Introduction to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Wells Fargo's best travel rewards credit card is designed with travelers in mind. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (rates and fees) is a direct competitor to popular entry-level credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Amongst several key features and benefits, Wells Fargo Autograph's transfer partners allow cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.
$95
N/A
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Good or Excellent
- Trip cancellation and lost baggage protection
- Airline and hotel transfer partners available
- Welcome bonus
- Generous cellphone protection
- Low annual fee
- Transfer partner network not as diverse or robust as competitors
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best travel rewards credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards and Wells Fargo's also has a Points Transfer program that allows cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.
Autograph Journey℠ Card- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Overview
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus and receive a $50 statement credit toward flights every year with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Even casual travelers can quickly rack up rewards if they charge all hotels, airfare, and restaurant expenses to this credit card.
Wells Fargo simultaneously announced travel transfer partners alongside the Autograph Journey℠ Card's launch, so points earned on this card can be worth significantly more than 1 cent apiece if you can maximize their value.
Wells Fargo Autograph Rewards Program
Welcome Offer
This card comes with a generous welcome offer, also known as a sign-up bonus, of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Earning Points With the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card earns unlimited rewards at the following rates:
- 5 points per dollar on hotels
- 4 points per dollar on airlines
- 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants
- 1 points per dollar on other purchases
Cardholders also receive a $50 statement credit toward airfare every year with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
How to Redeem Rewards With the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Points earned on the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece in cash back. They can also be worth more if transferred to Wells Fargo's airline and hotel partners.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Benefits and Features
This card comes with several ongoing benefits. Beyond the introductory offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, cardholders also have access to travel and dining perks and no foreign transaction fees. Here are some of the additional perks and services you can expect.
Enhanced Cellphone Protection
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card offers one of the most generous cellphone protection insurance plans across all credit cards. Eligible claims receive up to $1,000 in coverage, minus a $25 deductible. You can file your claim online or call 1-800-316-8051.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason such as serious medical necessity or jury duty, you can file a claim to be reimbursed for lost travel costs, up to $15,000 per covered traveler per trip. There's a $20,000 cap on coverage every 12 months on a rolling basis.
Lost Baggage Reimbursement
You can file a secondary claim for reimbursement if your baggage is lost or delayed while traveling. Coverage is limited to a total of $3,000 on eligible items for you and any travelers whose travel expenses were charged to this card. If you're a resident of New York, you'll be eligible for the lesser of the following: up to $2,000 per lost bag, or $3,000 total for every covered traveler in your party.
Primary Car Rental Insurance (Outside the U.S.)
The Autograph Journey℠ Card comes with secondary rental car insurance within the U.S., which supplements your existing car insurance to cover damage or theft while the rental is in your hands. If you rent a car outside the U.S. and charge the expense to this credit card, you'll receive primary rental coverage even if you hold another eligible insurance policy.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Fees and APR
Annual Fee
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has a $95 annual fee, on par with many popular rewards cards.
APR Rate
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card does not offer an introductory zero-interest period. Instead, cardholders can expect an APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable.
Other Associated Fees
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making this a great card to keep in your wallet
As with most other credit cards, you will incur interest, late fees or cash advance fees if you fail to pay your balance on time or choose to withdraw money using this credit card.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Transfer Partners
Wells Fargo's Autograph Rewards transfer program launched in April 2024, with the following airline and hotel partners:
Hotels
- Choice Privileges®
Airlines
- AerClub
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- avianca lifemiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
Points Transfer is available for all Wells Fargo credit cards that earn Wells Fargo points, including the current Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card.
Comparison With Similar Cards
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has some stiff competition. Below, we compare some perennial travel favorites, as well as the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card that's already available.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is Business Insider's top choice credit card for travelers because it perfectly balances generous benefits with a low annual fee of $95, which mirrors that of the Autograph Journey℠ Card. You'll also earn a similar welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
In our estimation, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card still beats out the Autograph Journey℠ Card because of its superior points transfer program. The Chase Ultimate Rewards system is legendary in the award travel space for its highly versatile redemption opportunities and many desirable travel partners.
And while the Autograph Journey℠ Card offers solid trip protection benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers some of the best travel insurance on the market — across any credit card, not just for travel cards in its annual-fee price tier.
That being said, the Autograph Journey℠ Card beats the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, hands down, for travel-related earning rates, with up to 5x on hotels vs. the Sapphire Preferred's flat rate of 2x on travel purchased outside of the Chase Travel℠ Portal.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great credit card for people who value cash back and easy redemption opportunities. This easy travel card has the same annual fee of $95 and a comparable welcome bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The Venture Rewards card pulls a little ahead of the Autograph Journey℠ Card for benefits; you can enjoy a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit with the Capital One travel card that isn't available from the Wells Fargo card. But once again, the Autograph Journey℠ Card's bonus rates on travel far outstrip that of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which only earns 2x on travel purchases unless purchased through Capital One Travel.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the demoted "little brother" of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card. But this no-annual-fee version can still hold its own in your wallet, with a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening for cardholders (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR) and a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.
If you already have an Autograph card, you don't necessarily need to close or upgrade it: You are allowed to apply for a Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card even if you already have the original Autograph.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns 3x on restaurant purchases, which mirrors the earning rate of the Autograph Journey℠ Card. The card also earns 3x on all travel expenses, which is slightly lower than the Autograph Journey℠ Card's 5x on hotels and 4x on airlines, but the same rate for all other travel-related purchases.
Best of all, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card will also be eligible for the Points Transfer program later this spring, which allows you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Wells Fargo has several travel rewards transfer partners through its Point Transfer program: Choice Privileges®, AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, avianca lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Iberia Plus.
Yes, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has an annual fee of $95.
Beyond generous earning rates, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and offers a great welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Additional perks include cellphone protection and access to Visa Signature Concierge service.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card directly competes with mid-tier travel rewards credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The Autograph Journey earns slightly higher returns on hotels at 5x per dollar spent.
While the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a great card, but the issuer's travel partner transfer program redemption opportunities can be relatively limited.
The best way to maximize the benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is by using the card to pay for travel, gas, dining, and cellphone expenses to maximize the bonus categories. Cardholders should also take advantage of the welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening and cellphone insurance.
The current welcome bonus on the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
When evaluating the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card card, we considered the following criteria:
Value relative to perks and benefits — Is the cost of holding the credit card equal or lower than the benefits you'll earn from keeping it in your wallet? The Autograph Journey℠ Card's $50 annual statement credit toward airfare with a $50 minimum airline purchase and the generous earning rate on travel and restaurant make this card a win for us.
Transfer partners — Does this credit card issuer partner with airlines and hotels that most consumers can use? Wells Fargo's inaugural transfer partners leave something to be desired for many U.S. travelers, but the promise of additional airlines and hotels is enough to keep us curious about what's next.
