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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Wells Fargo Active Cash

Claire's comparison  ·  June 2026  ·  Last verified June 2026
Claire's Quick Verdict

Chase Sapphire Preferred (8.7/10) wins for most people. Wells Fargo Active Cash wins for a specific profile.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Winner
Chase Sapphire Preferred
8.7
Fee: $95
3x dining, 2x travel
Full review →
Runner-Up
Wells Fargo Active Cash
7.9
Fee: $0
2% flat
Full review →

Who Should Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred

Entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.

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Who Should Choose Wells Fargo Active Cash

2% flat rate with a welcome bonus. Closest Citi Double Cash competitor. $200 bonus + cell phone protection.

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Claire's Final Verdict

Chase Sapphire Preferred is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 8.7/10. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.

Wells Fargo Active Cash (7.9/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: 2% flat rate with a welcome bonus. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Wells Fargo Active Cash?
Chase Sapphire Preferred (8.7/10) wins for most people. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people. Wells Fargo Active Cash is the right choice if: 2% flat rate with a welcome bonus.
What is Claire's score for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Claire rates Chase Sapphire Preferred 8.7/10. Verdict: Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.
What is Claire's score for Wells Fargo Active Cash?
Claire rates Wells Fargo Active Cash 7.9/10. Verdict: Closest Citi Double Cash competitor. $200 bonus + cell phone protection.
Who should choose Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining.
Who should choose Wells Fargo Active Cash?
2% flat rate with a welcome bonus.
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Head to head, by the numbers

Chase Sapphire PreferredWells Fargo Active Cash
Claire's score8.7/107.9/10
Price
Top strength3x points on diningFlat 2% on everything, no categories
Biggest drawback$95 annual feeSlightly behind Citi Double Cash in long-term simplicity

The case for Chase Sapphire Preferred

The case for Wells Fargo Active Cash

Bottom line

Chase Sapphire Preferred takes this one on the numbers (8.7/10 vs 7.9/10). The best entry-level premium travel card. The math works for anyone spending over $300/month on dining.

That said, Wells Fargo Active Cash isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The closest 2% competitor to Citi Double Cash, with a $200 welcome bonus and a cell phone protection benefit that actually matters.

Read the full breakdowns: Chase Sapphire Preferred review · Wells Fargo Active Cash review · all rankings.