Updated: July 26, 2024
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Wells Fargo’s credit card lineup isn’t as large as other providers. It only advertises three consumer credit cards and three business credit cards, offering cash back, rewards and introductory perks such as 0% APR. In addition, it has a co-branded card with Hotels.com that’s suitable for folks who frequently book hotel rooms.
Generally, consumers need good to excellent credit scores to apply for a Wells Fargo credit card. We recommend a credit score of 670 or higher to ensure approval.
Despite its limited offering, Wells Fargo has solid credit cards that accommodate the needs of most people. All their consumer cards have a $0 annual fee, and most of them offer welcome bonuses.
| Credit Card | MoneyGeek Rating | About | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Credit Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/ of 5 | One of the best flat rate cash back cards | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases | $0 | 670-850 (Good to Excellent) | |
5/ of 5 | A strong balance transfer card with a lengthy 0% APR offer | N/A This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or points | $0 | 670-850 (Good to Excellent) |
Wells Fargo also offers the following credit cards:
MoneyGeek picked the best Wells Fargo credit cards based on reward categories, welcome bonuses and other card features.
When applying for a Wells Fargo credit card, you should understand their rules and processes in order to have the best chance for approval. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions regarding Wells Fargo cards to help you with the application process.
You need to have a good to excellent credit score to qualify for a Wells Fargo card. This means having a credit score of at least 670. Having an existing relationship with Wells Fargo, such as a checking or savings account, can improve your chances of approval as well.
You are allowed to own multiple Wells Fargo credit cards. Nonetheless, be mindful of how many credit cards you own, and use them responsibly. That way, you won’t acquire unmanageable amounts of debt.
Wells Fargo doesn’t explicitly limit how many times you can apply for their cards. However, you can’t apply for a new card within six months of opening a Wells Fargo card. Additionally, if your existing Wells Fargo card has been inactive for the past six months and you apply for a new card from this provider, they will allocate your existing credit limit between the two cards.
You can only get approved for one Wells Fargo card every six months. You’ll be ineligible to apply for a new card within six months of account opening.
You can only claim a welcome bonus from Wells Fargo once every 15 months. That means if you have received introductory APRs, fees and/or bonus rewards offers, you’ll be ineligible for new welcome offers for 15 months. This rule stands even if the old account has been closed and fully paid.
If you’re looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card, take note of the factors below before deciding which card you should get.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Customer Service & Satisfaction | Wells Fargo offers 24/7 customer service by calling their hotline. Most customers outside of the U.S. can call them free of charge using international access codes. However, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, Wells Fargo ranks eight out of 11 national providers. They have a score of 791, which is slightly below the segment average of 809. |
Mobile Apps & Online Services | The Wells Fargo mobile app is available for both Google Play and Apple App Store. Similar to the issuer’s website, the app allows cardholders to view their accounts, make payments, activate and deactivate cards and manage rewards. Based on the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Banking Mobile App Satisfaction Study, Wells Fargo scored below average, ranking sixth out of 11 providers. However, their app has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on both app stores. |
Security & Credit Monitoring Services | Wells Fargo offers two-step verification, biometric sign-in, account alerts and other security features for their customers. They also provide access to Control Tower®, which allows users to view, manage and monitor their digital financial footprint from a single location. Wells Fargo cardholders can easily view their FICO credit scores through the provider’s app. |
Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks | Wells Fargo Rewards is this issuer’s rewards program, and it allows eligible cardholders to earn points that can be redeemed as cash, gift card, statement credit and more. Its program does not have any airline or hotel transfer partners, so the value received is more like a cash back credit card. |
Authorized Users | Wells Fargo allows cardholders to add authorized users to their accounts. Cardholders can do this by accessing Wells Fargo’s website and providing the person’s name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. There are no fees when using this service. However, the primary cardholder can’t set a spending limit for their authorized users. |
Purchase Protection | Some Wells Fargo cards come with a purchase protection feature, covering the damage or theft of eligible purchases for up to 90 days. The issuer will reimburse up to $500 per item and up to $50,000 per cardholder. However, not all purchases are covered by Wells Fargo’s purchase protection feature. |
Co-Branding & Partnerships | Currently, Wells Fargo has a co-branded partnership with Hotels.com. |
Other Products Offered | Beyond credit cards, Wells Fargo offers a wide selection of financial products and services for all kinds of consumers. They have savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposits, car loans, mortgages, refinance mortgages, managed investment portfolios, business loans, personal loans, student loans and more. |
Despite their limited lineup, Wells Fargo offers competitive credit cards for both individuals and business owners. Their $0 annual fee consumer cards cater to different kinds of spending habits. Additionally, their business cards generously reward spending while presenting entrepreneurs with the flexibility they need.
You may find Wells Fargo credit cards a fit for your needs if you are:
Looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases
With Wells Fargo credit cards, you can get unlimited cash back rewards without monitoring category limitations or quarterly activations. You can also access a cash bonus by meeting a spending threshold and benefit from cash back rewards on purchases with a $0 annual fee card.
Looking to transfer credit card balance
Wells Fargo cardholders can enjoy 0% APR for up to 21 months on balance transfers. They can also settle their existing credit card balance from other issuers with a $0 annual fee card.
"While the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an attractive unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, many consumers could benefit even more from its Reflect Card, which offers up to 21 months of 0% APR financing on balance transfers. That's almost two years of no interest, which can help many consumers quickly pay off debt."
- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
There are different Wells Fargo credit cards to choose from depending on your needs. However, you need a good to excellent credit rating to qualify for this issuer. You may need to check other providers if you have bad credit or if you aren’t sure this is the right issuer for your needs.
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.
