Find Your Best
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
Updated: March 19, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time. We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies.
These two credit cards are known for their cashback earnings and are among the top credit cards for rewards and cashback.
Here you will find the Wells Fargo Active Cash vs Citi® Double Cash Card comparison where we will evaluate the features, fees, rewards and other benefits of both the cards and compare both of them to help you decide which one is better.
Comparison Overview: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® CardCiti Double Cash® Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card At a Glance
With the Wells Fargo Active Cash, you can earn $200 as a statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of card membership.
As you spend on the card, you will earn 2% cashback on all purchases. The best part about this card is that your cashback rewards don’t expire until you close the account. You can redeem the rewards by using them for different purchases or directly withdrawing cash from a Wells Fargo ATM in $20 increments. You can start redeeming the rewards on purchases even worth $1.
The card has no annual fee and comes with purchase protection and cell phone insurance.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
A great no-annual-fee cash back card with a 0% APR offer
- 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- Unlimited cash rewards on all purchases
- 0% intro APR offer
- Rewards don't expire with an active account
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- No bonus reward categories
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months.
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% applies.
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and a 3% fee. After that, a balance transfer fee of up to 5% (minimum $5) applies.
- No annual fee
- No categories to track, and cash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Earn up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Citi Double Cash® Card At a Glance
With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you will earn 1% cashback at the time of purchase and another 1% when you make the payment on time on all purchases. To redeem the cashback rewards, you can use direct deposit, conversion to points, or a statement credit. However, if you do not earn any cashback within 12 months, then your rewards on the card will expire. There are also foreign transaction fees on this card, making it not a great card for someone who travels outside the U.S.
With this card, you will get account safety via 24-hour fraud protection service and also $0 liability on unauthorized charges. In addition, if your card is lost, there is a complementary lost wallet service and identity theft protection.
- Citi Double Cash® Card
A great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash back
- 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
- 18 MonthsBalance Transfer Duration
- 19.24%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $5 or 3%, whichever is greater; $5 or 5% after first 4 monthsBalance Transfer Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Easy 2% cash back on all purchases
- Lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Accepts fair credit
Cons
- No intro 0% APR for purchases
- Penalty APR
- Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. This bonus is awarded as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 2% on every purchase, with 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until December 31, 2024.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% applies, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers do not earn cash back, and the intro APR does not apply to purchases. Interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance, including balance transfers, by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) for each transfer completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the fee is 5% (minimum $5) for each transfer.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Comparison Summary
We have evaluated the differences between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Citi® Double Cash Card to help you choose the credit card that will suit your needs the best.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Welcome Bonus | The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a $200 welcome bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of card membership. The Citi Double Cash Cash doesn’t have a welcome bonus. Winner: Wells Fargo Active Cash |
Rewards | Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Citi® Double Cash Card earn 2% cashback. However, Wells Fargo Active Cash provides the entire 2% cashback on the purchase while Citi® Double Cash Card provides 1% cashback on purchase and the remaining 1% on timely payment of credit card bills. Winner: Wells Fargo Active Cash |
APR | The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, it charges 14.99%, 19.99%, 24.99% depending on the credit worthiness of the card holder. The Citi® Double Cash Card offers 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months. After that, it charges a variable APR ranging between 13.99% and 23.99% depending on the creditworthiness of the card holder. Winner: Wells Fargo Active Cash |
Expiring Rewards | Cashback earned on the Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card doesn't expire until the account is closed. The Citi® Double Cash Card rewards expire if there is no cashback earned on the card within 12 months. Winner: Wells Fargo Active Cash |
Which Card Should You Get?
If you’re debating between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Citi® Double Cash Card, the best solution is to evaluate your financial situation closely to see where you could benefit the most.
Who Should Consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?
Individuals, small business owners and travelers should consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash card as the card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
Travelers would benefit heavily from the card as it offers benefits when you stay at premium hotels.
Individuals and small business owners can benefit from the card as they can earn unlimited rewards on their daily purchases.
Who Should Consider the Citi Double Cash® Card?
The Citi® Double Cash Card is suitable for consumers who want to earn simple cash back on their daily purchases.
Consumers looking for cash back rewards without the hassle of tracking spending categories.
Small business owners could benefit from the card on their daily purchases for their business as well.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
These cards are nearly identical, so picking one over the other is merely a personal preference. However, if you need some flexible repayment options for future purchases, the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers offer from the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can be beneficial. In addition, the card comes with cell phone protection in case your cell phone is damaged or stolen. If those benefits aren’t beneficial to you, either card will help you earn the same 2% cash back.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Choosing the best credit card can be difficult, however, MoneyGeek has answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the differences between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Citi® Double Cash Card.
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash better than the Citi® Double Cash Card?
Both cards are closely matched as they both offer 2% cash back on all purchases. However, the Wells Fargo Active Cash is a slightly better card for its 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Can you get the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you have the Citi® Double Cash Card?
Yes you can.
Can you transfer points from Wells Fargo Active Cash to Citi® Double Cash Card?
Neither card earns points.
Can you switch from the Wells Fargo Active Cash to the Citi® Double Cash Card?
There is no way to switch from one card to another.
What’s harder to get, the Wells Fargo Active Cash or the Citi® Double Cash Card?
Both cards require good to excellent credit scores to be approved
How much do you have to spend for the Wells Fargo Active Cash vs Citi® Double Cash Card to get the welcome bonus?
Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t offer any welcome bonus. As for the Wells Fargo Active Cash card, you need to spend $1000 within a span of three months to earn the $200 bonus.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
The Wells Fargo Active Cash and Citi Double Cash cards are two of the best credit cards for earning cash back. However, there are other cards to consider to maximize your purchases.
Learn more about credit cards in general
Explore Topics
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
- Well Fargo. "Active Cash Card Details." Accessed March 9, 2022.
- Citi. "Citi® Double Cash Card." Accessed March 9, 2022.
*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.
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.
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.