bank of america travel rewards vs wells fargo autograph

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Wells fargo autograph card review: a travel card that earns high rewards for no annual fee, for no annual fee, this travel card offers a simple rewards structure that can pay off..

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been a solid, low-maintenance travel credit card since its debut in 2022. It doesn't charge any annual or foreign transaction fees, and it earns rewards at a high rate in convenient spending categories such as restaurants, transit and streaming services. When you consider it provides some useful benefits to travelers as a Visa Signature® card , the Autograph punches well above its weight for a card without an annual fee.

And starting on April 4, 2024, Wells Fargo is addressing one of the Autograph's biggest cons — that you can't maximize your rewards points' value by transferring them to the loyalty programs of participating airline and hotel partners. With its new Points Transfer program, Wells Fargo has given an already-decent card a new depth of value. 

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

$0 annual fee

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR

Balance transfer fee

Up to 5%, min: $5 

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Solid rewards on broad spending categories
• 0% intro APR offer
• Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Valuable welcome offer
• Access to My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of an account credit when shopping, dining
• No balance transfer offer

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review

Benefits and perks, how to earn and redeem points, rates and fees, card comparison, is the wells fargo autograph℠ card right for you, bottom line.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers a sizable welcome bonus of 20,000 cash rewards when you spend at least $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening (which is a fairly easy spending goal to meet). That's worth $200 when redeemed for cash rewards.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers cardholders a variety of valuable benefits including:

• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft (with a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly bill with the Autograph
• Auto rental collision damage waiver coverage (which covers damage from an accident, a natural disaster or vandalism, as well as theft)
• Roadside Dispatch , a paid service that can help tow your car, change a flat tire, and more.
• Access to the Visa Signature ®  Luxury Hotel Collection, where you can book a hotel through www.visasignaturehotels.com and also receive perks like a free room upgrade (when available), complimentary breakfast for two, and more.
• Access to the My Wells Fargo Deals program, which allows you to earn cash back with participating merchants.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card earns points at the following rates:

• Unlimited 3X points on travel, restaurants, gas, transit, streaming services and phone plans 
• Unlimited 1X points on all other purchases 

Because there's no cap on these rewards, the sky's the limit (or more realistically, your bank account) when it comes to earning points.

Rewards do not expire if your account remains open and can be redeemed in a variety of ways through Wells Fargo's rewards portal , including:

• Travel, such as airfare and hotel stays
• Statement credits
• Gift cards (in $25 increments)
• Shopping with participating merchants

Starting April 4, 2024, you can also transfer your points to the loyalty programs of participating partners. Wells Fargo has announced the initial lineup of partners as:

• Choice Privileges®
• Flying Blue (Air France-KLM)
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus

Right now, Wells Fargo points are generally valued at one cent per point, but being able to transfer your Wells Fargo rewards points to partners should give them a big boost in value, similar to Chase's Ultimate Rewards points and American Express' Membership Points .

While the Autograph Card doesn't have an annual or foreign transaction fee, it comes with a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each balance transfer, whichever is greater.

New cardholders can also benefit from the card's 12-month 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) from account opening. After that, it's a 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR, based on your creditworthiness.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells fargo active cash® card.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

3% intro for 120 days from account opening then BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5

Like the Wells Fargo Autograph Card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an easy-to-understand rewards program. In this case, the Active Cash earns 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases including groceries, gas, dining out, travel, utilities and general purchases. That alone makes it an excellent partner to the Autograph card, since it helps cover any gaps (like groceries) left by the Autograph's reward categories.

An even better reason to use the Autograph and Active Cash together is that (provided you have an Autograph card) the cash rewards earned by the Active Cash can also be transferred to the airlines and hotels participating in Wells Fargo's new Point Transfer system. That means instead of redeeming your cash rewards earned by the Active Cash as a statement credit (for example), you'll be able to put them toward expensive airfare where they'll give you more value. Using the Autograph and the Active Cash at the same time turns you into a machine for earning rewards points, and can help make a once-in-a-lifetime vacation much more attainable.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited® 

Chase freedom unlimited®.

Enjoy 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers

20.49% - 29.24% variable

Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Member FDIC. Terms apply.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.

