
Earning cash back with the Wells Fargo Cash Back Debit Card is a breeze, with a straightforward rewards program that doesn't require a separate credit card.
You can earn 3% cash back on purchases in your top category each quarter, up to a quarterly maximum of $6,000 in combined purchases in all categories.
To maximize your rewards, it's essential to track your spending and identify your most frequent purchases, which can be done through the Wells Fargo mobile app.
The card also offers 2% cash back on purchases in your second most frequently used category and 1% on all other purchases.
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How to Earn and Redeem
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has a simple rewards program that earns you 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases. There are no bonus categories to track, making it a great option for those who don't want to worry about maximizing spending categories.
You can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is a competitive offer for a no-annual-fee credit card, and the minimum spending requirement is easily attainable for most people.
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The card doesn't have any complicated rules or restrictions on earning cash rewards. You'll earn 2% cash rewards on all purchases, making it easy to rack up rewards.
You can redeem your cash rewards in a variety of ways, including a statement credit to offset purchases, a Wells Fargo ATM withdrawal using a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card, or a credit to an eligible Wells Fargo credit card, checking account, or mortgage.
Here are some ways to redeem your cash rewards:
- Statement credit to offset purchases ($1 minimum)
- Wells Fargo ATM withdrawal using a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card ($20 increments)
- A credit to an eligible Wells Fargo credit card, checking account or mortgage
- Gift cards
- PayPal purchases
Benefits and Features
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a no-annual-fee card, so it's a great option for those who want to avoid paying an annual fee.
One of the key benefits of this card is that it offers Visa Signature credit card benefits and perks, which can be a nice bonus for cardholders.
The card's no-annual-fee status means you can use it without worrying about extra charges, making it a practical choice for everyday spending.
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Key Benefits and Features
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a no-annual-fee card, so it's a great option for those who want to avoid extra fees.
One of the main benefits of this card is its low-maintenance 2% cash back feature, which is a rare find in the credit card market.
You can earn 2% back on everything without any strings attached, making it a straightforward and hassle-free rewards program.
The card also offers Visa Signature credit card benefits and perks, which can be a nice bonus for cardholders.
This card is particularly appealing to those who want a simple and easy-to-use rewards program without any complicated requirements or restrictions.
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Cell Phone Protection
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a cell phone protection benefit that can cover your phone if it's damaged or stolen. This benefit is especially useful if you have a high deductible on your phone provider's insurance policy.
The protection benefit has a limit of $600 per claim, minus a $25 deductible. You can receive up to two claims per 12-month period.
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If you have primary insurance through your phone provider, the card's benefit acts as supplemental insurance for expenses not covered by your provider's policy. This means you can use the credit card's benefit to cover the costs not covered by your primary insurance.
You must exhaust all other forms of insurance before using the credit card's benefit. This ensures you're not duplicating coverage and getting double benefits.
Travel Assistance Services
Travel Assistance Services is a valuable benefit that's available 24 hours a day through an assistance hotline. You can use this service to get help with medical or legal referrals, emergency transportation assistance, and emergency translation services.
The hotline is complimentary, but you'll be responsible for any third-party costs that may arise. This service can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation, and it's comforting to know that help is just a phone call away.
To be eligible for this benefit, your rental must meet certain requirements. Here are the key details:
- You must pay for the full cost of the rental card with your Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and/or rewards program associated with the card account.
- You must decline the rental company's collision loss/damage insurance.
- Your rental agreement cannot be longer than 15 consecutive days in the U.S., or 31 consecutive days outside the U.S.
- Coverage is excluded on rentals in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland.
- Some countries or car rental agencies require a letter of coverage beforehand, which you can obtain by calling 1-800-316-8051 or visiting the My Card Benefits page.
- The maximum coverage amount is $50,000.
Better Benefits Available
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card has a decent portfolio of benefits, but it's worth noting that better benefits are available on competing cards. You'll get cellphone coverage against damage or theft for up to $600 per claim, but you'll have to pay a $25 deductible and can only make two claims per year.
The Visa Signature perks on this card are common on no-annual-fee cash rewards cards and match perks offered with rival cards.
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Fees and Costs
The Wells Fargo Active Cash debit card has no annual fee, which is a great perk for those who want to earn cash back without any additional costs.
You won't have to worry about an annual fee eating into your rewards, but you should be aware that there is a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it's not the best option for international travel.
Late payments can be assessed a fee of up to $40, so make sure to stay on top of your payments to avoid any extra charges.
The intro balance transfer fee is on the low end of the traditional 3% to 5% range, at $5 minimum, and the foreign currency conversion fee is also typical at 3%.
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Annual Fees and Costs
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card has no annual fee, which is a big plus for anyone looking to avoid extra costs.
This means you can use the card without worrying about an annual fee, but you should still be mindful of other potential fees.
The card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, which can add up quickly if you're traveling abroad or making international purchases.
You won't need to worry about a penalty APR, but you could face a late payment fee of up to $40 if you miss a payment.
The intro balance transfer fee is on the low end of the traditional 3% to 5% range, at 3% with a $5 minimum, and the foreign currency conversion fee is also typical at 3%.
