Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (no annual fee) and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (no annual fee) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
Strongest in groceries at 3% (up to $6,000/yr). 3% at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail (each up to $6,000/yr).
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply NowUnlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track. Earns a solid 2.0% on everything else.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Wells Fargo Active Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months | $200 after $500 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% | 3% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 2% |
| Groceries Rewards | 3% (up to $6,000/yr) | 2% |
| Gas Rewards | 3% (up to $6,000/yr) | 2% |
| Key Benefits | 3% at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail (each up to $6,000/yr). | Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track. |
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express pulls ahead for groceries, gas spending.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card wins on travel, dining.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express carries $264/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings). Those only count if you’d actually use them. Worth checking against your own habits before treating them as a discount on the fee.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.