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Wells Fargo Credit Cards
7 min read
Wells Fargo issues cards that cover many common expenses, like gas and groceries, along with an excellent flat-rate card that’s good for variable spending. You’ll also find a selection of business cards.
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If you’ve ever taken even a cursory glance into the world of finance, whether to seek out a personal loan or to determine where you’d like to open your savings account, the odds are quite high that you’re familiar with the Wells Fargo name.
Since its founding in 1852, the company has grown exponentially, now owning its position as America’s third-largest bank with thousands of locations across the country and an extensive assortment of financial services.
Like many banks of its caliber, Wells Fargo counts credit cards among this list of services. Its current selection features cash back rewards cards, business cards, and numerous additional cards that cover a broad spectrum of spending habits.
Reward Points
Wells Fargo issues two personal credit cards that earn rewards points, redeemable for cash, gift cards, travel, and more, and each offers something that sets it apart from the rest of the Wells Fargo family. Some even feature lengthy 0% APR introductory periods with reduced introductory balance transfer fees.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR0% for 15 months, then 17.49%–26.49% Variable
- 5X reward points per dollar on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases in the first 6 months, up to $12,500
- 1X reward point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Pool rewards and gift points with other Go Far Rewards customers to reach a common goal
- Use points for cash redemptions, gift cards, travel, merchandise and more
- 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After that you'll get APRs of 17.49%–26.49% Variable
- No annual fee
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Bonus restrictions
You may not be eligible for intro APRs, fees, or bonus reward offers if you opened a Wells Fargo Credit Card within the last 15 months and received intro APR’s, fees, or bonus reward offers.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 15 months
- Regular Balance Transfer APR17.49%–26.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $37
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $37
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
The Wells Fargo Rewards Card features a fairly unique signup bonus that provides a high rewards rate for specific categories up to a certain spending limit. It also delivers an impressive introductory APR period, which makes it a good choice if you’re planning to rack up some big purchases to maximize your rewards.
- Min. credit levelFair
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR0% for 15 months, then 13.49%–26.49% Variable
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on gas, grocery, and drugstore net purchases (purchases minus returns and credits) for the first 6 months, then...
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- 50% more value when redeemed for airfare ( 20,000 points is a $300 value toward airfare redemption or a $200 value toward cash redemption)
- Pool rewards with other Go FarTM Rewards customers to reach a common goal
- Take up to 5 full years to enjoy the points you earn
- Free access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
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A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 15 months
- Regular Balance Transfer APR13.49%–26.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum for 120 days then up to 5%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $37
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $37
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
The Wells Fargo Visa Signature® Card is very similar to the Wells Fargo Rewards Card, but there’s a bonus if you redeem your points for airfare. It also adds Visa Signature benefits and has a minimum credit limit of $5,000, rather than $1,000.
Low Interest Rate
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening, then 16.49%-24.49% Variable
- 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 16.49% to 24.49% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
- $0 Annual Fee
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum card
- Easy access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
- Monitor your spending, purchases and any suspicious activity with text and email alerts and notifications
- Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% intro APR for 18 months on qualifying balance transfers
- Regular Balance Transfer APR16.49%-24.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
- Penalty APRNone
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
The Wells Fargo Platinum card (Review) is a no-nonsense credit card that provides a lengthy 0% intro APR period for both purchases and balance transfers, before its regular variable APR kicks in.
Students
- Min. credit levelLimited Credit History
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR0% for 6 months, then 12.15%–22.15% Variable
- 3% cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores for the first 6 months, then 1% back
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, and then your rates will be 12.15%–22.15% Variable
- Free FICO Credit Score
- Cell phone protection
- Travel protections, including Roadside Dispatch and Travel Accident Insurance
- No annual fee
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A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 6 months, for transfers made within 120 days
- Regular Balance Transfer APR12.15%–22.15% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum for transfers made within 120 days; 5%, $5 minimum after that
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $37
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $37
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
A good choice for students just stepping into the world of credit, the Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card offers a higher rewards rate on certain purchases for the first six months before delivering flat-rate cash back on every purchase.
Business Credit Cards
The Wells Fargo family of credit cards includes three business cards, all of which share a unique rewards structure where you choose between cash back and rewards points. You must manually enroll in one of these programs before you’ll earn any rewards, unlike most cards where it’s automatic.
The three Wells Fargo business cards are designed for businesses in different situations — the secured card, for example, caters more to new blood and business owners with poor credit, while the Business Elite card is targeted toward businesses that bring in over $1 million in sales annually.
- Min. credit levelLimited Credit History
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APRPrime + 11.90% Variable
- Up to 10 cards for you & employees
- Your choice of a cash back rewards program or a point rewards program
- More Bonus Points: When you shop online or in person at the Earn More Mall.
- Card Design Studio: Design your own card.
