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Wells Fargo

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5.5

Overall Score

Author: Jenna Vasquez

LAST UPDATED: April 4th, 2022

Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo is a financial services company that offers consumer and commercial banking, loans, insurance, wealth management, investments, and credit cards.

A Wells Fargo credit card offers low APRs and reward options including cash back, points, or hotel rewards. Even offering a student credit card, borrowers of all backgrounds can find a fitting credit card with Wells Fargo.

Continue reading for pros and cons, and Wells Fargo credit card reviews from real customers.

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The Good

  • Variety of Credit Cards
  • Competitive APRs
  • Rewards Credit Cards
  • No Annual Fees
  • Free Credit Score Tracking
  • Credit Card Protections
  • Positive Customer Reviews

Variety of Credit Cards

Wells Fargo has a variety of credit card options to meet the various needs of its customers. These credit card options include:

  • Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
  • Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
  • Wells Fargo Visa Signature® Card
  • Wells Fargo Rewards® Card
  • Wells Fargo Platinum Card
  • Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card
  • Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card

Each card has varying rewards and benefits, but none of them have an annual fee.

Competitive APRs

Depending on the card, Wells Fargo offers an introductory APR of 6 to 18 months on both purchases and balance transfers, providing consumers with the opportunity to pay off new purchases at a lower interest rate. After the introductory APR period, normal rates will be charged.

For consumers with excellent credit, Wells Fargo's lowest rate of approximately 15 percent is likely to be secured; this is average in the credit card industry. For those who have poor credit, a higher interest rate will likely be received, as high as 25 percent.

Rewards Credit Cards

Wells Fargo provides a number of rewards credit cards for its customers to choose from. By frequently using their Wells Fargo credit card, customers can earn rewards points that may be redeemed for cash, merchandise, gift cards, and travel.

For example, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is the reigning winner of NerdWallet's Best-Of award. With this card, consumers can earn three times the points on specific purchases, such as eating out and ordering in, gas stations, and hotels.

In addition to award-winning and other traditional rewards cards, young borrowers can apply for a Wells Fargo student credit card. This card allows college students to begin building credit while in school and offers cash rewards earned for up to $2,500 spent on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases for the first six months. While not all credit card issuers have student credit card options, this Wells Fargo option is a great way for young people to begin building credit with the benefit of some rewards.

No Annual Fees

There are no annual fees for all Wells Fargo credit cards. This can save cardholders hundreds of dollars each year.

Free Credit Score Tracking

Wells Fargo customers can monitor their credit score at no extra cost, which can help cardholders to stay on top of their credit and be aware of any changes to their score.

Credit Card Protections 

In the event that there is an unauthorized charge or a credit card, or a card is lost or stolen, you should contact Wells Fargo immediately and it will jump to action immediately to protect your information.

In either of the aforementioned cases, consumers can call Wells Fargo's 24-hour customer service number. In a case such as unauthorized purchases, the consumer will be reimbursed if they report suspicious charges promptly and by calling customer service.

Additional information regarding billing, and services available to protect you from credit card fraud, should be included in your monthly statement and/or your Customer Agreement and Disclosure Statement.

Positive Customer Reviews

Fifty-three percent of customer reviews award Wells Fargo five stars. The majority of these positive reviews highlight reliable customer services, great rates and rewards. Overall, people have been pleased with their Wells Fargo credit card.

On the other hand, negative reviews suggest that Wells Fargo interest rates are high, and some customers describe unenjoyable encounters with customer service.

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The Bad

  • Foreign Transaction Fees
  • No Secured Credit Card Option
  • Wells Fargo Accounts Scandal

Foreign Transaction Fees

Wells Fargo does charge a foreign transaction fee of 3 percent of each international transaction converted to U.S. dollars. If you travel frequently this could be a drawback, and there are many credit issuers that offer cards with zero transaction fees.

No Secured Credit Card Option 

Wells Fargo does not offer a secured credit card, an option that many other card issuers provide. Thus, if you are looking to rebuild your credit or have a bad credit score and are having a difficult time being approved for other credit cards, it would be in your best interest to look at other companies that have secured credit card options.

