Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Emirates vs Wells Fargo
Emirates
Wells Fargo
Higher score in this comparison
Emirates vs Wells Fargo: the differences
| Compare | EmiratesReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Wells FargoReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $0Lower |
| APR | 19.49% to 29.49% | 18.74% to 28.74%Lower |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%Lower | 3% |
| Rewards type | Miles | Cashback |
| Rewards rate | 3 Miles per USD 1 on Emirates spend, 2 Miles per USD 1 on travel spend, 1 Mile per USD 1 on all other spend | 2% cash rewards |
| Balance transfer fee | 5% | Not confirmed |
| Perks | Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months (Rewards World Elite Mastercard), Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account remains open, 25% discount on purchase or gift of Skywards Miles when paying with the card, Priority Pass Select lounge access (Premium World Elite Mastercard), USD 120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4 years (Premium World Elite Mastercard), No foreign transaction fees on international purchases | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
Same on both: Balance transfer intro period (12 months), Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Wells Fargo scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Founded is lower at Wells Fargo: 1852 vs 1985.
- Annual fee is lower at Wells Fargo: $0 vs $99.
- APR is lower at Wells Fargo: 18.74% to 28.74% vs 19.49% to 29.49%.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Emirates: 0% vs 3%.
- Support channels: only Emirates offers Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Emirates
Emirates Skywards fits people who spend with the airline and travel often, and rewards their miles rather than their balance. Interest is costly at 19.49% to 29.49%, so the card only earns its place for customers who clear it in full each month.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo suits US customers who want one bank for a rewards card, easy-access checking and a fixed-rate personal loan. Deposits sit under FDIC protection, and the card pairs an annual fee of $0 with 2% cash rewards at an APR of 18.74% to 28.74%.
Score breakdown
| Area | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Costs $99 a year, far above a €0 median across the cards ranked here. | 8.8Higher |
| Offer | 9.3HigherPays miles with no foreign transaction fee at 0%, plus tier status and lounge access. | 9.1Annual fee of $0 plus 2% cash rewards on spending, against a card APR of 18.74% to 28.74% that is high for the market. |
| Trust | 9.2 | 9.9Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick Emirates if currency conversion fee matter most.
Pick Wells Fargo if trust, annual fee, and apr matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 395 of 1594 | 272 of 1594 |
| Balance transfer cards | 13 of 32 | 8 of 32 |
Spending 1,000 abroad
Emirates
0
0% of 1,000
Wells Fargo
30
3% of 1,000
Emirates comes out 30 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No annual fee |
| Features | Rewards | Rewards |
| Legal entity | Emirates | Wells Fargo National Bank West |
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates | United States |
| Founded | 1985 | 1852Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Loans
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Not confirmed | $3,000 to $100,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 12 to 84 months |
| Arrangement fee | Not confirmed | 0 USD |
| Credit check | Not confirmed | Hard |
| Funding time | Not confirmed | Same day as approval for most customers |
| Representative example | Not confirmed | Unsecured personal loan: $17,000 over 48 months at 13.99% APR, monthly payment $464 |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Fixed |
| Lender type | Not confirmed | Direct lender |
| Free early repayment | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Eligibility | Not confirmed | Existing customers only: must have been a Wells Fargo customer for at least 12 months |
| Origination fee (%) | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Loan types | Not confirmed | Personal, Debt consolidation |
| Use cases | Not confirmed | Home improvement |
Savings
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | more ways to access your money |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Debit cards
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
Mortgages
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed period | Not confirmed | 30 years |
| Maximum loan to value | Not confirmed | 100% |
| Purpose | Not confirmed | Purchase, Remortgage, First time buyer, Home equity |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Emirates | Wells Fargo | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| APR | 19.49% to 29.49%above the median | 18.74% to 28.74%above the median | 11.635 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 12 monthsat the median | 12 monthsat the median | 12 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 5%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 3% |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2%above the median | 1.5% |
Median across 486 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Emirates
Pros
- Balance transfers cost 5% and carry an introductory period of 12.
- Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account stays open.
- Support runs on email, chat and phone, so phone, chat, email and a help centre are all covered.
Cons
- The annual fee of $99 sits far above bunq at €0.
- An APR of 19.49% to 29.49% is higher than the 14.45% median across ranked cards.
- Rewards are miles, so the value depends on how often you fly with Emirates.
Wells Fargo
Pros
- Personal loans carry an arrangement fee of 0 USD and free early repayment, with funding Same day as approval for most customers.
- Deposits are covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000, and the bank is listed as FDIC cert 27389.
- A 12 month introductory period applies to balance transfers on the card.
Cons
- The card APR of 18.74% to 28.74% is steep for a card with no annual charge, so a balance carried month to month costs a lot.
- Personal loans are for existing customers who have been with the bank for a waiting period, which rules out new applicants.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only.
Who each suits
Emirates
Who it suits
- Emirates flyers who put most of their spending with the airline and want miles that do not expire
- Travellers who pay abroad often, since the currency conversion fee is 0%
- Anyone redeeming miles for tickets rather than cash back, given the rewards type is miles
Who should look elsewhere
- bunq, where a fee of €0 suits readers who want no annual cost and no airline loyalty tie
- Wise, at £0, for a spending card held across currencies rather than a miles card
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, at $0, for building credit history rather than collecting miles
Wells Fargo
Who it suits
- US customers already banking with Wells Fargo who want a rewards card and loans from the same lender.
- Households holding savings, since deposits carry FDIC up to USD 250,000.
- People planning a home purchase or remortgage, as the listed mortgage purposes are purchase, remortgage and first time buyer.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for applicants with no credit history, since personal loans run a hard credit check, while Varo Believe Secured Credit Card is aimed at rebuilding credit.
- Not for euro or sterling spenders: bunq and Wise both charge an annual fee of €0 and £0, while Wells Fargo is a US bank.
Current offers
Emirates
Current offer
Bonus
Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for the first year with the Rewards World Elite Mastercard: Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months from card account open date
Primary cardholders only; to retain Silver tier from the second year onwards spend USD 20,000 in Net Purchases annually; status can take up to 8 weeks to reflect
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Emirates Skywards Gold tier status for the first year with the Premium World Elite Mastercard: Emirates Skywards Gold tier status for 12 months from card account open date
Primary cardholders only; to retain Gold tier from the second year onwards spend USD 40,000 in Net Purchases annually; status can take up to 8 weeks to reflect
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Wells Fargo
Current offer
Bonus
Active Cash Card $100 cash rewards bonus: $100
spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Emirates | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Emirates
What does the Emirates credit card cost to hold?+
The card charges an annual fee of $99. Beyond that, the only other cost listed is a currency conversion fee of 0% on foreign purchases, so cardholders spending in another currency are not surcharged on top of the fee.
What interest rate applies to a balance?+
Balances carry an APR of 19.49% to 29.49%, above the 14.45% median across the cards ranked here. That rate is the reason the card suits people who pay in full, since interest at this level quickly outruns the miles earned.
Wells Fargo
What does the Wells Fargo credit card cost to keep?+
The Active Cash card has an annual fee of $0 and pays 2% cash rewards on spending. Borrowing on it costs an APR of 18.74% to 28.74%, which is high for a card with no annual charge. Rewards are cashback, so you get money back rather than points or miles.
Is there an interest-free period for balance transfers?+
The Active Cash card terms set an introductory balance transfer period of 12. That window is for balances you move onto the card, so plan the transfer before it ends. Afterwards the standard rate on the balance takes over.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Emirates
Wells Fargo