The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and Chase Slate® both offer significant intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. But there are a few nuances that may steer you toward one card over another.
CNBC Select walks you through each card's intro APR offer and benefits so you can decide which option is best for your wallet.
Senior reporter Jason Stauffer can answer your questions about how to make the most of your credit cards in his weekly Points Pro column. Submit yours here.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card vs. Chase Slate
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card can help you save on interest charges thanks to its extra generous intro-APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this 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. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% 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.
Balance transfer fee
5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
3%
The Chase Slate® is a great intro-APR card if you want to save on interest, but it doesn't earn rewards.
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Basic shopping protections
- No rewards
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Annual fee
Both the Wells Fargo Reflect and the Chase Slate offer a $0 annual fee, which is helpful to continue saving on your purchases.
Keep in mind that it isn't always a bad idea to pay an annual fee on a credit card, as these cards typically come with benefits to offset the cost of the fee. However, you won't have to worry about maximizing the value of either card since there's no cost to holding them.
Winner: Tie
Intro APR offer
These cards are designed for consumers looking for an easy way to finance their purchases or make a balance transfer, without accruing interest fees.
The Chase Slate offers a 0% intro APR for the first 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% applies. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies, whichever is greater.
One unique aspect about the Chase Slate is that it doesn't have a required transfer timeframe (i.e., within the first 90 days, etc.) to take advantage of the intro rate.
The Wells Fargo Reflect offers a very similar 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening (17.49%, 23.99% or 28.24% variable APR after). Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro rate, and a balance transfer fee of 5% (min $5) applies.
Despite their almost identical offers, the Wells Fargo Reflect wins based on its introductory balance transfer fee and slightly lower variable APR range.
Winner: Wells Fargo Reflect
Perks and benefits
Each card comes with its own unique benefits, but neither of them offers rewards for spending on the card.
The Chase Slate offers:
- Purchase protection for up to 120 days after the purchase from theft or damage (up to $500 per claim)
- All manufacturer warranties are extended up to one year on purchases made with your Chase Slate
- Complimentary access to six months of DashPass (activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
- Rental car insurance
The Wells Fargo Reflect offers:
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the Reflect card, subject to a $25 deductible
- 24/7 on-demand referral dispatch network that provides emergency roadside assistance, towing or locksmith service when you need them
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from hundreds of different merchants to save money on your purchases
Your choice may come down to personal preference. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers valuable cell phone protection, but the Chase Slate comes with more protections and a DoorDash benefit.
Winner: Chase Slate
Which should you get?
A 0% APR credit card is absolutely worth considering if you need a way to finance your purchases or need help managing credit card debt.
With both of these cards offering very similar 0% APR periods, your preference may come down to the balance transfer fee charged or the ongoing variable APR.
A deciding factor could also be your preference for a certain bank or for an additional perk. If you're at all worried about the well-being of your phone, the Reflect's cell phone protection could help. For those who are still working on their cooking skills, the DoorDash credit from the Chase Slate might be more desirable.
FAQs
Are Wells Fargo or Chase credit cards better?
Both banks offer several helpful credit cards; it will likely come down to what fits your needs. Generally, Chase offers a more robust points and travel program while Wells Fargo has attractive flat-rate rewards and 0% APR options.
What's the best Wells Fargo credit card to have?
The best Wells Fargo card depends on what you need it to do for you. Are you looking to earn more rewards, or pay off debt? Do you want travel rewards or prefer simple cash back? Wells Fargo offers different cards for each scenario.
Is the Chase Slate hard to get?
The Chase Slate could be considered slightly harder to get, typically requiring a good to excellent credit score, but may consider other factors such as income and payment history.