While the Wells Fargo Autograph Card boasts some tempting rewards and benefits, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® also offers a ton of perks with no annual fee. Not only does it come with a generous welcome bonus of earning a additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. New cardmembers can earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.That means you can earn rewards at a faster pace compared to the Wells Fargo Autograph Card.

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card can be a solid choice for cardholders looking to accumulate points on travel or other everyday purchases. This is great especially since the categories remain intact year-round, so you don't have to worry about shifting your spending priorities. You also don't have to worry about paying an annual fee or being charged extra while traveling abroad.

However, this may not be the best card if you're a frequent traveler who enjoys premium perks like airport lounge access or maximizing your points through transfer partners. Additionally, while you would earn 3X points on various categories, groceries do not seem to be one of them. On the other hand, you could pair this card with another rewards credit card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®  or the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to get the most bang for your buck.

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is great for its straightforward yet rewarding rewards program, particularly for travel and everyday spending. However, if you're seeking additional premium benefits or an enhanced rewards program, you could try pairing it with another rewards travel credit card to maximize value.

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Wells fargo autograph℠ card vs. bank of america ® customized cash rewards credit card: unlimited or customized rewards.

This article was subjected to a comprehensive fact-checking process. Our professional fact-checkers verify article information against primary sources, reputable publishers, and experts in the field.

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies .

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has a $0 annual fee, everyday earning categories, and cell phone protection. The Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card also has a $0 annual fee and offers customized earning on common spending categories.

Which one is better?

In this Wells Fargo Autograph vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review, we evaluate the perks and benefits of both cards to see how they compare. This could help you decide which card deserves a spot in your wallet.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

What both cards excel at.

• 8 important differences between Wells Fargo Autograph Card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Which card should you choose?

Bottom line.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards is considered a cashback credit card. Its primary benefit is that it allows you to choose how you earn cash back each month. It also provides multiple intro APR offers.

The Wells Fargo Autograph is primarily a travel credit card since it earns points and offers certain travel benefits. But it could be considered a cashback card as well because its cash redemptions offer the same value as its travel redemptions.

Use this table to quickly compare the available features and benefits of both cards, including their welcome offers, earning rates, and redemption methods.

Here’s where the Wells Fargo Autograph and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards share a few similarities:

• Generous welcome bonuses: Each card offers a valuable welcome bonus. With the Wells Fargo Autograph, you can earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value). The Customized Cash Rewards offers $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Everyday earning potential: Their earning rates and categories might vary, but they align with many common spending areas such as gas, dining, or grocery stores. This could make it easier to frequently earn rewards on everyday purchases.
• Annual cost: The Wells Fargo Autograph has a $0 annual fee. The Customized Cash Rewards also has a $0 annual fee.
• Visa payment network: Both cards use the Visa payment network, which is accepted in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. This could be useful for traveling to international destinations and still having a credit card that works. But watch out for foreign transaction fees (more on this later).

8 important differences between the Wells Fargo Autograph Card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Digging into the differences between the Wells Fargo Autograph and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards could highlight where you might prefer one card over the other.

1. Bonus categories

Earning rates and bonus categories are often one of the best ways to continue receiving value from a rewards card on an everyday basis.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card allows you to earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1x points on other purchases.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% on all other purchases.

At a glance, it might seem like the Customized Cash Rewards is the better option because you get to choose how you earn your cash back. This includes choosing between these categories:

• Online shopping
• Home improvement and furnishings

But there’s a limit of $2,500 each quarter before the earning rate reverts to 1% cash back. The customization could be helpful, but there’s no limit to your rewards on the Autograph, likely making it the more valuable option in this case.

Check out our Wells Fargo Autograph Card review to learn more.

2. Bank of America Preferred Rewards®

The Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program offers opportunities for certain Bank of America cardholders to earn 25% to 75% bonus rewards. The program is free to join, but you have to meet these requirements:

• Have an active and eligible Bank of America checking account.
• Have at least a three-month combined average daily balance of $20,000 in qualifying Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill investment accounts.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards® has three tiers with increasing bonus rewards and daily balance requirements:

• Gold: Offers a 25% bonus on credit card rewards and requires at least a $20,000 three-month combined average daily balance.
• Platinum: Offers a 50% bonus on credit card rewards and requires at least a $50,000 three-month combined average daily balance.
• Platinum Honors: Offers a 75% bonus on credit card rewards and requires at least a $100,000 three-month combined average daily balance.

