Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Autograph: Active Cash Moves Ahead
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Taylor Swift or Adele? Bahamas or Jamaica? Active Cash or Autograph? In all three scenarios, you really can’t go wrong with either pick. Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card have excellent rewards rates and other perks that make them a couple of the best credit cards around. To make your decision, it may help to understand the key difference between the two. The Active Cash is a cash-back credit card that earns 2% back on qualifying purchases. The Autograph, on the other hand, is a travel rewards card — one of the few without an annual fee.
By the slightest margin, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the best choice for most people, but if you want a card with travel-related benefits, opt for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card instead.
At a glance
on Wells Fargo's website
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.
1x points on other purchases.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft.
Auto rental collision damage waiver.
Access to card-linked offers through My Wells Fargo Deals.
Why the Active Cash Card is better for most people
Simplicity and versatility
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is simpler to manage than the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card thanks to its straightforward rewards structure: Every purchase earns an unlimited 2% cash back, period. There aren’t any categories to track or spending caps to monitor.
Understandably, a lot of people want to earn rewards for their spending without exerting too much effort. If that sounds like you, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the better fit.
Cash rewards earned from the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can be redeemed for a statement credit to offset eligible purchases, deposited into an eligible Wells Fargo account or even withdrawn as cash from a Wells Fargo ATM. Rewards earned from the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card are worth 1 cent each and can be redeemed for a statement credit against any eligible purchases (not just travel), but can't be redeemed for cash.
Longer 0% intro APR period
Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offer 0% intro APR periods in which cardholders get a break from paying interest on outstanding balances, but the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card’s is a smidge longer at 15 months. Depending on the balance amount, an extra three months free of interest could result in a few hundred dollars worth of savings.
Who might prefer the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers more overall value than the Active Cash in the form of a bigger sign-up bonus, higher rewards rate and extra perks. The caveat: You’ll have to work a little harder to maximize the card’s value. Those willing to do so should probably choose the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.
Higher rewards rate
The Active Cash’s excellent 2% flat rate could be outdone by the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, depending on your spending habits. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations and EV stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans — categories that represent everyday spending for many households. Sure, you'll need to remember to set the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card as the default payment method for your streaming subscriptions and phone bill, but it could be time well spent in order to earn the 3x rate.
Rental insurance
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers rental car insurance, but the rental will only be covered if you remember to pay for it with the card and decline the rental company’s own coverage. Coverage is supplemental to the cardholder's primary insurance coverage.
Which card should you get?
For those interested in earning rewards toward travel, the sum of the perks that come with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card likely exceed those offered by the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. But if you want the versatility of cash rewards earned at a solid 2% rate on eligible purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a better choice.
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