Wells Fargo offers five main credit cards, each built for a different kind of spender
Wells Fargo's credit card lineup includes the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card, the Wells Fargo Signature Visa, and the Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card. The first four are unsecured cards aimed at people with established credit. The Secured Card is for people rebuilding credit or starting from scratch. None of these cards charges an annual fee.
The card that works best for you depends on what you spend money on most — groceries and gas, travel and dining, everyday purchases, or whether you need to build credit history. Each card rewards different categories at different rates, and the sign-up offers vary. This guide walks you through what each card does and who it actually serves.
Key Takeaways
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card pays 2% cash back on all purchases with no category limits, making it the simplest choice for people who want one flat rate.
- The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card pays higher rewards on travel, dining, and streaming but requires you to track multiple categories.
- The Wells Fargo Autograph Card combines travel rewards with purchase protections and is designed for people who spend heavily on hotels and flights.
- The Wells Fargo Signature Visa is a basic card with no rewards, intended for people who want a standard credit card without complexity.
- The Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card requires a cash deposit but is the only option if you have no credit history or are rebuilding after missed payments.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: flat-rate rewards for everyday spending
The Active Cash Card pays 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere, with no bonus categories to track. You earn the same rate whether you are buying groceries, gas, plane tickets, or a coffee. The cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to a Wells Fargo bank account, or used to pay down your balance.
This card works best if you want simplicity and spend roughly the same amount across different categories each month. You do not have to remember which stores earn more or less. The downside is that 2% is a flat middle rate — it is not the highest you can get in any single category, but it is solid across the board. There is no annual fee and no sign-up offer.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card: higher rewards on travel and dining
The Propel Card pays 3% cash back on travel (including flights, hotels, rental cars, and rideshare), dining, streaming services, and transit. It pays 1% on all other purchases. This card is issued by American Express, not Visa or Mastercard, so check that your regular merchants accept Amex before you open it.
The Propel Card makes sense if you travel frequently or eat out often and want to maximize rewards in those categories. You will earn more than the Active Cash Card on those specific purchases, but less on groceries and everyday items. There is no annual fee. The card sometimes offers a sign-up bonus, though the terms change throughout the year.
Wells Fargo Autograph Card: travel protections bundled with rewards
The Autograph Card pays 3% cash back on travel, dining, transit, and streaming, and 1% on everything else. It is similar to the Propel Card in its rewards structure, but it adds travel protections: trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling abroad.
The Autograph Card is for people who travel regularly and want insurance protections built in. If you fly several times a year or take international trips, the protections can offset the value of rewards you might earn elsewhere. There is no annual fee. Like the Propel Card, it sometimes carries a sign-up bonus that varies by offer period.
Wells Fargo Signature Visa: a basic card with no rewards
The Signature Visa is a straightforward credit card with no cash back, no points, and no rewards of any kind. It comes with basic fraud protection and purchase protections (like extended warranty coverage on some items). There is no annual fee.
This card is for people who want a credit card but do not care about earning rewards. It is also useful as a second card if you want to keep one account straightforward and use another card for rewards. The Signature Visa does not offer a sign-up bonus.
Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card: building credit with a cash deposit
The Secured Card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by Wells Fargo. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. You use the card like any other credit card, making purchases and paying a monthly bill. After you demonstrate responsible use (usually 6 to 18 months of on-time payments), Wells Fargo may convert the card to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
The Secured Card is the only Wells Fargo option if you have no credit history, a very low credit score, or recent missed payments. It charges an annual fee of $25. There is no rewards program. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so your payment history builds your credit score over time.
How to compare these cards side by side
| Card | Annual Fee | Main Rewards | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Cash | None | 2% all purchases | straightforward, flat-rate earners |
| Propel Amex | None | 3% travel, dining, streaming; 1% other | Frequent travelers and diners |
| Autograph | None | 3% travel, dining, streaming; 1% other + travel protections | Regular travelers who want insurance |
| Signature Visa | None | None | People who do not want rewards |
| Secured Card | $25 | None | Building or rebuilding credit |
What to do before you open a Wells Fargo credit card
Check your credit score first. If your score is below 670, you will likely not be approved for the Active Cash, Propel, Autograph, or Signature cards. The Secured Card is designed for lower scores and does not require a credit check in the same way — it only requires the cash deposit.
Review your spending patterns over the last three months. Add up what you spent on travel, dining, groceries, gas, and everything else. If 50% of your spending is on travel and dining, the Propel or Autograph Card will earn you more than the Active Cash Card. If your spending is spread evenly, the Active Cash Card's flat 2% rate will be simpler and often better.
Make sure you can pay your bill in full each month. Credit card rewards only make sense if you are not paying interest. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly erase any cash back you earn. If you struggle with credit card debt, the Secured Card can help you build credit without the temptation of a high limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from one Wells Fargo card to another later?
Yes. You can open a new Wells Fargo card and keep your old one open, or you can close the old card and open a new one. If you close a card, your credit score may dip slightly because your available credit decreases. Keeping both cards open is usually better for your credit score, as long as you do not overspend.
What is the difference between the Propel and Autograph cards?
Both pay 3% on travel and dining. The Autograph Card adds travel insurance protections (trip cancellation, lost luggage, emergency medical coverage abroad) that the Propel Card does not have. If you travel frequently and value those protections, the Autograph is worth it. If you rarely travel or do not need insurance, the Propel Card is simpler.
How long does it take to convert a Secured Card to an unsecured card?
Wells Fargo typically reviews your account after six months of on-time payments. Some customers are converted sooner, others take longer — it depends on your credit history and payment behavior. When you are converted, your deposit is returned to you and your credit limit is set by Wells Fargo based on your creditworthiness.
Do these cards have foreign transaction fees?
The Active Cash, Propel, Autograph, and Signature cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use them abroad without extra charges. The Secured Card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. If you travel internationally, avoid the Secured Card for overseas purchases.
Which card should I open if I have fair credit?
If your credit score is between 620 and 669, you may be approved for the Active Cash or Signature cards, though approval is not may provide. The Secured Card is the safest option because it does not depend on your credit score — only on your ability to make a deposit. You can always move to an unsecured card once your credit improves.