Since the Wells Fargo Autograph has no association with Bank of America, its cardmembers miss out on potential Bank of America Preferred Rewards® value — a possible 25% to 75% bonus to your earning potential that’s available on the Customized Cash Rewards.

Read our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review for more details.

3. Intro APR offers

The Wells Fargo Autograph offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable).

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards offers 0% APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable). It also offers 0% APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable).

The terms of these intro APR offers are typically better on the Customized Cash Rewards because they offer more time. There’s also no intro APR offer for balance transfers on the Wells Fargo Autograph.

4. Redemption options

Wells Fargo Autograph redemption options include:

• Account deposits or statement credits
• Mailed check
• Cash by withdrawal from a Wells Fargo ATM
• Charitable donations
• Merchandise
• Pay with Rewards
• Transfers to a Rewards Pool or another Wells Fargo Rewards account

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards redemption options include:

• Statement credits
• Paper check
• Deposits into a Bank of America checking or savings account
• Credits or contributions to an eligible Merrill ® account

The Autograph offers more redemption options, including the opportunity to redeem your points for travel. Its options would likely prove more useful and flexible compared to what’s available on the Customized Cash Rewards.

5. Credit requirements

The Wells Fargo Autograph typically requires a good or excellent credit score while the Customized Cash Rewards typically requires an excellent credit score. Here are the credit score ranges on the FICO scoring model:

• Excellent: 800 to 850
• Very Good: 740 to 799
• Good: 670 to 739
• Fair: 580 to 669
• Poor: 300 to 579

Your approval odds could be better with the Wells Fargo Autograph compared to the Customized Cash Rewards depending on your credit score. Do note that numerical credit scores are provided as guidelines only and are not a guarantee of approval.

6. Foreign transaction fee

Foreign transaction fees are often added to any foreign purchase you make with a credit card. But not all credit cards charge these fees.

The Wells Fargo Autograph has no foreign transaction fees while the Customized Cash Rewards charges 3%.

7. Travel perks

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards is geared toward earning cash back and doesn’t offer much in the form of travel benefits. But with the Wells Fargo Autograph, you get access to:

• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Visa Signature Concierge service
• Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection

Any of these benefits could prove useful depending on how often you travel and the different types of situations you might encounter.

8. Cell phone protection

Cell phone protection isn’t a common benefit found on many credit cards. But having this benefit would likely be useful since cell phones are often essential and expensive. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards doesn’t offer cell phone protection.

The Wells Fargo Autograph offers coverage against eligible damage or theft of a cell phone on up to $600 per successful claim. There’s a $25 deductible and a maximum of two successful claims per year.

You should typically choose the card that most aligns with your spending habits and financial goals. Use these tips as guidelines on why you might choose one of these cards over the other.

You might choose the Wells Fargo Autograph if:

• You want to earn unlimited rewards.
• You want cell phone protection.
• You want travel redemptions and benefits.

You might choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards if:

• You want increased control over how you earn rewards.
• You likely won’t spend over the $2,500 quarterly limit, after which your rewards drop to 1%.
• You want to take advantage of intro APR offers.
• You can meet the requirements of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program.

Which is better, the Wells Fargo Autograph or the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card?

The better card between the Wells Fargo Autograph and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card depends on your spending habits and financial goals. You might consider the Autograph for its everyday, unlimited bonus categories and cell phone protection benefit. But the Customized Cash Rewards could make sense for its customized bonus categories and intro APR offers.

Which grocery stores and gas stations are eligible for Bank of America Cash Rewards cash back?

Bank of America includes these purchases in its “grocery stores” category:

• Miscellaneous food stores

Bank of America includes these purchases in its “gas” category:

• Fuel dealers

Does the Wells Fargo Autograph come with any travel benefits?

Yes, the Wells Fargo Autograph comes with these travel benefits:

The ultimate winner between the Wells Fargo Autograph and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards  depends on your personal finance goals.

The Autograph has loads of benefits and no limits on the amount of rewards you can earn. But you might prefer the intro APR offers and control over how you earn cash back with the Customized Cash Rewards.

