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Wells Fargo Credit Card Application Rules: What You Need to Know

Updated
Lyle Daly
Cole Tretheway
By: Lyle Daly
Lyle Daly
Lyle Daly
Writer

Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.

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 and  Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway

Cole Tretheway is a full-time personal finance writer whose articles have been featured on The Ascent and The Motley Fool. He has a degree in English with a Certificate in Professional and Technical Communication from California Polytechnic University, SLO.

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Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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OFFER STATUS

Signify Business Cash℠, Wells Fargo Attune℠, and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ are unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Wells Fargo has expanded its credit card lineup, and the cards it offers are some of the best on the market. If you're interested in applying for one, make sure you know about the Wells Fargo credit card requirements first.

Wells Fargo credit card application rules

Unlike many other card issuers, Wells Fargo is light on application rules. The main restriction it has is that you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card if you've already opened one within the previous six months. This is mentioned in the terms for most of its credit cards, except the Bilt Mastercard® and the Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo previously had a rule limiting cardholders to one welcome offer from any of its cards per 15 months. However, this rule is no longer mentioned in the terms and conditions for Wells Fargo credit cards.

As of Aug. 06, 2024
Image for
Image for
Image for
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

$200 cash rewards

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

20,000 bonus points

Welcome Offer:

N/A

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

2% cash rewards

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.

1X-3X points

Rewards Program:

N/A

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: N/A

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular APR:

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Regular APR:

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Regular APR:

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Highlights:

  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Highlights:

  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Highlights:

  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 Annual Fee.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Show More Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content Show Less Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content

Wells Fargo credit card requirements

Here are the main Wells Fargo credit card requirements that apply to each of its cards:

  • Good credit: A FICO® Score of 670 or higher is suggested when applying for a Wells Fargo card. Wells Fargo doesn't have a strict minimum credit score requirement, but it typically only approves applicants with good credit or excellent credit.
  • Stable income: You need a consistent source of income to be approved for any credit cards. Wells Fargo doesn't have a specific minimum income requirement, but it will only approve you if you have a form of income.
  • Social Security number: If you don't have one, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) also works.
  • Physical U.S. address: Per federal regulations, you must use a physical mailing address and not a P.O. box.

It also helps if you have a Wells Fargo bank account, although this isn't required to get a credit card with Wells Fargo.

If you're interested in the requirements for a specific Wells Fargo credit card, you'll find all of them below.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card requirements

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card normally requires a FICO® Score of at least 670. It's even better to apply with a score of 700 or higher. This is one of the top cash back cards (cash back is earned in the form of cash rewards), and Wells Fargo can be selective about the applicants it approves.

According to the terms for this card, you may not qualify for it if you've opened another Wells Fargo card within the last six months.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card requirements

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card normally requires a FICO® Score of at least 670. With no annual fee and several bonus categories, it's one of the best values among rewards credit cards. As such, it's intended for consumers with good credit.

In the terms for this card, Wells Fargo states that you may not qualify if you've already opened another Wells Fargo card in the previous six months.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card requirements

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card normally requires a FICO® Score of at least 670. It's a premium travel credit card with slightly more generous points on hotels and airlines than the regular Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, plus gives annual airline credits.

The terms of this card say you may not qualify if you've already opened another Wells Fargo card in the previous six months.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card requirements

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card normally requires a FICO® Score of at least 670, and a score of 700 or higher is even better. This credit card has a long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, so it's designed for applicants with good to excellent credit.

This card's terms state you may not qualify if you've already opened a Wells Fargo card in the last six months.

Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card requirements

The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card normally requires a FICO® Score of at least 670, and higher scores improve your chances of approval. It's a lifestyle card that gives you unlimited 4% back on a staggering amount of recreational activities.

The card's terms say you might not qualify if you've already opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the last six months.

Bilt Mastercard® requirements

The Bilt Mastercard® normally requires a FICO® Score of 670, although there can be a bit of flexibility there. Some cardholders have reported approval with scores as low as 650. This is a cobranded credit card that Wells Fargo offers with Bilt, a rewards program for paying rent. The Bilt Mastercard® is unique in that it's the rare rewards card designed for earning points on rent, with no extra transaction fees.

The terms for this card don't say that you may not qualify if you've already opened a Wells Fargo card in the last six months.

Choice Privileges® credit card requirements

Wells Fargo offers two cobranded hotel credit cards with Choice Hotels®:

  • Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
  • Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® Credit Card

While features vary between these cards, they both normally require a FICO® Score of 670. The terms of each card also state that you may not qualify if you've already opened a Wells Fargo card in the previous six months.

Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo requirements

The Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo typically requires a FICO® Score of 670. It's a solid credit card for businesses that gives an unlimited 2% cash rewards. For a business card that charges $0 annual fee, that's unusually generous.

Unlike most branded Wells Fargo cards, the terms don't explicitly restrict you from qualifying if you've already opened one in the previous six months.

How to prequalify for a Wells Fargo credit card

Wells Fargo provides a tool on its website that lets you see if you're pre-selected for one of its credit cards. It takes less than a minute to use and doesn't affect your credit score. Here's how to do it:

  1. Visit the page to check for prequalified Wells Fargo credit card offers.
  2. Provide your name, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have a Wells Fargo online account, you can skip this and log in.
  3. Click "Continue."

After you submit the form, Wells Fargo will let you know if it has any prequalified card offers for you. A prequalified card offer means that based on your information, you have a high chance of getting approved for that card. It's not a guarantee of approval, though.

If you don't have any prequalified card offers, that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of luck. You could still apply for a Wells Fargo card and get approved. If you have good credit and there's a Wells Fargo card you like, try applying for it.

How to improve your credit if you don't meet the Wells Fargo credit card requirements

Your credit score is one of the most important factors in getting a Wells Fargo credit card. If you aren't quite in that good credit range yet, here are a few tips to improve your credit:

  • Pay everything on time: Your payment history has the biggest impact on your credit score. Every time you pay a credit card or loan account by the due date, it's good for your credit.
  • Reduce credit card debt: Amounts owed is another key part of your credit score. High credit card balances can be bad for your credit utilization ratio, or the ratio of your balances to your credit limits. If you have any credit card debt, work on paying it down, and you should see your credit score start to rise.
  • Check your credit report: Request your credit reports online at AnnualCreditReport.com, because any mistakes could negatively affect your credit. You're legally entitled to one free report from each credit bureau per year. If you see any errors, dispute them with the credit bureau that issued the report.

If you don't have any credit cards yet, then you may have a thin credit file, meaning there isn't enough information to calculate a credit score for you. In that case, check out starter credit cards designed for consumers with no credit history. You can use one of these cards to build credit and increase your score.

Still have questions?

Here are some other questions we've answered:

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. N/A 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.