- No annual fee
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A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRSee Terms
- Balance Transfer FeeSee Terms
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $50
- Returned Payment Fee$29
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$25
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
At first glance, the Wells Fargo® Business Secured Credit Card is pretty much what you’d expect from a secured business card. You provide a deposit, and that’s your credit line. But it has an interesting rewards system where you choose between two programs that each work a bit differently.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR0% for 9 months, then Prime + 7.99% to Prime + 17.99% Variable
- Cash back option includes 1.5% cash back on every purchase and $500 cash back if you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
- Reward Points option includes 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, 1X point per dollar, 1,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in a month, and 10% point credit for redeeming points online
- 0% introductory APR for 9 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After that you'll get APRs of Prime + 7.99% to Prime + 17.99% Variable
- Up to 99 employee cards at no additional cost
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
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Bonus restrictions
Signup bonuses are not available if your business already has a Wells Fargo business card, or has opened or closed a Wells Fargo business card in the preceding 12 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 9 months
- Regular Balance Transfer APRSee Terms
- Balance Transfer Fee4%, $10 minimum
- Penalty APRSee Terms
- Late FeeUp to $50
- Returned Payment Fee$29
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$0
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
The Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card features the same rewards options as the secured business card. The most notable difference is that this card isn’t secured, so you don’t have to provide a deposit up front, but you’ll also get an introductory bonus, a 0% APR period, and up to 99 free employee cards. Oh, and there’s no annual fee.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$125, $0 first year
- Purchase APRPrime + 3.99% Variable
- Choose from points or cash back: earn 1X point per dollar spent on all purchases OR earn 1.5% cash back spent on all purchases
- (Must enroll) 100,000 points for spending $25,000 in the first 3 months OR $1,000 for spending $25,000 in the first 3 months
- 10% point credit bonus when you redeem points online
- $100 incidental travel fee reimbursement credit per year
- Visa Signature Concierge
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
- Use the Card Design Studio to brand your card with your business
- $0 additional card fee
- Annual fee of $125, $0 first year
- Choose one:
- Cash Back option: 1.5% cash back for every purchase
- Reward Points option: 1X point per dollar for every purchase, and 5,000 bonus points for spending $10,000 in a monthly billing period
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Bonus restrictions
This offer is not available to you if the business already has a Wells Fargo business credit card or has had a Wells Fargo business credit card opened or closed in the immediately preceding 12 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRSee Terms
- Balance Transfer FeeSee Terms
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeSee Terms
- Returned Payment FeeSee Terms
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$0
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
The Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card is tailored to companies with big sales numbers. Its rewards structure may seem similar to the other Wells Fargo business cards, but it works a bit differently. You have to opt in before you can earn any points or cash back (like the other business cards), but in this case you’ll be charged an annual fee for the rewards program itself — rather than for the card — after the first year.
Wells Fargo Advisors Clients
Wells Fargo Advisors is a Wells Fargo subsidiary that offers investment guidance and a comprehensive range of financial planning services. Its clients are afforded the opportunity to use special credit cards that come complete with point-based rewards systems and some valuable benefits.
- Min. credit levelExcellent
- Annual Fee$0
- Purchase APR13.49% Variable
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on airlines, hotels, car rentals, and more
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- 35,000 points are rewarded when $75,000 is spent annually
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on airlines, hotels, car rentals, and more
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
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A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR13.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee5%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $37
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $37
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
The Wells Fargo Advisors By Invitation® Visa Signature® is a travel card with a solid rewards program and a beefed up anniversary bonus.
There’s no annual fee, but there’s a slight catch — the card is only available for Wells Fargo Advisors clients with at least $1 million in assets under management between Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Bank.
Wells Fargo Credit Card Features
Most of the Wells Fargo credit cards share at least a few basic product features to help improve your experience as a cardholder. Check your card’s documentation and Guide to Benefits once you’ve received it for more information on the exact selection of benefits you’ll have at your disposal.
Benefits you can expect to see may include:
- Alerts: Wells Fargo offers customizable alerts via email, text, or push notification. These can be sent when a purchase exceeds a specified amount, when your credit card is used for certain types of purchases, and more.
- Free FICO credit scores: Depending on your card, you may be able to check your FICO Score 9, based on your Experian credit report, for free.
- Fraud protections: Wells Fargo’s credit cards come with fraud protection measures and a zero-liability policy for unauthorized charges. They also generally come with features like Rapid Alert, which helps you identify suspicious activity as soon as it occurs.
- My Spending Report with Budget Watch: This online money management tool offers budgeting capabilities, allowing you to set goals, track income, and keep an eye on your spending.
- Overdraft protection: Link your card to your Wells Fargo checking account to protect yourself from overdraft fees. Transfers from your credit card to your bank account will be considered cash advances, with fees applied accordingly.
- Cell phone protection: Wells Fargo’s consumer credit cards include a phone protection program that provides reimbursement for covered damage if you use them to pay your monthly cellular telephone bill.
- Visa, Mastercard, or American Express benefits: Most Wells Fargo credit cards are offered through Visa, but there’s a Mastercard and two American Express cards as well. Regardless, these networks all provide certain basic benefits. These usually include (but aren’t limited to) a variety of shopping and travel features, such as extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and collision damage waivers for car rentals.
A Brief History of Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has firmly established itself as a household name in American banking. However, it wasn’t always the nationwide finance giant it is now. The company spent decades operating in a highly regional capacity, and much of its fame was gained through its express services, rather than through banking.
