Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review: Best Travel & Dining Rewards

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5.7
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The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers 3x points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans and 1x per dollar on everything else. Since points are worth one cent each, you earn 1%–3% cash back on this card. It also offers a 20,000-point welcome bonus.

 

 

Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card Worth It? Full Review

If you’re looking for a versatile credit card that offers excellent rewards, travel perks, and no annual fees, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card might just be the perfect option for you. In this review, we will explore all the features, benefits, pros, cons, and the application process to help you determine if this card is a good fit for your financial lifestyle.

Highlights

  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
  • 3X points on dining, travel, gas, and select categories, unlimited.
  • Enjoy a$0 annual fee and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
  • Cell phone protection up to $600 for damage or theft, with a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or PayPal shopping.
  • Access the 24/7 Visa Signature Concierge service for travel bookings and more.

Rates and Fees

The card has no annual fees but has some other fees. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Regular APR: 19.49%, 24.49% or 29.49% Variable
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% from account opening for the first 12 months.
  • Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 3% for the amount of each balance transfer for the first 120 days
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None
  • Late Payment/Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • Cash Advance Fee: Either 5% or $10 of the advance amount of each advance, whichever is greater.
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None
  • Over Limit Fee: N/A

Key Features of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Wells Fargo Autograph SM Card Features

1.    Sign-Up Bonus

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers a generous 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. This bonus is worth approximately $200 in cash back, making it an attractive offer for new cardholders.

2.    Earning Rewards

The card allows you to earn 3X points on popular spending categories, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Travel
  • Gas stations
  • EV charging stations
  • Transit
  • Select streaming services
  • Phone plans

You’ll also earn 1X points on all other purchases, which makes it a solid option for everyday spending.

3.    No Annual Fee

One of the standout features of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card is that it comes with no annual fee, meaning you won’t have to worry about paying extra costs to maintain the card.

4.    Introductory APR Offer

New cardholders benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months. After that, the variable APR will range between 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49%, depending on your creditworthiness. This makes the card an attractive option for those looking to make large purchases and pay them off over time.

5.    Cell Phone Protection

If you use your Wells Fargo Autograph Card to pay your phone bill, you can enjoy up to $600 in cell phone protection for damage or theft. This benefit comes with a low $25 deductible, which can save you money on repairs or replacements.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card Rewards and Redemption

Rewards Breakdown

  • 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, EV charging, select streaming services, and phone plans.
  • 1X points on all other purchases.
  • 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months (worth $200 cash back).
  • Additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 spent within the first year (worth up to $300 cashback).

These points can be redeemed in various ways, including:

  • Cash back (deposited directly or as a check)
  • Gift cards to popular retailers
  • Travel, including flights, car rentals, and hotel stays
  • Statement credits to reduce your credit card balance

Points have a value of 1 cent each for cash back, statement credit, and travel redemptions.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card Benefits

Travel and Emergency Services

In addition to earning great rewards, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card also comes with several travel-related benefits:

  • No foreign transaction fees when you use your card abroad.
  • Travel and emergency assistance services, including lost luggage help and medical assistance.
  • Roadside dispatch for emergencies like flat tires, jump starts, or towing.
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver for secondary coverage when renting a car.

Concierge and Luxury Perks

Cardholders also gain access to Visa Signature Concierge services, which help with booking travel, securing restaurant reservations, and even special event planning. Additionally, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection offers exclusive benefits at select luxury hotels.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You have multiple options for redeeming your Wells Fargo rewards:

  1. Cash Redemptions: Direct deposit to your Wells Fargo account or a paper check (in $25 increments).
  2. Travel Reward: Use the Wells Fargo Rewards portal to book flights, hotels, or car rentals. Points are worth 1 cent each for travel.
  3. Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards from top retailers.

If you prefer flexibility, you can also redeem your points for custom travel packages by calling Wells Fargo Rewards customer service.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs Other Cards

Wells Fargo Autograph vs Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is ideal for those who spend a lot on travel, dining, and other bonus categories. However, if you prefer simplicity, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card might be a better option. The Active Cash Card offers 2% cash back on every purchase, without any bonus categories to track.

Wells Fargo Autograph vs Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another popular travel credit card. However, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card stands out with more flexible redemption options and no annual fee, making it more versatile depending on your travel and spending habits.

How to Apply for the Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Applying for the Wells Fargo Autograph Card is simple. You can complete the process online or in person at a Wells Fargo branch. To be eligible, you generally need:

  • A good to excellent credit score (around 670 or higher).
  • At least 18 years old and a U.S. resident.
  • Sufficient income to make monthly payments.

Approval depends on various factors like your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio. Wells Fargo will perform a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily affect your credit score.

Customer service

Conclusion: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card Worth It?

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers excellent rewards for those who spend heavily in categories like restaurants, travel, and gas. With a $0 annual fee, introductory 0% APR, and solid travel benefits, this card stands out as a great option for frequent travelers and those looking to maximize rewards in common categories.

However, it’s important to compare the card with other options like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Card, as it might not be the best fit for everyone. If you enjoy earning rewards in multiple categories and traveling frequently, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card could be an ideal choice.

FAQs: Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that rewards everyday spending with unlimited 3X points on popular categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming services, and select phone plans. It also offers a generous introductory bonus and valuable cardholder benefits.

While Wells Fargo doesn’t disclose specific credit score requirements, they generally target applicants with good or excellent credit, typically meaning a FICO score of 670 or higher. However, other factors like income, employment history, and debt-to-income ratio can influence your approval chances.

5.7Expert Score
Rewards
The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers 3x points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans and 1x per dollar on everything else. Since points are worth one cent each, you earn 1%–3% cash back on this card. It also offers a 20,000-point welcome bonus.  
Rewards Rating
8.5
Rewards Value
6.1
APR
4
Rewards Flexibility
6
Issuer Customer Experience
4
PROS
  • Generous rewards on popular spending categories.
  • No annual fee makes it cost-effective.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
  • Cell phone protection worth up to $600.
  • No foreign transaction fees, great for international travel.
  • Flexible reward redemption options for cash, travel, and gift cards.
CONS
  • Variable APR can be high after the intro period.
  • Bonus categories may not suit all spending habits.
  • Relatively high late payment fee of up to $40.

Specification: Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review: Best Travel & Dining Rewards

Best For:

Rewards Categories

Intro Offer:

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

Rewards

1x points on other purchases, 3x Points for Gas Stations, Air Travel, Restaurants and Supermarkets.

Annual Fee:

No Annual Fee

Regular APR:

20.24% to 29.99% Variable

Intro Balance Transfers APR:

N/A

Intro Purchase APR:

0% introductory APR for 12 months from date of account opening.

Intro Purchase APR Period:

12 Months from the date of account opening

Balance Transfers Fee:

$5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Cash Advance Fee

$10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater

Late Payment Fee:

Up to $40

Cash Equivalent Fee

N/A

Convenience Check Fee

N/A

Returned Payment Fee:

N/A

Over Limit Fee:

None

ExtendPay Fee

N/A

Credit Card Limit:

$1000 to $10,000

Credit Card Type

No Annual Fee, Visa, Rewards

Credit Card Features

Auto Rental Insurance, Cell Phone Protection, My Well Fargo Deals, Roadside Assistance, Zero Fraud Liability

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