MoneyGeek's Take

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Review

For a $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers unlimited 2% cash back, a sign-up cash rewards bonus and a 0% intro APR. It’s a simple rewards card with rich features, making it one of the best cards in its category.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/18/2022
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Last Updated: 11/18/2022

People with good credit who want to earn cash back rewards from their everyday spending have a great rewards card option in the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It provides unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, meaning there are no categories or spending caps to track. It also has a $200 welcome bonus for spending $1,000 in the first three months and a 15 month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers all that with no annual fee.

Card Details to Know Up Front
  • Bonus, Fee or Feature
    Has or Not
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.
OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card at a Glance

With its 2% cash back with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice. You get unlimited rewards on purchases without the need to monitor any spending categories or limits.


  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

    A great no annual fee cash back card with a 0% APR offer

    • Good-ExcellentRecommended Credit
    • $0Annual Fee
    • 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 2xRewards Rate on Gas
    • 2xRewards Rate on Groceries

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top-rated credit cards.

Pros & Cons Explained

Although the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card benefits and bonuses are appealing, it’s important to consider its drawbacks before deciding to get it.

Pros

  • Benefits
    Description
  • Unlimited 2% cash back rewards
    All your purchases with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earn 2% cash back. For example, if you spend $1,000, you get a $20 reward. Rewards are redeemable as a statement credit, cash withdrawal with a Wells Fargo debit card, check, direct deposit to your Wells Fargo account, as a gift card or towards a purchase, like for travel.
  • No annual fee
    The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has no annual fee.
  • $200 welcome bonus
    By spending $1,000 within the card’s first three months, you get a $200 cash back bonus.
  • 0% intro APR
    For the first 15 months, all your purchases and balance transfers enjoy a 0% APR.

Cons

  • Drawbacks
    Description
  • Foreign transaction fee
    The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges a 3% fee for all foreign transactions. For example, If you spend $1,000 during a vacation in Mexico, you have to pay $30 in fees.
  • Balance transfer fee
    Balance transfers to this card are charged a transfer fee. For the first 120 days, it’s 3% of the amount transferred or $5, and it becomes 5% or $5 thereafter; the highest amount is always chosen.
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

Every month, MoneyGeek analyzes offers from various credit card companies and picks the best cards for popular categories. Although the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card isn’t a top choice for a rewards cash back card, you can check our list of the best cash back cards.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers both 2% cash back rewards and a welcome bonus, making it an ideal card for people looking to earn rewards from their purchases, whether groceries, gasoline or large purchases like electronics. Rewards never expire, and redemption is available in a variety of forms.

1

Unlimited 2% Cash Back on All Purchases

Your purchases with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earn a 2% cash back reward. There’s no need for you to monitor any categories or limits since the card offers a flat rate across every purchase. Plus, there’s no cap to the rewards that you can earn, and your rewards don’t expire as long as your account is active. You can redeem rewards through a statement credit, a direct deposit or withdrawal to/from your Wells Fargo account, as a check, gift card or use it towards travel and other purchases.

2

Welcome Bonus

You get a $200 welcome bonus by spending at least $1,000 in purchases within three months from opening your account. However, you may be ineligible if you got introductory offers from another Wells Fargo card in the past 15 months.

Other Features Explained

Beyond its 2% cash back reward, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has several useful features and perks.

  • Card Feature
    Description
  • Security features
    Wells Fargo Active Cash® Cardholders enjoy advanced security features such as voice verification and 2-step verification at sign-in.
  • Cell phone protection
    You can receive up to $600 of cell phone protection for damage and theft by paying your monthly bill with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
  • Zero liability protection
    You won’t be held responsible in case of an unauthorized transaction on your card.
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MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

Since there is a welcome bonus of $200 for spending $1,000 in the first three months, it’s a good idea to complete the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card application at a time when you know you have a large purchase to make or expect to spend at least $1,000 in total on multiple purchases soon after opening the account. That way, you get the bonus as well as 2% cash back on the purchase(s).

Understanding the Fine Print

  • Card Feature
    Amount or Rate
  • APR
    18.74% – 28.74%
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Rewards Rate
    2% Cash Back
  • Airline Benefits

Consider the fees associated with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card benefits and consider their effect on your spending habits before submitting an application.

  • This is an icon

    Regular APR

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card features a relatively high variable APR of 15.24%, 20.24% or 25.24%, depending on the cardholder’s creditworthiness when they apply. However, cardholders enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.

  • This is an icon

    Cash Back Reward Rate

    You get 2% cash back on all your purchases with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, and a limit does not apply to the amount you can earn. The rewards you receive don’t expire as long as your account remains active.

  • This is an icon

    Balance Transfer APR and Fees

    With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you get to enjoy 0% APR on balance transfers for the account’s first 15 months. It becomes 15.24%, 20.24% or 25.24% afterward, based on your credit rating.

    Plus, all balance transfers made to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card are subject to a balance transfer fee. It’s the greater of 3% or $5 if you make the transfer within 120 days from account opening and 5% or $5 afterward.

  • This is an icon

    Foreign Transaction Fee

    You pay a 3% foreign transaction fee whenever you use the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card outside of the United States.

    MoneyGeek’s glossary is a great resource to gain an understanding of credit card terms.

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WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

Haven’t made up your mind about the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card? If you’re comparing it with other rewards credit cards, check if their cash back rate is the same across all purchase categories or different depending on the category. If you already have a cash back card, you can use your billing statement or visit your carrier’s website to see its details. You can also find information via the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) credit card agreement database.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?

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Other Considerations for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

You get a straightforward cash back credit card with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card that generously rewards purchases. However, there are factors to consider to know if the card fits your needs and situation.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card application requires a good credit score for approval. You have to improve your credit before applying if your score is lower. In addition, the card carries a high APR and charges foreign transaction fees, making it less than ideal for international travelers and people who carry a balance. But, if you're a responsible cardholder who pays your bill off monthly that wants a credit card that rewards your purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is perfect for you.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

With a $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an attractive additional card for most people. You can increase your rewards potential by pairing it with a cash back card that offers bonus rewards in specific categories. That way, you can earn a flat 2% on any purchases your other card does not give such a high amount for with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

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WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek uses a rigorous evaluation process when reviewing credit cards. We gather information from various sources, including the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau database. We standardize our approach to data points and spend profiles, factoring in bonuses and other offers. Our team frequently revisits the process to ensure our data, rankings and recommendations are up to date.

How Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Compares to Other Cards

Since few credit cards offer 2% cash back rewards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card already outweighs most in its category. That it also comes with a $0 annual fee and a welcome bonus only makes it more appealing. Still, it makes sense to compare the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card benefits with other cards to ensure you get the best card for your needs.

Quick Comparison of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Cash Back Rate: Unlimited 2% on all purchases
  • Welcome Bonus: $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Best For: People looking for cash back rewards on their purchases
creditCard1

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Cash Back Rate: Unlimited 1.5% on all purchases
  • Welcome Bonus: $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None
  • Best For: People who spend a lot and travel overseas

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

MoneyGeek answered many frequently asked questions to help you review the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card benefits and application process. Use this information to decide if this card suits your financial needs and circumstances.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers flat-rate 2% cash back for all purchases as well as attractive introductory purchase APR, balance transfer APR and welcome bonus offers. But, if you still don’t know if it’s the right card for you, consider another rewards card or a balance transfer card.

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*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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