For more options, use our dedicated page to compare credit cards . These are top recommendations in a variety of categories, including travel, cash back, balance transfer, and more.

Choose Your Cashback Category

Bank of america ® customized cash rewards credit card.

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

• Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Up to 3% cash back in one category of your choice
• Long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• No annual fee
• Quarterly spending caps
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

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Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card review: A travel rewards card for the budget-conscious consumer

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card provides generous rewards and travel benefits without an annual fee. The card includes a solid welcome bonus, ongoing travel perks and user-friendly redemption options. 

• Earn 3X points on popular spending categories, including restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans
• Offers valuable cell phone and auto rental collision damage waiver
• No annual fee
• Points are worth a flat one cent each toward qualifying purchases, making them less valuable than other rewards
• Offers a relatively relatively low welcome bonus compared to other rewards credit cards
• Lacks travel protection and rental insurance coverage is only secondary

Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card: Overview

• Intro: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Then 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR after that.
• Purchase: 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable
• Balance transfer: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable
• Cash advance: 29.99%
• Penalty: Up to 29.99%

Annual fee: None

Foreign transaction fee: None

Other fees: Up to $40 late payment fee, $10 or 5% cash advance fee (whichever is greater), 3% or $5 balance transfer fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is one of the most underrated credit cards for earning rewards and offering straightforward redemptions. The card offers one of the most competitive reward structures, ensuring you’re generously rewarded for your most common purchases. The card earns 3 points for every dollar spent on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming and phone plans. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. New cardholders even qualify for a 30,000-point welcome bonus as well, which will be covered later.

This card really hits the sweet spot of providing generous rewards while charging no annual fee. You can also use the card abroad without worrying about added charges of 2%–3%. That’s because the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees , which is unusual for a no-annual-fee credit card.

Furthermore, cardholders get up to $600 in cell phone protection when they charge their monthly cell phone bill to this card. If you need to utilize this benefit, you’ll pay just a $25 deductible. The card’s auto rental collision damage provides an extra level of protection against the loss and theft of a rental vehicle. The only downside is that coverage is secondary and does not kick in unless your personal auto insurance refuses to cover a claim.

Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card: Points 

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card earns “points” that are equivalent to cash back rewards. Cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming and phone plans, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Since points are worth one cent each, you essentially earn 1%–3% cash back on this card. Then, of course, there’s the card’s previously mentioned 30,000-point welcome bonus. 

Points can be used toward travel, gift cards, qualifying retail purchases or through PayPal.

Does the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card offer a new customer bonus?

The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card offers new customers 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within three months of account opening. This bonus is worth $300 toward travel purchases. 

How to redeem Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card rewards 

When it comes to redeeming points, there are no complicated award charts or guesswork about how much they’re worth. Points are worth 1 cent each and you can redeem them toward travel purchases, popular retail gift cards, with PayPal checkout or as a statement credit toward eligible credit card purchases. Simply head over to the bank’s Rewards portal and log in to redeem points for purchases.

This reward structure is very user-friendly and ideal for consumers who don’t want to deal with complicated programs. While other programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou points offer excellent value through airline transfer partnerships, they come with challenges. Not all consumers have the time (or desire) to figure out which airline to transfer their points to or how to leverage their rewards for maximum value. For people who prefer simplicity, the Autograph Card’s reward structure is ideal.

Additional benefits

• Cell phone protection: Provides up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell bill with your Wells Fargo Autograph card. Coverage is subject to a $25 deductible and limited to two claims every 12-month period.
• Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement: Provides emergency cash advance disbursement or card replacement within 1–2 business days. 
• Travel and emergency services assistance: Includes emergency assistance and referral services in case of an emergency while traveling. 
• Zero Liability protection: Cardholders won’t be liable for unauthorized transactions. 
• Roadside Dispatch: Access to 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, towing, or locksmith service. 
• Credit Close-Up: Complimentary FICO score tracking.
• My Wells Fargo Deals: Access to personalized statement credits from popular merchants. 

Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card right for you?

