In a Nutshell
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card is a solid cash back card with a reliable 1.5% cash rewards rate on all purchases. And if you’re able to use select mobile wallets for qualified purchases, you’ll boost that cash rewards rate to 1.8% for the first 12 months from account opening.This offer is no longer available on our site: Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card is no longer available. For other options, check out our list of the best Wells Fargo credit cards.
For every passionate credit card points guru out there, there’s someone else who just wants simple, no-hassle rewards they can easily redeem.
If that sounds like you, it’s hard to go wrong with a cash back card like the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card. With its solid 1.5% cash rewards rate on purchases and bonus rate of 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, you can rack up some pretty significant rewards — and since you can redeem rewards for cash, you can use them for anything your heart desires.
Built-in cellphone protection (up to $600, subject to a $25 deductible) if you pay your cellphone bill with the card and a bonus of $150 cash rewards if you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account sweeten the pot for this one. But is a cash back card right for you? And if so, is this the best card for you? Read on for the full scoop.
| What we like | Heads up | |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 14.49% - 24.99% variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers) | APR goes up to a variable 14.49% - 24.99% on purchases and qualifying balance transfers after the intro period (balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate) |
| Fees and penalties | $0 annual fee |
3% foreign transaction fee Balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; minimum: $5 |
| Rewards |
1.5% unlimited cash rewards on purchases 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases for the first 12 months after account opening |
|
| Other benefits | Up to $600 cellphone protection (for covered damage or theft) if you pay your cellphone bill with the card (subject to $25 deductible) |
- The rundown: Everything we like about Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
- Heads up: What you should consider before applying for Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
- Do the math: How to get the most out of the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
- The competition: How Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card stacks up against similar cards
- Bottom line: Is the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card right for you?
The rundown: Everything we like about Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
There’s a lot to like about the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card.
Rewards
With a flat unlimited rate of 1.5% cash rewards on purchases, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card can earn you solid rewards, with no need to remember to target specific categories or merchants to get the most out of your rewards. For someone who wants simple, no-hassle rewards, this is a great place to start.
Sweetening the deal, you can earn a higher rewards rate of 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases for the first 12 months from opening your account.
Bonus
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card also comes with a cash rewards bonus of $150 when you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account.
Protect your cellphone
Aside from the standard perks and rewards, you can get up to $600 protection against covered damage or theft of your phone if you pay your mobile phone bill with your Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card. Note: This is subject to a $25 deductible, and there’s a maximum of $1,200 in claims every 12 months.
Low intro APR
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening (balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate). After the intro period, the APR jumps to a variable 14.49% - 24.99% on both purchases and balance transfers. Watch out for that balance transfer fee, though: 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; minimum: $5.
No annual fee
No need to worry if you’ll earn enough rewards with this card to offset its annual fee, since it doesn’t have one.
Heads up: What you should consider before applying for Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
This is a solid cash back card to use domestically, but if you’re looking for a card to use internationally, you might want to look elsewhere. Travel credit cards can offer higher rewards rates and larger sign-up bonuses, so another card may get you more bang for your buck if you’re hoping to use the rewards for travel. Even more crucially, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, meaning that using it for shopping abroad could get expensive quickly.
Also note that Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card calls for a $20 minimum to redeem cash rewards via ATM and a $25 minimum for redemption by phone or online. So you should be comfortable waiting to redeem your rewards until they’ve crossed that threshold.
Do cash back cards or travel rewards cards offer better rewards?
Travel credit cards tend to earn higher rewards rates and have higher sign-up bonuses than cash back cards. But value depends on what you’ll use — if you’re unlikely to redeem travel rewards or are more interested in the flexibility of cash, you might get more value out of a cash back card.
Do the math: How to get the most out of the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
Part of the appeal of the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card is its simplicity: For the most part, use your card for purchases and you’ll get the solid 1.5% cash rewards. But there are a couple of things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your earnings.
Pay your phone bill
One of the unique perks of the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card is cellphone protection for covered damage or theft if your phone is damaged or stolen. So try to pay your cellphone bill with your card so that you qualify should that day come.
Use mobile wallets whenever possible in the first 12 months
Using Apple Pay® and Google Pay™ in the first 12 months of opening your account can get your cash rewards bumped to 1.8% on qualified mobile wallet purchases. So keep your eyes peeled for mobile wallet readers at your favorite shops — the rewards can really start to add up.
Traveling abroad? Keep it in your wallet.
With its 3% foreign transaction fee, this card is an expensive choice while out of the country.
Bottom line: Is the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card right for you?
If you’re looking for a simple cash back card with a solid rewards rate, consider the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card. It’s a top contender among the no-fuss cash back card category. And it’s an especially good value if you’re able to make use of the cellphone protection plan and the first-year mobile wallet bonus cash rewards rate. Just watch out when taking this card abroad.