However, Wells Fargo does have a secured card option among its business credit card services.

Wells Fargo Accounts Scandal

Since 2013, Wells Fargo has been under severe scrutiny for harboring a toxic work environment and putting customers’ best interest aside in favor of driving greater sales. Employees were placed under intense pressure to meet unrealistic quotas, and as a result of this pressure, Wells Fargo employees signed customers up for accounts and credit cards they didn’t want, need, or in some cases, even have knowledge of. In turn, customers were often paying fees on accounts and cards that they didn’t need.

In addition to this scandal, Wells Fargo was recently sued by the cities of Sacramento, Philadelphia, Miami, and Oakland for allegedly giving Black and Latino homebuyers unfavorable mortgage terms.

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The Bottom Line

Wells Fargo offers competitive APRs, including a generous introductory APR offering, rewards programs, limited annual fees, and free credit score tracking, making it a competitive credit card choice in the industry. While the company doesn’t offer an extensive range of cards like you might see with other credit card issuers, Wells Fargo’s cards do offer competitive rewards.

Applying for a Wells Fargo credit card is quick and easy, and you don’t need to be an existing Wells Fargo customer to apply for a credit card online. However, it could improve your chances of approval if you have an existing relationship with the bank in the form of some other bank account.

If you are seeking to build or rebuild credit through the use of a secured credit card, you will have to look elsewhere because Wells Fargo does not offer a secured credit card option for personal banking. However, there is a secured card option amongst its business credit card options.

Based on customer reviews, many customers trust and enjoy Wells Fargo’s banking and credit card services, despite recent company scandals.

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Star Rating

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4.1

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265 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

21%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

5%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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Odao Ogbonmwan Mableton, GA

I had a college credit card here and didn’t like how they would purposefully put interest charges on my card right after I would make a monthly payment or a transaction. This wild then force the account to go over my credit limit. I was so happy when I finally payed off the card and closed the account.

6 years ago

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peter harmatuk Poolesville, MD

ONE of the worst banking services around. I have NEVER had any good experiences with them with in their credit services. I have had issues with fraudulent charges and the process I was required to undergo, made it a "punishment" for me.. They are crooks and should not be in the banking business (see the "false loan request" scandal of a few years ago.

5 years ago

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Hunter Kasprzyk Gilbert, AZ

Wells fargo declines my debit card all the time because it thinks its a identity theft when its just me trying to buy something. If the purchase is over$200 it usually gets cancelled even tho I have called them and told them that its me and I want these types of purchases to go through in the future. Its terrible and i wish i could change but this what my parents use for all their stuff so i can't

8 years ago

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ANGELA D HUDSON Detroit, MI

They are very when it comes to giving an opportunity for credit,and I they should be more open when that's where my employer uses and that's where retirement fund is through

9 years ago

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Jon Posey Riverton, UT

Not my favorite. Getting a CC from a bank like WF should be your last resort. You can always find better cards with better rates, promos, and much better customer service.

6 years ago

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chuck Pomona, CA

Wells Fargo is not a veteran friendly company. They miss used our trust and are fine taking veterans cars and homes.

9 years ago

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Brittney Miskin Riverton, UT

Maybe the worst bank any credit cards with. Terrible customer service and they do not care about their customers.

6 years ago

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Bri Graham Broadbent, OR

I tried to obtain a card here, the process was difficult. The employees I was working with didn't explain things well.

8 years ago

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Kevin

They wouldnt send me a statement resulting in many late pays

6 years ago

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Bella Mee Mobile, AL

Liars and rude customer service , aggressive behavior to open up an account and racist atmosphere !

4 years ago

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Melanie Askren Saint Louice, MO

they kept charging me after it was paid off

9 years ago

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Mike Fulop Las Cruces, NM

Too many fees, Wells has become untrustworthy

9 years ago

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Kamron Dalton Riverton, UT

Overly complicated process to use rewards system. Fees are everywhere.

4 years ago