Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card Review [2024]: Unlock Elevated Cash Rewards on Wellness, Recreation, and More

Card basics

Who should get the Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card?

The Wells Fargo Attune Card is perfect if you’re a pet parent, fitness buff, or one who strives to live a sustainable or fun lifestyle. The Mastercard provides elevated cash rewards on purchases that may be important to you, your well-being, and your happiness. Those categories include:

• Self-care: This includes things like gym memberships, fitness studios, spa and salon visits, and massages.
• Sports and recreation: This can be anything from boat and RV rentals, bicycle repairs, or a new pair of Nikes to tickets to sporting events like a Dodgers MLB game or the Daytona 500.
• Pet care: If you have a pet, you can earn cash rewards on their food and supplies from various merchants like Petco or Chewy. Services like dog walkers, pet sitters, and groomers may also be eligible.
• Gardening and floral supplies: If you have a green thumb, you can get cash rewards on lawn and garden supplies. Buying flowers for a friend or family member is also eligible.
• Hobby supplies: Whether your hobby is painting, crafts, photography, or needlepoint, you can get cash rewards on the supplies you need with this card. Rewards are also available for purchases at hobby, toy, and game shops or online marketplaces like Etsy.
• Entertainment and leisure activities: Visits to Disney World, Six Flags, the local zoo, and other entertainment venues are eligible for cash rewards. Fun activities like bowling, golfing, and camping also qualify.
• Movies, music, and books: This category includes everything from tickets to the movie theater and subscription services like Netflix or Spotify to purchases at bookstores, record stores, and music stores.
• Thrifting: With the Wells Fargo Attune Card's cash rewards, you can benefit further when shopping at secondhand stores and antique shops.
• EV charging stations: This includes Tesla SuperCharger, Blink Charging, and EVgo locations.
• Public transportation: Using public transportation — such as buses, trains, ferries, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft — will earn you elevated cash rewards.

Compared to many other cash back credit cards, the rewards that the Wells Fargo Attune Card provides on select categories is pretty generous. Plus, the eligible categories are expansive, so you’ll likely find at least a couple that apply to your lifestyle.

For example, I don’t own an EV, so I couldn’t take advantage of rewards in that category, but if I can earn even a little money back on the $75 I pay to get my dog groomed, sign me up!

Outside of those bonus cash rewards categories, you’ll still earn 1% cash rewards on other purchases, so you’ll get something back on everything you pay for with the card. I have a different Mastercard that pays the same general cashback rate, and I like using it for auto-paying my utility bills and getting a few extra bucks back each month.

Besides generous cash rewards, the Wells Fargo Attune Card has an attractive welcome offer that might be appealing if you want to avoid interest on a big purchase or get a bonus. You can earn a $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

What should you know before applying?

Before applying for a Wells Fargo Attune Card, you should ensure your credit score is good to excellent. But even then, there’s a possibility that Wells Fargo may decline you since your income and overall credit history can also impact the decision. I’ve seen people commenting in various forums that their Attune Card applications were denied, even though they had credit scores over 800.

Regarding the 4% cash rewards, know that retailers must use the correct merchant category codes for self-care, sports, recreation, and entertainment, and planet-friendly purchases. If they don’t, you’ll only earn the 1% cash rewards on other purchases.

Also, while the Wells Fargo Attune Card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months you have the card, the APR jumps up considerably after that to 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% (variable). Depending on your creditworthiness and the market rates at that time, you could end up paying a high standard APR if you carry a balance. This might negate any cash rewards earned on your purchases.

Other notable benefits

Cell phone protection

If you use your Wells Fargo Attune Card to pay your cell phone bill each month, you can get up to $600 of cell phone protection per claim ($25 deductible) if your phone is damaged, stolen, or involuntarily lost.

This is a nice perk that can save you some money on the phone protection plans available from your provider. However, Wells Fargo says any existing coverage, such as homeowner’s insurance, would apply first.

Travel benefits

Because the Wells Fargo Attune Card is a World Elite Mastercard, you can take advantage of Mastercard’s travel and lifestyle services. You’ll have access to a 24/7 concierge service that can recommend restaurants or help out if you have problems with the hotel where you’re staying.

Rental car insurance

When you pay for a rental car with your card, you could forgo purchasing collision loss or damage insurance from the rental company because your Attune Card covers up to $50,000 for damages or theft that may occur while you’re using the car.

This secondary coverage doesn’t apply to vans, pickup trucks, or “exotic” brand cars like Ferrari, Porsche, and Rolls Royce, as well as vehicles rented through car-sharing sites like Turo or Zipcar.

Drawbacks: Why you may want a different card

High credit score requirement

As with many other top rewards credit cards, your credit score must be good to excellent to get the Wells Fargo Attune Card. Otherwise, there’s a good chance that Wells Fargo will deny your application. Despite having a credit score of over 800, one applicant complained on an online forum that it took three attempts to get approved. Note that issues such as frozen credit files can also cause denials.

Foreign transaction fee

The Wells Fargo Attune Card probably isn’t the card for you if you travel outside of the U.S. often and use your card for foreign transactions. It charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on every transaction converted to U.S. dollars. When choosing a credit card, consider that several alternatives don't charge these fees.

High APR on balance transfers

The Wells Fargo Attune Card is also not the card you want for balance transfers. While some of the best credit cards offer a 0% intro APR on transfers for 12 to 15 months, the Attune Card has no such promotion. It does lower the balance transfer fee initially. It’s N/A. However, the APR will be 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% (variable).

Small welcome bonus

The welcome bonus you can earn with the Attune Card is low compared to other rewards cards. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card allows you to earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Earning and redeeming cash rewards

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your cash rewards can add up with the Wells Fargo Attune.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $490

Year two earnings: $390

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee.

Best ways to earn

Other cards to consider

If the Wells Fargo Attune doesn’t quite meet your needs, consider other cash back cards, including a couple of Wells Fargo credit cards that may be easier to get without excellent credit.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

With the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, you won’t need to make purchases in specific categories to earn the maximum cashback rewards. All eligible purchases earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, and there’s no earnings cap. The welcome bonus is also higher — you can earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Read our full Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Instead of providing cash rewards, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card lets you earn points to redeem for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. It’s ideal if you want rewards for things you purchase daily. You earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases.

With the welcome bonus, you earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value). Unlike the Attune Card, the Autograph Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review.

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

If you’re looking for an introductory balance transfer offer, check out the Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. It offers a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.

Other perks of this card include unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a $0 annual fee, and earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Read our Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Card review.

FAQ

Bottom line

The Wells Fargo Attune Card makes sense if you prioritize wellness, recreation, and sustainable living since you can earn elevated cash rewards in various categories that cater to these interests. With a $0 annual fee, a straightforward rewards structure, and additional benefits like cell phone protection and travel perks, this card is useful if you have a lifestyle centered on personal well-being and environmental awareness.

However, the card may not be the best choice for everyone. Its high credit score requirement can make approval challenging without great credit, and the foreign transaction fees can add up if you’re a frequent traveler. Plus, the lack of an introductory APR for balance transfers makes the Attune Card less appealing if you want to transfer debt and maximize your interest savings. Learn more about other cash back card options. 

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

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Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• 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 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% 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.

Author Details

Danielle Letenyei

Danielle Letenyei is a professional writer living in Madison, Wisconsin. Her interests include budgeting, travel, credit cards, insurance, and creative side gigs. She hopes her work on these topics can help others navigate the intricate landscape of personal finance.