Wells fargo active cash visa credit card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card ticks all the typical rewards card boxes with everything from purchase rewards to a long 0% intro APR offer.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards

Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, with no categories to activate or earnings limits to track. While there are a few other cash back cards out there with the same rewards rate, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card stands out with its simplicity.

When you're comparing credit cards with similar cash back, you'll see that most have some sort of catch. You either have to redeem your rewards in a specific way, or there are multiple steps to earn the full amount. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card doesn't do any of that. You'll earn the same cash rewards on purchases when you make it, and you can redeem those rewards for everything from statement credits to gift cards.

$200 cash rewards sign-up bonus

New Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card holders can earn a $200 cash rewards sign-up bonus for spending just $1,000 on their card in the first three months. Not only is this a very competitive sign-up bonus for a card with no annual fee, but it's also one of the things that sets this Wells Fargo credit card apart from other cash back cards.

Learn more: Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards

Long 0% APR intro offer

Another thing that makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card different from other cash back credit cards is the 0% intro APR card offers. New cardholders can enjoy 0% intro APR on both new purchases and eligible balance transfers for a full 15 months. That's a great offer, even when compared to cards marketed just for a 0% intro APR.

Keep in mind that only balance transfers made within the first 120 days will qualify for the reduced interest rate. There's also a balance transfer fee that will apply to all transfers.

No annual fee

In many cases, high rewards rates mean high annual fees. Not with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. The card has no annual fee, which means you won't need to pay just to keep your account open.

While having no annual fee is great for any cardholder, it's really ideal for people interested in maximizing credit card rewards. You'll be able to hang on to the card with no annual fee, even if you're not using it every day.

Read more: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Cellphone protection

With the price of a typical cellphone in the hundreds of dollars, having some sort of insurance is a good idea. With this Wells Fargo card, you can get built-in cellphone protection just by paying your cellphone bill with your card. The protection covers your phone in the event of theft, damage, or "involuntary and accidental parting." You can get up to $600 per claim -- minus a $25 deductible -- and up to two claims per 12-month period.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Those seeking cash-back credit cards with straightforward reward structures will inevitably come across flat-rate cash-back cards, including the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. The card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases. It doesn’t get much better than that—there’s no need to track bonus categories or deal with rotating rewards offers.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is an excellent flat-rate cash-back card. Since its release in July 2021, the card has established itself firmly as a new “plastic standard” when it comes to earning flat-rate cash back. Not only does it rank well on our list of the best Wells Fargo credit cards, it also boasts a high rank on Forbes Advisor’s best cash-back rewards credit cards list.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Benefits and Perks

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a variety of benefits and perks to its cardholders:

  • $0 annual fee
  • Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • No categories or limits to keep track of
  • Cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open
  • Cell phone protection and advanced security features
  • Access to exclusive Visa perks
  • A 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a fee of up to 5%, with a minimum of $5 applies

Read More: Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa Card Benefits

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Forbes Advisor

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

$200 Cash Rewards

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market.

  • Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • $0 annual fee
  • Cell phone protection benefit

  • There’s a balance transfer fee
  • There’s a foreign transaction fee
  • No travel transfer partners

  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
  • $0 annual fee
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open
  • Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
  • Get up to $600 of 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).
  • Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Worth It?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is worthwhile for anyone who wants to leverage a simple, straightforward rewards structure. The card includes a generous welcome bonus alongside its regular rewards and offers introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers (to be followed by the card’s regular APR when the intro periods end).

The Active Cash is a low-maintenance card with convenient redemption options for the rewards you earn. One downside of the card is the high foreign transaction fee it charges.

When the Wells Fargo Active Cash Is Worth It

When Simplicity Is Preferred

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is an excellent card to consider if you seek simplicity in your credit card rewards. The card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, so it doesn’t complicate your life with category restrictions or quarterly activations. Many other cash-back cards have spending caps on elevated cash-back rates, earn higher rates in specific categories and lower rates in others or have rotating bonus categories that require quarterly activation.

When Making Large Purchases

Since large purchases can mean forking over a pile of money all at once, cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash can help ease the burden by offering a 0% intro APR. The Active Cash offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a fee of up to 5%, with a minimum of $5 applies.

However, never take advantage of a 0% intro APR offer without a solid plan to pay the balance off by the end of the promotional period, otherwise you risk incurring interest charges.

When Transferring High-Interest Debts

If you’re carrying debt on a high-interest card from an issuer other than Wells Fargo, and you’re considering transferring that debt to a card with a 0% intro APR period, the Active Cash can help. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a fee of up to 5%, with a minimum of $5 applies.

However, if you don’t think you’ll be able to pay your balance off in full within the time the Active Cash offers, know that there are cards with longer 0% APR balance transfer periods.

When You Want Benefits With No Annual Fee

On top of the introductory APRs, welcome bonus and high cash-back rewards rate, the Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a handful of additional features and perks—including cell phone protection, emergency assistance services and 24/7 access to the Visa Signature Concierge.

When the Wells Fargo Active Cash Is Not Worth It

When Redeeming Cash Rewards for Travel

As the Wells Fargo Active Cash is a cash-back card, cardholders will typically see the best redemption value for cash. Wells Fargo’s travel rewards programs aren’t as strong as those offered by issuers such as Chase and Citi, so if you’re looking to redeem rewards for travel and want the best deals, consider applying for a travel rewards card instead of the Active Cash.