The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card is an excellent choice if you want a credit card with generous rewards and simple redemption options. The card’s 3X bonus categories are highly competitive, especially compared to other rewards credit cards that carry annual fees . The current welcome bonus isn’t particularly impressive, but it's pretty standard for a no-annual-fee or cash-back credit card . The card’s cell phone protection benefit is unique and something even premium credit cards don’t offer.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card isn’t a great fit if you’re looking for a card with more lucrative redemption options. Despite earning “points,” this is essentially a cash-back card and each point is worth just one cent toward travel and other qualifying redemptions. 

If your goal is aspirational travel, then you might be better off with an airline credit card or a transferable rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred . These cards carry annual fees and may offer lower rewards than the Autograph Card, but you can get more than 1 cent per point when redeeming them.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is better suited to travelers who want a no-annual-fee card with generous category bonuses and don’t mind redeeming points at a flat rate.

Credit cards similar to Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a great choice for those who can maximize its 3X bonus categories. However, it’s not the only no-annual-fee rewards card option available. Depending on your spending habits and reward goals, you might want to consider one of the following alternatives:

Citi Double Cash Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card

The Citi Double Cash Card is a good alternative to the Wells Fargo Autograph if you want a no-annual-fee card that earns elevated rewards on all spending rather than a few categories. The card earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay it off). If your spending falls outside of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card’s 3X categories, then the Citi Double Cash Card might be more rewarding for you.

One significant advantage of the Citi Double Cash Card over the Wells Fargo Autograph is that the rewards you earn can be converted to points and miles. Citi has 18 airline and hotel transfer partners and Citi Double Cash cardholders can transfer their rewards to three of these: Choice Privileges (at a 1:1.5 ratio), JetBlue TrueBlue (1.25:1) and Wyndham Rewards (1.25:1). This provides further flexibility than just simple cash back rewards .

Plus, if you’re looking for a 0% introductory APR offer , this card offers 0% on balance transfers for 18 months. That’s significantly longer than the Autograph Card’s 0% on purchases for 12 months.

One major downside is that Citi does’t offer any travel or purchase protections. If you use your card abroad, the Double Cash also imposes a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Discover it® Miles Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card

The Discover it® Miles Card is similar to the Wells Fargo Autograph Card in its reward structure. While the card earns “miles,” they’re worth a flat 1 cent each toward qualifying purchases (travel and otherwise). The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees and earns 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

During the first year, these rewards are doubled. So you’ll essentially earn 3 miles per dollar on all spending rather than a few limited categories. There’s no limit to how many miles you can earn, including the rewards match. 

This Discover card has no cell phone protection, giving it a slight disadvantage. It also lacks a welcome bonus, though the 0% intro purchase APR is for 15 months rather than 12. After the intro expires, your APR will be 17.24% to 28.24% based on your creditworthiness. 

Nevertheless, the Discover it® Miles Card is a good alternative to the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa if you have some big purchases coming up that fall outside the Autograph card’s 3X categories. The first-year card match can be very lucrative and make up for the lack of a welcome bonus.

Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Visa® Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is another no-annual-fee card you might want to consider instead of the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa. The card offers a welcome bonus of $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months, plus 5% cash back on up to $12,000 in combined gas and grocery spending during the first year. The card also has a recurring list of rotating bonus categories that earn 5% cash back.

Beyond these limited-time bonuses, cardholders can earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services) (including eligible delivery services) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

If you have another credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can convert the cashback from this card to points. Why would you do that? Because those points can be worth a lot more than just one cent each, especially if you transfer them to select airlines and hotels for premium travel redemptions (think: first-class flights and luxury hotels).

One major disadvantage is that the card charges 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars for foreign transaction fee when used abroad. If you’re a frequent traveler, this fee can add up substantially and eat into any rewards you’ll earn.

Frequently asked questions

Is the wells fargo autograph card worth it.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is worth it if you want a credit card with no annual fee and generous rewards in common spending categories. The card waives foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad and provides valuable purchase and travel protections, making it an excellent choice.

Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card hard to get?

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card requires good credit , so you’ll probably need at least a 670–739 credit score to qualify. Keep in mind that a credit score in this range won’t guarantee approval , as banks take several other factors into account when considering your application.

What is the advantage of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card?

