Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
On the criteria below, Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 4 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 4 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, lounge access, and foreign transactions; Wells Fargo Active Cash Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve 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
4 vs 1- First-year math Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is $795 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns more on its best category (8× vs 0×).
- Lounge access Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve includes lounge access; the other doesn't.
- Foreign transactions Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $795
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $2,550
- $200
- First-year net
- +$1,755
- +$200
- Peak earning rate
- 8×
- —
- Top categories
- Chase Travel, Flights Direct, Hotels Direct
- —
- Lounge access
- chase-sapphire-lounge, priority-pass
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- Yes
- 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.