When Additional Benefits Are a Priority

Though the Wells Fargo Active Cash’s cell phone protection benefit, $0 fraud liability and Visa Signature benefits—such as access to concierge service and the Luxury Hotel Collection—are nice, they don’t hold a candle to the raging bonfire of benefits offered by luxury travel cards. For people seeking additional purchase protections, travel protections and many other types of additional benefits, there are likely better credit cards than the Wells Fargo Active Cash.

When a Credit Card Is a Bad Idea

Not every person needs a credit card. For those who struggle to limit spending when using plastic, pay bills on time or otherwise manage finances, a credit card is a bad move. And, for those with too many credit cards open already, another account may just be a temptation to overspend.

How Do I Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash?

Wells Fargo accepts online applications for its cards. Visit the Wells Fargo website to find the Active Cash, then fill out the online form. Like many cards with lucrative rewards programs, good or better credit may be required to receive approval for this card, so we advise checking your credit to ensure it’s in good shape and free of errors or other issues before applying.

How Much Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Costing Me?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash does not charge an annual fee. Although transaction and penalty fees may apply in certain circumstances, the major cost to you will come if you choose to carry a balance and accrue interest. If you pay in full each month, you can avoid interest charges.

How To Maximize Rewards With the Wells Fargo Active Cash

You can maximize your rewards by pairing a flat-rate cash-back card, such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash, with a card that earns higher reward rates on certain bonus categories.

To increase your earnings, use a card or set of cards with rewards above 2% cash back on spending in bonus categories, and use your Active Cash as a catchall for purchases in other categories. For example, pair it with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, which earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Other Cards You Can Consider

It’s always wise to consider your options before applying for a new credit card. So, to help you evaluate if the Active Cash is right for you, here’s how it compares to some competing cards:

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex℠

These two credit cards are often first in our minds when discussing the best cash-back credit cards. Neither charges an annual fee and both offer solid intro APR periods, with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offering a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 27.49% applies. Intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days, after that either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater applies. While the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card maintains an upper hand when it comes to simplicity, because of the flat-rate nature of its rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a unique structure with rotating rewards and comes with additional benefits, such as purchase protection and extended warranty.

The Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1% on all other purchases.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card* offer similar intro APR periods and neither charges an annual fee. The Citi Custom Cash earns 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 in spending each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases—which doesn’t require activating rotating bonus categories, but does still involve a variable reward structure.

Both cards come with similar 0% intro APRs. The Citi Custom cash offers a 0% introductory APR on eligible balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card* also charges no annual fee. It provides one of the highest cash-back rates on the market, but comes with limitations. The card earns up to 2.5% cash back with no categories to track on up to $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle with qualifying accounts. All other purchases earn 1.5%.

With a stellar cash-back rate, a relatively low ongoing 15.24% - 25.24% variable APR and no foreign transaction fee, the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card* is ideal for those who do a lot of spending not restricted to certain bonus categories and want to keep things simple. If you’re willing to join a credit union and meet the requirements for a companion checking account, this card offers the chance to earn at a higher flat rate than you could with the Wells Fargo Active Cash.

Find the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Of 2022

Bottom Line

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is a rewarding choice for people who value simplicity. Its rewards structure lets cardholders earn rewards with little effort and its other benefits sweeten the deal.

Wells Fargo charges no annual fee to carry the Active Cash, so it’s a low-risk addition to your cash-back strategy. If you have another card that earns an elevated rate on certain spending, the Active Cash can fill the role of a secondary card for purchases outside the bonus categories.

Of course, be sure to read the terms and conditions thoroughly before deciding to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What credit score do you need for the Wells Fargo Active Cash?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is a top-of-the-line rewards card, and such cards typically require good-to-excellent credit. This means you likely need a credit score of 670 or higher. If your score is in the poor or fair range, we recommend applying for a credit-building card instead.

How do I apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash?

To apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash, visit Wells Fargo’s website and fill out an online form with the personal and financial information requested—such as your name, country of citizenship, address and employment status. You can also apply by phone.

How do I activate the Wells Fargo Active Cash?

You can activate the Active Cash by following instructions on the sticker applied to the front of the card. This typically involves visiting a link to a page on Wells Fargo’s website or accessing the bank’s mobile app. Activation can usually also be done by calling Wells Fargo via phone.

Is Wells Fargo active cash Visa card a credit card?

In short: Yes, wholeheartedly. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has debuted as one of the market's best flat-rate cash rewards credit cards. The Active Cash is a low-maintenance rewards card with top-rate rewards potential and redemption options that make it easily fit in any wallet.

What is the credit limit on the Wells Fargo active cash credit card?

The credit limit for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card typically ranges from $1,000 to $20,000 or more, based on user reports we reviewed. Credit limits vary by cardholder and depend on several factors, including annual income and credit history.

Is Wells Fargo active cash card hard to get?

Unless your credit score is 700 or higher and you have a lot of income, it will be difficult for you to get approved for the Wells Fargo Active Cash. In order to get the Wells Fargo Active Cash, you will have to meet the credit score requirement, have a steady income and be at least 18 years old.

Is Wells Fargo active cash card instant approval?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card does not have pre-approval, as Wells Fargo only extends pre-approved offers via mail or e-mail, or to existing customers through their online account. People interested in applying for the Wells Fargo Active Cash card can check if they've been preselected online.