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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card review: A high-earning card designed for frequent travelers

Updated 8 min read

Wells Fargo has designed its new Autograph Journey Card with travelers in mind. The card's earning power, benefits, and redemption options offer the most value for people who travel regularly.

Cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus and receive up to 5x points on travel and everyday spending. When you’re ready to redeem your rewards, trade in your points for travel or cash back — or transfer points directly to hotel and airline partners.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa's earning power and transfer partners open up a tremendous opportunity to get maximum value on every dollar you spend on the card.

The card will be available in select branches beginning on March 9, 2024, before rolling out nationwide on March 20.

  • Annual fee: $95

  • Welcome offer: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

  • Rewards:

    • 5x on hotels

    • 4x on airlines

    • 3x on dining and other travel

    • 1x on everything else

  • More details: $50 annual statement credit for airline purchases, travel protections such as trip cancellation reimbursement, cell phone protection, Visa Luxury Hotel Collection benefits, and no foreign transaction fees.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card carries a variable purchase APR of 21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on creditworthiness. Cardholders have a grace period of at least 25 days to avoid interest charges as long as they pay their balance in full each month.

Wells Fargo doesn’t charge a penalty APR if you miss a payment or have your payment returned.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card has an annual fee of $95, which cardholders can easily justify by taking advantage of its earning power and annual airline credit.

Using the card's 3x bonus categories, you can offset its annual fee by spending about $260 each month. When you factor in the annual $50 airline credit, you'd need to spend even less to come out ahead.

To earn the Autograph Journey card’s welcome bonus of 60,000 points, you must spend at least $4,000 in the first three months after opening your account. This breaks down to about $1,330 a month. If you can’t meet the card's minimum spending requirements with your normal expenses, consider timing your application with major costs like a home remodel or car repairs.

The points are worth $600 in cash back, travel, gift cards, and more. And with the introduction of Wells Fargo transfer partners, you may be able to get even more value when redeeming rewards through airline and hotel loyalty programs.

This card doesn’t include an intro APR offer on purchases or balance transfers.

With the Autograph Journey, cardholders receive unlimited rewards at a rate of:

  • 5x points on hotels

  • 4x points on airlines

  • 3x points on dining and other travel purchases

  • 1x points on everything else

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card offers three primary ways for cardholders to earn rewards through their spending. These options include the welcome bonus, bonus categories, and everyday purchases.

However, some expenses may not be eligible to earn bonus points — or any points at all. In the dining category, for example, spending at bakeries, grocery stores, or third-party delivery services may not qualify for the 3x bonus points. In addition, money spent on gift cards or gambling is ineligible to earn points.

You may also combine points from other Wells Fargo cards to maximize your rewards. For example, you could use the Wells Fargo Autograph Card to take advantage of its bonus categories or the Wells Fargo Active Cash for its unlimited 2% cash rewards.

Customers have several redemption options with rewards earned from the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card. In March 2024, Wells Fargo announced the addition of transfer partners, giving cardholders another way to redeem points and get more value from their rewards.

  • Transfer partners: One of the best ways to get maximum value from your rewards is to transfer them to airline and hotel partners. Until now, Wells Fargo didn’t offer this perk — but beginning on April 4, 2024, the bank’s initial transfer partners go live.
    Cardholders will have the option to transfer points to Choice Privileges, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerCub, and Iberia Plus. All partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio unless stated otherwise.

  • Booking travel: Customers can book travel with their points through the Wells Fargo travel portal. Redemption options include flights, hotels, and rental cars.

  • Cash back: Cash-back redemptions are often the smart choice for cardholders when they're not traveling. The Autograph Journey provides several different ways to redeem points for cash, including credits to your Wells Fargo bank account, mortgage, or credit card statements.

  • Gift cards: Redeem points for gift cards from many popular retailers or restaurants. Gift cards are available in increments of $25.

  • Online shopping: Your points can also help you cover purchases online. You can pay with points when checking out online at participating merchants. Additionally, buy merchandise and gifts from hundreds of retailers using your points through Wells Fargo’s online shopping portal.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey was created with travelers in mind, and like other travel credit cards, it offers numerous benefits to save money and protect your trips.

Each year, you'll receive a statement credit of $50 when using your card to pay for airline tickets, fees, or other eligible transactions of $50 or more. This credit applies when making purchases directly with the airlines.

When booking through the Luxury Hotel Collection, you'll receive benefits normally reserved for travelers with hotel elite status. Perks may include automatic room upgrades, complimentary breakfast for two, a $25 food or beverage credit, or late checkout.

