The Ultimate 2% Cash Rewards Card You Need to Know About

05/08/2025

These personalized deals can further enhance your rewards earnings beyond the standard 2% cash back.

Credit Score Access

Wells Fargo Online customers receive complimentary monthly FICO® Score updates and credit insights through Credit Close-Up®. This feature helps you stay informed about your credit health and track your progress over time.

Detailed Comparison with Top Cash Back Cards

To help you make an informed decision, here’s a comprehensive comparison of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card with other leading cash back cards in the market:

Wells Fargo Active Cash®
Flat cash back
Annual fee
$0
Cash back rate
2% on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 after $500 in 3 months
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases and transfers
BT fee
3% (min $5)
Foreign fee
3%
Cell phone protection
Up to $600
Rental car coverage
Yes
Travel insurance
Yes
Roadside assistance
Yes
Free credit score
Yes
Redemption
Statement credit; deposit; loan/mortgage; gift cards; PayPal; travel
Minimum redemption
$1
Category limits
None
Spending caps
None
Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Citi Double Cash®
Editor choice2% total
Annual fee
$0
Cash back rate
2%, 1% when you buy + 1% when you pay
Welcome bonus
None
Intro APR
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
BT fee
3% (min $5)
Foreign fee
3%
Cell phone protection
No
Rental car coverage
No
Travel insurance
No
Roadside assistance
No
Free credit score
Yes
Redemption
Statement credit; deposit; gift cards
Minimum redemption
$25
Category limits
None
Spending caps
None
Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Balanced starter
Annual fee
$0
Cash back rate
1.5% on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 after $500 in 3 months
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and transfers
BT fee
3% (min $5)
Foreign fee
3%
Cell phone protection
No
Rental car coverage
No
Travel insurance
No
Roadside assistance
No
Free credit score
Yes
Redemption
Statement credit; deposit; gift cards; travel portal; transfers
Minimum redemption
$1
Category limits
None
Spending caps
None
Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Capital One Quicksilver®
Flat 1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Cash back rate
1.5% on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 after $500 in 3 months
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and transfers
BT fee
3% (min $5)
Foreign fee
None
Cell phone protection
No
Rental car coverage
No
Travel insurance
No
Roadside assistance
No
Free credit score
Yes
Redemption
Statement credit; deposit; gift cards
Minimum redemption
$1
Category limits
None
Spending caps
None
Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Discover it® Cash Back
Rotating 5%
Annual fee
$0
Cash back rate
5% rotating categories, 1% other purchases
Welcome bonus
Cashback Match™ at year end
Intro APR
0% for 14 months on purchases
BT fee
3% (min $5)
Foreign fee
3%
Cell phone protection
No
Rental car coverage
No
Travel insurance
No
Roadside assistance
No
Free credit score
Yes
Redemption
Statement credit; deposit; gift cards; Amazon checkout
Minimum redemption
$1
Category limits
Yes, rotating
Spending caps
$1,500 per quarter at 5%
Credit needed
Fair to Excellent (580+)
Tip: turn phone sideways to compare two cards at once.
Feature Wells Fargo Active Cash Citi Double Cash Chase Freedom Unlimited Capital One Quicksilver Discover it Cash Back
Annual Fee$0$0$0$0$0
Cash Back Rate2% on all purchases2% on all purchases, 1% when purchased + 1% when paid1.5% on all purchases1.5% on all purchases5% rotating categories up to $1,500/quarter, 1% other purchases
Welcome Bonus$200 after $500 in first 3 monthsNone$200 after $500 in first 3 months$200 after $500 in first 3 monthsCashback Match™ at end of first year
Intro APR0% for 12 months on purchases and transfers0% for 18 months on balance transfers0% for 15 months on purchases and transfers0% for 15 months on purchases and transfers0% for 14 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Fee3% (min $5)3% (min $5)3% (min $5)3% (min $5)3% (min $5)
Foreign Transaction Fee3%3%3%None3%
Cell Phone Protection✅ Up to $600 coverage
Rental Car Coverage
Travel Insurance
Roadside Assistance
Free Credit Score
Redemption OptionsStatement credit; direct deposit; mortgage/loan; gift cards; PayPal; travelStatement credit; direct deposit; gift cardsStatement credit; deposit; gift cards; travel portal; transfer to partnersStatement credit; direct deposit; gift cardsStatement credit; deposit; gift cards; Amazon checkout
Minimum Redemption$1$25$1$1$1
Category RestrictionsNoneNoneNoneNoneYes, rotating categories
Spending CapsNoneNoneNoneNone$1,500/quarter at 5%
Credit Score RequiredGood to Excellent (670+)Good to Excellent (670+)Good to Excellent (670+)Good to Excellent (670+)Fair to Excellent (580+)
Data resumida para leitura rápida em mobile. Confira termos atualizados no site do emissor.

