Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is the next newcomer to the world of transferable points (after Capital One) and offers compelling point earnings along with an extensive list of travel benefits.
Two Versions of Wells Fargo Autograph
Wells Fargo Autograph (no annual fee)
Wells Fargo Autograph offers wonderful earnings on day-to-day and travel purchases:
Three rewards points (1 base point plus 2 bonus points) are earned per $1 spent on net purchases: Travel: airline, hotel/motel, timeshare, or vehicle/auto rental, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds. Transit: passenger railways, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, parking lots and garages. Gas: gas stations, automated fuel dispensers, and electric vehicle charging stations. Dining: eating places and restaurants, drinking places, fast food restaurants, and/or caterers. Telecommunication services: Landline and cell phone providers. Popular streaming services: cable and other pay-for-view television, digital goods, books, movies, music, and continuity/subscription services.
Other purchases: 1 rewards point will be earned per $1 spent on other net purchases.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has $95 fee with an easy to get $50 airline credit (effective annual fee of $45) with the following earnings:
Hotels: Five rewards points (1 base point plus 4 bonus points) are earned per $1 spent on hotels (can be booked on any platform and doesn’t have to be from a travel portal).
Airlines: 4 points (1 base point plus 3 bonus points) for every $1 spent on airlines (can be booked on any platform and doesn’t have to be from a travel portal).
Restaurants: 3 points (1 base plus 2 bonus points) are earned per $1 spent on dining and catering.
Other Travel: 3 points (1 base plus 2 bonus points) are earned per $1 spent on timeshare, or vehicle/auto rental, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds (transit and gas stations/EV charging are excluded from the travel category).
Other purchases: 1 rewards point will be earned per $1 spent on other net purchases.
Why does Wells Fargo Autograph Journey have a different travel definition compared to the no annual fee sibling?
Many people assume that the broad definition of travel listed under the Wells Fargo Autograph card also applies to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card. The product comparison page tells a different story (link) and I am hoping that the company clarifies this issue at a later date or we will see some data points from the users. Until then, I don’t want to carry two different Wells Fargo Autograph cards, just to use one for gas and transit purchases while traveling.
Wells Fargo Airline & Hotel Transfer Partners (for now)
- Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Avios family (directly to British, Iberia and Aer Lingus and indirectly to Qatar and Finnish)
- Choice Privileges Hotels
- New partners may be added later in the year.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comparison with other premium cards (review)
| Benefit Category | Amex Platinum Card | Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Strata Premier | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flights purchased directly with the airlines | 5 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 4 points per $1 |
| Flights purchased via portal | 5 points per $1 | 5x points per $1 | 5 points per $1 | 5 points per $1 | 5x points per $1 | 4 points per $1 |
| Hotels booked via portal | 5 points per $1. | 10 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 | 5 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 | 5 points per $1 |
| Flights via 3rd party providers | 1 point per $1 except Expedia (5 points per 1$) | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 4 points per $1 |
| Hotels via 3rd party providers | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 5 points per $1 |
| Cruise & travel agency purchases | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 3 points per $1 |
| Rental cars via portal | 1 point per $1 | 10 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 | 5 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 |
| Rental cars non-portal | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 3 points per $1 |
| Rideshare, parking, railways, ferries, campgrounds and tolls | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1. Lyft purchases earn 10 points per $1 (through March 2025). | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 3 points per $1 for campgrounds only; 1 point for others |
| Streaming (TV, movies, music) purchases | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| All other purchases | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| Worldwide Dining | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1. Chase dining booked through the Chase travel portal earns 10 points per $1. | 3 points per $1. | 3 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 |
| Worldwide Groceries | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| Worldwide Gasoline or EV charging | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 3 points per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| Car Rental Coverage | Secondary; works as primary within US (if you don't own a car) & overseas when you have no other insurance | Primary in both US and overseas. | Primary in both US and overseas. | Primary in both US and overseas. | Secondary within the US (unless you don't own a car) and primary overseas. | Secondary within the US (unless you don't own a car) and primary overseas. |
