Credit Card News
Wells Fargo Debutes Attune Card with Unique Rewards Categories
Wells Fargo has just introduced its latest rewards card — and it certainly has some unique offerings.
About the Attune World Elite Mastercard:
With the new Wells Fargo Attune World Elite Mastercard, customers can earn 4% back on an eclectic list of rewards categories. The Atune card breaks these down into three main columns: Self-Care; Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment; and Impactful Purchases. For Self-Care, gym memberships, exercise classes, salons, and spas are all included. Jumping ahead to the Impactful Purchases column, this includes public transit, EV charging stations, and even thrift store purchases.
Meanwhile, the Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment category reaches even further than its name implies. In fact, Wells Fargo’s site subdivides it into the following:
- Create and Collect (craft shops, camera supply stores, hobby and game stores, etc. Merchants such as Etsy, GoPro, JoAnn, LEGO, Michaels, and more)
- Gardening and Floral (florists, nurseries, etc.)
- Other Recreation and Leisure Activities (zoos, aquariums, museums, bowling alleys, billiards, tourist attractions, theme park tickets and parking, campgrounds, etc.)
- Pet Care (pet shops, pet supplies stores, miscellaneous pet services, etc. Merchants such as Chewy, Barkbox, Petco, Rover, and more).
- Sports and Recreational Equipment (bicycle shops, boat rentals, marinas, RV rentals, sports apparel stores, sporting goods stores, etc.
- Sports and Live Entertainment Tickets (concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events, etc.)
- Streaming, Music, Movies, and Books (bookstores, cable or other pay television providers, digital media, streaming services, movie theatres, record stores, music stores, etc.)
A more complete list of the Atune card’s categories can be found on the Wells Fargo website. All other purchases on the card earn 1% cash rewards.
To celebrate the launch of the Attune card, a welcome bonus is also being offered. Now, new cardholders can earn $100 in cash rewards after spending at least $500 on the card within their first three months. On top of that, for each cardholder who earns this bonus, Wells Fargo will donate $50 to the non-profit organization Capital Link.
The Wells Fargo Attune World Elite Mastercard has no annual fee.
My thoughts:
Wells Fargo kicked off their refreshed credit card line-up with the Active Cash card — which didn’t really break any new ground but offered a solid 2% back across the board. That “playing it safe” start is partially why I’m so taken aback by the big swing the bank is taking with the Attune card.
Not only are the card’s 4% categories unique and diverse but they’re also unlimited. I was honestly shocked by that as, while I was typing out some of the examples, I thought for sure there had to be a catch. But, if there is one, I have yet to find it. Well, I’d say that the welcome bonus is a bit weak ($100 for $500 spent versus the $200 for $500 spent with the Active Cash card), but that’s all.
Of course, the downside to this card is simply keeping track of what purchases qualify for the 4%. Furthermore, while the categories are wide-ranging, there are some specifics and nuances to contend with — such as the card earning 4% on Disneyland tickets and parking but (presumably) not in-park food or merchandise. Perhaps that’s part of the play here as consumers might just assume use their Attune card for everything rather than trying to discern what will or will not count.
In any case, I’m fascinated by this card so far and will definitely need to dive deeper.