Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card evaluation: Full particulars

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 is the 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 airfare purchases (with $50 minimum airline purchase) and more valuable earnings rates on travel and restaurant purchases.

The card works well for those who want a more straightforward travel rewards redemption process while still seeking to enjoy the upside of a handful of select travel partners.

It has a $95 annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670.

Here’s a closer look at the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.

The Autograph Journey comes with an initial welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. TPG values Wells Fargo Rewards points at 1.6 cents apiece, making this bonus worth about $960.

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

First, the Autograph Journey is a Visa Signature card, which means you’ll enjoy a few built-in benefits immediately.

The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection provides elitelike benefits on hotel bookings made through its program. Some 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 for airline purchases after making a minimum of $50 in purchases with airlines.

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, cellphone protection (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 can also access 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

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 restaurants 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

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.

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.

With the Wells Fargo Rewards program, you’re 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 have pegged the value of its points to 1.6 cents apiece — exactly how much more valuable they might become remains to be seen. I hope the list of transfer partners continues to grow, though, and can see an application in my future if so.

Here are a few cards that match up well with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey:

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

That said, serious points and miles enthusiasts might be better off with a more established travel rewards credit card.

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.

Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph, click here.

For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, click here.

For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Active Cash, click here.