Yes, Wells Fargo offers credit cards for different financial situations
Wells Fargo issues credit cards directly through its own card division. The bank maintains several card products aimed at different borrower profiles—people building credit, people with established credit, and people focused on rewards. You can open a Wells Fargo credit card through the bank's website, at a branch, or by phone.
The specific cards available to you depend on your credit history and income. Wells Fargo does not publish a single list of "all cards you can get"—instead, when you start an process, the bank's system shows you the cards you're likely to be approved for based on your credit report and the information you provide. This means two people explore on the same day may see different card options.
Key Takeaways
- Wells Fargo offers credit cards for people with limited credit history, fair credit, and good-to-excellent credit, with different rewards and fees for each tier.
- You can see which cards you may be offered before completing a full process, and checking this does not affect your credit score.
- Wells Fargo credit cards come with fraud protection and dispute processes built into federal law, not special to Wells Fargo alone.
- Annual fees, interest rates, and rewards vary by card—comparing the terms before you explore helps you avoid paying for features you won't use.
The main Wells Fargo credit card categories
Wells Fargo groups its credit cards into three broad categories. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history or poor credit—you put down a cash deposit, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. Unsecured cards for fair credit do not require a deposit but come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits. Rewards cards are aimed at people with good-to-excellent credit and offer cash back, points, or travel benefits.
Within each category, Wells Fargo offers multiple versions. For example, the bank has a secured card, a secured card for students, and a secured card with no annual fee. The rewards category includes cards focused on cash back, cards focused on travel rewards, and cards with no annual fee. The specific card you can open depends on what your credit report shows when you explore.
How to find out which cards you may be offered
Visit the Wells Fargo website and navigate to the credit cards section. You can use the "pre-qualification" or "see offers" tool, which shows you cards you may be offered without running a hard credit inquiry. This step does not lower your credit score. You provide basic information—your name, address, and income—and the system displays cards matched to your profile.
If you see a card you want, you can then move to the full process. At that point, Wells Fargo will pull your credit report, which does create a hard inquiry and may lower your score by a few points. You can also call Wells Fargo at the number on the back of any existing card or account, or visit a branch in person, and a representative can walk you through the cards you may be offered.
What happens after you open a Wells Fargo credit card
Once approved, Wells Fargo mails you a physical card, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can also request a temporary card number to use online while you wait for the physical card to arrive. Your credit limit appears in your account as soon as the card is activated, and you can begin using it right away.
Wells Fargo sends you a billing statement each month, either by mail or email depending on your preference. You can pay your bill online through the Wells Fargo website or app, by phone, by mail, or at a Wells Fargo branch. Payments are due by the date shown on your statement—typically 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the rate shown in your card agreement.
Fraud protection and dispute rights on Wells Fargo cards
Wells Fargo credit cards come with fraud protection required by federal law. If someone uses your card number without permission, you report it to Wells Fargo, and the bank investigates. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50 per card, and many banks including Wells Fargo waive that $50 entirely if you report the fraud promptly.
If you dispute a charge on your statement—either because you don't recognize it or because you received defective goods or services—you can file a dispute through your Wells Fargo account online or by calling the number on your statement. Wells Fargo has 30 days to acknowledge your dispute and 60 days to investigate and respond. During the investigation, the disputed amount is typically removed from your balance so you don't have to pay it while the bank looks into it.
Annual fees, interest rates, and rewards vary by card
Some Wells Fargo credit cards charge an annual fee; others do not. Secured cards typically have no annual fee or a low annual fee ($25 to $35). Cards aimed at fair credit may charge $0 to $99 annually. Rewards cards often have no annual fee, though premium rewards cards may charge $95 or more per year.
Interest rates (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) also vary. Secured cards often have APRs in the 18% to 24% range. Cards for fair credit may have APRs from 16% to 26%. Rewards cards for good credit typically have APRs from 15% to 24%. These rates are set based on your credit score and credit history at the time you explore, and they can change over time if Wells Fargo adjusts its rates or if your creditworthiness changes.
Rewards vary by card. Some cards offer 1% to 2% cash back on all purchases. Others offer higher cash back (3% to 5%) on specific categories like groceries, gas, or dining, and lower cash back (1%) on everything else. Travel cards offer points per dollar spent, which you redeem for flights, hotels, or statement credits. Read the card's terms before you explore so you understand what you're paying for and what you'll actually use.
Closing a Wells Fargo credit card
You can close a Wells Fargo credit card by calling the number on the back of your card or logging into your account online. Before you close a card, pay off any remaining balance. Once the card is closed, you can no longer use it, but Wells Fargo keeps your account history on file for your credit report.
Closing a credit card can affect your credit score in two ways. First, it lowers the total amount of credit available to you, which may raise your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit that you're using). Second, it removes an account from your credit history, which can shorten the average age of your accounts. These effects are usually temporary and small, but they're worth knowing about before you close a card you've had for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Wells Fargo credit card if I don't have a Wells Fargo bank account?
Yes. You do not need a Wells Fargo checking or savings account to open a credit card. However, having an existing relationship with Wells Fargo may make the process process smoother, and you may see different card offers if you're already a customer.
What's the difference between a secured card and an unsecured card?
A secured card requires you to deposit cash upfront—usually $500 to $2,500—which becomes your credit limit. An unsecured card does not require a deposit. Secured cards are for people with no credit or poor credit; unsecured cards are for people with fair credit or better. After you've used a secured card responsibly for 6 to 18 months, Wells Fargo may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
How long does it take to get approved for a Wells Fargo credit card?
You usually get a decision within minutes of submitting your process online or over the phone. If Wells Fargo needs more information, it may take a few business days. Once approved, your physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, though you can use a temporary card number online when ready.
Can I increase my credit limit after I open a card?
Yes. After you've used your card for several months and made on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through your Wells Fargo account online or by calling the number on your card. Wells Fargo may approve the increase without a hard credit inquiry, or it may pull your credit report again depending on the size of the increase you're requesting.
What happens if I miss a payment on my Wells Fargo credit card?
If your payment is late, Wells Fargo reports it to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. You may also face a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones) and a higher interest rate. If you miss a payment, contact Wells Fargo as soon as possible—the sooner you pay, the less damage to your credit.