Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review: Unlimited 2% cash rewards

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In a world of complex credit card rewards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card stands out for its refreshing simplicity.

This card offers an uncomplicated approach to earning cash back — you'll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases. It’s a great option for those who want straightforward rewards without the hassle of tracking bonus categories or spending caps.

If you're looking for a no-fuss, high-earning card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card should be at the top of your list. Let’s explore the card’s key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you decide if it’s right for you. 

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card benefits

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has a lot going for it, especially compared to other cash back credit cards on the market. Here’s a closer look at some of its benefits and features.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's primary selling point is its unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases. This earning structure eliminates the need to keep track of rotating bonus categories or spending caps.

Other top cash back credit cards offer up to 3% (or even 5%) cash back in certain spending categories or have spending caps to earn elevated rewards. Other flat-rate cash back cards only offer up to 1.5% cash back on your purchases.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card takes all the confusion out of the equation. Whether buying groceries or filling up your gas tank, you'll earn a consistent 2% cash rewards on every purchase.

Welcome bonus

New cardholders can take advantage of a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months after account opening. This bonus is easy to earn and boosts your rewards balance right off the bat.

To put this bonus into perspective, you'd need to spend $10,000 on a card with 2% cash back to earn the same $200 in rewards. 

While some cash back cards offer higher welcome bonuses, they often require a higher minimum spend or have an annual fee.

Introductory APR offer

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card features a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 20.24%-29.99%.

This introductory offer can be particularly valuable if you have a large purchase in mind or need to consolidate high-interest debt from other credit cards.

For balance transfers, a 3% fee (minimum $5) applies for the first 120 days after account opening, after which the fee increases to 5% (minimum $5). 

Additional benefits

While the Active Cash Card isn't loaded with premium perks like some other rewards credit cards, it does offer a few benefits that can come in handy:

• Cell phone protection: If you pay your monthly phone bill with your card, you can get up to $600 in coverage against damage or theft. You'll get up to two claims per year, subject to a $25 deductible.
• Visa Signature benefits: You can use certain travel protections and access the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

Redeeming rewards with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a few different redemption options. You can:

• Redeem rewards as a statement credit, effectively reducing your credit card balance
• Transfer your rewards directly into an eligible Wells Fargo checking or savings account
• Redeem your rewards for gift cards
• If you have a Wells Fargo debit card, you can withdraw your cash rewards at a Wells Fargo ATM

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card fees and drawbacks

While the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has many benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider:

• No bonus categories: While you'll earn 2% on all purchases, this card doesn't offer bonus cash back on specific spending categories. If you spend a lot in particular categories, such as groceries or dining, you may earn more with a card that offers tiered cash back. 
• Foreign transaction fees: The card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases. If you travel internationally, you may want to consider a card that doesn’t have these fees. 
• High APR after the introductory period: Once the 0% APR offer ends, the card's variable APR ranges from 20.24%-29.99%. To avoid accruing interest charges, paying your balance in full each month is important.

Alternatives to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

If you're not convinced that the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is the right choice, several other cash back cards are worth considering. 

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card right for you?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for those who want simplicity and consistency in their rewards. The unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases make it easy to earn cash back without tracking bonus categories or spending caps. 

Plus, the card's welcome bonus and introductory APR offer provide added value for new cardholders.

But, if your spending is focused on certain categories, you may want to consider a cash back card with tiered rewards. 

For example, let’s say your monthly spending looks something like this:

• $800 on groceries
• $200 on gas
• $500 on dining out 
• $500 on miscellaneous purchases

With the Active Cash card, you’d earn $40 monthly cash rewards, or $480 yearly.

With the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you’d earn $46 in cash back each month, which adds up to $556 yearly (assuming your grocery purchases earned the 3% cash back rate).

On the other hand, if you used the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card — which earns a flat 1.5% on all purchases — you’d earn $30 cash back each month, up to $360 yearly. 

Maximizing value with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

To get the most out of your Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, consider the following strategies:

• Use the card for all everyday purchases: By using your card for groceries, gas, and other regular expenses, you can accumulate a significant amount of cash back.
• Pair the card with a bonus category cash back card: While the Active Cash Card's 2% cash rewards on all purchases are impressive, you can boost your earnings by combining it with a card that offers higher rewards in specific categories, like groceries or travel.
• Take advantage of the introductory APR offer: If you have a major expense coming up or want to pay down high-interest credit card debt, the 0% APR offer can help you save on interest charges.

How we rated this card 

Every credit card review we publish has undergone a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity.

We rate all credit cards on a 10-point system, with 10 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score. We assess each card across several key factors, weighted based on what our research shows matters most to readers like you. Learn more about our methodology here.

Here are some of the factors that influenced this card’s overall score:

• Rewards: The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a solid 2% cash back on all purchases, with no categories to track or spending caps to worry about. This structure makes it a standout among flat-rate cards. But, depending on your spending, tiered cash back cards may offer better value.  
• Redemption flexibility: You can redeem cash rewards for statement credits, direct deposits to a Wells Fargo account, gift cards, or cash at a Wells Fargo ATM (with a Wells Fargo debit card). While not as flexible as cards that allow transfers to travel partners, the redemption options are still numerous and easy to use.
• Annual fee: The Active Cash Card has no annual fee, making it an affordable way to earn cash back without the added costs.
• Benefits: The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers additional benefits, like cell phone protection. However, it lacks some premium perks that other cards may provide, like robust shopping and travel protections.
• Welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. It's on par with other cash-back cards and is relatively easy to earn. 
• Rates & other fees: The card offers a competitive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, helping you save on interest. However, it does come with a 3% foreign transaction fee, which can be a drawback for international travelers. The card's regular APR after the intro period is also relatively high, ranging from 20.24%-29.99% (variable).

The bottom line

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a top-tier cash back credit card that offers a straightforward way to earn cash rewards. With its unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, introductory APR offer, and lack of annual fee, this card provides significant value.

You can maximize your cash back earnings by using the Active Cash Card for all your everyday purchases and pairing it with a bonus category card. 

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.