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) Limit | $75,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 | Up to actual cash value | Up to actual cash value | $50,000 |
| Rental Car Coverage Duration | 31 days | 15 days within the US & 31 days overseas. | 30 days | 30 days | 31 days | 15 days within the US & 31 days overseas. |
| Car Rental Coverage Country Exceptions | Australia, Italy, and New Zealand | Israel, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Jamaica. | None | None | None | Israel, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Jamaica. |
| Decline CDW at the Rental Company counter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Redeem Points for car rental and retain coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, but at least one (1) full day of rental must be billed to your card. | Yes |
| Tire/rim damage (flats or blowout) | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. |
| Windshield damage | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Not covered unless part of an accident. | Coverage inclusions: Accidents, road debris and road hazards. | Not covered unless part of an accident. |
| Coverage for loss-of-use charges incurred by the rental car agency | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car accident related death or dismemberment. | $200,000 per card member & 20,000 per passenger; $300,000 maximum per incident | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rental Car Accident Injury Coverage | $5000 towards the cost of medical treatment | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rental Car Accident Personal Property Coverage | $1000 per claimant; $2000 maximum per incident | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Car Rental Elite Status | Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, National Car/Emerald Club Executive. | None | None | None | None | None |
| Premium Roadside Assistance | None | None | 4 service calls per year, maximum benefit $50 for each call (extra amount will be charged to the card). | None | None | None |
| Emergency Medical and Dental | None | None | $2,500 emergency medical/dental coverage ($50 deductible per day), $75 per day for prescribed hotels needed due to covered loss for up to 5 days. | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation/ Interruption | Up to $10,000 per trip, and a maximum limit of $20,000 per card per 12-month period. | Up to $2,000 per person for non-refundable common carrier tickets purchased with your card. | Up to $10,000 per trip per person, $20,000 per incident. Maximum benefit amount per 12-month period of $40,000. | Up to $10,000 per trip per person, $20,000 per incident. Maximum benefit amount per 12-month period of $40,000. | Up to $5,000 per trip, and a maximum limit of $10,000 per card per 12-month period. | Up to $15,000 per trip, and a maximum limit of $20,000 per card per 12-month period. |
| Round-trip vs. one-way travel coverage | Round trip economy flights only. Two one-way bookings are covered as long as you return to the city of departure. | Both round trip and one-way travel are covered. | Both round trip and one-way travel are covered. | Both round trip and one-way travel are covered. | Only round trip travel covered. | Both round trip and one-way travel are covered. |
| Award flight bookings + taxes charged on the credit card. | Covers the award booking taxes/fees. | Covers the award booking taxes/fees. | Covers the award booking taxes/fees. | Covers the award booking taxes/fees. | N/A | N/A |
| Airline Miles Redeposit Fee Refunds | No | No | Redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program are eligible for refund. | Redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program are eligible for refund. | No | No |
| Total Trip Length Restrictions | 365 days | 365 days | 60 days | 60 days | 365 days | 365 days |
| Trip Delay (>6 hours) Reimbursement | $500 per trip (Maximum 2 claims in 12 months) | $500 for each purchased ticket | $500 for each purchased ticket | $500 for each purchased ticket | $500 for each purchased ticket | None |
| Trip Delay Coverage Eligibility | Equipment failure, inclement weather, hijacking and lost/stolen passports. | Equipment failure, inclement weather, strikes and hijacking. | Any delay due to a Covered Hazard which was made public or made known to you prior to your departure. | Any delay due to a Covered Hazard which was made public or made known to you prior to your departure. | Equipment failure, inclement weather, strikes and hijacking. | N/A |
| Prepaid Tours/Activities Coverage | None | None | Any pre–paid expenses related to your Covered Trip, such as tour or activity fees associated with your Covered Trip. | Any pre–paid expenses related to your Covered Trip, such as tour or activity fees associated with your Covered Trip. | None | None |
| Baggage Delay (>6 hours) | None | None | Up to $100/day for up to 5 days for delays more than 6 hours | Up to $100/day for up to 5 days for delays more than 6 hours | None | None |
| Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage | Up to $3,000 for carry-on, $2,000 for checked luggage. | $3000 ($2,000 for New York residents). | Up to $3,000 per person per trip | Up to $3,000 per person per trip | $3000 ($2,000 for New York residents). | $3000 ($2,000 for New York residents). |