Wells Fargo and American Express cofounder, William Fargo. Image Credit: Museum of the City of San Francisco
The Golden Age
Like many of the most exciting tales of the Old West, Wells Fargo’s story stems from the frenzy of the California Gold Rush. The year? 1852. Location? Sunny San Fran.
Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, already versed in the world of business and loath to pass up an opportunity to fill a dire need, decided to form “a banking and express company” known as Wells, Fargo & Co. At this point in time, “banking” actually referred to buying gold and selling bank drafts as good as gold, and the company’s express services encompassed the speedy delivery not only of gold, but basically anything of value.
It wasn’t long before the company achieved success with the all-star duo of Wells and Fargo at the helm. Each had previously worked with other express companies, and two years earlier, had even helped found another financial heavyweight with which you might be familiar: American Express.
As a matter of fact, Wells, Fargo & Co. was only started when American Express directors objected to the idea of moving Amex operations to the Golden State.
By now, though, it’s likely clear that those objections weren’t much of an obstacle.
Wells Fargo and American Express cofounder, Henry Wells. Image credit: Britannica
Messengers of the West
Wells Fargo’s expertise and customer base grew steadily, and its selection of services followed suit. It soon entered the realm of communications with involvement in the Overland Mail Company and the now-legendary Pony Express, each of which sought to increase the interconnectedness of the burgeoning United States.
By 1866, Wells Fargo had expanded its reach all throughout the west, covering more than 3,000 miles of territory and serving customers from Nebraska to California and everywhere in between.
Today, the bank attributes this rapid success to its unwavering dedication to finding the fastest and most reliable ways to serve its customers. This was clearly demonstrated through the many modes of transportation used in the heyday of Wells Fargo’s express operations — from steamboat to stagecoach, the company employed any means necessary to get the job done in a timely manner.
The stagecoach played a fundamental role in Wells Fargo’s express operations, and it remains a fundamental part of its brand image. Image source: Wells Fargo History
Arrival of the Rail
The First Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, allowing Wells Fargo to stretch its arms even farther from its home base in California. Over the next few decades the company edged ever eastward, and by 1888, it earned the title of America’s first-ever nationwide express company.
Wells Fargo celebrated this milestone by adopting the mottos “Ocean-to-Ocean,” which highlighted its massive continental reach, and “Over-the-Seas,” which showcased its role in furthering the nation’s participation in the global economy.
Express operations aside, Wells Fargo continued to serve communities with everyday financial services. These included telegraph transfers and money orders, though the company still placed heavy emphasis on dealing with gold in mining communities.
The Schism
As the 19th century came to a close, the needs of America were evolving at an increasingly rapid pace, and Wells Fargo acknowledged that it was time for a major change.
Wells Fargo & Co’s Bank, San Francisco, separated from Wells Fargo & Co. Express in 1905. The latter company operated for over a decade afterward before being scooped up by the federal government as the nation plunged into the First World War, leaving the remainder of Wells Fargo’s operations squarely in the financial industry.
Just a year later, the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake struck, wreaking massive damage not only throughout San Francisco but in several nearby cities, including Santa Rosa. The earthquake leveled Wells Fargo’s building, but the bank’s president at the time — I.W. Hellman — sent a now-famous(ish) telegraph reading “Building destroyed. Vault intact. Our position unimpaired.” that still serves as a testament to the bank’s hardy, long-lasting nature.
Wells Fargo in the 20th Century
In the wake of the 1906 earthquake, Wells Fargo dominated downtown San Francisco’s banking scene, powering through the Great Depression and lending its assistance during World War II. But while it retained a strong position in the area, the bank eventually began to look beyond the confines of the Bay Area.
Vintage Wells Fargo Billboard once displayed in California. Image credit: Wells Fargo History
Wells Fargo established itself in communities all throughout Northern California during the 1960s. By the time the ’80s came around, Wells Fargo had spread across the state and was one of the nation’s largest banks.
The 1990s saw Wells Fargo taking this growth to the next level as locations sprang up all over the U.S., and the decade heralded the reclamation of the bank’s age-old “Ocean-to-Ocean” and “Over-the-Seas” mottos.
Welcoming the New Millennium
Now one of America’s largest corporations, Wells Fargo remains based in its heritage HQ of San Francisco, but it serves millions upon millions of customers through more than 8,000 physical locations.
The bank has offices in 37 different countries, and it employs more than 250,000 team members. Wells Fargo is active in diverse areas of the finance sector, from commercial real estate to wealth management and beyond.
The bank is also among the nation’s most significant charitable donors, distributing $286.5 million among 14,500 nonprofits in 2017 alone.
Interested in digging even deeper into Wells Fargo’s colorful backstory? The bank currently operates 12 history museums throughout the U.S., each offering free access and tours to visitors of all ages.
Sean Messier
Sean Messier works to empower individuals with the knowledge required to use credit cards responsibly and to their advantage. His writing- and research-based background has granted him experience in an array of topics, from finance to business and beyond. Sean distills the knowledge accumulated over years of experience in the credit space into consistent, actionable articles, guides, and reviews.
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