United Explorer 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 why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

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• It offers a straightforward, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, making it a simple way to earn rewards without tracking categories.

• With no annual fee, it's a cost-effective option for earning cash back on your business spending.

• The included cell phone protection can be a huge money-saver; just one claim for a damaged phone could save you up to $575, easily justifying its place in your wallet (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A straightforward rewards program that offers unlimited cash back on every purchase, with no need to track spending categories.

• No annual fee, making it a cost-effective card for businesses of any size.

• Comes with valuable extras, including cell phone protection and an introductory APR period for new cardholders.

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Cons

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• Foreign transaction fees make it less than ideal for business conducted abroad.

• Cash back redemption options are limited, mainly to statement credits or deposits into a Wells Fargo account.

• Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit score, and its ongoing APR may be higher than some competitors.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Wells Fargo Active Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits. Each card excels in different reward categories, catering to distinct types of consumers.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is designed for those who frequently spend on United Airlines flights, as well as on dining and hotel stays.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card offers a straightforward approach, providing the same high rewards rate on all purchases without any specific bonus categories to track.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are earned as miles, which offer the most value when redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel purchases through the United MileagePlus program.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card provides cash rewards that can be redeemed flexibly, such as for statement credits to lower your balance, direct deposits into a Wells Fargo account, or even cash from a Wells Fargo ATM.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: As a co-branded airline card, its travel perks are centered on the United Airlines experience.
  • Travel Ecosystem: Deeply integrated with the United MileagePlus program for booking flights and accessing travel partners.
  • Lounge Access: Includes two one-time passes to the United Club℠ each year.
  • Airline Perks: Offers a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases on United flights.
  • Travel Credits: Provides a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

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• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card's benefits are focused on cash rewards rather than a specific travel ecosystem.
  • Travel Ecosystem: Does not have a dedicated travel ecosystem; its flexibility allows you to book travel through any platform and redeem cash rewards as a statement credit.
  • Lounge Access: Does not offer airport lounge access.
  • Airline Perks: Lacks airline-specific benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding.
  • Travel Credits: Does not offer credits for programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: A fee applies to purchases made outside the United States.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, the Kudos platform compares nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the optimal choice based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can “test drive” a card to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending data—all without a hard credit pull.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Personalized Insights: Create an account to receive personalized card recommendations, monitor your spending, and track your credit score all in one place.
• Extra Rewards: Access additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, stacking on top of your regular card earnings.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United Airlines flyers who can maximize perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It also appeals to international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and to those seeking expedited security with its statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. Ultimately, the card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who fly United a few times a year, as the value from its benefits can easily outweigh the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent fit for small business owners who value simplicity and want a flat-rate rewards structure without having to track spending categories. With an unlimited 2% cash back rate on all purchases and a $0 annual fee, it’s a cost-effective choice for managing everyday business expenses. As this card review highlights, the card is also ideal for those with good-to-excellent credit who can benefit from its 0% intro APR offer and cell phone protection.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® comparison didn't lead you to your next card, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent options on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Evaluate your travel habits: Consider if you fly one airline enough to benefit from a co-branded card like the United℠ Explorer Card.
• Align rewards with your spending: Decide if a simple cash-back card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card fits your lifestyle better than a complex travel rewards program.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply when you have a large purchase planned to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome bonus.
• Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific application rules that could affect your approval.
• Look beyond the bonus: Ensure the card’s long-term benefits align with your lifestyle for sustained value.

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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How do I decide between a co-branded airline card and a general cash back card?

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The best choice depends on your spending habits and travel frequency. If you consistently fly with a specific airline, a co-branded card offers tailored perks; otherwise, a flexible cash back card might provide more overall value.

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

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Yes, you can use the cash rewards you earn for anything, including booking flights or hotels. However, you won't get access to airline-specific benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding.

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What are the key travel perks of the United Explorer Card?

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Beyond earning miles, the card typically offers valuable benefits like a free first checked bag for you and a companion, priority boarding, and two one-time United Club passes each year.

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