Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
On the criteria below, Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and foreign transactions; Wells Fargo Active Cash Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred if year-one math is your priority; take the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1- First-year math Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is $95 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred earns more on its best category (5× vs 0×).
- Foreign transactions Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $1,275
- $200
- First-year net
- +$1,180
- +$200
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- —
- Top categories
- Chase Travel Portal, Dining, Travel
- —
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.