This card is a great option for domestic use, but it's not the best choice for international travel due to the foreign transaction fee.
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Some Redemptions Are Limited
If you're looking for flexibility in redeeming your cash rewards, you might find some limitations with certain credit cards. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card only allows automatic or paper cash rewards redemptions in increments of $25.

You can use rewards to erase purchases from your statement, which is a decent workaround, but it's not the most flexible option. If you don't plan on using the card frequently, it could take a while to redeem cash rewards.
Here's a breakdown of redemption options for the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card:
It's worth noting that some credit cards, like the Citi Double Cash Card, offer more flexible redemption options, such as redeeming for a check or depositing into a checking account.
Pros and Cons
The Wells Fargo cash back debit card has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider.
One of the biggest benefits is that it offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, with no annual fee. This makes it a great choice for those who want simplicity and don't want to worry about rotating spending categories.
Another advantage is that it can be paired with other Wells Fargo cards, such as the Autograph℠ Card, to boost the value of rewards and transfer them to hotel and airline loyalty programs.
However, one of the main drawbacks is that it charges a foreign transaction fee, making it a poor choice for traveling abroad.
Additionally, the card's redemption options are limited unless you pair it with another Wells Fargo card that allows point transfers.
Here are some of the key pros and cons in a concise list:
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Can be paired with other Wells Fargo cards for increased rewards value
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options unless paired with another Wells Fargo card
Comparison
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers a no-annual-fee cash rewards option with a generous welcome bonus and a simple rewards structure.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has a lower flat cash rewards rate (1.5 percent) on everyday purchases, but it could make up for this with its additional bonus categories.
The Citi Double Cash card is a comparable 2 percent cash back card, but you could earn less than 2 percent rewards if you aren’t on top of your payments.
Here's a quick comparison of the three cards:
These cards offer different benefits, so it's essential to consider what matters most to you when choosing a cash rewards card.
Comparison
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card has some great features, but it's not the only option out there. In fact, there are a few other cards that offer similar benefits, but with some key differences.
One of the closest competitors to the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is the Citi Double Cash Card. This card also earns 2% cash back, but in a two-step process: you get 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you make a purchase and another 1 point per dollar (1% cash back) when you pay it off. This earning structure puts the Citi Double Cash Card at a slight disadvantage.
The Citi Double Cash Card does offer a longer intro APR on balance transfers, with 18 months of 0% interest, followed by a variable APR of 18.24% - 28.24%. However, this zero-interest period only applies to balance transfers, not purchases.
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If you're looking for a card with a simple rewards structure, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card might be a better fit. It earns 2% cash back on every purchase, with no spending caps or limitations.
Here's a comparison of the two cards:
Ultimately, the choice between these two cards will depend on your individual needs and spending habits. If you're looking for a simple, no-frills rewards program, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card might be the way to go. But if you're looking for a longer intro APR on balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash Card could be a better option.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a top pick for the best credit cards available right now. It offers a range of benefits, including earning 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, with no limits.
New cardholders can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything they buy, on up to $20,000 spent in the first year. This is a great opportunity to rack up rewards quickly.
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You'll also earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, making it a great option for frequent travelers. This can add up to significant savings over time.
Additionally, you'll earn 3% cash back on dining and 3% cash back at drugstores, with no limits. This means you can earn more rewards on your everyday purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a 19.74% - 28.49% Variable APR. This can provide some breathing room if you need to make a large purchase or pay off debt.
Application and Eligibility
To apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, you can select the "Apply Now" option to take advantage of the offer and learn more about its features and terms.
The card has a good welcome bonus, offering a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
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You'll need to have a good to excellent credit score to be eligible for this card.
The card has a $0 annual fee, which means you won't have to pay any extra fees on top of your regular purchases.
Here are the credit scores considered good to excellent:
- Good: not specified
- Excellent: not specified
The card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, with a variable APR of 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% after the intro period.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Wells Fargo cash back debit card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their purchases without paying an annual fee. You can earn 2% cash rewards on all purchases with this card.
The card is relatively easy to get if you have a good credit score, which means a FICO score of at least 670. This is a decent credit score, and many people can qualify for the card with it.
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The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a Visa Signature card, which means it comes with extra perks like access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection and Visa Signature Concierge. These perks can be really useful for travelers.
You can redeem your cash rewards in various ways, but there are no spending caps or other limitations to worry about. This makes it easy to earn and redeem rewards with the card.
The card isn't jam-packed with benefits, but it does come with a few handy perks like cell phone insurance. This can save you money on phone repairs or replacements.
Here are some key facts about the Wells Fargo cash back debit card:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cashback from a debit card?
Yes, you can earn cashback rewards with a debit card, but the amount and terms vary depending on the card and merchant. Some debit cards offer cashback on all purchases, while others provide higher rewards at specific stores or categories.
Sources
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/wells-fargo-active-cash-card-review/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/wells-fargo-active-cash-card-should-you-get-it
- https://thepointsguy.com/news/wells-fargo-launches-cash-back-offers/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-active-cash-card/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/wells-fargo-active-cash-card-review
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