If you're looking for a rewards card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Discover it Miles and Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for cash rewards, offering unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. In contrast, Discover it Miles is ideal for travel enthusiasts, with unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases and a unique first-year mile-for-mile match for new cardmembers.
Discover it® Miles
vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
While both offer 0% APR introductory periods and no annual fees, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has better everyday rewards, while Discover it Miles caters to travelers.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Benjamar Gabawa
Content Editor
Benjamar Gabawa is a MoneyGeek content editor with 10 years of experience editing personal finance, fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts. He is also a published travel writer. Benjamar has a Certificate of Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission after passing its Professional Level Career Service Examination (CSE - PPT) in 2014.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Benjamar Gabawa
Content Editor
Benjamar Gabawa is a MoneyGeek content editor with 10 years of experience editing personal finance, fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts. He is also a published travel writer. Benjamar has a Certificate of Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission after passing its Professional Level Career Service Examination (CSE - PPT) in 2014.
Updated: April 12, 2024
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- Regular APR18.24% - 28.24% variable20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable0% APR Offer0% for 15 months on purchases0% for 15 months on purchasesBalance Transfer Offer0% for 15 months on balance transfers0% for 15 months on balance transfersAnnual Fee$0$0Rewards SummaryEarn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchaseAutomatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchasesEarn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchasesRecommended Credit670-850 (Good to Excellent)670-850 (Good to Excellent)Not sure?
Discover it® Miles vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Which Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Discover it® Miles if: You value simplicity in your rewards program and are attracted to the unique first-year reward match offered by Discover. This card automatically earns you an unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar spent on all purchases. At the end of your first year, Discover matches all the miles you've earned, doubling your rewards for that year. This could be particularly advantageous if you plan on making a significant number of purchases with your card during the first year. Additionally, with no annual fee and a forgiving policy on the first late payment, it's a solid choice for those who want a straightforward rewards card with a generous introductory offer.
You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card if: You're looking for a card that offers a higher rate of cash back on all purchases and a substantial welcome bonus. With an unlimited 2% cash reward on purchases and a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months, this card offers immediate and consistent value. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also boasts no annual fee and a competitive 0% intro APR period for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, making it a compelling option for those who want to maximize their cash back earnings and potentially pay down other credit card balances.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Miles
The Discover it Miles card boasts a solid MoneyGeek balance transfer card rating of 3.5 out of 5, reflecting its potential as a travel rewards card. With no annual fee, this card is tailored for those who enjoy earning travel rewards on every purchase. Cardholders automatically earn an unlimited 1.5X miles for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for travel expenses, making it a straightforward choice for everyday spending.
A standout feature is the first-year mile-for-mile match, effectively doubling the rewards you earn in your first year. Regular APRs range between 17.24% and 28.24% variable, and there are no fees for foreign transactions, making it a cost-effective option for international travelers.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, with a MoneyGeek balance transfer score of 3.8 out of 5, is a strong contender for those seeking straightforward cash rewards. It boasts a no-annual-fee structure and a welcome bonus, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious consumers. This card is particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer a simple rewards program, offering unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
With an expected reward value of $602 and an effective reward rate of 2%, it's clear why this card is a favorite among those who value uncomplicated cash back on their spending. The recommended credit range for potential cardholders is between 670 and 850, indicating that it is best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit.
Details Comparison: Discover it® Miles vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Our breakdown will help you compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features of the Discover it® Miles and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. By examining these aspects side by side, you can identify which card aligns with your spending habits and financial goals.
Regular APR
The Discover it® Miles offers a more favorable regular APR between 17.24% and 28.24% variable, compared to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card's range of 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable. This makes the Discover it® Miles the better option for those concerned with Regular APR.
Annual Fee
The Discover it® Miles and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card both offer the advantage of having no annual fee, making them equally attractive options for those looking to save on yearly costs.
Introductory 0% APRs
Both cards offer the same introductory 0% APRs on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. Neither card is better for introductory APR offers.
Rewards
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for rewards, offering an unlimited 2% cash reward on purchases compared to the Discover it Miles' 1.5X miles on every dollar. With a higher effective reward rate of 4.8 and an expected reward value of $602, it surpasses the Discover it Miles' rate of 3.6 and expected value of $451.
Welcome Offers
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a more immediate benefit with its $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. Discover it® Miles counters with a unique approach, offering a Discover Match® for all miles earned in the first year, without a specific spending requirement. This makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card more appealing for those looking for a quick cash reward, while Discover it® Miles caters to those who prefer accumulating and doubling their miles over the first year.
Recommended Credit Score
Both cards require a credit score between 670 and 850 (good to excellent), leaving no difference between the Discover it Miles and the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card in terms of the recommended credit score.
Penalties and Fees
Discover it® Miles offers more leniency with no foreign transaction fees and no late payment fee for the first occurrence. Both cards charge similar fees for cash advances. However, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card imposes a 3% foreign transaction fee on each transaction abroad.
Issuer Satisfaction
Discover it® Miles has a higher issuer satisfaction rating at 4.5, compared to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card which is rated at 4.0. This indicates a better customer satisfaction level with Discover Bank.
Other Features & Perks
Discover it® Miles offers a unique perk with its Unlimited Bonus, matching all the miles earned at the end of the first year, which can be highly beneficial for frequent travelers. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides a straightforward $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months, appealing to those who prefer cash rewards.
FAQ: Discover it® Miles vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash®
Discover it® Miles offers unlimited 1.5X miles on purchases, while the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards.
No, both cards have no annual fee.
Both cards offer 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Discover it® Miles has no foreign transaction fees, while Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges 3%.
Both cards recommend a credit score between 670 and 850 (good to excellent).
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.
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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