It's Official: Wells Fargo Active Cash Wins Our Award for Best Cash Back Card This Year

I probably sound like a credit card nerd (guilty), but I genuinely get excited when a card blows us away.

And this one just did.

Out of the hundreds of cards our team reviews each year, only a handful earn a perfect 5-star rating. And only one wins our Best Cash Back Card of the Year award.

That's why I'm pumped to explain why the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees) hit both of those marks.

Here's why it blew everyone's mind -- and why it might deserve a spot in your wallet too.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards

Most rewards cards only pay 1% to 1.5% on everyday spending, unless you're hitting specific bonus categories. But with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you'll earn 2% cash rewards on all purchases, all the time.

So, if you spend $1,000 a month on your card, that's $240 in cash rewards per year -- without thinking twice.

In fact, there's no spending limit for rewards. So, if you spend way more than that (my wife and I clock about $2K-$3K a month on our credit cards) you'll get rewarded for everything.

That's what makes it such a great "one-card" solution. You don't need to build a wallet strategy or do mental math at the checkout line. Just swipe and earn.

Other reasons it got 5 stars

The 2% cash rewards is the headline feature, but here's what else pushed it up to the highest rating for cash rewards cards:

$0 annual fee

No one likes paying a fee just to carry a card (I certainly don't.)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has no annual fee. So both big spenders and small spenders alike don't ever have to worry about getting their money's worth. All rewards are gravy.

0% APR for 12 months from account opening

This card gives you 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases.

That's a huge win if you're planning a big purchase or need some breathing room to pay off existing debt.

Need a little extra breathing room? Check out all the top balance transfer cards here, some offering up to 21 months of 0% APR.

Easy $200 welcome offer

If you're a new cardholder, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. That's a pretty low bar -- I spend that much just on eggs and milk these days.

Cellphone protection

If you use the card to pay your monthly phone bill, you'll get up to $600 in cellphone protection (with a $25 deductible).

Hopefully you'll never have to use this. But it's a nice layer of built-in peace of mind.

Should you apply?

In my opinion? Yes. Especially if your current everyday credit card doesn't have a 2% cash rewards rate.

Not only is there no annual fee, but there's also a good chance you'll earn a $200 welcome bonus in the first few months just for regular spending.

Put simply, this card has great upside potential and not really any downsides. It works well as a primary card or a backup rewards card to pair with another.

See if you qualify for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and start earning unlimited 2% cash rewards today.