United Gateway 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 quick look at what makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® a compelling choice.

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• It offers a straightforward, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases without any restrictive spending categories.
• There's no annual fee to worry about, though foreign transaction fees do apply.
• With no annual fee, there is no break-even spending required to get value from this card (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Simple rewards: The card offers a straightforward, flat-rate cash back structure on all purchases, so you don’t have to keep track of rotating categories.
• Introductory offers: New cardholders can take advantage of a welcome bonus and an introductory APR period for purchases.
• Added protections: You get valuable perks like cell phone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card.

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Cons

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• Foreign transaction fees: This card isn’t ideal for international use, as it charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Limited redemption: Your cash back redemption options are limited to statement credits or deposits into an eligible Wells Fargo account, which is less flexible than some competing cards.
• Strict credit requirements: Approval typically requires a good to excellent credit score, which may be a barrier for some applicants.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Wells Fargo Active Cash, comes down to your spending habits and travel goals. One card is built for earning airline miles, while the other offers straightforward cash back on every purchase.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners who want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is ideal for users who prefer a simple, flat-rate cash back rewards structure on all purchases without having to track spending categories.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that can be redeemed for flights with United and its partner airlines. Miles can also be used for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals through the United portal.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card provides flexible cash rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit to your account or withdrawn from a Wells Fargo ATM. You can also have the cash rewards directly deposited into an eligible Wells Fargo account.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is fully integrated with the United Airlines travel ecosystem. Miles are redeemed through the MileagePlus program for flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. The United travel portal also supports booking hotels, car rentals, and other travel. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, and cardholders get a percentage back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: As a straightforward cash back card, it lacks a dedicated travel ecosystem. While cash rewards can be redeemed through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, which may have travel booking options, it is not a travel-focused platform. This card charges a foreign currency conversion fee on purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is an advanced financial companion platform that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best one for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Track your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world who don't want to commit to a high annual fee. It's also a great fit for budget-conscious travelers, as it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international trips. Ultimately, this card serves as a solid entry-level option for those looking to earn MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without the pressure of a premium card.

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 straightforward rewards over complex earning structures. It's particularly well-suited for those with good to excellent credit who want to earn a consistent, unlimited 2% cash back on all business purchases without tracking spending categories. Furthermore, the card is ideal for businesses that can benefit from a 0% introductory APR on new purchases or take advantage of the included cell phone protection plan.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this United Gateway℠ Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, there are several other excellent alternatives to consider.

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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 - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review redemption options - Understand how you can use your rewards, as some cards have limited redemption paths.
• Assess the card’s benefits - Ensure the card’s perks align with your spending habits and travel patterns.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules - Be aware of application restrictions, such as the Chase 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large purchase to help meet a welcome offer spending requirement.
• Consider your travel plans - Some cards add foreign transaction fees, making them less ideal for international use.

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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Is the United Gateway℠ Card a good choice if I don't fly United often?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is best for those who fly United at least a few times a year to take advantage of its airline-specific perks. If you're not a frequent United flyer, a general cash-back card might offer more flexible rewards.

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Can I use the rewards from the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card for travel?

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Yes, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns cash rewards that you can redeem for statement credits. You can use these credits to offset any travel purchase, offering more flexibility than airline-specific miles.

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Do the United Gateway and Wells Fargo Active Cash cards have annual fees?

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Neither the United Gateway℠ Card nor the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has an annual fee. This makes both of them cost-effective options to keep long-term.

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