Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card review: Full details
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card overview
The new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees) comes with valuable earnings rates and a handful of transfer partners — a first for the issuer — along with several perks that make the card worth a look if you believe in the potential of the Wells Fargo travel program. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The newly launched Wells Fargo Autograph Journey figures to be a mid-tier version of the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card (see rates and fees), coming with additional perks like a $50 annual statement credit for airline purchases (with $50 minimum airline purchase) and more valuable earnings rates on travel and dining purchases.
The card works well for those who want a more straightforward travel redemption process while still seeking to enjoy the upside of a handful of select travel partners.
It has a $95 annual fee.
Here’s a closer look at the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey pros and cons
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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey welcome offer
The Autograph Journey comes with an initial welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Points can be redeemed with Wells Fargo Rewards at a value of 1 cent each, making this bonus worth at least $600 before factoring in its transfer partners.
Wells Fargo credit card applications come with the following terms:
You may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card if you have opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the last 6 months. We may also limit the total number of open Wells Fargo credit card accounts you have.
Thus, Wells Fargo will consider whether you opened other cards in the past six months and how many credit cards you have with this bank before deciding whether to approve your application or issue the welcome bonus.
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Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey benefits
First, the Autograph Journey is a Visa Signature card, which means you’ll enjoy a few built-in benefits right off the bat.
The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection provides elitelike benefits on hotel bookings made through its program. Some of the benefits you can enjoy include, room upgrades on arrival (when available), a $25 food and beverage credit at the property, VIP guest status and complimentary breakfast for two each day.
Additionally, there’s the Visa Signature Concierge Service, which can help you with travel bookings, restaurant recommendations and reservations or booking tickets to an event.
Cardholders will also get a $50 annual statement credit to put toward airline purchases after making a minimum of $50 in purchases with airlines.
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The Autograph Journey offers some standard purchase protections as well, such as a secondary auto rental collision damage waiver on rentals when you pay for the entire transaction with your card, up to $1,000 of cellphone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible per claim), 24-hour roadside dispatch, travel and emergency services assistance, and free access to your FICO credit score.
Wells Fargo cardholders also have access to My Wells Fargo Deals for cash-back offers from various merchants. You can get an emergency cash advance or emergency card replacement (within 24 hours or up to three days, depending on where you are), too, if necessary.
Related: Everything you need to know about Visa Signature card benefits
Earning rewards with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
With the Autograph Journey, you’ll earn:
- 5 points per dollar spent at hotels
- 4 points per dollar spent on airlines
- 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurant purchases
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Those are solid earnings rates that can become even more valuable as Wells Fargo Rewards becomes more flexible. If the issuer continues to add transfer partners, look to maximize those earnings rates to save on your next trip.
Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category
Redeeming rewards with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
There are a handful of ways to use your points at wellsfargo.com/rewards. You can redeem them at a value of 1 cent apiece as a statement credit, for gift cards (in $25 increments) or to book travel, such as flights, rental cars or hotel stays.
You also can redeem points as a credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo credit card, checking account or mortgage. Plus, you can pay with points at participating merchants, including PayPal.
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It’s also worth noting that you can get a value of 1.5 cents per point when redeeming points for airfare if you have a Wells Fargo Visa Signature® Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants).
The information for the Wells Fargo Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Transferring rewards with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
When the Wells Fargo transfer program launches April 4, you’ll be able to transfer your points to five airline programs — Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub and Iberia Plus (the latter three all earning Avios) — plus one hotel program, Choice Privileges.
Wells Fargo’s first-ever transfer partners will increase the value of Wells Fargo Rewards points, yet exactly how much more valuable they will be remains to be seen. I hope the list of transfer partners continues to grow and can see an application in my future if so.
Which cards compete with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
Here are a few cards that match up well with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey:
- If you want a Wells Fargo cash rewards card: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns cash rewards in the form of Wells Fargo Rewards points, meaning you have access to the same points as the Autograph Journey card but without needing to pay attention to bonus categories. Instead, you’ll earn an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and still enjoy up to $600 of cellphone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) and credit score access. It has no annual fee (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Active Cash.
- If you want fixed-value points with more benefits: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns a minimum of 2 miles per dollar spent on each purchase, and you can redeem Capital One miles for travel, against travel purchases or by transferring to 15-plus travel partners. The card has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), and you can get reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. For more information, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.
- If you want a similar earning structure with more valuable points: The Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar spent in the following categories: air travel, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout). Along with cashing out your points, you can use ThankYou Rewards points with 18 airline and hotel partners, and you’ll still enjoy cellphone protection with this card. For more information, read our full review of the Citi Premier.
For additional options, check out our list of the best credit cards with an annual fee under $100.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Should I get the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
This card is a solid choice for those wanting a low annual fee but also some quality earning potential and travel and shopping protections. There’s also lots of potential in the growing Wells Fargo travel program thanks to its handful of new transfer partners, making it a potentially smart investment if you rack up rewards now. That said, serious points and miles enthusiasts might be better off with a more established travel rewards credit card.
Bottom line
The Autograph Journey card is a new, promising offering from Wells Fargo, one that figures to become more valuable if its list of transfer partners continues to grow. Those looking for a simple card with a reasonable annual fee might be able to take advantage. However, points and miles veterans who love extracting maximum value from their cards may not get much out of the Autograph Journey — yet.
For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, click here.
For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph, click here.
For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Active Cash, click here.
