5, demonstrating its broad appeal to consumers looking for a straightforward cash back credit card.
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.
sources
- American Express. "Blue Cash Everyday® Card." Accessed June 26, 2024.
- Capital One. "SavorOne Rewards from Capital One." Accessed June 26, 2024.
- Wells Fargo. "Wells Fargo Active Cash®." Accessed June 26, 2024.
- Wells Fargo. "Wells Fargo Reflect® Card." Accessed June 26, 2024.
*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.