If you use your Autograph Journey card to book a rental car and decline the rental company's insurance plans, you'll receive secondary protection against theft or damage to the vehicle. This coverage does not cover medical claims or damage to other vehicles or property.

Your carry-on and checked baggage is covered up to $3,000 per trip if it’s lost or stolen. It covers you, your spouse or domestic partner, and your children traveling with you.

When your trip is canceled for a covered reason, you'll be reimbursed up to $15,000 per traveler for nonrefundable trip expenses. This benefit covers a maximum of $20,000 in claims in a 12-month period.

Your cell phone is covered against damage, theft, and accidents when using your Wells Fargo Autograph Journey to pay the monthly bill. Each claim is covered up to $1,000 with a $25 deductible, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.

Autograph Journey cardholders can access exclusive concerts showcasing major artists in small venues.

Avoid hidden fees while traveling with the Autograph Journey credit card. While some banks charge up to 3%, this card waives fees on purchases made outside the U.S.

The Autograph Journey Visa was designed from the ground up with travelers in mind. Those who travel regularly will benefit from the card’s earning power, redemption options, and travel perks. You’ll maximize travel purchases by earning an unlimited 5x on hotels, 4x on flights, and 3x on all other travel purchases. Plus, the card receives 3x on dining worldwide and 1x on everything else.

The card’s $50 annual statement credit on airline purchases can cover costs on flights, airline fees, and other airline purchases. It also includes cell phone protection and a limited number of complimentary travel protections to protect you during your trips.

Learn more: How do travel credit cards work?

  • Earn up to 5x points per dollar on your spending

  • $50 annual statement credit on purchases made directly with airlines

  • Complimentary travel protections and cell phone insurance

  • Luxury Hotel Collection benefits include perks similar to elite hotel status

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Flexible redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners

  • Limited transfer partners available at launch (though more are expected to be added at a later date)

  • No intro APR offer on purchases or balance transfers

  • The annual fee of $95 may be hard to justify for some cardholders

  • Travel protections do not include baggage delay, and rental car insurance is secondary

As a Visa Signature Card, the Autograph Journey can be used anywhere Visa cards are accepted. Visa is available in more than 200 countries and 130 million merchant locations.

This card also has no foreign transaction fees so you won't be hit with hidden fees on your international purchases.

  • Online at WellsFargo.com

  • Via Wells Fargo mobile apps (Apple, Google)

  • In-person at Wells Fargo branches and ATMs across 36 states and Washington, D.C.

  • Over the phone by calling the number on the back of your card

  • Mail payments to:
    Wells Fargo Card Services
    P.O. Box 51193
    Los Angeles, CA 90051-5493

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey will be available in select branches starting March 9, 2024, before rolling out nationwide on March 20. However, if you want to compare other travel card options, take a look at these alternatives.

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (that's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?)
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
    • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x points on all other travel purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel
    • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
    • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular travel rewards cards because of its powerful Ultimate Rewards points. This card earns 3x on dining, online grocery orders, and select streaming services, 2x on travel, and 1x on everything else. You can also earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

Points have many redemption options but generally have the most value when booking travel through Chase (25% more value) or transferring points to 14 airline and hotel partners. The card also includes generous travel and purchase protections, including primary rental car insurance.

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Enjoy a $250 Capital One Travel credit, plus earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Purchase APR
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Good, Excellent
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
    • Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
    • Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

Why we like it: You don’t need to memorize complicated bonus categories with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — every purchase earns an unlimited 2x miles, but you can earn 5x miles when booking hotels or rental cars through Capital One Travel. 

The card also includes reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, plus access to the Lifestyle Collection hotel perks and Hertz Five Star status. Miles are redeemable for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more. Plus, Capital One has more than 15 airline and hotel transfer partners to book award travel.

  • Annual fee
    $695
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards? points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    See Pay Over Time APR
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
    • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (requires a minimum two-night stay)
    • Get up to $199 back per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your card (CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues)
    • Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually (you must have the latest version of the Uber App downloaded and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account; Amex benefit may only be used in United States)

Why we like it: Travelers willing to pay a higher annual fee for premium travel benefits should consider the Platinum Card from American Express. This card includes over $1,500 in value annually, including $200 Uber cash, $200 hotel credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, and $200 airline fee credit. It also features complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold elite status, and premium travel protections. The points you earn have many redemption options, but the most value tends to come from Amex's 21 airline and hotel transfer partners.

Can’t decide on a credit card? Check out Yahoo’s best credit card picks

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.