Why I Keep the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card in My Wallet— as a Travel Blogger
Okay, let’s clear one thing up right away: the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card isn’t a travel credit card. You won’t find fancy airport lounge access, airline transfer partners, or triple points on airfare here. So why on earth would a full-time travel blogger like me—who literally lives in and out of suitcases—bother with it?
Two words: ease and consistency.
When I’m not jetting off to Bali or hiking the Rockies, I’m living a surprisingly normal life—grocery runs, coffee shop marathons, paying for my Spotify Premium (because silence on long layovers is just… no). And for everything outside of travel? This card absolutely slays.
✨ The Magic of 2% Cash Rewards on Everything
Seriously, everything. There’s no need to track categories, no rotating offers, no complicated points conversions. It’s just a clean, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Whether I’m spending $5 on bubble tea or $500 on new photo gear, I know exactly what I’m earning.
And the best part? That 2% doesn’t expire. So I can let my rewards pile up all year and cash them in whenever I want—a spontaneous massage day, a gift to a friend, or hey, even just a little financial breathing room between freelance gigs. 🧘🏻♀️💵
🎉 The $200 Welcome Bonus
Wells Fargo gives you $200 cash back after spending just $500 in the first 3 months. That’s ridiculously easy to hit. I met the threshold after one month of booking studio time, treating my friend to dinner, and paying for my gym membership. It felt like the card was giving me a high five. 🙌
📱 Cell Phone Protection? Yes, Please
I have a love-hate relationship with my phone. I love that it’s my camera, editor, GPS, booking assistant, translator, and therapist all rolled into one. I hate that I’ve dropped it in a puddle twice and cracked my screen during a shoot in Joshua Tree.
This card includes cell phone protection (up to $600) when you pay your bill with it. I didn’t even know that was a thing until recently, but wow—it’s become a must-have for someone like me who runs her life and business through her phone.
💳 No Annual Fee = More to Spend on Actual Fun
There’s no annual fee, which is huge. With some premium cards charging upwards of $500 per year just to sit in your wallet, I love that this one is totally free to carry. It means more of my money goes to things I actually care about—like matcha lattes in Kyoto or candles that smell like lavender fields in Provence.
🔍 Some Things to Keep in Mind
Alright, confession time: this isn’t the card I whip out when I’m overseas. It does charge a foreign transaction fee (3%), so I always carry a backup for international swiping. But for everything else? This card is my reliable, no-drama ride-or-die.
Also, don’t expect tons of glam perks—no lounge access, no elite hotel upgrades, no free checked bags. It’s not about frills. It’s about solid, straightforward value.
Final Thoughts: A Grounded Powerhouse in a Glamorous World
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card might not be your “passport to Paris,” but it is your passport to financial peace of mind. It’s like that quiet friend who always remembers your birthday and shows up with snacks—reliable, generous, and low-maintenance.
In my world of ever-changing views and unpredictable schedules, there’s something incredibly comforting about that.
So, no, it’s not flashy. But it’s so worth having.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely—especially if you want a simple, consistent cashback card that doesn’t play games.
And who doesn’t want a little more cash to fuel their everyday dreams?
With love (and a fully protected phone), Mia 💕🌍