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Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Capital One Quicksilver vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

Capital One Quicksilver vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

While the Quicksilver card offers unlimited flat-rate cashback rewards, the Active Cash card offers a higher cashback ratio. Let's compare.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

In this comparison, we'll help you navigate the terrain of choosing between Capital One Quicksilver and Wells Fargo Active Cash.

General Comparison: Quicksilver vs. Active Cash

While both cards offer unlimited flat-rate cashback rewards, the Active Cash card offers a higher cashback ratio. 

Also, both cards have the same o% intro APR period, but with Capital One Quicksilver – you won't pay a foreign transaction fee.

Wells Fargo active cash card

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Capital One Quicksilver
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited)
5% percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on all purchases everyday.
Welcome bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
0% Intro APR
15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 19.49% – 29.49% Variable APR APR
15 months on balance transfers and purchases
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
$0
Purchase APR
19.49% – 29.49% Variable APR
19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
Read Review
Read Review

Cashback Rewards Battle: Quicksilver vs. Active Cash

When comparing cashback rewards, there’s no clear winner — in most cases, the Active Cash card gives you more cashback than the Quicksilver card.

However, if you make bookings through the Capital One Travel portal, where you can earn 5% cashback on hotel stays or rental car purchases, that could shift things, depending on your spending habits.

Wells Fargo active cash card

Spend Per Category
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Capital One Quicksilver
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$300
$225
$5,000 – Restaurants
$100
$75
$5,000 – Airline
$100
$75
$5,000 – Hotels
$100
$250
$4,000 – Gas
$80
$60
Estimated Annual Value
$680
$685

* 5% cash back on hotel made through the Capital One Travel portal

Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
Up to 3x miles 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases immediately after earning your $125 annual United purchase credit, 2 miles on all other travel and select streaming services, 1 mile on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP)
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Which Extra Benefits You'll Get With Each Card?

In addition to the bonus points and welcome offers, both cards come with extra perks. When it comes to additional benefits and protections, the Quicksilver card takes the lead over the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. The one area where the Active Cash card stands out is cell phone protection, which the Quicksilver card doesn’t offer.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Wells Fargo active cash card

  • Cellular Telephone Protection: Receive up to $600 in cell phone protection when paying your monthly cell phone bill with your Wells Fargo card, subject to a $25 deductible.
  • My Wells Fargo Deals: Access personalized deals and earn cashback as an account credit when using your Wells Fargo credit card for shopping, dining, or experiences.
  • Zero Liability Protection: Protection against unauthorized transactions when promptly reported.
  • Credit Close-Up℠: Provides tools and insights to understand, track, raise, or maintain your FICO® Score.
Capital One Quicksilver

  • Capital One Dining and Entertainment: Enjoy exclusive reservations at award-winning restaurants and access to culinary experiences, as well as exclusive pre-sales, tickets, and more for music, sports, and dining events.
  • 5% Cash Back on Travel: Enjoy a generous 5% cash back on hotel and rental car bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal, providing significant savings on your travel expenses.
  • Redeem Cashback On Paypal/Amazon: Capital One cardholders can easily redeem their cash back or miles to shop online at various retailers through PayPal and Amazon, making it convenient to use rewards for everyday purchases.
  • Uber Perks: Cardholders receive statement credits for an Uber One membership each month until November 14, 2024.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: You won’t pay a transaction fee when making a purchase outside of the United States
  • Purchase Protection: Safeguard your new purchases from damage or theft with comprehensive coverage.

When You Might Want the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card?

You might prefer the Active Cash Card over the Capital One Quicksilver in the following situations:

  • High Spenders: Wells Fargo Active Cash, with its 2% unlimited cashback on all purchases, is advantageous for individuals who consistently spend higher amounts. If your monthly expenses are substantial, the higher cashback rate can result in more significant rewards compared to Capital One Quicksilver's 1.5% flat rate.
  • You're Interested In Cellphone Protection: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cellphone protection against damage or theft when you use the card to pay your phone bill. This is a valuable benefit that can save you money if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

When You Might Want the Capital One Quicksilver Card?

You might prefer the Capital One Quicksilver over the Wells Fargo Active Cash in the following situations:

  • You're A Frequent Traveler: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, while the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges a 3% fee. If you travel internationally frequently, this could save you a significant amount of money.
  • You Prefer To Book On Capital One Travel Portal – if you book hotels or rental cars on the portal, you get 5% cashback which can change the picture for travel consuemers.

Compare The Alternatives

It's always a good idea to be aware of other options before determining the most suitable choice for your needs.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

chase_sapphire_preffered

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95 ($0 intro for the first year)
$95
Rewards
1.5% – 5% 5% percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on all purchases everyday.
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
2.70%
$0
Purchase APR
19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
18.49% – 29.49% Variable
20.99% – 27.99% variable APR

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