What credit score do you need to get a Wells Fargo Active Cash card? (2024)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash®Card is a popular card due to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases perk. With a $200 cash reward (after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months) welcome bonus and no annual fees, cardholders can benefit greatly from this card, especially if you're not too keen on earning rewards for flashy perks like hotel credits or free flights.

While it's not necessarily a premium card, the Active Cash Card requires a decent credit score to qualify. Below, CNBC Select breaks down what you need to know to qualify for the card and how you can optimize your chances of getting approved.

What we'll cover

  • Credit score needed for the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
  • How to improve your credit score
  • Bottom line

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's secure site

  • Rewards

    Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

  • Welcome bonus

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

  • Annual fee

    $0

  • Intro APR

    0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate

  • Regular APR

    20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

  • Balance transfer fee

    3% intro for 120 days from account opening then BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5

  • Foreign transaction fee

    3%

  • Credit needed

    Excellent/Good

See rates and fees, terms apply.

Pros

  • Unlimited cash rewards
  • $200 cash rewards welcome bonus
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR period for first 15 months
  • Access to Visa Signature® Concierge
  • Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)

Cons

  • 3% fee charged on foreign transactions

Credit score needed for the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

To be eligible for the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card,a credit score within the good to excellent range is typically needed — at least 670or higher according to the FICO® Score range — for the best chance of approval.

However, even if your credit score is up to par, you may still get rejected for the card due to specific factors that the issuer looks at. For example, Wells Fargo may restrict application approval if you've previously opened a Wells Fargo credit card within the last six months. Additionally, Wells Fargo may limit the amount of credit cards you have with them. While there's no clear limit on the number of cards that you're allowed to have with Wells Fargo, they do impose restrictions.

To qualify for the $200 cash rewards bonus, you must also meet certain criteria, including spending at least $500 on purchases within three months of opening the card.

How to improve your credit score

If you find your credit score doesn't quite cut itfor the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, you may want to work on raising your number before applying. Two of the most important factors that make up your score are your payment history and credit utilization ratio.

The general rule of thumb is to maintain a credit utilization ratio below 30%. So, if your credit limit is $1,000, aim to spend under $300. Also, be sure to make your monthly payments on time and in full.

Another way you could boost your score is with a service like *Experian Boost™, which allows you to add payment activity that's usually not reported to the credit bureau (such as utility, telecom and streaming service bills) to your credit file.

Experian Boost™

On Experian's secure site

  • Cost

    Free

  • Average credit score increase

    13 points, though results vary

  • Credit report affected

    Experian®

  • Credit scoring model used

    FICO® Score

Results will vary. See website for details.

How to sign up for Experian Boost:

  1. Connect the bank account(s) you use to pay your bills
  2. Choose and verify the positive payment data you want added to your Experian credit file
  3. Receive an updatedFICO® Score

Learn more about eligible payments and how Experian Boost works.

Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!

Money matters —so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.Sign up here.

FAQs

It may be hard to get approved for the Wells Fargo Active Cash card if your credit score isn't at least 670 or higher. While there's no strict minimum requirement, the card typically approves those with a credit score within the good to excellent range.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a minimum credit limit of $1,000.

Wells Fargo may reject your credit card application for various reasons, including an inadequate credit score, having too many existing accounts or if you've opened a new card within the past six months. If you've been denied, you'll likely receive a written notice explaining the reasons why you don't qualify. Be sure to read the letter thoroughly and call the issuer if you have any questions.

Bottom line

To qualify for the Wells Fargo Active Cash®Card, you typically need at least a FICO®score of at least 670. However, the issuer also looks at other factors, such as the amount of credit card accounts you have and the time frame from which you opened a new account.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage ofcredit cards,bankingandmoney, and follow us onTikTok,Facebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.

Read more

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review: A 2% flat-rate cash-rewards card with a welcome bonus

Here are the best Wells Fargo credit cards — all with no annual fee

The beginner's guide to credit scores: How to understand and improve your credit score

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

What credit score do you need to get a Wells Fargo Active Cash card? (2024)

FAQs

What credit score do you need to get a Wells Fargo Active Cash card? ›

To qualify for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you typically need at least a FICO® score of at least 670. However, the issuer also looks at other factors, such as the amount of credit card accounts you have and the time frame from which you opened a new account.

What credit score do I need for a Wells Fargo active cash card? ›

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is best for applicants with good credit, which typically means a credit score of 670 or higher.

