REI Co-op® Mastercard® vs Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Which Card Wins for Your Spending?

Which earns more for you?

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 REI Co-op® Mastercard® (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.

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Meet the Contenders

REI Co-op Mastercard

5% back at REI and rei.com, 1.5% on everything else, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Earns a solid 1.5% on everything else.

Annual fee: None Sign-up bonus: $100 after $1 spend in 2 months Foreign fees: 0%

Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track. Earns a solid 2.0% on everything else.

Annual fee: None Sign-up bonus: $200 after $500 spend in 3 months Foreign fees: 3%

Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature REI Co-op Mastercard Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Annual Fee $0 $0
Sign-Up Bonus $100 after $1 spend in 2 months $200 after $500 spend in 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee 0% 3%
Base Reward Rate 1.5% 2.0%
Key Benefits 5% back at REI and rei.com, 1.5% on everything else, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no categories to track.

The Verdict

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card wins on travel, dining, groceries, gas.

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.