Key Insights from the Comparison:

Best Overall Value: The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card stands out with its combination of 2% cash back on all purchases plus extensive built-in protections that other cards don’t offer.

Highest Potential Earnings: Discover it Cash Back offers the highest potential with 5% rotating categories, but requires active management and has spending caps.

Longest Intro APR: Citi Double Cash offers the longest balance transfer intro period at 18 months, but only for balance transfers, not purchases.

Best for International Travel: Capital One Quicksilver is the only card with no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers.

Most Flexible Redemption: Wells Fargo Active Cash offers unique redemption options like mortgage/loan payments and PayPal checkout.

How Does It Compare to Other Cash Back Cards?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card’s 2% flat rate puts it in direct competition with other top cash back cards on the market. While some cards offer higher rates in specific categories (like 3% on dining or 5% on travel), the Active Cash Card’s consistent 2% on everything means you’ll never earn less than a competitive rate, regardless of where you shop.

For consumers who prefer simplicity over potentially higher but more complicated reward structures, the Active Cash Card represents an excellent value proposition. The addition of the cell phone protection and other benefits elevates it above many competing 2% cash back cards.

Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Right for You?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card might be an ideal fit if:

However, it might not be the best choice if:

The Bottom Line

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card stands out in the crowded cash back card market by combining a competitive flat rewards rate with valuable protections and benefits. Its straightforward approach to rewards makes it accessible to credit card beginners while still offering enough value to attract experienced card users.

With no annual fee, unlimited 2% cash rewards, and a suite of protections typically associated with premium cards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card deserves serious consideration for anyone looking for a new everyday spending card.

Whether you use it as your primary card or pair it with category-specific cards to maximize rewards across all your spending, the Active Cash Card offers exceptional value and simplicity in an often complicated credit card landscape.

Additional Reading

This article’s information has been validated against authoritative financial sources to ensure accuracy and reliability:


This article contains factual information about credit card features and benefits. Always review current terms and conditions directly with the card issuer before applying. Credit card offers and terms may change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this card positioned as a simple “2% everywhere” choice?
The article highlights unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no category tracking or caps, making it a set-and-forget baseline earner for everyday spend.
How does the 0% intro APR window fit a payoff or transfer plan?
The page notes a 0% intro APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; it’s most effective if you map fixed payments to clear the balance before standard APR resumes and note any transfer window/fees.
What makes the cell phone protection valuable here?
When you pay your monthly cell bill with the card, the guide calls out coverage up to a stated limit with a deductible—useful against theft or damage. Check the benefit guide for eligibility and claims steps.
How can I redeem cash rewards for maximum flexibility?
The article lists redemptions such as statement credits, direct deposit to Wells Fargo accounts, loan/mortgage payments, gift cards, PayPal checkout, and portal travel—pick the option that best fits your goals.
Are there trade-offs vs. travel cards with transfer partners?
Yes. The page notes this flat 2% setup favors simplicity, while dedicated travel cards may unlock partner transfers and elevated travel earnings but add complexity or fees—choose based on your real usage.
Any fees or limitations to keep in mind for international use?
The comparison table flags a foreign transaction fee on this card; if you spend abroad frequently, the article suggests considering options that waive FX fees for international purchases.
What’s a simple starter setup with this card in my wallet?
Use this card as your default “everything” earner, and pair it with a category card for your top spend (e.g., dining/groceries) or a travel card for transfers—keeping applications spaced and payments on time.
Terms and features vary by issuer/program; always review current details.