A Guide To Wells Fargo Credit Cards
With a vibrant history and competitive financial products, Wells Fargo is among the banking leaders in the United States and world. This 169-year-old bank offers commercial and personal banking services alike, including a suite of credit card products sure to please. Here, we look at the cards we offer on our site, the banks storied history, and its rewards and benefits.
Heres How To Activate A Wells Fargo Credit Card:
- Online: Log in to your Wells Fargo account on the activation page. From there, verify your identity by entering your personal information in order to activate your card. If you dont have an online account yet, you can create one in minutes by entering your account number and SSN and then making a username and password.
- Over the phone: Call Wells Fargo at . Enter your card number. Enter any identifying information requested, like your Social Security number.
- Wells Fargo App: Download Wells Fargo Mobile for iOS or Android. Log in to the app using the same username and password as your online account. Select your card from your list of accounts to activate it.
You need to activate your Wells Fargo credit card before you can use it. And its a quick and easy process, so you should be able to start using your card within minutes of receiving it.
If youre looking to activate a Wells Fargo debit card instead, you can use all of the above methods. But theres a fourth way to activate a Wells Fargo debit card. You can activate it at any Wells Fargo ATM by simply inserting your card and entering your PIN. Your PIN should have been mailed to you in a separate envelope from the one with your card.
If youve received a Wells Fargo pre-approval offer, it will include a unique code. To respond, just go to the Wells Fargo credit card page, click Respond to an Offer, and enter your code.
Disadvantages To Having Multiple Credit Cards
Too many credit cards can entice you to overspend and take on more debt than you can handle. And if youre considering adding more credit cards to your portfolio, keep in mind that every time you apply for a credit card, the issuer will run a credit check to determine whether or not to approve you. This can ding your score. And, some issuers will turn you down if you apply for too many cards in too short a period of time.
But for someone who can pay their bills in full and on time, and doesnt mind the effort of juggling multiple cards, owning several cards can be part of a plan that works for them.
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Suggested Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Credit Score
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is best for applicants with good credit, which typically means a credit score of 670 or higher. A credit score above 700 will give you even better chances of approval. However, remember that issuers look at more than your credit score when evaluating your card application, including your income and full credit history.
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Meet Our Credit Cards Expert
Ben Woolsey is Investopedia’s Associate Editorial Director of Financial Products and Services, including credit cards. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including marketing for banking and financial institutions such as Associates First Capital and Bank One. Prior to Investopedia, he managed credit card content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com.
Does Wells Fargo Offer Preapproval For Credit Cards
Wells Fargo allows you to check for pre-selected offers online. Go to the Wells Fargo , click “Check for pre-selected offers” and enter your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number. A pre-selected offer doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get approved, but it’s an encouraging sign.
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Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
You choose your preferred rewards program
Annual Fee
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash rewards per dollar spent, or earn 1 point per dollar spent and receive 1,000 bonus points each month you spend more than $1,000
Why We Like It
The Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card is a decent option for business owners interested in building their credit.
Cardholders get to choose their rewards. Earn 1.5% cash rewards per dollar spent or 1X points per dollar spent, and receive 1,000 bonus points each month you spend more than $1,000.
This card offers a credit limit of up to $25,000, and with responsible use, business owners can upgrade to an unsecured credit card over time.
Card Details
- You choose your preferred rewards program
- 1.5% cash rewards per dollar spent, or earn 1 point per dollar spent and receive 1,000 bonus points each month you spend more than $1,000
Wells Fargo Vs Us Bank
U.S. Bank offers the same services as Wells Fargo, including bank accounts, credit cards, and loans. Visa and Mastercard are the two most common payment methods for credit cards issued by both corporations. Because Visa and Mastercard are widely recognized around the globe, they are the finest payment networks to join.
Wells Fargo is the largest bank in the United States. US Bank employs more than 70,000 people, whereas Wells Fargo has more than 250,000.
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Can I Spend Enough Responsibly To Earn The Welcome Bonus
Many credit cards come with an alluring welcome bonus to help get your spending started and bolster your rewards balance. Keep in mind, however, that it’s never a good idea to spend more than usual just to earn extra credit card rewards.
With the new Wells Fargo Autograph Card, you’d need to be able to spend $1,500 within the first three months of opening your account in order to earn the 30,000 bonus points. If you don’t think you’ll be able to spend that amount responsibly on your own, another way is to ask trusted friends and family if you can use the card to purchase pricey items on their behalf and have them reimburse you for it, allowing you to spend more and earn the bonus points faster.
This Card Is Right For You If:
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a stand-out flat-rate rewards card with one of the best cash rewards programs out there.
To top it off, the card comes with a big cash rewards sign-up bonus and a competitive 0% intro APR offer. While the card doesn’t have a lot of secondary cardholder benefits, it doesn’t charge an annual fee, either. All in all, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a quality pick for one-card wallets.
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Wells Fargo Reflect Card Vs Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Verdict: Similar intro APR period, with the addition of cashback rewards and a sign-up bonus
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card lets new cardholders benefit from a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that your variable APR will be 14.99%-24.99% . This is a shorter timeline than the Wells Fargo Reflect Card however, you do get the chance to earn rewards, which could be worth it if you’re searching for a card you can use in the long term.
New cardholders can Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Further, cardmembers Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, and there’s a $0 annual fee.
Full List Of Wells Fargo Credit Cards
Personal
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Wells Fargo Travel Cards
For those who like to travel, rewards credit cards are a great way to save money on their trips. Free mobile phone insurance and no international transaction fees are two of the most popular features of the best travel credit cards. By using the Hotels.com Rewards Visa® Credit Card from Wells Fargo, customers may earn points toward free nights at participating hotels when they book directly via the website.
