Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Updated: June 25, 2024

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When considering the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you'll find they both offer enticing cash back rewards, no annual fees and valuable introductory APR periods. But the Wells Fargo Active Cash edges ahead with its higher cash back rate of 2% on all purchases.

The Quicksilver provides a solid 1.5% back. If you value a slightly lower rewards rate in exchange for benefits like a lower required spend for the welcome bonus, the Quicksilver card is a worthy contender. Both cards demand good to excellent credit, so they're equally accessible.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Quicksilver if you frequently book hotels and rental cars because it offers 5% cash back on these travel expenses through Capital One Travel. Additionally, its 1.5% cash back on all other purchases makes it a solid choice for consistent rewards across all spending categories.

You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you value simplicity and a higher rewards rate on your everyday spending. With an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and added benefits like cell phone protection, this card is well-suited if you want straightforward, maximized cash back on every purchase.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. Use this section to discern subtle differences, like Quicksilver's lower rewards rate but added travel perks, versus Wells Fargo Active Cash's higher rewards rate and cell phone protection.

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    Regular APR: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver edges out slightly with a starting APR of 19.99%, compared with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's starting APR of 20.24%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Wells Fargo Active Cash have no annual fee, making them equally attractive if you're looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Wells Fargo Active Cash offer a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, accompanied by a 3% balance transfer fee.

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    Rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers better rewards, providing unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases. By contrast, the Quicksilver offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with a higher rate of 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

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    Welcome Offers: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver and the Wells Fargo Active Cash offer a $200 cash bonus after a $500 spend within the first three months.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Quicksilver Card and the Wells Fargo Active Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are equally accessible if you have good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver is better for penalties and fees, offering no foreign transaction fees compared with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's 3% fee on each foreign transaction.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Quicksilver

    Capital One has a higher issuer satisfaction rating at 4.2, compared with Wells Fargo's 4.0.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Quicksilver provides up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership and unlimited 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One.

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers benefits like Visa Signature Concierge and up to $600 cell phone protection.

Rewards Comparison

The Wells Fargo Active Cash edges out the Quicksilver with its 2% cash rewards on all purchases, making it a compelling choice if you prefer simplicity and higher earning potential across the board. While the Quicksilver offers a respectable 1.5% cash back on general purchases, it doesn't match the Active Cash's rate.

But the Quicksilver does stand out with its 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which could be a deciding factor for frequent travelers. Neither card complicates things with rotating categories or spending caps, ensuring a hassle-free rewards experience.

The table of bonus categories helps you visually compare the rewards programs of both cards.

Category
Quicksilver
Wells Fargo Active Cash

Travel (Hotels & Rental Cars)

5% if booked through Capital One Travel

2%

All Other Purchases

1.5%

2%

Redeeming Rewards

The Quicksilver offers a straightforward redemption process with no minimums and the option for automatic cash back. Rewards remain available as long as the account is active. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card also ensures rewards don't expire with an open account, but redemptions start at $20 increments.

Both cards provide similar cash-equivalent redemption options, such as statement credits and gift cards, catering to those who value simplicity and flexibility in accessing their rewards.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Quicksilver and Wells Fargo Active Cash based on their performance in various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Quicksilver vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

What are the cash back rates for each card?
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Are there any unique perks associated with each card?
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About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*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.
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