| Coverage for delays due to lost or stolen passports or travel documents | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Common Carrier accidental death and dismemberment reimbursement | None. Amex removed common carrier insurance in 2020 | Common carrier insurance: $1,000,000 per person | Common carrier insurance: Up to $1,000,000 per person. Use Chase card or Chase UR points to pay for the trip. | Common carrier insurance: Up to $500,000 per person. Use Chase card or Chase UR points to pay for the trip. | N/A | Common carrier insurance: $1,000,000 per person |
| Emergency Transportation/ Evacuation | Included without a stated limit and ticket purchase with the card is NOT necessary. | None | $100,000 | None | None | None |
| Repatriation of Remains Insurance | Yes (without a stated limit). A Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit. | None | $1,000 for a coffin and to return your body to your home country if you die on a vacation | None | None | None |
| Annual Fee | $695 | $395 | $550 | $95 | $95 | $95 |
| Statement Credits per year | $200 airline incidentals $200 prepaid luxury hotels $200 Uber $100 Saks ($50 x 2 every 6 months) $240 digital subscription $179 Clear program $155 Walmart+ membership | $300 Capital One portal travel credit | $300 for “any travel” related expenses | $50 Chase portal hotel discount | $100 Citi portal hotel discount | $50 airline credit (not limited to portal) |
| Cell phone protection | $800 per claim, up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. | $800 per claim, up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. | None | None | N/A | $1000 per claim ($25 deductible), up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. |
| Extended warranty protection | One additional year | One additional year | One additional year | One additional year | Two additional years | N/A |
| Purchase protection | $10,000 per claim, up to $50,000 per year | $500 per claim | $10,000 per claim, up to $50,000 per year | $10,000 per claim, up to $50,000 per year | $10,000 per claim, up to $50,000 per year | N/A |
| Authorized User fee | $175 for each user. No annual fee Gold cards can be added. | Free for four users. | $75 for each | Free | Free | Free |
| Global Entry for main card holder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Global entry for authorized card holders | Yes. The benefit is free with no annual fee Gold cards. | No | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Anniversary Bonus | None | 10,000 miles | None | None | N/A | N/A |
| Priority Pass lounge access for authorized users | Included (2 additional guests) | Included (unlimited guests) | Included (2 additional guests) | None | N/A | N/A |
| Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences (e.g., dining, spa) | None | None | None | None | N/A | N/A |
| Non-Priority Pass Lounge access | American Express Centurion, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges. | Capital One & Plaza Premium lounges (2 guest limit) | Unlimited access to Chase lounges. Chase lounges are accessible via Priority Pass once a calendar year. | None | N/A | N/A |
| Hotel elite status | Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. | None | None | None | None | None |
Using Wells Fargo Autograph Journey for non-portal and non-chain hotels
5x hotel earnings from Wells Fargo Autograph Journey beat all other premium cards on the market, but most travelers would prefer to use either travel portals (earn 10x points) or dedicated hotel chain cards (e.g., Hilton, Marriott or Hyatt) to book their accommodations. This leaves Wells Fargo Autograph Journey to book non-chain and non-portal hotel accommodations.
I typically spend around 5K per year on Booking.com hotel bookings and currently use Citi Premier to pay for them which earns 3x points. I travel to several remote scenic places (e.g., Norway, Chile, Argentina) and the hotels I find on Booking.com are rarely offered on travel portals (e.g., Capital One or Chase).
I can use Wells Fargo Autograph Journey to replace Citi Premier and pay for Booking.com or other non-portal and non-hotel chain reservations to earn additional points.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Pros
- Very low annual fee for all the benefits offered.
- $50 airline credit is very easy to use with any cash flight booking or award booking taxes.
- $15,000 trip cancellation insurance (next best after Chase Sapphire).
- $3000 lost baggage insurance.
- $1,000,000 common carrier insurance.
- $50,000 car rental insurance (primary overseas).
- Wonderful transferable point-earning structure (puts all premium cards to shame).
- Industry leading 5 points for hotel bookings from any platform.
- 4 points earned for flight bookings from any platform.
- 3 points earned on dining, rental cars, travel agencies, cruises and campground bookings.
- Wells Fargo offers a consistent value of 1 cent per point (offset purchases, buying gift cards or online shopping via PayPal).
- One of the best cell phone insurance with $25 deductible.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Pitfalls
- Not enough transfer partners (at this time); I would love to see JAL and Alaska as potential partners to differentiate from the competition.
- Car rental coverage is secondary in the US (primary overseas).
- Rental car country exclusions (Israel, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Jamaica) are similar to Capital One Venture X.
- The travel category definition excludes transit and gas stations/EV charging (compared to no annual fee card).
- Wells Fargo customer service is known to be terrible (I need more data points before trusting them with travel and rental car insurance claims).
- Wells Fargo credit cards are known for very low initial credit limits.