Citi Double Cash vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash
Both cards pay 2% on purchases with no annual fee. Double Cash has the longer balance transfer intro period; Active Cash adds a 0% intro APR on purchases, a quicker bonus and cell phone protection.
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How this page was made: it’s built from each provider’s own terms, rate and fee pages and from regulator sources, all listed at the bottom. We haven’t opened these accounts or products to test them, and we don’t give scores. Every rate shows the day we checked it. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Short answer: on Nov 10, 2026, both paid 2% on purchases with a $0 annual fee. Citi Double Cash offered 0% on balance transfers for 18 months but no purchase intro rate. Wells Fargo Active Cash offered 0% on purchases and qualifying transfers for 12 months, a $100 bonus after $500, and up to $600 of cell phone protection.
Last updated Rates checked Nov 10, 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards | 2% on purchases: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay | Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $200 cash back after $1,500 in purchases in the first 6 months as of Nov 10, 2026 | $100 cash rewards after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Annual fee | $0 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 | $0 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Intro APR | 0% intro APR (18 months, balance transfers only) as of Nov 10, 2026 | 0% intro APR (12 months, purchases and qualifying balance transfers) as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Purchase APR | 18.49%–28.74% APR (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026 | 18.74%, 24.74% or 28.74% APR (variable, after the intro period) as of Nov 10, 2026 |
We read Citi’s Double Cash card page, including its Pricing Details section, and Wells Fargo’s Active Cash card and terms pages on Nov 10, 2026. Citi’s separate terms page didn’t load for us, so Citi figures come from the Pricing Details on the card page. Links go directly to each issuer with no affiliate tracking.
Citi Double Cash® Card vs Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: side-by-side
| Citi Double Cash | Wells Fargo Active Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards | 2% on purchases: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay | Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $200 cash back after $1,500 in purchases in the first 6 months as of Nov 10, 2026 | $100 cash rewards after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Annual fee | $0 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 | $0 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Intro APR | 0% intro APR (18 months, balance transfers only) as of Nov 10, 2026 | 0% intro APR (12 months, purchases and qualifying balance transfers) as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Purchase APR | 18.49%–28.74% APR (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026 | 18.74%, 24.74% or 28.74% APR (variable, after the intro period) as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% ($5 min) within the first 4 months; then 5% ($5 min) as of Nov 10, 2026 | $5 or 3% (greater) for 120 days; then up to 5% ($5 min) as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% foreign purchase fee as of Nov 10, 2026 | 3% foreign transaction fee as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Extras listed | 3% more on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel | Up to $600 cell phone protection ($25 deductible) |
What are the pros and cons?
Citi Double Cash® Card: pros
- 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- Extra 3% on some Citi Travel bookings
Citi Double Cash® Card: cons
- No intro APR on purchases
- Half the 2% is earned only as you pay
- Bigger spend needed for the bonus ($1,500 in 6 months)
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: pros
- 0% intro APR on purchases and transfers for 12 months
- $100 bonus after $500
- Cell phone protection
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: cons
- Shorter intro period than Double Cash for transfers
- Balance transfer fee rises after 120 days
Which should you choose: Citi Double Cash® Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?
For everyday spending, both pay the same 2%. The intro offers decide it: Double Cash is the better balance transfer card, Active Cash the better card for new purchases you’ll pay off over time. Neither suits travel abroad because both charge a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Choose Citi Double Cash® Card if…
- You’re transferring a balance and need more than 12 months
- You book hotels or car rentals through Citi Travel
Choose Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card if…
- You want 0% on new purchases for a year
- You want a smaller bonus requirement and cell phone protection
Who should skip this
- You travel abroad often. Both charge 3% on foreign purchases; see travel cards.
- You carry a balance month to month. Interest at 18%+ outweighs 2% back; see balance transfer cards.
- Most of your spending is in one category. A category card may earn more; see cash back cards.
Frequently asked questions
Do both cards really pay 2%?
Which is better for a balance transfer?
Can I get the Double Cash bonus if I had the card before?
Do either charge foreign transaction fees?
Do you earn money if I apply?
Sources
Every source below was opened and read for this page (rates last checked Nov 10, 2026). Providers’ own pages are labeled with the provider’s name; regulator pages are labeled with the agency. Rates and terms change often, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.
- Citi: Double Cash card page (Pricing Details) (citi.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Wells Fargo: Active Cash card page (creditcards.wellsfargo.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Wells Fargo: Active Cash terms (wellsfargo.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- CFPB: Credit card agreement database (consumerfinance.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
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