Can I get a Wells Fargo credit card with a 650 credit score? ›

Some cardholders have reported approval with scores as low as 650. This is a cobranded credit card that Wells Fargo offers with Bilt, a rewards program for paying rent. The Bilt Mastercard® is unique in that it's the rare rewards card designed for earning points on rent, with no extra transaction fees.

What is the credit limit for Wells Fargo active cash card? ›

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card credit limit is $1,000 or more. Everyone who gets approved for Wells Fargo Active Cash is guaranteed a credit limit of at least $1,000, and particularly creditworthy applicants could get limits a lot higher than that.

What is the easiest Wells Fargo card to get approved for? ›

One of the easiest Wells Fargo credit cards to get is the Dillard's Store Card because you only need fair credit (a credit score of 640+) to be approved. Most Wells Fargo credit cards aren't that easy to obtain since they require good or excellent credit (a credit score of 700+) for approval.

What credit score is needed for Wells Fargo? ›

Wells Fargo credit cards generally require applicants to have a credit score of 700 or higher (good credit) and earning enough income to afford the monthly bill payments. You also need an SSN or ITIN, and you need to be 18+ years old.

What credit card is the easiest to get? ›

Easiest credit cards to get: Summary
  • Best for fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
  • Best for students: Chase Freedom Rise℠
  • Best secured card: Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card.
  • Best for bad credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Mar 12, 2024

Is it hard to get a Wells Fargo Active Cash Card? ›

It may be hard to get approved for the Wells Fargo Active Cash card if your credit score isn't at least 670 or higher. While there's no strict minimum requirement, the card typically approves those with a credit score within the good to excellent range.

What can I get with a 650 credit score? ›

Which types of credit cards can you get with a 650 credit score?
  • Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards. ...
  • Capital One Platinum Mastercard® ...
  • OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. ...
  • Auto loan. ...
  • Mortgage. ...
  • Rentals. ...
  • Auto insurance rates. ...
  • Available credit cards.

Can you get a credit card with 612 credit score? ›

A 612 credit score can be a sign of past credit difficulties or a lack of credit history. Whether you're looking for a personal loan, a mortgage or a credit card, credit scores in this range can make it challenging to get approved for unsecured credit, which doesn't require collateral or a security deposit.

What percentage do you get back with Wells Fargo Active Cash card? ›

The Wells Fargo Active Cash earns 2 percent cash rewards back for purchases, no matter when you pay your statement balance or where you bank.

What is the starting credit limit for Wells Fargo credit card? ›

Wells Fargo starting credit limit: It's important to remember that $1,000 is the lowest credit limit you'll start out with if you're approved for an account. However, you could receive a higher limit. The actual limit you'll receive is based on your credit history, income, employment status, level of debt, and more.

What credit bureau does Wells Fargo use? ›

Wells Fargo primarily reviews credit information through Experian and Transunion. Wells Fargo also provides free credit score monitoring through Experian. Wells Fargo also has a prequalification tool.

What credit score is needed for Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card? ›

To qualify for the Active Cash, you'll likely need a good credit score of at least 670 on the FICO Score model to qualify.

Does Wells Fargo give instant approval? ›

Once you apply online you will receive an application ID and a phone number you may call to check the status of your application if you are not instantly approved. If you are not instantly approved, we will mail you a credit decision within 5 to 7 business days.

Is Chase or Wells Fargo better? ›

The savings account option clearly favors Wells Fargo. Not only do they pay higher interest, but they also offer a bonus, which Chase does not. For CDs, it depends on the term and the amount you have to invest. For example, Wells Fargo's five-month special rate CD pays up to 4.51% APY.

Does Wells Fargo Active Cash do a hard pull? ›

Yes, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card does a hard pull. In fact, that's the case whenever you apply for any credit card, loan or line of credit.

How long does it take to get approved Wells Fargo Active Cash? ›

If you are not instantly approved, we will mail you a credit decision within 5 to 7 business days. If you are approved, you will receive a mail package with information intended to help you better understand your credit report and a copy of the applicable Wells Fargo Privacy Notice.

What is the starting limit for Wells Fargo credit card? ›

Wells Fargo credit cards credit limits can be quite high, depending on your credit standing; the minimum credit limit offered is $1,000, though some cardholders have reported receiving starting spending limits as high as $14,000.

Which credit bureau does Wells Fargo pull from? ›

Credit bureau used by Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo primarily reviews credit information through Experian and Transunion. Wells Fargo also provides free credit score monitoring through Experian.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5891

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.