Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card [Detailed Comparison]

Wells Fargo has a rewards-earning card for every type of consumer. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a flat-rate earning card or one that includes bonus category earnings, there’s a card that fits your purchasing style.

The same is true at redemption time when you’re choosing between simple cash-back or transferrable flexible rewards that could provide more potential value with a little more effort.

Reflecting both sides of this spectrum, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card shine with choices for all. It’s the key reason we’ve selected these 2 cards for today’s comparison.

We’ll look closely at how these cards earn rewards, your choices when redeeming them, and the travel and shopping protections and benefits you can expect to find on the cards.

Once finished, you’ll have a solid idea of which card better fits your needs and preferences.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card — Overview

The Value of a Welcome Offer

Immediately after approval, the Wells Fargo Autograph card and Wells Fargo Active Cash card present the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus offer. Welcome offers are valuable and can be worth hundreds of dollars.

You earn the bonus by meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period.

These offers can change, so check the most current information in the following card tables before applying for either card:

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers great 3x bonus points and cell phone protection with no annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers great 3x bonus points and cell phone protection with no annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is an excellent no annual fee card that offers 3x points on 6 different bonus categories. Choose from multiple options when you’re ready to redeem your rewards, and take advantage of great perks including cell phone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and no foreign transaction fees.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans
• 1x points per $1 spent on other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized value

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Select “Learn More” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up – like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature^® Concierge.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

$200 cash rewards bonus

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter (rates & fees)

Cons

• No bonus categories for those who want to optimize certain purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Select “Learn More” to take advantage of this specific 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. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.

Bottom Line:

By meeting minimum spending requirements in the specified period after card approval, you can earn a welcome offer on the Wells Fargo Autograph card or Wells Fargo Active Cash card. Welcome offers can be worth hundreds of dollars.

Earning Potential

You earn the most rewards when matching your spending mix to the bonus-earning categories on either of our featured cards.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card earns Wells Fargo Rewards points, while the Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns a flat rate of unlimited cash rewards.

Here are all the ways to earn rewards by spending on these cards and how bonus categories can differ from flat-rate earnings:

Frequent travelers spending heavily on travel purchases could earn well with the Wells Fargo Autograph card. The card also includes bonus earnings on several everyday spending categories.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns unlimited flat-rate 2% cash rewards on every purchase. This earning structure works well for those whose spending doesn’t fit into bonus categories yet still want good earnings. For example, you’d have higher earnings on the Wells Fargo Active Cash card if expenses include tuition, household repairs or remodeling, or medical bills.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers simplified earnings. The Wells Fargo Autograph card is better if you spend more on travel or everyday bonus categories.

Bottom Line:

The Wells Fargo Autograph card earns well on travel purchases, transit, select streaming services, phone plans, and dining. The Wells Fargo Active Cash card has an unlimited flat-rate earning structure and no bonus earning categories.

Redemption Options

Once you’ve accumulated a stash of rewards, it’s time to enjoy redeeming them.

With the Wells Fargo Autograph card, you can earn flexible rewards, redeem them for travel, and much more. The Wells Fargo Active Cash card, which earns cash rewards, has fewer but very liquid redemption options.

At redemption time, here are all the choices with either of our featured cards:

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph card has the edge at redemption time. Wells Fargo Rewards points earned on the card have the expanded redemption option of transferring points to airline or hotel partners for greater potential value.

Wells Fargo has 5 airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Iberia Plus. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio.

One of our favorite redemptions is with Air France-KLM Flying Blue during the loyalty program’s monthly Promo Rewards. During this time, award flights can be up to 50% less, making it a great time to transfer and redeem rewards.

Hot Tip:

You can transfer Wells Fargo Rewards to another Rewards account that you own or gift your rewards to another Wells Fargo Rewards account holder. Should you have the Wells Fargo Active Cash card and the Wells Fargo Autograph card, you can transfer rewards earned on the Wells Fargo Active Cash card and gain access to airline and hotel redemption partners with the Wells Fargo Autograph card.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card also has Choice Privileges as a hotel loyalty program partner. When transferring to Choice, your rewards will go a long way, as 1 Wells Fargo Rewards point equals 2 Choice Privileges points.

You can secure an excellent Choice hotel like the Clarion Hotel The Hub, in the city center of Oslo, Norway. The hotel is a 3-minute walk from the central station and is perfect for exploring the city. Transferring just 8,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points to Choice Privileges allows you to book any of several great hotels for just 16,000 Choice Privileges points per night.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Receiving cash rewards has its benefits. Cash rewards earned on the Wells Fargo Active Cash card offer simplicity and liquidity.

