Wells Fargo Autograph vs. Autograph Journey – No Annual Fee or Better Rewards?
The Wells Fargo Autograph and Autograph Journey cards both offer enticing features tailored to different needs. This article delves into the key differences and advantages of each card, helping you decide which aligns better with your financial goals.
Wells Fargo Autograph®
Wells Fargo Autograph®
Card summary
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Card summary
Expert Verdict
If you travel frequently and consistently allocate a substantial portion of your budget to hotels, airlines and restaurants, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is better than the Wells Fargo Autograph. It comes with a $95 annual fee, but the spending rewards can easily overshadow the charge. The potential for a sign-up bonus worth $600 accentuates the appeal.
CFA and CPA with over 20 years of experience
Comparing the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ and Wells Fargo Autograph℠
Earning Rewards
When it comes to earning rewards, the winning card depends on what type of rewards you’re looking for. The Wells Fargo Autograph card offers unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans, while the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card provides up to 5X points on hotels, airlines, restaurants and other travel.
If you’re looking to earn rewards on travel, the Autograph Journey card aligns better with those needs. That said, you may find other travel cards with better rewards and other perks, which is why the Autograph’s broader options win this category.
Rewards redemption
Both cards are offered by Wells Fargo; so, both have the same rewards redemption options, including those outlined below.
1. A statement credit
2. Cash back
3. For travel
4. Online purchases
5. Gift cards
6. Travel partner transfers
Sign-up bonus
Currently, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is offering 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months, which is equivalent to $600. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Autograph card is offering 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, which is equivalent to $200 cash.
The Autograph Journey has a higher spending requirement, but if you’re able to meet that without overspending, this bonus is more lucrative.
Introductory APR offer
Currently, the Autograph card has 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases. The Autograph Journey card doesn’t currently have a 0% intro APR offer, which is why the Autograph is the winner.
Balance transfer features
Neither the Autograph nor Autograph Journey cards have an intro APR offer on balance transfers; however, both offer an introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer for 120 days after account opening. After that, the fee is up to 5% of the transfer (with a minimum of $5).
Fees
Annual fees | The Autograph card does not have an annual fee. The Autograph Journey card has a $95 annual fee, but it does come with more travel perks and benefits compared to the Autograph card, which when taken advantage of, can make the annual fee worth it |
Foreign transaction fees | Neither card has foreign transaction fees. |
Additional perks
Both the Autograph and Autograph Journey have many of the same perks, including those outlined below.
- Cell phone protection
- Visa Signature Concierge service
- Visa Signature Luxury hotel collection
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel and emergency services assistance
- Roadside dispatch
- Autograph card exclusives
That said, the Autograph Journey has a few additional travel-related benefits the Autograph does not have, such as the following:
- Lost baggage reimbursement
- Worldwide automatic common carrier travel accident insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase
When should you choose the Wells Fargo Autograph℠?
The Wells Fargo Autograph credit card offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for many consumers. Below are some reasons why you might consider getting this card.
1. Generous rewards program: The Wells Fargo Autograph card offers a lucrative rewards structure, allowing you to earn points on a variety of everyday purchases. A breakdown is as follows:
- 3x points on dining, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans
- 1x points on other purchases
2. Sign-up bonus: New cardholders often receive a substantial sign-up bonus (20,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months), which can significantly boost your points balance right off the bat.
3. No annual fee: One of the standout features of the Wells Fargo Autograph card is that it comes with no annual fee. This makes it a cost-effective option for those who want to earn rewards without the burden of yearly charges.
4. Introductory APR offer: The card includes a 0% introductory APR period for purchases, which can help you manage your finances more effectively and save money.
5. Travel benefits: For frequent travelers, the Wells Fargo Autograph card offers the following perks:
- No foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when making purchases abroad
- Travel protection benefits, including auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance
6. Cell phone protection: When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the Wells Fargo Autograph card, you can enjoy coverage against damage or theft, which can save you money on repairs or replacements.
