24 Benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card [$2,475+ in Value]

Choosing a credit card for your everyday use should result in a rewarding value proposition. In other words, you’ll want to receive greater value than any fees associated with the card.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey^® Card is a good example of an everyday travel rewards card that falls into this category. The card delivers strong earnings, flexible redemption options, and useful protections and benefits that can bring exceptional value to the right person.

When considering any card, it’s a good practice to review the list of attributes and question how much value, if any, you’ll receive from each one. Today’s article makes that process easy for you.

We’ll review each benefit of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card and estimate what that benefit might be worth to look at the card’s potential.

Card Overview

This brief snapshot of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card contains all the pertinent information in a nutshell.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A powerful point earning card with access to transfer partners.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey^® Card

A powerful point earning card with access to transfer partners.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49%, 25.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey^® Card is an excellent option for those looking for a great all-around travel rewards card that offers bonus categories on hotels, airfare, travel, and dining, giving you the opportunity to earn points on these purchases quickly.

Plus, the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to transfer partners, an annual statement credit with airfare purchase, and no foreign transaction fees.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x points on hotels
• Earn 4x points on airfare
• Earn 3x points on other travel and restaurants; 1x on other purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• List of transfer partners is smaller than competing programs

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Card Highlights

• Select “Learn More” to take advantage of this specific 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%, 25.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Benefits Summary

Before we detail each benefit, here’s a quick summary of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card‘s benefits with an approximate overall potential value.

Earning Rewards ($1,275+ Value)

Earning flexible points is critical to receiving bottom-line value from a credit card. Fortunately, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card makes it easy to earn points quickly.

And the faster you earn rewards, the faster you’ll be able to redeem them. We’ll discuss redemption options next. First, these are all the ways you can earn reward points and the estimated value you may receive.

1. A Generous Welcome Bonus Offer ($600 to $900)

Once you’re approved for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, you’ll have an opportunity to earn a welcome offer:

• Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.

To qualify for the welcome bonus, the minimum spending requirements must be met within the specified period immediately following card approval. This welcome bonus offer can be worth hundreds of dollars when redeemed for travel!

2. Unlimited 5x Earnings on Hotels ($150+)

Use your card to book directly with “any retailer whose merchant code is hotel/motel” and receive 5x points for the purchase.

If you’re a hotel program loyalist, you may not want to book all your stays with the card, as you could sacrifice hotel elite status benefits. However, for non-chain hotel stays, or if you’re not a brand-specific traveler, earning 5x unlimited points is stellar.

Say, for example, you were to spend $2,000 in a year. You would receive 10,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points in return, which is worth $150 since we value Wells Fargo Rewards points at 1.5 cents apiece.

3. Earn 4x Points on Flights ($300+)

All flights purchased directly with the airline will earn 4x unlimited points. For example, spending $5,000 on flight purchases would earn 20,000 points.

4. Earn on Travel and Dining ($225+)

Any purchase made with a retailer whose merchant code is travel will earn 3x unlimited points. Examples of travel include timeshares, car rental or travel agencies, discount online travel companies, and campgrounds.

Purchases made at restaurants, defined as “eating places” by Wells Fargo, will also earn 3x unlimited points. Eating places include restaurants, drinking places, fast food restaurants, and caterers.

Travel and dining purchases that total $5,000 per year would earn 15,000 points.

5. Earn on All Other Purchases

All other non-bonus category purchases will earn 1x points. With 1x earnings, $1,000 spent on the card would net 1,000 points.

For non-bonus category spending, consider the $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card that earns 2% cash rewards on every purchase. Plus, you can easily transfer rewards earned on the card to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card to expand your redemption options.

Bottom Line:

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card has a generous welcome bonus offer, elevated bonus points on hotels, flights, travel, and dining, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.

Redeeming Rewards (Value Varies)

Although we’ve assigned Wells Fargo Rewards points a value of 1.5 cents each, receiving greater potential value at redemption time is possible. It all depends on how you redeem those rewards. Here’s a glimpse at some of those options.

6. Transfer Points to Airline Partners

One of the best ways to redeem points earned on the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is to transfer to Wells Fargo Rewards airline or hotel partners. Once transferred, you can book award flights or hotel nights via the airline’s frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program.

While more programs are set to be added in the future, Wells Fargo Rewards points can be transferred with a 1:1 ratio to Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Cathay, Club Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue,Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Virgin Red.

Transferring 25,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, for example, can transport you from the U.S. to Europe in economy or business class for 60,000 points. The amount of points needed will vary based on availability, but if you’re flexible, you can find outstanding value from your redeemed rewards.

7. Transfer Points to Hotel Partners

In addition to airline partners, Wells Fargo Rewards points can be transferred to the Choice Privileges hotel loyalty program and Wyndham Rewards. There are over 7,400 Choice properties and over 9,000 Wyndham properties worldwide.

When transferred, 1 Wells Fargo point will equal points to both programs, which is fantastic. This ratio results in 8,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points equalling 16,000 Choice Privileges or Wyndham Rewards points.

You can book an exceptional hotel property, such as the Clarion Admiral Hotel in Bergen, Norway, for only 16,000 Choice Privileges points (8,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points).

Hot Tip:

Wells Fargo Rewards points transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio. This ratio doubles your points and allows you to utilize the hotel sweet spots we’ve found in the Choice Privileges hotel program.

8. Redeem for Travel via Wells Fargo

Another option for redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards points is to utilize the Wells Fargo Rewards travel portal. When redeemed via the portal, your points are worth 1 cent each.