With unlimited 2% cash rewards on every purchase, your everyday spending can add up to a nice statement credit, or cash, to use for whatever you choose. You have additional redemption choices, but cash rewards are normally worth a fixed rate of just 1 cent each. This includes redeeming rewards for travel with Wells Fargo. It may be better to receive a statement credit after making the purchase you want.

You can also redeem cash rewards for a credit to an eligible Wells Fargo account, purchase merchandise with select merchants, or buy gift cards.

Bottom Line:

You receive greater redemption options and better potential value for your rewards with the Wells Fargo Autograph card. The card allows transfers to airline and hotel partners, an option not available with the Wells Fargo Active Cash card. The Wells Fargo Active Cash card does, however, provide for cash redemptions and statement credits.

Travel Protections and Benefits

If something goes wrong during your trip, travel protections could make your world brighter by reimbursing covered losses. Travel benefits can save you money and make your travel more comfortable.

Here are the travel protections and benefits our featured cards have in common and those unique to the Wells Fargo Autograph card.

Travel Protections

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Reserve and pay for your rental car with your card and decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW insurance to receive coverage for damage or theft. In the U.S., coverage is secondary, meaning you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage applies. Outside of the U.S., where coverage is available, coverage is primary, and there is no requirement to file a claim with other insurance.
• Roadside Dispatch: When stranded by the roadside or wherever you need vehicle help, you can receive assistance with just 1 call and 1 prearranged service call fee. Services include changing a flat tire, jump-start and lockout service, emergency fuel delivery, standard winching, and limited towing.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: With just 1 call, you can receive assistance arranging emergency transportation, medical and legal referrals, translation services, lost luggage assistance, and other travel assistance services. The cost of any services received is the responsibility of the cardholder.

Travel Benefits

• Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection Benefits: You receive elite-style benefits when using your card to book your stay at over 900 properties worldwide. Receive benefits including an upgraded room (when available), complimentary Wi-Fi, a $25 food and beverage credit, complimentary breakfast for 2, late checkout when requested and available, VIP guest status, and a best-rate guarantee.

Additional Travel Benefits — Wells Fargo Autograph Card

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: With no foreign transaction fees, your card will help make your vacation worry-free. This benefit can save you up to 3%.

Bottom Line:

The Wells Fargo Autograph card and Wells Fargo Active Cash card have car rental insurance, roadside dispatch, travel and emergency services, and benefits via the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. In addition, the Wells Fargo Autograph card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Shopping Protection and Benefits

The Wells Fargo Autograph card and Wells Fargo Active Cash card do not come with many shopping protections and benefits. There are, however, a few that can be valuable:

• Cell Phone Protection: You receive protection for damage or theft by paying your monthly phone bill with your card. There is a limit of $600 per claim, 2 claims per 12 months, up to $1,200.
• Introductory 0% APR on Purchases: Pay large or multiple purchases back over time with no interest charges on either card. With the Wells Fargo Autograph card: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter. With the Wells Fargo Active Cash card: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter.
• My Wells Fargo Deals: Add the merchant offers available in your online card account, make the required purchase, and earn additional cash-back.
• Wells Fargo Exclusives: Cardholders gain access to exclusive live events and can purchase up to 6 tickets.

Bottom Line:

There are a few useful shopping protections and benefits on the Wells Fargo Autograph card and Wells Fargo Active Cash card, including cell phone protection, an introductory 0% APR on purchases, My Wells Fargo Deals, and Wells Fargo Exclusives.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

It’s important to understand any fees associated with holding a credit card.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card has a $0 annual fee and the Wells Fargo Active Cash card has a $0 annual fee.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card does not charge foreign transaction fees. Purchasing abroad with your Wells Fargo Active Cash card results in a 3% foreign transaction fee on each transaction converted to U.S. dollars (rates & fees).

To learn more about associated card fees, click on the Learn More tab in the card tables at the beginning of this article.

Final Thoughts

Your preferences will determine whether the Wells Fargo Autograph card or Wells Fargo Active Cash card is best for your situation.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card is good for its simplified earning structure. The card can also be a match if your highest expenses do not align with bonus-earning categories. The card is not a fit for a frequent traveler, especially since it charges foreign transaction fees.

If you travel even a few times a year, earning on travel purchases and redeeming travel rewards for good value are key reasons to have the Wells Fargo Autograph card.