The Wells Fargo Reflect Card and the Discover it Cash Back Card both offer compelling introductory APR periods, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to manage existing credit card debt or finance new purchases without immediate interest. However, if you're leaning towards maximizing savings on interest, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card edges out with its longer 21-month 0% intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers. On the other hand, the Discover it Cash Back Card is a go-to for earning rewards, with its 5% cash back on rotating categories and a unique first-year cash back match. While the Wells Fargo Reflect Card may not offer rewards, its longer intro APR period and added benefits like cell phone protection make it a worthy consideration for those prioritizing debt management over rewards.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
vs. Discover it® Cash Back Card
Updated: July 25, 2024
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- Regular APR18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable18.24%–28.24% variable0% APR Offer0% for 21 months on purchases0% intro APR for 15 monthsIntro OfferNo current offerThis card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or pointsMatches cash back earned at the end of the first 12 monthsMatches cash back earned at the end of the first 12 monthsRewards Summary-This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or pointsEarn 1%–5% cash backEarn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.Balance Transfer Offer0% for 21 months on balance transfers0% intro APR for 15 monthsBalance Transfer Fee5% for each balance transfer, minimum $53% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)Annual Fee$0$0Recommended Credit670-850 (Good to Excellent)670–850 (Good to Excellent)Penalty APR-NoneNot sure?
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Wells Fargo Reflect Card if you're planning significant purchases or want to manage existing debt with a generous 0% intro APR period. Its 21-month interest-free window on purchases and balance transfers can provide substantial savings on interest charges, making it a strong choice for financial flexibility without the distraction of rewards. Additionally, the cell phone protection is a valuable perk if you're looking for extra security for your mobile device.
You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back Card if you enjoy maximizing cash back rewards on everyday spending. With its 5% cash back on rotating categories and an unmatched first-year cash back match, this card is tailored for those who actively manage their credit card usage to optimize rewards. The introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is also beneficial for those who may have some upcoming expenses or small balances to transfer.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, and other features will illuminate which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if you plan to carry a balance, Reflect's longer 0% APR period may appeal to you, whereas Discover it Cash Back could be more attractive for maximizing rewards on everyday spending. Use this section to identify which card offers the benefits that matter most to you.
Regular APR: Discover it Cash Back
For those prioritizing a lower Regular APR, the Discover it Cash Back card is preferable, offering a range of 17.24%–28.24% variable, compared to the Wells Fargo Reflect card's 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable.
Annual Fee: Tie
Both the Discover it Cash Back and Wells Fargo Reflect cards have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on costs.
Introductory 0% APRs: Wells Fargo Reflect
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card outperforms with a longer 0% APR period of 21 months for both purchases and balance transfers, compared to the Discover it Cash Back Card's 15 months. The Reflect Card's balance transfer fee is 5%, minimum $5.
Rewards: Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back Card is better for rewards, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories, then 1%; 1% cash back on all other purchases. Rewards do not expire and can be redeemed in multiple ways. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card does not offer rewards.
Welcome Offers: Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back Card is better for welcome offers, featuring a unique match of all cash back earned at the end of the first year, a benefit not offered by the Wells Fargo Reflect Card.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
Both the Discover it Cash Back and Wells Fargo Reflect cards cater to individuals with credit scores ranging from 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent), making them equally accessible options for those with good to excellent credit.
Penalties and Fees: Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back Card is more favorable for penalties and fees, offering no fee for the first late payment and no foreign transaction fees, compared to the Wells Fargo Reflect Card's up to $40 late fee and 3% foreign transaction fee.
Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it® Cash Back Card
The Discover it Cash Back Card leads in issuer satisfaction with a rating of 4.5, compared to Wells Fargo Reflect Card's 4.0. This suggests higher customer satisfaction with Discover's service and support.
Other Features & Perks: Tie
Both cards offer unique perks. The Wells Fargo Reflect provides up to $600 in cell phone protection and access to personalized deals through My Wells Fargo Deals. The Discover it Cash Back does not offer specific perks in this comparison, making it a tie based on the unique additional benefits each card provides.
Rewards Comparison
REMOVE SECTION
Category | Discover it Cash Back | Wells Fargo Reflect |
|---|---|---|
Quarterly Rotating Categories | 5% for the first $1,500 annually/1% thereafter | N/A |
All Other Purchases | 1% | N/A |
Redeeming Rewards
When considering the Discover it Cash Back, cardholders have the advantage of redeeming their cash back in various ways, including as statement credits, gift cards, or direct deposits. The flexibility extends to the timing and amount of redemptions, which can be made at any time and for any amount. Additionally, there's no worry about expiration; rewards remain valid as long as the account is active. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Reflect card does not offer a rewards program, so there are no redemption or expiration policies to consider.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Wells Fargo Reflect and Discover it Cash Back using a tailored scoring system. For these cards, the Balance Transfer Score is the most relevant, reflecting their strongest use case. The two largest factors in this score are the balance transfer offer's attractiveness and the cost of carrying a balance, as indicated by the regular APR. These elements, along with other considerations such as issuer satisfaction and penalties, form a comprehensive assessment. For a deeper understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology. This approach ensures that you can confidently choose the card that best fits your financial needs.
FAQ: Wells Fargo Reflect vs. Discover it Cash Back Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card does not offer rewards, while the Discover it Cash Back Card offers 5% back on rotating categories and a cash back match.
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a longer 0% intro APR period of 21 months.
Both cards offer cards with no annual fee.
Yes, it offers a unique first-year cash back match for new cardholders.
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card has a 5% fee, while the Discover it Cash Back Card has a 3% intro fee, then up to 5%. Details on balance transfer fees can vary.
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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