Types Of Wells Fargo Credit Cards
Wells Fargo primarily issues Visa cards, along with a Mastercard option for its business secured card. It doesn’t issue any cards on the Discover or American Express networks. Wells Fargo’s cards include points and cash back rewards and secured card options for consumers and small businesses, along with a card for college students.
Its credit cards generally fall within these categories:
- Cash back
- Small business cards
- Secured credit cards
While Wells Fargo does offer a secured credit card for small businesses, it does not currently offer a secured credit card for consumers.
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Can I Apply For A Wells Fargo Credit Card Online
It’s easy to apply for a Wells Fargo credit card online. Just visit the Wells Fargo credit cards page, find the credit card you want and click the red “Apply now” button. Then fill out the Wells Fargo online application with your name, address and financial information. You’ll need to e-sign the form, agree to the terms and conditions and click the “Submit” button.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card Drawbacks
- No rewards: While the Wells Fargo Reflect Card has a fantastic low-interest offer, it doesn’t include any rewards. If you want a card with good cashback rewards on top of a lengthy introductory APR, check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card instead.
- Charges foreign transaction fees: The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is not an ideal credit card for international travel, as it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. For frequent international travelers, we suggest using a travel credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees to save yourself from these fees during your trip.
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How Good Is Wells Fargo Customer Service
Wells Fargo ranked eighth out of 11 national card issuers in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. The bank received a below average score. Some of Wells Fargo’s satisfaction rating may be a negative perception holdover from its retail banking scandal, when the bank had to make restitution for opening millions of accounts on behalf of customers without their consent. The banking giant is under new management, so time will tell if its customer service ratings improve.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
Specifically designed for students, the Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card offers purchase rewards, manageable credit lines, and no annual fee. And, on top of the normal 1% cash back rate, new cardholders will earn 3% in select categories for the first six months.
- Earn 3% cash back on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases for the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
Cardholders can choose to have cash back rewards automatically redeemed to their account in $25 increments as a credit card statement credit. You can even earn bonus rewards for shopping the Wells Fargo Earn More Mall shopping portal.
As a credit-builder card aimed at students, this card also offers several perks and tools to help students stay on track. That includes a relatively low regular APR , a six-month 0% APR offer, and access to a variety of credit education and tools.
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How Does Wells Fargo Do Against The Competition When It Comes To Credit Cards
Wells Fargo has made a name for itself in the United States banking business. Its impossible to deny that the California-based corporation has had a significant influence since its founding, with millions of subscribers and billions of dollars in yearly sales.
Other significant banks, such as Bank of America and Chase, also have a presence in the market. How does Wells Fargo stack up? You can see how these firms compare up against Wells Fargo in this section.
Whats Different About The Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Not only does the Autograph Card bring a refreshing change in terms of boosting and simplifying rewards, but it seems to be a true product of consumer feedback.
Our customers told us they tend to focus on three core areas when it comes to their credit card preferences: cash back, value and rewards, said Krista Phillips, EVP, head of branded cards and marketing for Wells Fargo Credit Cards, in the press release. So we took their feedback to heart, and as evidenced by each of the new cards we have launched Active Cash, Reflect and Autograph you can see that were focused on delivering competitive offerings across each of those categories.
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Does Wells Fargo Do A Hard Credit Pull
Most credit card issuers, including Wells Fargo, will generate a hard credit pull when you apply for a new credit card account, which can cause your FICO score to drop by a few points. This is a common practice and occurs so a company can see your credit history and decide whether it should offer you a credit line.
How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting Preapproved
If you want to boost your chances of getting preapproved, youll need to take some simple steps to improve your credit score. For example, you should make sure to pay your credit card bill and other bills early or on time each month. Considering your payment history is the most important determinant of your FICO score, this is easily the most important thing you should do when it comes to your credit.
Since the amount you owe in relation to your credit limits is the second most important factor that makes up your FICO score, you should also strive to pay down debt. Doing so can decrease your credit utilization rate, which shows lenders youre not at risk of overextending yourself.
Other steps you can take to improve your credit include refraining from opening too many credit card accounts and keeping old credit cards openeven if youre not using them.
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How To Choose A Wells Fargo Credit Card
Finding the right credit card starts with knowing what features matter most to you. Want to build or improve your credit? Earn the highest cash back rewards for the things you spend the most on? Or do you want to make interest-free payments on purchases or past debt for a set period of time? Whatever your goal, chances are theres a credit card for you.When you know what features youre looking for, youll need to know your credit score and compare the cards that best fit you and your creditworthiness. A tool like CardMatch can do a lot of the work for you. By answering a few questions, youll quickly get credit card options tailored to your needs and credit profile.One of your options might even be a Wells Fargo card. But before you apply, read on for some information that can help you decide if a Wells Fargo credit card is truly right for you.
Should You Get A Wells Fargo Credit Card
A Wells Fargo credit card may be a good choice for you if you’re a budget-oriented consumer looking for a no-annual-fee card with decent benefits, and you don’t want or need a slew of perks and features.
That’s because most Wells Fargo cards don’t charge an annual fee, but the flip side of that affordability is that they may not offer as many benefits as other cards on the market, especially travel and insurance benefits.
A Wells Fargo credit card may also be a good option for a small business owner looking for a $0 annual fee business credit card that offers rewards and flexibility with a few perks too, or a business owner who needs to build credit. Wells Fargo’s well-rounded slate of business card offerings cover a range of scenarios, from new to established businesses.
Not sure a Wells Fargo credit card is right for you? Check out our picks for the best cash back credit cards of 2021. The Citi® Double Cash Card 18 month BT offer and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offer two good alternatives to the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. And if you prefer a good general purpose travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card may be a fit for you.
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