The 6 best Wells Fargo credit cards for rewards and cash back in 2024

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Wells Fargo may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about rewards credit cards. 

But the bank has recently upped its game with an impressive lineup. The issuer recently introduced its first flexible travel card — the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card — in early 2024. And if you’re not a frequent traveler, Wells Fargo also offers some of the best cash back credit cards on the market today. 

No matter what type of spender you are, there's a Wells Fargo card that can help you maximize your rewards. Here’s a look at some of the best credit cards from Wells Fargo. 

Best Wells Fargo credit cards

• Best for everyday spending: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best for frequent travelers: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Best for balance transfers: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
• Best for earning rewards on rent: Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for flat-rate cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card
• Best for hotel stays: Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Best for everyday spending: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Rewards:

• 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
• 1X points on other purchases

Due to the generous rewards on dining out and travel, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is best for consumers who spend a lot in these categories. It also works well for users who want an intro APR that applies to purchases for a limited time.

This card stands out for its reward flexibility. Members can redeem their points for gift cards, travel, statement credits, or purchases made through PayPal. Cardholders also automatically qualify for cell phone insurance when they charge their phone bill to their card. 

Best for frequent travelers: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Rewards:

• 5X points on hotels
• 4X points on airline purchases
• 3X points on restaurants and other travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95

APR: Variable APR of 21.24%, 26.24% or 29.99%

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is best for travelers who want to transfer their points to airlines and hotels. However, this card's list of transfer partners is somewhat limited, at least for now. 

Members can transfer their points to Choice Privileges®, Air France‑KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, and Iberia Plus. More transfer partners may be added in the future.

Users will receive a $50 statement credit toward airline purchases and can take advantage of a broad range of travel insurance benefits.

Best for balance transfers: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers an attractive 21-month intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. It also automatically includes cell phone protection.

The Reflect Card doesn't offer rewards but has one of the longest intro APR offers on the market today. This offer can be useful for consumers who want to pay down large purchases over time or consolidate high-interest debt from other cards.

Best for earning rewards on rent: Bilt Mastercard®

Rewards

• 3X points on dining
• 2X points on travel purchases
• 1X points on rent payments (up to $100,000 per year) without a transaction fee
• 1X points on all other purchases

The Bilt Mastercard® aims to help users maximize rewards on rent purchases and travel-related spending. It allows you to earn 1X points on rent payments — unheard of for most credit cards.

To earn full points, you must make five transactions each statement period. Otherwise, you’ll earn a flat 250 points on rent.

Other card benefits include a double points bonus on the 1st of each month and travel insurance benefits. You can transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or redeem them for discounts on rent payments, a down payment on a home, merchandise, fitness classes, and more.

The Bilt Mastercard® is best for cardholders who want to earn transferable points and rack up rewards on rent, dining, and travel.

Best for flat-rate cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card

Rewards:

• Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card is a smart pick for anyone who wants to earn straightforward cash rewards and enjoy 0% APR for a limited time. The Active Cash card keeps rewards simple by offering a flat 2% cash reward on all purchases with no bonus categories to track. Other benefits include cell phone protection and travel and emergency assistance services. 

You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, transfer to an eligible Wells Fargo account, gift card, or cash back at a Wells Fargo ATM with a bank debit card.

Best for hotel stays: Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Rewards:

• 5X points on Choice Privileges hotel stays and point purchases
• 3X points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services
• 1X points on other purchases

The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® is a Wells Fargo co-branded hotel card that earns points in the Choice Privileges loyalty program. Because of this, it is best for those who regularly stay with Choice Privileges and want to use their rewards on hotel stays. 

Benefits include automatic Gold Elite membership with Choice Privileges, cell phone protection, and World Elite Mastercard perks.

Comparing the best Wells Fargo credit cards

How to earn and use Wells Fargo Rewards 

Wells Fargo offers a solid rewards program, allowing cardholders to earn points or cash back on their purchases. Here's a detailed look at how you can earn and redeem rewards with your Wells Fargo credit card.

Earning rewards 

The way you earn rewards depends on your specific Wells Fargo card. Some cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card, earn a flat cash rewards rate on all purchases. Others, like the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, earn bonus points in specific categories like dining, travel, and streaming services.

Use your Wells Fargo card to make purchases in its bonus categories to maximize your rewards. For example, if you have the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, you can use it to pay for all your hotel stays and airline tickets to earn 5X and 4X points.

Redeeming rewards

Wells Fargo offers a variety of redemption options, giving you the flexibility to use them how you want. 

For cash back cards, you can typically redeem your earnings for:

• Statement credits
• Direct deposits into your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
• Physical cash at a Wells Fargo ATM (if you have a Wells Fargo debit card)
• Gift cards

If you have a points-earning card, your redemption options may include:

• Travel (flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises)
• Gift cards
• Merchandise
• Statement credits
• Charitable donations

One of the most valuable redemption options is available with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card. This card allows you to transfer your points to several airline and hotel partners. This can yield much higher value per point, especially if you redeem for luxury travel experiences like first-class flights or high-end hotel stays.

Maximizing value 

To get the most out of your Wells Fargo rewards, consider these tips:

• Choose a card that aligns with your spending habits. If you spend a lot on dining and travel, the Autograph or Autograph Journey cards could be a great fit.
• Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges, which can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn.
• If you have a points-earning card, compare the value of different redemption options. Transferring to travel partners can often yield the highest value, but it requires some upfront work and flexibility.
• Take advantage of any bonus offers or promotions to boost your earnings. Wells Fargo occasionally offers targeted bonuses for specific spending categories.
• Combine multiple Wells Fargo cards to maximize your earnings across all categories. Use each card where it earns the most points, then funnel all your rewards into the account that provides the best redemption options.

How to choose the best Wells Fargo credit card

Each Wells Fargo card has unique features, so consider the factors you care most about before making a decision. 

Decide on the type of rewards you want to earn 

When selecting a Wells Fargo credit card, one key decision is whether you prefer to earn cash rewards or travel rewards points. 

Cash rewards are simple and flexible. You earn a percentage back on your purchases, which can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, or other options. This is ideal if you value simplicity and aren't a frequent traveler.

Travel rewards points can often offer higher value when redeemed for flights or hotel stays. However, it may take more effort to navigate the complexities of loyalty programs and find the best redemption sweet spots.

The choice depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, and reward preferences. A travel rewards card can earn frequent travelers a lot of mileage (pun intended), while cash back is a great choice for those who want to keep things simple. 

Consider balance transfer and 0% introductory APR offers 

If you're carrying a balance on a high-interest card, transferring that debt to a card with a 0% introductory APR can save you a lot of money on interest. Wells Fargo offers some compelling options here:

• The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a lengthy 21-month 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (followed by a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99%). That's nearly two years to pay down debt interest-free. Balance transfers must be made within 120 days to qualify for the intro rate.
• The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card offers a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%). While this isn't as long as the Reflect Card, it also earns an unlimited 2% cash back on purchases, making it ideal for transferring a balance and earning rewards on new purchases.

As with any balance transfer, be sure to run the numbers and have a plan to pay off your debt before the 0% APR expires. Also, note that most balance transfers incur a fee of 3-5% of the transferred amount, so factor that into your calculations.

How we rated the best Wells Fargo credit cards 

To find the best Wells Fargo cards, we evaluated each card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value. 

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available. Read more about our methodology here. 

Bottom line 

Wells Fargo offers competitive rewards cards that earn points for travel or cash back, but you'll need to research before you pick one for your wallet. Not only should you compare credit cards based on their perks and rewards, but you'll also need to consider annual fees and interest rates.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.