Discover it Cash Back and Wells Fargo Active Cash are two popular cash back credit cards that offer a variety of rewards and benefits, including no annual fee and 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Let's compare them side by side.
General Comparison: Discover Cash Back vs Wells Fargo Active Cash
The Discover it Cash Back card is renowned for its rotating quarterly cashback categories, allowing users to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in various spending categories, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Additionally, Discover matches all the cash back earned in the first year, effectively doubling the rewards.
On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers a straightforward and consistent cashback rate of 2% on all purchases. This simplicity appeals to individuals who prefer a hassle-free approach to earning rewards without the need to track and activate quarterly categories.
Top Offers
Top Offers From Our Partners
Top Offers
Cashback Battle: A Side-by-Side Analysis
|
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Discover it Cash Back | Wells Fargo Active Cash Card |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $390 | $300 |
$5,000 – Restaurants
| $50 | $100 |
$4,000 – Airline | $40 | $80 |
$3,000 – Hotels | $50 | $60 |
$4,000 – Gas | $40 | $80 |
Estimated Annual Value | $550 | $620 |
Which Extra Benefits You'll Get With Each Card?
Discover it Cash Back
- Personalized Card Designs: Discover offers a choice of 25 vibrant card designs for their members, allowing you to select a design that suits your style.
- $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee: Discover provides peace of mind with a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, ensuring you won't be held responsible for unauthorized purchases made on your Discover Card.
- Online Privacy Protection: Discover assists you in safeguarding your online privacy by helping you remove personal information from select people-search websites, protecting your data from potential sales. This feature is activated for free through the Discover app.
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.
When You Might Want the Discover it Cash Back Card?
You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if:
- You Frequently Spend in Rotating Categories: Discover it Cash Back's rotating 5% cash back categories can significantly boost your rewards if you frequently spend in those categories.
- You Want A Cashback Match Bonus: The Discover it Cash Back card has a unique feature where all the cash back earned in the first year is matched. If you're planning to make significant purchases or concentrate spending in the first 12 months, this match can result in substantial rewards.
- You Need No Foreign Transaction Fees: Discover it Cash Back is entirely free, with no foreign transaction fees. This makes it a cost-effective option for frequent travelers or those who prefer to avoid additional charges.
Top Offers
Top Offers From Our Partners
Top Offers
When You Might Want the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card?
You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if:
- You Want Flat Rate Cashback: If you prefer a straightforward approach to earning cash back without the hassle of tracking rotating categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is more appealing. With a flat 2% cash back on all purchases, there's no need to activate or monitor specific spending categories.
- You Consistently Spend Across Various Categories: If your spending habits are spread across a variety of categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash's consistent 2% cashback can provide a steady stream of rewards. You won't need to track rotating categories or adjust your spending habits to maximize your earnings.
- 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.
Compare The Alternatives
It's always a good idea to be aware of other options before determining the most suitable choice for your needs.
 |
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
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 | 19.99% – 29.99% variable
| 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
| 21.24%–28.24% variable APR
|
Compare Discover It Cash Back
While the Discover it Cashback offers higher rewards on rotating categories, the Chrome card offers flat rate on gas & restaurants. Which is better?
Here's our comparison: Discover it Cash Back vs Discover it Chrome
If you like Discover rotating categories, it's an easy choice. If not – our analysis will help you understand which card is better for you.
Capital One Quicksilver vs Discover it Cash Back: Which Card Is Better?
If you're looking for rotating cash back rewards, it's time to analyze the categories of each to understand which card gives you more.
Chase Freedom Flex vs Discover it Cash Back: Which Is Better?
Both cards provide comparable cashback terms, with Citi Custom Cash being more flexible as it autonomously selects your preferred category.
Compare Wells Fargo Active Cash
Wells Fargo has recently launched a new set of credit cards, and these two are at the top of the list. Which of them offers more and is it worth it?
When both cards offer the same flat rate cashback, we should see beyond it. Which card is better? Here's The Smart Investor full analysis.
Citi Double Cash vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Card Wins?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is best for cashback and everyday spending, while the Autograph is a clear winner when it comes to travel rewards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Autograph Card: How They Compare?
The Active Cash card offers flat-rate cashback, while the Unlimited card is the winner for travel. Here's a side-by-side comparison.
While the Quicksilver card offers unlimited flat-rate cashback rewards, the Active Cash card offers a higher cashback ratio. Let's compare.
Related Posts
Review Rewards Credit Cards
Citi Custom Cash
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Discover It Cash Back
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Citi Double Cash
Citi Rewards+
U.S. Bank Altitude Go
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
PNC Points Visa