The main advantages of the Wells Fargo Autograph Card include high reward potential, a solid welcome bonus and useful travel benefits at no annual fee.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

Fortune Recommends™ 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.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Best credit card issuers: Bank of America vs. Wells Fargo

Are you considering getting a credit card from one of these two major issuers? Here's what you should know

Published: July 23, 2021

Author: Aja McClanahan

Editor: Itzel Garcia Ruiz

Reviewer: Antonio Ruiz-Camacho

How we Choose

Bank of America and Wells Fargo have similar offers for credit card categories like rewards, cash back, balance transfers and more. Read on to find out which card issuer might be the best for your needs.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

The Bank of America content was last updated on August 23, 2021.

Choosing the best credit card for your financial needs can be difficult – especially when you are comparing cards from different issuers. The problem comes when issuers have similar credit card offerings. If you plan to pair cards, combine rewards or even earn some “loyalty” kudos by sticking with an issuer, how would you choose the best credit card company to start with and perhaps stay with for the long term?

When it comes to picking a winner, it might come down to the finer details such as card perks, customer experience or rewards flexibility. This article will compare credit cards from two major banks: Bank of America and Wells Fargo .

Bank of America vs. Wells Fargo

Bank of America is almost twice the size of Wells Fargo (when comparing market capitalization figures). But as far as banks go, they each have unique credit products.

Bank of America is known for extra rewards and benefits for banking clients with higher bank balances, while Wells Fargo has some surprisingly good rewards cards for travel.

Here’s how the issuers compare in areas like customer experience, rewards flexibility and credit card offerings.

Comparing Bank of America and Wells Fargo

Customer experience, rewards flexibility.

• Cash back credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Balance transfer credit cards

Does Bank of America or Wells Fargo have better credit cards?

Even if a card has great terms and generous rewards, it helps to know about the experience you’ll have as a customer. This is especially useful to know with rewards cards that offer perks and benefits.

These programs can have specific guidelines on using your rewards and card benefits, so there’s the potential for confusion and misunderstanding. A card issuer with a good customer experience can make all the difference for cardholders.

Bank of America

Bank of America has a positive rating for customer experience. In J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study , the bank fared pretty well – earning 812 points out of 1,000 and ranking third among the 11 banks rated in the survey.

Bank of America’s app is rated 4.7 out of 5 in the Google Play Store and 4.8 out of 5 in the Apple App Store. The issuer also has 24/7 customer service and online chat for its customers.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has mixed reviews regarding customer experience. In J.D. Power’s 2020 survey, Wells Fargo scored an 800 out of 1,000, ranking eighth out of 11 major banks. However, like Bank of America, there’s also 24/7 customer service and an online chat feature for cardholders who need immediate attention.

The Wells Fargo app has similar ratings to Bank of America: 4.8 out of 5 in the Google Play Store and 4.8 out of 5 in the Apple App Store.

Rewards credit cards are great, and the ones with flexible rewards are even better. Flexible rewards mean you have more options to earn, redeem, combine or save points for a longer period of time (as opposed to points that quickly expire).

Here’s how each issue comes out when comparing rewards flexibility:

Bank of America has dozens of credit cards. These cards offer cash back and miles with some limitations for amount, categories, airlines, etc. Cardholders who are looking for flexibility in rewards would likely want to check out the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card .

The Customized Cash Rewards card offers a 3% cash back rewards rate on your category of choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvements and furnishings), plus 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases. There is a $2,500 quarterly combined limit on cash back for the 3% and 2% categories, then 1% cash back. For everything else, there’s 1% unlimited cash back. With this card, cash rewards don’t expire, and there’s the option to redeem cash as a deposit, statement credit, check or even as a contribution to a qualifying 529 plan.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is fairly flexible for travel purposes. There’s no limit to how much cash back you can earn and no blackout dates. Your rewards can be redeemed for a statement credit for any travel purchases made on your card in the last 12 months.

The card’s rewards rate is 1.5 points per dollar spent, but booking through the Bank of America Travel Center earns an additional 1.5 points per dollar for a total of 3 points per dollar. The flexibility and high rewards earning potential make this a good travel card with no annual fee .

If travel rewards or tiered category bonuses aren’t your thing, there’s a flat-rate cash back option that might appeal to you. The newly launched Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers unlimited cash back of 1.5% on all purchases, with rates that can go as high as 2.62% back for Preferred Rewards members in the highest tier. There’s also a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening along with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (13.99% to 23.99% variable APR thereafter). A 3% balance transfer fee ($10 minimum) applies. 

