In this Review
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ is a good fit for the average customer who would like to enjoy cash back rewards without paying an nnual fee, gain a nice sign up bonus and leverage o% intro APR.
The card offers 2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited), a sign up bonus of $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, and 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (17.49% to 29.49% variable APR after that).
Those who are looking for higher cashback on rotating categories or specific travel/airline rewards, may prefer to shop around for a different card.
Rewards Plan
Sign up Bonus
0% Intro
PROS
- Impressive Credit Limit:
- Minimal Fees
CONS
- Limited Reporting
- No Instant Approval
APR
17.49% to 29.49% variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
$5 or 5% (the greater)
Credit Requirements
Good - Excellent
Benefits
- Unlimited Cashback
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a great choice for those who want to get a flat rate cash back rewards on all purchases.
This cashback is unlimited, unlike other cards that give you a cap and then a smaller amount of cash rewards.
- Cell Phone Protection
You can get free cell phone protection when you pay your phone bill with your Active Cash card.
This is a nice added perk if you need cell phone insurance or added coverage to keep your phone safe. Just make sure you put your bill on auto-pay with the card on file.
- Visa Concierge
With the card, you get free access to the Visa Concierge. This is a service that you get to assist you with booking dining arrangements, travel, and even event tickets.
You also get access to the Luxury Hotel Collection which allows you to stay in nice hotels and get free upgrades like better rooms and free breakfast.
- 0% APR Intro
You get 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. After that, the APR will be 17.49% to 29.49% variable APR, depends on your score and other factors.
This means you can save money on interest over the first year that you have the card. Make sure to pay down your balances before the APR starts after the introductory period.
- Variety of Redemption Options
There are many different redemption options so you don’t have to redeem your points the same way every time.
No matter what way you choose to get the redemption, it will be cash right into your pocket or bank account.
Drawbacks
- Need Wells Fargo Account
This card really only works if you have a Wells Fargo bank account. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use the ATM and the debit card options.
If you don’t have a Wells Fargo bank account, you have to use the statement credit option only which gives you much less flexibility.
- Foreign Transaction Fee
There’s also a high foreign transaction fee with this card which is unusual for credit cards.
If you travel often, you will definitely want to get another card because you don’t want to get charged every time you use the card in another country.
- Average Cashback Rate
There are also other cards on the market that earn more cashback if you are looking to maximize the cashback you can get.
For example, some other cards from Capital One offer 3% while the Wells Fargo card only offers 2%. You might want to consider pairing cards together to get the most cash back you possibly can.
How To Apply?
You will need to apply on the Wells Fargo website. The nice thing is that you need to fill out one single form.
Step 1: If you have a checking account or a savings account, you might be able to start the application quicker because your information will already be on file. If not, you will need to enter in all your personal information such as date of birth, address, phone number, email, and your full name.
Step 2: After putting in your basic information, it will ask for your social security number and other personal information such as income and proof of income. Make sure you have all these documents on file before starting the application to make the process much smoother.
Step 3: Now, you should review and approve the terms and conditions as well as additional important disclosures.
Wells Fargo Redemption Options
There are fewer redemption options when it comes to this card than others because you will not be redeeming points for travel or hotels like you do with many other cards. No matter which way you choose to redeem the points, you will get the same value. So, you can do whatever way is convenient for you.
A popular way to redeem the points is to get a statement credit. This lowers your balance that is due next time so you get some relief when it comes to payment. If you want cash right away, you can use the Wells Fargo ATMs and withdraw money in $20 increments.
If you have a Wells Fargo account, you can get a direct deposit into your checking or savings account. You can also get a mailed paper check if you aren’t in a rush to get the money.
How to Maximize Card Benefits?
As well as any other credit card, it's recommended to make the best to leverage the benefits as much as possible. Here are some tips to consider:
- Leverage 0% APR Intro: during this time, you don’t have an APR that you have to worry about paying back. You can payoff dent or fund a big purchase planned
- Get the sign-up bonus. There is a $200 sign-up bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. If your budget requires you to spend $1,000 in 3 months, then make sure you are charging all your purchases to the credit card so that you can get the extra bonus.
- Make sure to use the freephone protection. Add the Wells Fargo card to your phone bill payment so that you get free cell phone insurance. Make sure it’s on auto-pay so get this benefit every month.
What Customers Think?
Satisfied customers love that there is no limit when it comes to the 2% cashback. Most other cards only give you 1% cashback after you have to spend a certain amount of money.
Of cashback is your only requirement when it comes to credit cards, this is a great choice for you. Users also love that the company credits your account as you make purchases and you don’t have to wait for the end of the month like you do with reimbursements.
The main complaint is that the only reward with this card is the cashback. There are no points or miles you can redeem like other cards. This is great for some, but less than ideal for those who want a card to give them travel and other perks.
When You Should Consider It?
You should consider this card if you want a flat-rate credit card with straightforward rewards. You don’t have to worry about redemption ratios or try to decide the best way to spend the points and miles you get from the cards.
You should also consider this card if you want to have another card to use in addition to the other cards you have. Combining the rewards will be very lucrative.
When It's Better To Skip?
You should skip this card if you want a card with many different redemption options such as being able to get airline miles or free hotel perks when you travel. The Wells Fargo card is not the best choice for those looking for a travel card.
Compare The Alternatives
There are more cards with no annual fee worth mentioning that provide a good alternative to the Active Cash card:
FAQ
There is no cap in place as to how much you are able to earn when it comes to the cashback rewards that you can get through the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
No out and out income requirements are required when you are applying for a Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and normally you will not have to provide proof of income.
Yes, it offers rental insurance for cars if you pay for the full cost with this credit card and you decline the rental company’s insurance. Please review the terms and conditions before to make sure you're covered.
Yes, you can get pre-approval. This provides you with a greater level of flexibility and you do not have to initially subject yourself to a hard credit check
The credit limit for this type of credit card is usually at least $500. The exact limit will depend on your personal financial situation that you have outlined in your application.
You are able to redeem the rewards in numerous ways. This includes as statement credit, as cash, withdrawn at an ATM, or redeemed as a gift card. You can also use the rewards when paying through PayPal at an online checkout.
All purchases will earn you cashback when you are using the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. This means that you will not have any categories of purchases that are excluded.
Perhaps you did not meet all of the requirements. You can ask the customer service team what you need to do to get accepted or you can look at other card options.
