Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is our top recommendation from the bank due to it being one of only two personal Wells Fargo cards offering transfer options. We recommend this card mainly if you need a break from Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One, or Bilt. The strong sign-up bonus can justify the annual fee in the first year, but limited ongoing benefits make it difficult to recommend keeping long term, so consider downgrading or canceling after year one.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The card offers an attractive welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days. It is one of two Wells Fargo cards that transfers to partners, which offers the best value when redeeming points. While there is a $95 annual fee, the card includes a $50 airline credit for airfare purchases, effectively reducing the cost to $45. The card also provides valuable travel protections and notable spending multipliers:
- Travel accident insurance up to $1 million
- Lost baggage insurance up to $3,000
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance up to $15,000
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Cell phone protection up to $1,000
- 5x points on hotels
- 4x points on airlines
- 3x points on restaurants and other travel expenses
Though Wells Fargo's transfer partner selection isn't as extensive as other major programs, it still offers seven airline and hotel partners. Transferring points to these partners is typically the best way to exceed the standard 1 cent per point redemption value.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Consider alternatives if:
- You've seen higher welcome offers from other banks and want to maximize point accumulation
- You prioritize extensive transfer partner options like those available through Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards
What to Know About Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards
Wells Fargo Rewards should only be considered when you've exhausted Chase, Amex, or Capital One
- One unique feature of Wells Fargo Rewards is that they can be transferred or gifted to another Wells Fargo customer
- The Autograph cards are the only cards with transferable miles to partners
- Wells Fargo doesn’t have the same robust list of transfer partners as other Rewards programs like Chase or Amex
- But there is still value to be had, with a 1:2 transfer ratio to Wyndham and redeeming miles for one of their monthly Promo Rewards
How The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Credit Card Fits In The Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards Ecosystem
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey stands at the top of the Wells Fargo card hierarchy as the only option with an annual fee, offering premium benefits and the highest sign-up bonus. The other card that transfers to partners is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card, which offers a more modest 20,000 point sign-up bonus after $4,000 in spending during the first three months.
We recommend starting with the Autograph Journey to earn the larger sign-up bonus, then downgrade to the no-annual-fee Autograph card before your second year to maintain transfer partner access without the annual fee.
Other Wells Fargo cards offer significantly less value:
- The Wells Fargo Attune card provides a $100 cash sign-up bonus with 4% back in specific lifestyle categories
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers 20,000 points as cash back for its welcome bonus with flat-rate 2% cash rewards on all purchases
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Card Extras
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Historical Card Offers
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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Application Rules
You may not be eligible to open a Wells Fargo card if you have opened one in the past six months
You will not be eligible for a signup bonus on the same card if you’ve received one for THAT card in the previous 48 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