With most Bank of America credit cards, you can maximize your rewards by becoming a Bank of America Preferred Rewards program member. Membership requirements include maintaining a certain account balance with a qualifying Bank of America (or Merrill) account. If you qualify for a Preferred Rewards tier, you could boost your rewards with any Bank of America credit card between 25% and 75%.

Wells Fargo has far fewer credit cards than Bank of America, and the selection of Wells Fargo rewards cards is even smaller. Still, you can rack up rewards if you take advantage of sign-up bonuses and introductory APRs.

This includes the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ card . The card’s 2% cash rewards rate on purchases sets it apart as the best cash back offer from Wells Fargo. You can also earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in purchases with the Active Cash in the first three months. Additionally, the card offers 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (a 15.24% to 25.24% variable APR applies after that).

The issuer’s other flat-rate card, the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card* , earns just 1.5% cash rewards back on your purchases and 1.8% cash rewards on Google Pay and Apple Pay purchases for the first 12 months from account opening. The cash rewards are unlimited and not specific to any spending category.

Rewards enthusiasts may also consider the Wells Fargo Visa Signature credit card* . It offers 5X rewards on gas, grocery and drugstore purchases for the first six months (up to $12,500.) After that, all other spending earns 1X rewards. Rewards redeemed for travel are worth 50% more and all rewards expire after five years if you don’t use them. Cash can be redeemed in $25 (2,500-point) increments. You can apply it to an eligible bank account or as a statement credit. You can also request a paper check.

Although points can be used on travel, gift cards, cash, merchandise or a statement credit, travel must be booked through Wells Fargo’s rewards program , Go Far Rewards.

One plus: You can transfer points between Wells Fargo cards, including the Wells Fargo Visa Signature card, to score the 50% travel redemption bonus.

Comparing cards from both issuers

Now that you know a little more about each bank in the categories of customer experience and rewards flexibility, it could help to see how their individual cards compare with one another.

Here’s a quick look at how these cards compare in various categories:

Balance transfer

Bank of America and Wells Fargo are both reputable credit card issuers with similar card offerings. Bank of America comes out slightly ahead in the areas of customer service and flexible rewards, whereas the Wells Fargo cards (with no annual fees) could be better for travel – especially when it comes to earning and combining points from different cards.

If you need more flexibility with your rewards along with a top-notch customer service experience, Bank of America might be the issuer for you. If you’d like to earn more for travel while avoiding annual fees, Wells Fargo might be your best choice. In the end, you’ll choose the issuer with the cards that make the most sense for your needs.

* The information about Wells Fargo Platinum card, The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa card and the Wells Fargo Visa Signature card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com.  The Wells Fargo Platinum card is no longer available.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Aja McClanahan is a CreditCards.com personal finance contributor.

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Wells Fargo Autograph benefits guide

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Key takeaways

• The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card rewards you for the spending you already do with 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations and EV charging stations, transit, select streaming services and phone plans.
• The card also offers some travel benefits — such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and no foreign currency conversion fees — though it comes with fewer opportunities to optimize your travel rewards compared to other top travel credit cards.
• Other perks like cellphone protection and Visa Signature benefits make it a handy card to have in your wallet.

Looking for a strong credit card option that earns points in everyday spending categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and more? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card should be on your list. We’ll break down the benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph, along with the extra features you’ll want to take advantage of as an Autograph credit card holder.

Wells Fargo Autograph rewards program benefits

Rewards on everyday spending.

Before we weigh the pros and cons of the Wells Fargo Autograph, it’s worth pointing out some of the key features of this card. The great thing about this card is that you’ll get a relatively high rewards rate on various common spending categories. Simply swipe your card for purchases, and you’ll earn 3X points on restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, popular streaming services and phone plans. You’ll also earn 1X points on other spending.

Numerous redemption options

The Autograph Card offers various flexible rewards redemption options, including:

• Statement credits
• Physical cash in $20 increments at Wells Fargo ATMs (using a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card)
• Direct deposits into Wells Fargo checking accounts
• Gift cards (via Wells Fargo Rewards)
• Travel (including flights, car rentals and hotel stays) via Wells Fargo Rewards
• Shopping with rewards through PayPal

Access to My Wells Fargo Deals

You can earn additional points through My Wells Fargo Deals, a merchant-funded offers platform covering spending on things like shopping, dining and experiences.