7. Flexible redemption options: Points earned with the Wells Fargo Autograph card can be redeemed in various ways, including travel, transfer partners, cash back, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. This flexibility allows you to choose the rewards that best suit your needs.
Pros and cons of Wells Fargo Autograph℠
Pros | Cons |
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When should you choose Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
As outlined below, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card has a variety of benefits tailored to frequent travelers, making this a good credit card for their wallets.
1. Rewards program focus on travel: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card offers a lucrative rewards structure focused on travel purchases, which is ideal for those who travel frequently.
- 5x points on hotels
- 4x points on airlines
- 3x points on restaurants and other travel
- 1x points on other purchases
2. Sign-up bonus: New cardholders often receive a substantial sign-up bonus (60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months), which can provide a substantial boost to your initial rewards.
3. Travel benefits and perks: For frequent travelers, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card offers the following perks:
- No foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when making purchases abroad
- Travel protection benefits, including auto rental collision damage waiver, worldwide automatic common carrier travel accident insurance, lost baggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and more
4. Cell phone protection: When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, you can enjoy coverage against damage or theft, which can save you money on repairs or replacements.
5. Flexible redemption options: Points earned with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card can be redeemed in various ways, including travel, transfer partners, cash back, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Pros | Cons |
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When to get both Autograph and Autograph Journey
The Wells Fargo Autograph and Autograph Journey credit cards can be beneficial under certain circumstances. Below are some scenarios where getting both cards might make sense.
Maximizing rewards on specific spending categories
Between these two cards, you can earn 3x-5x rewards on travel, dining, gas, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. If you travel frequently, having the Journey card can allow you to maximize rewards on that spending.
Leveraging introductory offers
The Journey card doesn’t currently have a 0% intro APR offer; so, if you’re going to make a large purchase and are looking for a 0% intro APR, choosing both the Autograph and Autograph Journey card is an optimal strategy.
Diversifying benefits and features
The Autograph and Autograph Journey card have many of the same benefits and features, but the Journey card has quite a few more travel-related benefits and protections. Having both of these cards allows you to take advantage of all of these perks.
When to get neither the Autograph nor the Autograph Journey card
On the other hand, there are some instances when neither the Autograph nor Autograph Journey cards may work for you.
Rewards categories don’t align with your spending
If you don’t spend much on travel, dining, gas, transit, or streaming, you may be better off finding a card that aligns with your spending.
The desire for luxury travel benefits
While the Autograph offers a few travel-related benefits and the Autograph Journey offers more, you may find other travel credit cards that have more luxury benefits such as TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, airport lounge access, and a greater variety of transfer partners.
Need for intro APR on balance transfers
Neither of these cards currently has a 0% intro APR offer for balance transfers; so, if you’re looking to consolidate debt from other credit cards, these cards may not be for you.
Bottom line
In conclusion, the comparison between the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card unveils distinct features catering to diverse financial preferences. The Autograph℠ Card appeals to avid travelers with its exclusive travel benefits, offering a premium experience for those on the go. Conversely, the Active Cash® Card stands out for its simplicity, featuring a straightforward cash back structure suitable for individuals who prioritize ease and flexibility in their spending. It’s important to align your card choices with your personal financial goals and lifestyle preferences. When deciding between these Wells Fargo offerings, consumers should carefully evaluate their lifestyle and financial priorities to select the card that aligns with their specific needs.
- Earning rewards
- Rewards redemption
- Sign-up bonus
- Introductory APR offer
- Balance transfer features
- Fees
- Additional perks
FAQs
It’s recommended to have a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) when applying for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card.
The Wells Fargo Autograph card requires good to excellent credit, typically a FICO score of 670 or higher. Approval depends on factors like a stable income, established credit history, low debt-to-income ratio, and a clean credit report. An existing relationship with Wells Fargo can also improve your chances.
Still not sure which card to pick?
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At a Glance
- Wells Fargo Autograph℠ vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠
- When you should choose the Wells Fargo Autograph
- Pros and cons of Wells Fargo Autograph℠
- When you should choose the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠
- Pros and cons of Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠
- When to get both cards
- When you should get neither of the cards
- Bottom line
- FAQs
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