9. Redeem for a Qualifying Account Credit

Wells Fargo Rewards points can be redeemed as a credit toward a qualifying Wells Fargo loan or mortgage. Points can also be redeemed as a statement credit for previous card purchases.

10. Additional Redemption Options

Use your Wells Fargo points for shopping with select retail merchants, purchasing gift cards, or for charitable donations.

Bottom Line:

The best redemption option is to transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to airline or hotel partners. You can also redeem rewards via the Wells Fargo travel portal, a statement credit, transfer to a qualifying Wells Fargo loan, shopping, gift cards, or a charitable donation, but at a lesser rate.

Travel Benefits

Travel benefits can save you money and provide comfort during your trip.

Here are the travel benefits you can expect on the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card.

11. Airline Purchase Statement Credit ($50)

Use your card to make a $50 minimum direct airline purchase and receive a $50 annual statement credit. This is an easy way for travelers to make up for more than half of the annual fee.

12. No Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign transaction fees can add up to 3% to a transaction when traveling abroad. However, you won’t need to worry about these fees when making foreign purchases since this card doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee.

13. Visa Signature Concierge Service

Need a last-minute dinner reservation, tickets to a special event, or assistance with a travel booking? The Visa Signature Concierge may be able to help. You’ll have 24/7 access.

14. Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection Benefits ($100)

Book your stay at one of 900 properties worldwide in the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and receive elite-style perks, including an automatic room upgrade on arrival, when available.

Additional benefits include complimentary breakfast for 2, a $25 food/beverage credit, complimentary Wi-Fi, VIP status, late checkout when requested and available, and a best-rate guarantee.

Note that these travel protection and benefit descriptions are abbreviated, and we have not included the full terms and conditions. For complete information, you’ll want to reference the card’s Guide to Benefits.

Travel Protection Perks

Travel protections can provide economic relief or assistance should your journey be disrupted for a covered reason.

Here are the travel protections relating to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card.

15. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ($140)

Credit card protections do not replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy, but they can provide peace of mind knowing you’ll receive reimbursement or assistance if you experience a covered event during your journey.

Use your card to reserve and pay for your car rental, decline CDW/LDW coverage with the rental agency, and receive coverage for damage and theft. Coverage is secondary in the U.S., meaning you must file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage applies. Coverage outside of the U.S. is primary, even if you have other insurance.

Primary rental car insurance is better, as you do not have to file a claim elsewhere before card coverage kicks in.

Rental agencies often charge $20 per day or more for their CDW/LDW. If you rent a vehicle for just 7 days in a year, you could save $140 on these charges.

16. Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Protection

If a trip paid for with your card needs to be canceled or disrupted due to a covered reason, you could receive up to $15,000 per covered person per trip for non-refundable expenses. The limit is $20,000 per 12-month period per account.

If you became ill and a physician recommends against traveling, you could be reimbursed for nonrefundable expenses. With just 1 nonrefundable hotel night reimbursed, you could save hundreds of dollars. Terms apply.

17. Lost Baggage Reimbursement

If you pay for your entire fare with your card, you could receive up to $3,000 if your baggage is stolen or “misdirected by the common carrier.” However, this coverage is secondary to any provided by the common carrier.

18. Roadside Dispatch

No need to worry when stranded roadside with access 24/7 to roadside dispatch service. For 1 low prearranged service fee, confirmed when the service is requested, help will be provided.

Services include limited towing, locksmith service, tire changing, standard winching, emergency fuel delivery, and jumpstart service. Terms and limits apply.

19. Travel Accident Insurance Protection

If you should experience a qualifying severe injury (or death) when traveling on a common carrier, such as a plane, train, or cruise ship, you could receive up to $1,000,000.

Tickets must be purchased with your card and/or rewards points earned on the card.

20. Emergency Cash Disbursement and Card Replacement

Losing or having your wallet stolen could ruin a trip. You’ll have access to emergency cash 24/7 (issued as a cash advance to your card) that can be sent to a convenient financial institution. A card replacement can be sent within 24 hours.

21. Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

When traveling away from home, you’ll have access to assistance 24/7. Services include legal and medical referrals, translation services, help with lost luggage, arranging emergency transportation, securing emergency funds, and more. The cardholder is responsible for all services received.

Shopping Protections and Benefits [$1,000]

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card does not offer many shopping protections and benefits.

However, the included perks of cell phone protection, additional cash-back, and access to special events can be useful and provide potential economic value.

22. Cell Phone Protection ($1,000)

Cell phone protection can be a valuable benefit. Pay your monthly bill with your card and receive up to $1,000 if your phone is accidentally damaged or stolen. The limit is 2 claims per 12-month period, a $2,000 limit, and a deductible of $25 per claim.

23. My Wells Fargo Deals

Receive special offers and cash-back when using your card with select merchants. Activate the My Wells Fargo Deals offers in your account before making the associated purchase with your card.

24. Autograph Card Exclusives

Enjoy access to exclusive events for Wells Fargo Autograph card members (including Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card members). Card members can purchase up to 6 tickets for Autograph Card Exclusives live events.

Final Thoughts

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card can be a strong choice for an everyday card due to its stellar earning structure, flexible redemption options that include transfer partners, and the long list of valuable travel/shopping benefits.

The value to each consumer will vary based on their spending mix. If you spend heavily on travel and dining, you should quickly rack up points. Having the option to utilize international airline and hotel partners will only elevate the value of your rewards.

The card’s downside is earning just 1x points at gas stations and supermarkets. Knowing that, you could pair it with another well-earning card for those purchases. Finding enough value with the card to offset the lower annual fee is an easy task.

If you do prefer a card without an annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers many of the same attributes worthy of a closer look.