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Note: The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card is no longer available from the issuer. If you are interested in a Wells Fargo card, then check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. Or for the full list of the best cards available, check out our picks for the best cashback credit cards.
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card is a great go-to card for cashback earnings with no fuss. This card is typically overlooked by many because Wells Fargo isn’t a large player in the credit card market. However, you shouldn’t discount it — as this card packs a punch.
With a respectable unlimited cashback reward — 1.8% cash back on purchases made with a qualifying mobile wallet for the first 12 months, then unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on everyday purchases — the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card will help you see a return on your spending. In addition, the bonus reward for those adapting to mobile payment is very unique. Additionally, the cell phone protection that comes with the card can save you in a sticky situation.
If all this sounds interesting, keep reading this Wells Fargo Cash Wise review to find out what this card could do for you.
Great Go-to Card for Cashback Earnings
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Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card
Current Offer
$150 cash reward after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.8% cash back on purchases made with a qualifying mobile wallet for the first 12 months, then unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on everyday purchases
Who should get the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card?
If you’re looking to get started in credit card rewards with a simple, no-annual-fee card to earn cash back without any fuss, this card may be for you.
Some credit cards offer spending categories on specific purchases, such as dining, travel, gas, and entertainment. So, for example, if you spend heavily on gas, you may want to take a look at our list of best credit cards for gas.
Having multiple credit cards with specific categories can quickly turn into a hassle. But with the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card, cardholders never have to worry about using various cards for different purchases. The cash rewards bonus earnings are the same from your local coffee shop to a car repair. There’s also an additional cashback incentive if you use mobile payment (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay).
However, if you’re already experienced with credit card rewards and want to step up your cashback earnings, you might be better off looking at our list of the best cashback credit cards.
Card basics
| Card type | Cash Back |
| Card issuer | Wells Fargo |
| Credit card network | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Intro bonus | $150 cash reward after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Reward rate | 1.8% cash back on purchases made with a qualifying mobile wallet for the first 12 months, then unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on everyday purchases |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Intro APR | 0% for 15 months on purchases (then 14.49% to 24.99% (variable)) 0% for 15 months on balance transfers (then 14.49% to 24.99% (variable)) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% |
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card benefits and perks
- Generous welcome offer: The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card comes with a generous and obtainable welcome offer. You can earn a $150 cash reward after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Cashback earnings: New cardholders earn 1.8% cash back on purchases made with a qualifying mobile wallet for the first 12 months, then unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on everyday purchases. There are no bonus categories to keep track of or activations needed. The cashback perk with the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card is as simple as spending and earning. In addition, your rewards won’t expire as long as the account remains open.
- Mobile payment bonus earning: If you own a smartphone, you can earn up to 1.8% cash rewards when using mobile payment to pay for purchases. For example, if you’re an avid Costco shopper (like me) and you spend $300 a month but pay for it with mobile payment (which Costco accepts), you’ll earn $5.40 by simply using your phone to pay instead of the card. However, this bonus is only applicable during the first 12 months from account opening.
- Cell phone protection: Let's say you’re paying with your cell phone — and you drop it and break it. Thankfully, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card can cover this. If you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card, you can receive up to $600 in cell phone insurance protection against covered damage or theft of your cell phone. This is subject to a $25 deductible — but that $25 sounds much better than being out hundreds of dollars for a new phone.
- Intro APR: Lastly, you’ll have an introductory APR (annual percentage rate) of 0% for 15 months on eligible purchases (then 14.49% to 24.99% (variable)) and 0% for 15 months on qualifying balance transfers (then 14.49% to 24.99% (variable)). Be aware that you will have to pay a balance transfer fee to take advantage of this intro rate.
Drawbacks to this card
- Not the highest cashback rate: While the cash rewards on this card are good and the flat-rate structure makes it easy to earn on your spending, there are cards that could earn you higher rewards. The Citi Double Cash® Card, for instance, is also a flat-rate cash rewards card, but it can earn you 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Redemption minimum: If you want to turn your cash rewards into a direct deposit to your checking or savings account, you can only redeem your cash back in $25 increments.
Earning & redeeming cash back
Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look how your cash back could add up with the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card in the first year and second year.
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $653
Year two earnings: $503
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at points earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. This calculation does not take the bonus rewards you could earn on digital wallet purchases, so if you plan to take advantage of that bonus offer, then your earnings could be even higher.
Best ways to earn
To have the highest cash rewards earning potential, you should use this card as an everyday card. To maximize your cashback earnings, consider using this card alongside another one that has rewards for spending categories that reflect your expenses. For example, if you spend a decent amount of money on gas or at supermarkets and drugstores, consider applying for a card like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and using your Wells Fargo card for all your other purchases.
You can also earn an extra discount on your purchases when using the Earn More Mall shopping portal, which will link you to large retailers offering extra discounts on your orders. For example, let's say you’re shopping at Macy’s. If you go through the Earn More Mall, you’ll get a certain percentage off your order simply by going through the shopping portal. The cash saved will be sent to your cashback rewards account.
| Categories | Rewards rate |
| Purchases made with a qualifying mobile wallet in the first 12 months | 1.8X |
| All other purchases | 1.5X |
Maximizing your redemptions
You can redeem your cash back for a variety of things. Here are all the redemption options available to you as a cardholder:
- Cash at a Wells Fargo ATM
- Direct deposit to a bank account or in the form of a check
- Charity donations
- Payment on a mortgage with Wells Fargo
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Travel
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card FAQs
How does Wells Fargo cash back work?
You can redeem your cash back in a few different ways: a statement credit, at a Wells Fargo ATM using your Wells Fargo ATM card in $20 increments, direct deposit into your Wells Fargo bank account, a credit applied to your qualified Wells Fargo mortgage principal balance, or gift cards.
Does the Wells Fargo Cash Wise have a foreign transaction fee?
Yes, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
What credit score is needed for Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card?
For the best chance of being approved for the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card, you’ll need to have a good to excellent credit score. That means you likely need a FICO score of 670 or higher.
How do I get cash from my Wells Fargo credit card?
Be sure to give Wells Fargo customer service a call to set up your cash advance PIN. Once that’s completed, you can visit any ATM to access cash. However, you’ll be charged $10 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Other cards to consider
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card is a fairly standard cash rewards credit card, and it may be a good fit for someone looking to “dip their toes” into credit card rewards. It's a good pick for everyday purchases. Plus, it offers cellphone protection if you use it to pay your monthly cell phone bill and has a $0 annual fee.
But if that doesn’t sound like you, there are plenty of other credit card offers to consider that could earn you even more on your purchases. Here are two options from other credit card issuers that also feature unlimited cash back.
First, consider the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card has an early spend bonus that lets you earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You also earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). And even though it's primarily a cashback card, you also get benefits like roadside assistance and extended warranty coverage. 1
For more info, read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Second, take a look at the Citi Double Cash® Card. The Citi Double Cash features a very simple rewards program. It gives you up to 2% cash back on every purchase. Along with this, you’ll enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)). There's also a balance transfer fee: 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends.
For more details, read our Citi Double Cash Card review.
Great Go-to Card for Cashback Earnings
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card
Why We Like It
$150 cash reward after spending $500 in the first 3 months
See how these cards compare:
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Has a $0 annual fee
- Has an easy-to-earn welcome offer
- Offers a simple rewards program and flexible redemption methods
- Comes with intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers
- Doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
- Rates and fees
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Citi Double Cash® Card
- Simple flat-rate cash back on all your purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) APR
- No annual fee
- Rates and fees