Advertiser Disclosure
Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace.
Ryan is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money. He’s been covering topics like credit cards and savings since 2022, when he began his writing career at The Points Guy. He later joined Motley Fool Money, where he continues helping people who are new to the world of personal finance. Outside of work, you’ll find Ryan reading, writing, listening to music or obsessively updating his Letterboxd account.
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees) and the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates and fees) are two of the best credit cards in their respective lanes -- the question of which makes sense for you depends on your financial goals.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is built for everyday spending and rewards, offering pretty much the highest general cash rewards rate we've found. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card, meanwhile, is all about saving money on interest.
Both cards come with no annual fee, but serve very different needs. For instance, I have (and love) the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, because I enjoy earning 2% cash rewards on everything I buy. If you're just looking to save on balance transfers or an upcoming large purchase, though, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card might make sense for you.
Keep reading to learn the key differences between these two flagship Wells Fargo cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect Card: A side-by-side look
5.00/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
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)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
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)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
Welcome Offer:
N/A
Rewards Program:
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Rewards Program:
N/A
Intro APR:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Intro APR:
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR:
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Regular APR:
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Annual Fee:
$0
Annual Fee:
$0
Highlights:
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. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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.
Highlights:
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
Key differences between the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and Wells Fargo Reflect Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is best for users who want to earn cash rewards on their spending -- you'll get unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, perhaps the best flat-rate cash rewards card available (tied with the Citi Double Cash® Card).
It also comes with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus of $200 cash rewards when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.
A 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening also applies -- a solid offer if you have a small amount of debt, or are taking on a purchase you can pay off in a year or less.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, on the other hand, offers one of the longest intro APR periods on the market: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
On the downside, it doesn't offer any rewards or a welcome bonus -- but if you need more than 12 months to pay off your big purchase or existing balance, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card is the way to go.
Both cards have $0 annual fees and include cellphone protection, but the differences in rewards and intro APR offers means they're suited for different lifestyles and spending habits.
Intro APR: Which card gives you the longest 0% intro APR period?
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card wins this category, with 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. After that, a go-to 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR applies.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card isn't far behind, though, offering 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. When the intro period ends, a go-to 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR will apply.
If you're focused on paying off debt or financing a big purchase without interest, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card is the better choice for the length of its intro APR period, but the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a strong option in this category, too.
Rewards: Earn cash rewards with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, with no category restrictions or activation required. You'll also enjoy that $200 cash rewards welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, meanwhile, doesn't offer any rewards or welcome bonus. If you don’t need the long balance transfer period, go with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
Balance transfer and penalty fees: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card takes the prize
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges a balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, on the other hand, charges a higher balance transfer fee from the get-go of 5%, min: $5. If balance transfers are a priority -- and they likely are, if you're eyeing the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card -- you'll want to keep that balance transfer fee in mind.
While the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card shines for its longer intro APR period, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes out ahead here for its lower balance transfer fee, and could be the better choice if you're certain you can pay off your balance within the shorter window.
Both cards charge late fees if payments aren't made on time, and missing a due date may lead to the loss of intro APR benefits.
Final verdict: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card versus the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a study in contrasts. You'll be better off with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card if you're looking for simple, unlimited rewards and don't carry an existing card balance. It's a top flat-rate cash rewards card that pays you for every purchase.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, on the other hand, is a great pick if your main goal is saving money on interest in the long-term -- especially on existing debt or a planned large expense.
Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card if:
You want unlimited 2% cash rewards and a welcome bonus.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card does not offer a rewards program.
You'll get 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases with on-time payments.
Share This Page
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa.
Motley Fool Money is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
