If you’re thinking about dabbling in credit card rewards but aren’t sure where to start, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card could be the answer. With generous rewards across a variety of spending categories, extra perks like cell phone insurance and no annual fee, this card is simple to use and racks up value fast.
What is it?
The Wells Fargo Propel Amex is a great rewards credit card for beginners. There’s no annual fee to commit to, and a wide variety of triple rewards spending categories. Plus, there’s one point for all other spendings. The card also offers several travel-related perks, so travel enthusiasts looking for a low-cost card would do well to try the Propel.
APR:
The Propel card offers a 0% introductory APR for the first nine months after account opening. Once the intro period is up, the rate adjusts to a standard variable APR (see terms), based on your creditworthiness. Cash advances and overdraft protection advances come with a variable APR (see terms).
Rewards:
The Wells Fargo Propel Amex offers generous rewards across many categories. You can earn 3x points on qualifying travel, at gas stations, dining, and online streaming sites. You’ll earn one point on all other purchases. There’s no limit to the number of points you can earn, and points never expire as long as your account remains open.
Other perks:
One of the perks to the Propel card is that there are no blackout dates when redeeming points for air travel when you book through the Go Far Rewards portal. Plus, you can use a combination of points and regular payment to cover the cost of a flight. If you travel internationally, you won’t have to worry about paying foreign currency conversion fees using the Propel card.
Another perk cardholders enjoy is cell phone protection, which will reimburse you for the repair or replacement of your phone if it’s damaged or stolen (less a $25 deductible). There’s a maximum benefit limit of $600 per claim and $1,200 per 12-month period. To be eligible for this benefit, you need to pay your cell phone bill with your Wells Fargo card.
Finally, cardholders in select cities can also take advantage of American Express Presales, which makes exclusive concert and show tickets available to Amex cardholders before the general public. You have to purchase the tickets with your Amex card to be eligible.
Annual fee:
None
Other fees:
The introductory fee on balance transfers is $5 or 3% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater, for the first 120 days after account opening. After that, balance transfer fees are 5% of the transfer amount, with a minimum of $5. Cash advances require a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater. Overdraft protection advances cost $12.50 if the daily total in advance is $50 or less, or $20 if the total is greater than $50. A fee of up to $37 is charged for late payments, returned checks and returned payments.
Bonus:
Currently, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express card provides the opportunity for new cardholders to earn up to 50,000 bonus points for a limited time. First, you can earn 30,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Then, earn an extra 20,000 bonus points when you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first year.
How this card might bring joy to your wallet
Not only does the Propel card offer 3x rewards points across a variety of spending categories, those categories are broad. For example, travel includes airlines, hotels and motels, timeshares, cruise lines, travel agencies, taxis campgrounds, tolls, parking, and much more. Dining encompasses restaurants, as well as takeout and bars. This rewards card even allows you to earn points on your streaming service, like Hulu, Netflix, or Spotify. And the fact that there’s no annual fee means your earnings retain maximum value.
How this card might not bring joy to your wallet
Though this Wells Fargo credit card offers a generous sign-up bonus and bonus rewards program, it might not be available to all applicants. Wells Fargo has a rule that you can only earn one welcome offer every 15 months. Welcome offers include sign-up bonuses, introductory APRs and fee discounts. That means if you took advantage of a welcome bonus on a different Wells Fargo card within the last 15 months, you won’t qualify for the Propel’s bonus or introductory 0% APR. The good news is that if you are eligible for a welcome offer, you get both the sign-up bonus and intro APR offered by the Propel card.
