Hands Down the Top Card of 2025
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months.
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
Wells Fargo really disrupted the cash back credit card space when they released their Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It is hard to compete with what this card has to offer and we have broken down all of the details below.
Earn Unlimited 2% Cash Rewards
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Other cards that offer higher percentages only do so on certain categories (groceries or gas, for instance) and usually limit how much you can earn in those categories. With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card you don’t have to worry about any caps, categories or activating your rewards since you’ll automatically earn 2% on your purchases. This 2% rate is tough to beat and makes this no annual fee card a stand out option for anyone with good to excellent credit that is looking for a low-maintenance cash rewards card that will allow you to accumulate cash rewards really quickly.
$200 Cash Rewards Bonus
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also has an incredible welcome bonus worth $200 in cash rewards that can be earned by spending at least $500 in purchases in the first three months after you are approved. This means you are getting another 40% back on the first $500 you spend.
Generous Introductory APR
Those seeking a 0% intro APR will be happy to hear that the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card allows you to pay 0% interest for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, followed by a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR. There is an introductory balance transfer fee (3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5) but if you are paying interest on your other card(s) the fee is likely much lower than the interest charges you are accruing each month.
Additional Benefits
Another unique perk offered is cell phone protection. Simply use your Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to pay your cellular telephone bill and you can get up to $600 of protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft. This will help give you peace of mind that your cell phone is protected while saving you money by not needing to pay out of pocket for the protection through another provider.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics™, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
If you are looking for a flat-rate cash rewards card that also offers an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers then this card is a great option. You will pay no annual fee, can earn an intro bonus and protect your cell phone from damage or theft. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR thereafter; 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.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Other Rewards Card Options
We think the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is tough to beat but we have rounded up some other options from our partners that may appeal to you as well.
Generous Bonus & Intro APR
Apply Now
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
If you prefer a $0 annual fee card that will help you earn points towards travel and dining purchases then this card is likely your top option. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card you will earn a straightforward, unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases and 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. You can also earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases. Unlike most travel cards this option also offers a generous intro APR. It offers 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics™, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This is a great travel card for those who don’t want to pay an annual fee, are looking for a straightforward way to earn and redeem their rewards and want to save money with a generous intro APR. You’ll earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases and can easily earn 25,000 online bonus points (redeemable for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases) when you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% – 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Huge Earning Potential and No Annual Fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
We really like that the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers a straightforward way to earn cash back while also providing some enticing bonus categories and a generous welcome offer. You can earn a welcome bonus of $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. And you’ll also earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% at drugstores and on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and an unlimited 1.5% cash back on your other purchases. Aside from the incredible cash back, you’ll enjoy no annual fee and 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.99% – 28.49% Variable.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics™, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers a generous and unlimited base rate of 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases while also providing an even higher rate on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, dining at restaurants and purchases at drugstores. You can earn a welcome bonus of $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You can also save money on interest with a lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Earn a $200 Bonus Plus Ongoing Cash Back
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card stacks up very well against other top-tier cash back cards as it offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases and 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. For a limited time, enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening This is a lower spending requirement than most cash back cards which means you can easily achieve this bonus with everyday purchases. You will also get access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences through Capital One Dining. You will also benefit from a 0% intro on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable) APR will apply. A balance transfer fee applies but this fee is usually worth it if you’re currently carrying a balance on another card that charges interest. That’s an extensive list of benefits, especially for a card that does not charge an annual fee.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics™, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This $0 annual fee cash back credit card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase making it an excellent, straightforward option for those looking for a flat rate credit card. You will also earn an elevated cash back rate on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. There is a generous online cash rewards bonus and a lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- For a limited time, enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
As you can see, it is a great time to be in the market for a new rewards credit card. Issuers are really stepping up their game and offering incredible perks to win your business. If you have good to excellent credit in the 670 – 850* range and have not recently applied for a new credit card then you should definitely apply for one of these stand out options today.
Heads Up!
You can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus + earn unlimited 2% cash rewards.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.