We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.
A simple, but high-earning cash back card that you can grab for your everyday purchases is a must-have for everyone. The FinanceBuzz editors reviewed dozens of cash back credit cards and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a top pick for its simple cash back structure, $0 annual fee, and cell phone benefits. In fact, our editors estimate the value of this card to be $870 in the first year based on the welcome bonus and potential rewards earned via spending.1
Top Pick
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft
$0 annual fee
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card stands out from other cash back cards for its simplicity and amazing rewards. It's hard to find another option that offers so much value with no annual fee.
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific 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 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% 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.
Why We Like It
If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card could be a good option for you. Cardmembers can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 15 months from account opening, then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.
What we like about the Wells Fargo Active Cash
Where this card really shines is the opportunity to rack up cash rewards, especially in year one with its generous welcome offer. You can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. That is a relatively low spending threshold compared to other cash back cards. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express allows you to earn a $200 statement credit but only after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
You can also earn a flat, unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. It's super simple - there are no spending categories to think about. Whether buying groceries or filling your gas tank, you'll earn the same rate.
More Benefits and Perks
0% intro APR offers: If you want to avoid interest on balance transfers or purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable).
Cell phone protection: This isn’t a common benefit, especially for a card with no annual fee, but the Active Cash offers up to $600 of cell phone insurance against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card. Be aware there's a modest $25 deductible with this protection.
Plenty of redemption options: Your rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and travel. And if you have an eligible Wells Fargo account, you could also redeem your cash rewards for credits to a mortgage or loan account, cash redemptions when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card at a Wells Fargo ATM, or direct deposits to a savings or checking account.
No annual fee: Keep even more money in your wallet - with the Active Cash, the annual fee is simply $0.
Reward credit cards can provide huge value, but pinpointing exactly how much value can be a challenge. That's where we, the FinanceBuzz editors, come in. We've created a valuation formula to help you compare rewards across cards. We estimate the value of this card to be $870 in the first year.1 Taking advantage of other perks like the cell phone protection could increase the value even more. This is an estimated value — your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend in a typical year.
Who is this card best for?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is great choice for anyone who:
Has good credit or better: Active Cash applicants should typically have good to excellent credit for the best chance of approval.
Hates complicated reward structures: The flat rewards structure is perfect for anyone who wants to earn unlimited cash rewards without needing to track spending categories.
Spends more than $500 in first 3 months: The $200 welcome offer is easy to earn and quite generous. Use your card just for essentials at the gas station or grocery stores, and you could easily meet the spending requirement.
Wants to save money on high-interest debt: You can't beat a high-earning rewards card that has a 0% introductory APR period for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers.
Needs to pay off a large purchase over time: You can breathe a little easier and give yourself time to pay off your balance before interest kicks in with the Active Cash's 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases. After the intro period for balance transfers and purchases, the APR is 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable.
Is there a better card to earn rewards and cash back?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is hard to beat with its welcome offer, unlimited cash rewards, and intro APR period. Getting all this with a $0 annual fee is rare. But, if you want to consider other options, here are some contenders:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
4.4
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
A flat cash back structure can be great for simplicity, but bonus categories can really amp up your cash back earning potential. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card enables you to earn cash back your way by selecting the highest-earning category. You can select a 3% cashback category in the category of your choice — gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter). This flexibility enables you to earn rewards based on your specific spending habits. All with no annual fee.
4.4
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Why We Like It
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a fantastic card for anyone who loves earning cash back on everyday purchases.
Earn 3% cash back on the category of your choice — gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing; 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Cardholders also benefit from a long introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.5
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) doesn't have rotating categories and there's no limit to how much you can earn. You can earn unlimited 1.5% on every purchase, every day; plus you can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months and 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers then 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR thereafter; Balance transfer fee applies. You can have some fun with this card too — as a Capital One cardmember, you’ll get access to premier culinary events, concerts, music festivals, and sporting events. The annual fee is $0.
4.5
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Why We Like It
If you want a rewards credit card and don’t want to worry about rotating spending categories, consider the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. It’s a simple, easy-to-use card that offers a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make, with no limit on how much you can earn.
The Capital One Quicksilver card also offers a competitive 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 19.99% - 29.99% (variable) APR; Balance transfer fee applies.
The card also has a welcome bonus for new cardmembers, an unexpected perk for a card that has no annual fee.
Bottom Line
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great choice for almost everyone. Cardholders can benefit from a generous welcome offer, earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and new purchases — all without an annual fee.
Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Unlimited cash rewards: Cardmembers earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. If you love earning unlimited cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card card could be a good option for you.
Cell phone protection: Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card. (subject to a $25 deductible).
Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months from account opening then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter. You also get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter.
No annual fee: The Active Cash card has a $0 annual fee, which is perfect for someone looking to maximize their rewards.
Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific 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 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% 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.
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
+-
Why we like it
If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card could be a good option for you. Cardmembers can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 15 months from account opening, then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.