Citi Double Cash vs Wells Fargo Active Cash
By Alex Compton · Updated
The Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash are the two benchmark 2% cards, identical on the headline rate and free to hold. The tiebreakers are everything around the 2%: bonus mechanics, phone insurance, and, decisively for points players, what the rewards can become.
Citi Double Cash
Citi
- Our rating
- 8.3/10
- Welcome bonus
- 20,000 points
- Bonus value
- ≈$200
- Annual fee
- $0
- Credits, max/yr
- $0
- Foreign txn fee
- 3%
Top earning rates
- 5x Hotels, car rentals & attractions through Citi Travel
- 2x Everything (1% buy + 1% pay)
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Wells Fargo
- Our rating
- 8.2/10
- Welcome bonus
- $100 cash
- Bonus value
- ≈$100
- Annual fee
- $0
- Credits, max/yr
- $0
- Foreign txn fee
- 3%
Top earning rates
- 2x All purchases
Where Each Wins
Flat rate
TieBoth pay an effective 2% on everything, the Double Cash as 1% when you buy plus 1% when you pay. No difference that matters.
Welcome bonus
Double CashThe Double Cash currently pays $200 after $1,500 over six months. Active Cash fell to $100 after $500 in three months, so Citi now offers more total welcome value.
Hidden extras
Active CashThe Active Cash includes cell phone protection up to $600 when you pay your bill with it, plus a 0% intro APR window. The Double Cash's perks list is essentially empty.
Points ceiling
Double CashThe Double Cash earns Citi ThankYou points that gain broader transfer options beside a Strata Premier or Elite. Active Cash is presented as cash rewards; Wells Fargo's no-fee Autograph supports direct transfers for points earned on that card.
Foreign fees
TieBoth charge 3% abroad. Neither travels.
The Compound Verdict
Double Cash now wins the welcome-offer comparison, $200 versus Active Cash's $100, and retains its ThankYou upgrade path. Active Cash counters with phone protection and a 12-month introductory APR on purchases and qualifying transfers. The long-term earn rate remains a tie at 2%.
Our ratings give it to the Citi Double Cash (8.3 vs 8.2). On current welcome offers, the Double Cash brings the bigger first-year haul at ≈$200.
Read the full reviews for the complete math: Double Cash review and Active Cash review, or put them side by side in the comparison tool.
Common Questions
Is the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash better?
Double Cash currently offers the larger bonus, $200 versus $100, and has a ThankYou transfer path beside a premium Citi card. Active Cash has the easier $500 spend requirement and adds cell phone protection. Both earn 2% long term.
Does the Citi Double Cash really earn points, not cash?
Yes. It earns ThankYou points redeemable for cash at 1 cent each, so it behaves like a 2% card by default. The upgrade: holding a Strata Premier or Elite unlocks those same points for airline and hotel transfers, where values above 1 cent are routine.
Does either card work for international travel?
Not really; both charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. Pair either with a no-FTF card for trips abroad, or look at the Capital One Quicksilver if you want a single free card that travels.