IHG One Rewards Premier vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® a compelling choice.

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• The card offers a simple, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions.
• It's a cost-effective option with no annual fee, though it does have foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
• To earn $100 in cash back, you would need to spend $5,000 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The card’s rewards structure is simple, offering a flat cash back rate on all purchases without any rotating categories to track.
• Cardholders get complimentary cell phone protection against damage or theft for phones whose monthly bills are paid with the card.
• There are no caps on the amount of cash back you can earn, so your rewards grow with your spending.

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Cons

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• It’s not the best travel companion, as it charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Your redemption options are somewhat limited; cash rewards can generally only be redeemed as a statement credit or deposited into an eligible Wells Fargo account.
• You’ll likely need a good to excellent credit score to be approved, which might exclude some applicants.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Wells Fargo Active Cash®, comes down to your spending habits and reward preferences. These cards excel in different areas, one catering to brand-loyal travelers and the other to those seeking simple cash rewards.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a hotel rewards card designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay with IHG Hotels & Resorts. It is best for users who value hotel-specific perks and elite status benefits.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a flat-rate cash back card ideal for users who prefer straightforward, unlimited cash rewards on all purchases without tracking spending categories. It is best for those who prioritize simplicity and cash returns over travel points.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's global portfolio of hotels, but can also be used for other travel rewards or transferred to airline partners.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash®: Cash rewards are simple to redeem and can be applied as a statement credit to your account, withdrawn from a Wells Fargo ATM, or deposited directly into a qualifying account.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The IHG One Rewards Premier card is built for international travel and does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® card, however, does include a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Hotel-Specific Perks: As a co-branded hotel card, the IHG Premier is packed with benefits like an annual anniversary night certificate and automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status. The Active Cash card does not offer any hotel-specific status or perks.
• Travel Booking & Portals: Cardholders of the IHG Premier card will find the most value by booking directly through IHG to use points and access benefits. The Active Cash card offers the flexibility of cash back but lacks a dedicated travel portal that provides bonus rewards or special booking advantages.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: The IHG Premier card includes a statement credit for the application fee of programs like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. This benefit is not available with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a data-driven tool like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards in one place.

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• $100 Kudos Kickstart+ rewards for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months.
• Detailed approval odds based on your credit report.
• The ability to test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Tools to track your progress toward sign-up bonuses.
• Personalized card recommendations based on your spending history.
• Kudos Boost rewards for extra earnings when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties, such as Holiday Inn, Kimpton, or InterContinental hotels. These loyal guests are best positioned to leverage the card's key perks, including automatic Platinum Elite status and a free fourth night on award stays. Furthermore, cardholders who can utilize the annual anniversary free night can easily offset the card's annual fee, making it a valuable tool for dedicated IHG customers.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for small business owners who value simplicity and want what is essentially a straightforward business card without the hassle of tracking spending categories. It's particularly well-suited for those with good to excellent credit who primarily make domestic purchases and prefer earning a consistent, unlimited 2% cash back on all business expenses over travel-focused rewards. Additionally, business owners can leverage the 0% intro APR period for large purchases and benefit from cell phone protection, which offers up to $600 per claim.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this deep dive into the IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® comparison hasn't surfaced a clear winner for your wallet, don't fret. There are several other excellent cards that might be a better match for your specific spending habits and financial goals.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer naturally.
• Review eligibility rules – Check for any issuer-specific restrictions before you apply.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage existing relationships - Some issuers, like Wells Fargo, may consider your banking history during the approval process.
• Use a trusted platform - Applying through a service like Kudos can help you find the best available offer without guesswork.
• Time your application - Align your application with planned large purchases to help meet any minimum spending requirements.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash card is generally better for everyday spending since it offers a flat cash rewards rate on all purchases. The IHG One Rewards Premier card's value is more concentrated in bonus categories related to travel and IHG stays.

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How do the rewards programs for these two cards differ?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier card earns points within the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, which are best redeemed for hotel stays. In contrast, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns flexible cash rewards that can be redeemed for statement credits or direct deposits.

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Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card worth it if I don't stay at IHG hotels often?

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If you are not a frequent guest at IHG properties, you will likely find more value in a general-purpose card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash. The IHG card's benefits and rewards are heavily skewed towards those who can take advantage of the hotel chain's loyalty program.

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