What's the Best Cash Back Credit Card Now? My Pick for January 2026

Published on Jan. 15, 2026

Ryan Wilcox

By: Ryan Wilcox

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

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Want a credit card with earning rates that you don't need a PhD to understand? If so, I've got a great rec: the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees).

With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you'll get a solid welcome bonus that's incredibly easy to earn, plus 2% cash rewards on every purchase, everywhere. It won our pick for the Best Overall Credit Card of 2026 for a reason. It's also been my personal favorite card for a while now -- and I don't see that changing soon.

Here's how easy it is to get value with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

Earn an easy welcome bonus in your first 3 months

Right now, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is offering a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.

That's one of the lowest spending requirements I've seen on any card, and you still have a full 3 months to hit it. Most people will be able to do that in just a few weeks of everyday purchases. And once you do, you'll have sweet cash rewards to add to your already growing rewards.

Your cash rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, or travel. Also, your cash rewards never expire, so you've got all the time in the world to decide how to use them.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular APR

18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

2% cash rewards

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

$200 cash rewards

  • This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. The intro APR is decent too -- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR applies after). We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before.

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    • Unlimited 2% cash rewards
    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • Generous cash rewards welcome bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protections
    • No bonus categories
    • Foreign transaction fees
    • Balance transfer fee
    • Apply Now to take advantage of this 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. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% 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.

Unlock 2% cash rewards on all purchases and more

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is more than just an easy welcome offer, though. You'll also get:

2% cash rewards on all purchases

Yep, as mentioned: A straightforward 2% cash rewards rate on every purchase, everywhere. That means no earning caps to track, no spending categories to remember, and no hoops to jump through. That's one of the highest flat rates you'll find on any card, and you'll get it for no annual fee. Not bad.

Intro APR offer

Looking to pay off high-interest debt? The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help with that too. It comes with 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. After the intro period, a 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR will apply.

That's not the longest 0% offer you can find, but if you want to earn solid rewards and cut down on interest at the same time, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of your best options.

Ready to start earning (and saving) today? Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to learn more and apply now.

Our Research Expert

Ryan Wilcox
Ryan Wilcox icon-button-linkedin-2x

Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.