Capital One Venture vs Wells Fargo Active Cash
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Wells Fargo Active Cash wins 3-2. No-fee 2% flat — competitive with Citi Double Cash. Capital One Venture is still the right call if simple travel earn — 2x on every dollar, no categories to track.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Capital One Venture | Wells Fargo Active Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = $200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Capital One Venture
- 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- Transfer miles to 15+ airline/hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Two complimentary visits/year to Capital One Lounges
Wells Fargo Active Cash
- 2% unlimited cashback on every purchase
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
- Cell phone protection (up to $600/claim)
- Visa Signature concierge
FAQ
›Capital One Venture vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: which is better?
Wells Fargo Active Cash wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Capital One Venture for its best categories, Wells Fargo Active Cash for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Capital One Venture: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Wells Fargo Active Cash: $200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months.