Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
We do not recommend this card for serious rewards users. While it has no annual fee and a modest welcome bonus, cash back lacks the upside of transferable points. You can use rewards for travel expenses, but better options exist, and this card is not worth a 5/24 slot.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
This is a straightforward cash back card with simple rewards earning. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card offers a 20,000 point (redeemable as cash back) welcome offer after spending $500 in the first three months. You earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track.
The card has no annual fee and includes several additional benefits:
- 0% APR for the first 12 months
- Cell phone protection up to $600 against damage or theft
- Travel protections including auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Roadside dispatch
You can redeem rewards in multiple ways:
- As a statement credit (starting from just $1)
- As credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo credit card or checking account
- At ATMs with your Wells Fargo debit card
- For gift cards
- As credit toward a Wells Fargo loan or mortgage
While Wells Fargo does have airline and hotel transfer partners, you cannot transfer rewards directly from the Active Cash Card. However, if you have one of the Wells Fargo Autograph cards, you can transfer rewards from your Active Cash Card to an Autograph card, then to a travel partner.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be suitable if you specifically want travel rewards as part of your credit card strategy
What to Know About Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards
Wells Fargo Rewards should only be considered when you've exhausted Chase, Amex, or Capital One
- One unique feature of Wells Fargo Rewards is that they can be transferred or gifted to another Wells Fargo customer
- The Autograph cards are the only cards with transferable miles to partners
- Wells Fargo doesn’t have the same robust list of transfer partners as other Rewards programs like Chase or Amex
- But there is still value to be had, with a 1:2 transfer ratio to Wyndham and redeeming miles for one of their monthly Promo Rewards
How The Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card Fits In The Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards Ecosystem
There are two other Wells Fargo cards worth considering, both of which we'd recommend over the Active Cash. However, only one of these cards is worthy of a 5/24 spot.
- Autograph Journey Card: Our top recommendation among Wells Fargo cards, but only after you've acquired key Chase, American Express, Citi, and Capital One cards.
- $95 annual fee
- 60,000 point welcome bonus after $4,000 spend in 90 days
- $50 annual statement credit for airline purchases of $50+
- Offers various spending multipliers for accelerated rewards
- Allows point transfers to travel partners, maximizing reward value
The Journey card is especially valuable since it's one of just two Wells Fargo cards that allows transfers to airline and hotel partners, which is the most effective way to maximize your rewards.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Card: A no-annual-fee option with partner transfer ability
- 20,000 point welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in three months
- Earns 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming services, and phone plans
- 1x points on all other purchases
- No annual fee
When considering the Active Cash Card, remember it serves as a basic cash back option in Wells Fargo's lineup but lacks the transfer ability of the Autograph cards. If you're primarily interested in travel rewards, either of the Autograph cards would be a better fit within this ecosystem, with the Journey version offering substantially better value despite its annual fee.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Wells Fargo Active Cash Application Rules
You may not be eligible to open a Wells Fargo card if you have opened one in the past six months
You will not be eligible for a signup bonus on the same card if you’ve received one for THAT card in the previous 48 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
