Looking for the perfect everyday-spending credit card? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help you earn cashback rewards on daily expenses like groceries, food, gas, and more!
The Chase Freedom Unlimited sets itself apart with 1.5% back on non-bonus purchases, plus higher rewards in select categories including dining and travel. This flexible rewards card becomes even more valuable when paired with a premium Chase card, allowing you to transfer your rewards to travel partners.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash stands out with no annual fee and a flat 2% cash rewards rate on all purchases. While it has limited redemption options, the card’s consistent earnings and practical benefits like cell phone protection make it a solid choice for a basic rewards card.
This article will compare each card based on several factors to help you make an informed decision on which card is the best to add to your wallet.
Full Reviews: Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card .
Overview: Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Wells Fargo Active Cash
Welcome Bonuses
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited currently offers the following welcome bonus:
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Wells Fargo Active Cash
The Active Cash Card currently offers the following welcome bonus:
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Earning Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns the following rewards:
- 5% cash-back on travel purchased via the Chase Travel℠.
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025).
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- 3% cash back at drugstores.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
But you can easily increase the value by 25-50% of this card’s rewards by holding a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, which allows you to transfer to Chase’s airline and hotel partners or cash out points towards travel with higher bonuses:
Wells Fargo Active Cash
The Active Cash Card earns a simple 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, which makes it good for everyday spending, especially if you want simplicity without tracking categories.
Winner
It depends on whether you have another premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card to unlock transfer partners. If you do, Chase Freedom Unlimited is a better option.
Card Benefits and Perks
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers the following benefits:
Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR.
120-Day Purchase Protection: Get 120 days of protection against damage, theft, and even loss of your purchases – one of the longest windows available. This premium coverage automatically applies when you pay with your card.
Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.
Wells Fargo Active Cash
The Active Cash Card doesn’t offer a lot of benefits, mainly because it’s a no-annual-fee card. However, cardholders can still enjoy the following benefits below:
0% Intro APR: Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months, after that reg_apr,reg_apr_type.
Cell Phone Protection: When you use your card to pay your monthly phone bill, you’ll receive valuable coverage against damage or theft of your device.
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.
Visa Signature Concierge: Your card comes with a dedicated 24/7 concierge service ready to assist with your lifestyle needs. Whether you need help securing dinner reservations, finding event tickets, or planning travel arrangements, your personal concierge is just a phone call away.
Visa Signature Benefits: This card is a Visa Signature card offering special benefits such as rental car discounts, golf and wine discounts, and emergency travel assistance.
Winner
Tie. Both offer similar benefits.
Value of the Annual Fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee, making it a great option for earning rewards without having to pay a large annual fee.
Authorized users can be added to the card for free and can help earn rewards through their spending.
Wells Fargo Active Cash
You won’t pay an annual fee with the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, making it an appealing option for many cardholders.
Winner
It’s a tie. Both cards don’t have annual fees.
Redeeming Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited
To redeem the points or rewards on this Chase card, log in to your Ultimate Rewards® account, navigate to the “Earn/Use” tab on your home page, and choose the type of redemption you want. The most popular options include:
Cash Back: Redeem your points in the form of a statement credit towards your balance or receive a direct deposit into a bank account.
Gift Cards: Convert your rewards into a gift card from your preferred retailer, with gift card options starting at 500 points for $5, so that’s worth 1 cent per point.
Pay With Points: Use your points to pay for Amazon or PayPal purchases. However, we don’t really recommend this option since redemption values are typically less than 0.8 cents apiece. Amazon Gift cards would be a better option.
Travel: If you book a trip through Chase’s travel portal, you redeem your rewards at one cent per point.
Wells Fargo Active Cash
You can redeem your cash back with the Active Cash card to:
- Offset eligible purchases on your card;
- Redeem your rewards as a credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo credit card, checking account, or mortgage;
- Redeem at a Wells Fargo ATM in $20 increments; and
- Redeem for gift cards.
Winner
It depends on if you have another premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card to unlock transfer partners.
Which Card Should I Get: Wells Fargo Active Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Freedom Unlimited and Active Cash cards are suitable for all types of spenders since they earn flat-rate cashback on all expenses.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better option if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or want to earn extra rewards on dining, drugstores, and travel via Chase Portal.
The Active Cash Card is also a good deal if you want a simple cash back card.
Which card are you going to choose?
