Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Benefits Guide Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: On This Page
Thomas Barwick/Getty Images May 04, 2022 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Claire Dickey is a product editor for Bankrate, and . Before joining Bankrate, Claire worked as a copywriter for brands within the telecommunications industry as well as a hybrid marketing and content writer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our banking reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the best banks, latest rates, different types of accounts, money-saving tips and more — so you can feel confident as you’re managing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a noteworthy flat-rate cash rewards credit card, featuring an impressive 2 percent cash rewards structure, an easy-to-earn welcome bonus and an introductory APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the card’s details and list of benefits.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card benefits
Rewards: Unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on purchases Welcome offer: $200 bonus cash rewards after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months Annual fee: $0 Intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers Variable APR: 17.99 percent, 22.99 percent, or 27.99 percent variable Welcome offer
As a welcome bonus, new cardholders can earn $200 in bonus cash rewards after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This is an attractive offer—but not the best one we’ve seen. Other no-annual-fee cash back cards offer the same $200 cash bonus for a $500 spending requirement (within the same three-month timeframe), such as the . However, if you already plan to spend $1,000 within the first three months regardless, there’s really nothing to complain about with this offer. Plus, there are additional benefits that make the . Cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2 percent cash rewards rate is one of the highest among . In general, a flat-rate rewards structure is an ideal choice for those who don’t plan on shopping heavily within specific categories or simply prefer the simplicity of earning the same rewards rate on purchases. In terms of redemption, you can trade in your rewards for: Statement credits Direct deposits into a Wells Fargo account Travel via Wells Fargo Rewards Gift cards Cash at Wells Fargo ATMs Intro APR offers
As a new Active Cash cardholder, you’ll receive a 0 percent introductory APR for the first 15 months on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (followed by a variable APR of 17.99 percent, 22.99 percent, or 27.99 percent variable). This intro APR offer is pretty standard compared to other balance transfer offers on the market. If you’re mainly interested in the Active Cash due to this perk, though, be certain that you can afford to pay off your debt within the 15-month window. If not, there are other that offer up to 21 months sans interest (though they likely won’t offer the same tier of ongoing rewards). Also, note that the Wells Fargo Active Cash charges an introductory 3 percent ($5 minimum) for the first 120 days from account opening. After those first 120 days, that fee jumps to 5 percent ($5 minimum). Cellphone protection
The Active Cash card acts as insurance for your cellphone against damage or theft. You’ll receive up to $600 per claim for every month you pay your cellphone bill with your credit card (subject to a $25 deductible, up to two claims per year). This insurance will cover the cost of your original phone. If you’re planning to pay for your cellphone insurance separately, this benefit could be an easy way to save money. When compared to cellphone protection (offered by similar cash back cards, like the Citi Double Cash Card), Wells Fargo offers a slightly better deal. You’ll get a $1,200 annual limit (two $600 claims) with the Active Cash and a $1,000 annual limit through Mastercard. Visa Signature perks
As a Visa credit card, Active Cash cardholders get access to , such as extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance and Visa Signature concierge services. Visa Signature benefits also encapsulate Visa Traditional benefits, including auto rental collision damage waiver coverage, roadside dispatch and zero liability coverage for unauthorized purchases.
Maximizing the Wells Fargo Active Cash
Hit the welcome bonus spending requirement
Maximizing the Wells Fargo Active Cash starts with knowing how to earn the welcome bonus (and, thankfully, it’s a straightforward process). Simply make sure to spend upwards $333 each month for three months with your Active Cash card, and you’ll automatically earn your $1,000 cash bonus. Be strategic with your spending
In terms of ongoing rewards, if you own one or more rewards credit cards with specified bonus categories, use the Active Cash to cover everything else. For example, if you also own the , use that to cover dining, streaming service subscriptions, travel and online grocery purchases. Then, consider using the Active Cash for everything else—in-store grocery shopping, gas purchases, department store shopping, etc.—in order to earn 2 percent cash rewards on “non-category” spending. Plan ahead to properly dwindle your debt
If you plan to take advantage of the Active Cash card’s balance transfer offer, you’ll want to make sure you transfer your balance within the first 120 days of opening your account. There’s an introductory 3 percent balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) for the first 120 days from account opening, after which the fee increases to 5 percent ($5 minimum). Plus, the sooner you transfer your balance, the longer you’ll have to pay off debt, interest-free. Don t forget to pay your cellphone bill with your Active Cash card
If you want to take advantage of Wells Fargo’s cellphone protection policy, you’ll need to make sure you begin paying your monthly phone bill with the Active Cash, as the policy is only in place for those who pay their phone bill with this card. The bottom line
If you’re looking for a credit card that offers a high cash rewards rate on purchases—with no rotating bonus categories to activate and track—the may be your perfect fit. This card is also a solid choice if you’re planning to make a balance transfer (or pay off a large, upcoming purchase). The welcome bonus, Visa Signature perks and cellphone protection certainly sweeten the pot. SHARE: Claire Dickey is a product editor for Bankrate, and . Before joining Bankrate, Claire worked as a copywriter for brands within the telecommunications industry as well as a hybrid marketing and content writer.