How to Maximize the Wells Fargo Propel AmEx Card
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When it comes to the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, it’s easy to get a lot of value. The card includes 3 points per dollar spent on many popular categories and 1 point per dollar on purchases everywhere else. It also comes loaded with valuable benefits, including purchase protections, travel-related insurance and no foreign transaction fee.
While this sounds like a package you would find from a card with a big annual fee, there is actually no annual fee for this credit card. If you have the card already or are considering it, here are some key tips to get the most from the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card.
Ways to maximize the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Earn 3X bonus rewards
The main benefit of this card is the ability to earn Wells Fargo Rewards with every purchase. The standard purchase rate is 1 point per dollar, but you’ll earn 3 for every dollar spent in the restaurant, food delivery, gas station, rideshare, transit, flight, hotel, homestay and car rental categories.
You’ll also get 3x points at a number of popular streaming services including Netflix, Apple Music, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, Spotify, HBO Now, Prime Video, Audible, Pandora and others.
These are popular categories for many households. If you spend heavily in any of those categories, this card could offer you even more value. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card review
Meet the welcome offer requirements
New customers can earn the following welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Terms apply.
To earn the bonus, you’ll have to spend an average of $334 per month, which isn’t hard for many people if they put groceries, gas and other regular purchases on the card.
Skip cell phone insurance from your phone company
Your cell phone company probably offers an insurance plan for your phone in case of damage or theft that costs around $7 per month. If you pay your monthly bill with this card, you'll have access to a cell phone protection plan for free.
The cell phone protection plan will pay up to $600 per claim after a $25 deductible up to two times per year if your phone is accidentally damaged or stolen. So you can skip the cell company’s plan and save yourself $80 or more per year. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Top credit cards that offer cell phone insurance
Save on pricey rental car insurance and roadside assistance
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card has two great benefits that can save you money on the road. First, the card includes car rental loss and damage insurance. With this coverage, you can skip the rental car company’s insurance that can easily cost around $20 per day. On a weeklong vacation, that could save you $140 in just one use.
The card also includes roadside assistance, which offers a service similar to what you get with auto clubs like AAA. You’ll have to pay for any services you need, like towing or a tire change, but you can skip the annual subscription fee that you would have to pay even when you don’t need the service.
Terms apply.
Take advantage of purchase protections
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card includes two valuable purchase protections that cover new, eligible items bought with the card.
The retail protection benefit covers new items for 90 days against accidental damage or theft. If you buy a new TV and your kid cracks the screen a day after you mount it, the purchase is covered by your card.
The extended warranty protection benefit doubles manufacturer’s warranties of up to one year for eligible purchases made with the card.
Terms apply.
Pick the best redemption options
The Wells Fargo Rewards program gives you a handful of options for award redemptions. Those include:
Cash back or statement credit.
Travel.
Gift cards.
Merchandise.
Digital rewards (software, games, etc.).
As a general rule, all redemptions are roughly equal with this program for cardholders. You’ll typically get 1 cent per point, so cash back and statement credits are the best redemption choice for most people. You're better off with a dollar in the bank than a dollar you can use with a specific retailer only.
Terms apply.
The bottom line
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card offers a lucrative rewards program and valuable benefits with a $0 annual fee. For someone new to the world of travel rewards credit cards or someone looking to earn bonus rewards where they spend most, this card can be a very good option.
There are a few downsides to the card. As an American Express card, you may find it isn’t quite as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard branded options. There are also some other cards that may offer better cash back, rewards points or other benefits, but you’ll likely wind up with an annual fee for something significantly better.
Overall, it’s definitely worth considering and ranks among the best cards without an annual fee.
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is no longer accepting new applications.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
