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Everyone needs a rewarding credit card for purchases that don’t fall neatly into a bonus category. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality catch-all cards that earn at least 2% cash back or 2X points on everyday spending. One of our favorites is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates & Fees).
This no-annual-fee credit card is solid on its own, since it earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. But it becomes even more compelling when paired with another Wells Fargo card.
Here’s why the Active Cash Card should be the next card you apply for.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR thereafter; 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.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
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Active Cash Card: Earn a $200 Cash Rewards Bonus
Even though the Active Cash Card doesn’t have an annual fee, it still offers a welcome bonus. Eligible new applicants can currently earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
In addition to the cash rewards bonus, new applicants can also save on interest by taking advantage of a 0% introductory APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. After that your Variable APR will be 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49%. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee.
Related: The Best Cash-Back Credit Card Offers for Every Budget
What is this welcome offer worth?
The Active Cash Card earns cash back, not transferable points. So, unless you pair it with another card that does, the welcome offer is worth its face value. You can redeem your cash back toward purchases made with your card, deposit it into an eligible Wells Fargo account, purchase gift cards, and more.
However, this $200 cash rewards bonus can be worth significantly more if you pair your Active Cash Card with a Wells Fargo Rewards points-earning card. After combining your rewards, you can then transfer them to Wells Fargo’s eight transfer partners.
On average, AwardWallet users redeem Wells Fargo Rewards points for 2.38¢ apiece. That means this cash-back bonus can be worth more than twice its face value with the right card setup and strategic redemptions toward award flights or hotel stays.
Related: How to Maximize the Value of Wells Fargo Rewards Points
Why Get the Active Cash Card?
Beyond an easy and rewarding welcome bonus, there are three solid reasons why you should apply for the Active Cash Card.
Earning rates
The Active Cash Card only has a single bonus category, but it’s a rewarding one. The card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it an ideal choice for purchases that don’t fall into another card’s bonus category, or for everything if you’re using it as a standalone product. Either way, the cash-back rewards can add up quickly.
That said, we’d caution against using this card abroad, as it charges foreign transaction fees of 3%.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases: Maximize Your Non-Bonus Spend
Under-the-hood benefits
No-annual-fee credit cards can still come with useful under-the-hood benefits, and the Active Cash Card is no exception. It offers:
- Cellular telephone protection: Up to $600 in coverage against damage or theft when you pay your phone bill with the card, subject to a $25 deductible.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Pay for an eligible rental car with your card and receive coverage for damage or theft.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Access emergency assistance while traveling anywhere in the world.
- Roadside dispatch: Help is available if you need a tow or roadside assistance.
- Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement: Visa cardholders can receive an emergency cash advance or a replacement card within one to three business days after issuer approval.
- Zero liability protection: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they’re reported promptly.
Related: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Full Review
Pair with other Wells Fargo credit cards
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the Active Cash Card is an excellent card to pair with other Wells Fargo credit cards.
For example, you could pair it with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card(Rates & Fees). This card has a $95 and earns points, which unlocks access to Wells Fargo’s transfer partners. Its bonus categories also complement the Active Cash Card nicely.
- 5X points per $1 spent on hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent on airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 5X points per $1 spent on hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent on airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
Alternatively, you could pair it with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph® Card(Rates & Fees). This card also earns transferable points and provides access to Wells Fargo’s transfer partners.
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
Beyond these options, Wells Fargo offers several other cash-back-earning credit cards that can pair well with the Active Cash Card. Using the right card for each purchase category is one of the best ways to maximize your rewards and grow your balance faster.
Active Cash Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Before you apply for the Active Cash Card, there are two notable rules and restrictions worth keeping in mind.
The first rule affects your eligibility to open the card. In the application’s terms and conditions, you’ll find the following:
“You may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo-branded consumer credit card if you have opened a Wells Fargo-branded consumer credit card in the last 6 months.”
The second rule applies to the welcome offer, including both the cash rewards bonus and the introductory APR. Here’s the relevant language from the terms and conditions:
“You may not be eligible for introductory annual percentage rates, fees and/or rewards bonus offers if you have the Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® or opened one within the last 48 months from the date of this application – even if that account is closed and has a $0 balance.”
Beyond these written rules, Wells Fargo is also known to limit customers to earning one new welcome bonus every 15 months. It may also consider your overall relationship when reviewing applications, so having a Wells Fargo checking or savings account could potentially improve your approval odds.
Related: Understanding Rewards Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Bottom Line
The Active Cash Card is a simple, no-frills cash-back credit card. It doesn’t have an annual fee and earns an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, which is impressive on its own. But the card becomes even more compelling when you pair it with other Wells Fargo cards.
If you’re not yet a cardholder, now’s a great time to apply. New applicants can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR thereafter; 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.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
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