Wells Fargo Autograph intro benefits

Welcome offer.

With the Wells Fargo Autograph, you can earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening (a $200 cash redemption value).

Introductory APR offer

If you’ve got a larger purchase on the horizon, the welcome bonus can help fund a portion or even all of it — and the 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months can help you save on interest. Once the 12-month term is over, you’ll have a 20.24 percent, 25.24 percent or 29.99 percent variable APR.

Wells Fargo Autograph other benefits

No annual fee.

Many cards with similar rewards rates and welcome bonuses will charge an annual fee, whereas the Autograph card does not.

Cellphone protection

This popular card benefit is offered across many Wells Fargo cards. With this card, this insurance protects your cellphone against damage or theft for up to $600 per claim (up to two claims per year; subject to a $25 deductible) each month you pay your cellphone bill with the card.

Auto rental collision damage waiver

If your rental car is damaged in an accident or stolen, your Autograph card can help. To take advantage of this benefit, you must charge the full rental cost to your eligible card and decline coverage from the rental company. Other terms and restrictions apply; refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

Travel and emergency services assistance

If you run into certain issues while traveling, you’ll have access to travel and emergency assistance services through your eligible card.

Visa Signature perks

As a Wells Fargo Autograph cardholder, you’ll also qualify for Visa Signature benefits:

• Visa Signature® Concierge services (complimentary 24/7 assistance in booking travel, event tickets and dinner reservations)
• Access to the Luxury Hotel Collection properties

No foreign currency conversion fees

The Autograph Card doesn’t charge foreign currency conversion fees . This makes it a great option for vacations or other globe-trotting opportunities.

Maximizing the Wells Fargo Autograph

Since the Autograph card offers rewards in categories you’ll likely spend in frequently anyway, it won’t be hard to get a lot of value out of this card. Here are some suggestions to help you take advantage of the card’s benefits:

• Plan to spend enough on this card ($1,000 in the first three months) to earn the 20,000-point welcome bonus, which is a $200 cash redemption value.
• Use this card to earn on bonus category spending — that’s 3X points on restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, EV charging stations, select streaming services and phone plans.
• Be sure to pay your cellphone bill with this card. That way, you’ll be eligible for the cellphone protection benefit should you need to file an insurance claim.
• If you’re planning to travel, use this card for your rental car charges. Again, this will make you eligible if you need to file an auto rental collision damage waiver (terms apply).
• If you plan on traveling abroad, consider taking this card with you, as you won’t be charged foreign currency conversion fees on your purchases.

The bottom line

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great no-annual-fee option for earning rewards on common spending categories. The biggest drawback is that there aren’t many options to optimize the rewards you’ll earn for travel — whether through travel partners or a rewards boost by using the issuer’s travel portal.

However, if you don’t have an immediate need for a travel credit card with these features, the Wells Fargo Autograph card is a respectable option with enough perks and benefits to still make it worthwhile.

Wells Fargo Reflect vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it?

Wells Fargo Autograph Card: A top pick for everyday travel

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Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review: Rewards Card with No Annual Fee

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20 Years Helping You Live Richer

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GOBankingRates Score

• Rewards 4.9
• No annual fee
• 3X rewards o n restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
• Generous introductory offer on purchases
• May be difficult for those with lower credit scores to qualify

Wells Fargo occasionally releases new credit cards to keep up with the ever-changing needs of the market. In 2021, Wells Fargo released the Active Cash and Reflect Cards . For 2022, the financial institution released the to help cardholders maximize reward points on everyday spending categories such as restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

Read: Get Your Credit Score on Track With These 3 Tips for Success

Krista Phillips, EVP, head of Branded Cards and Marketing for Wells Fargo Credit Cards says, “Now more than ever, consumers want a card that lets them go their own way, from everyday adventures to annual escapes. This card complements our other credit cards so that we can offer customers real, transparent value no matter what they’re looking for in their credit card.”

Key Features

Wells Fargo Autograph Card’s features landed it on GOBankingRates’ list of Best Rewards Cards as well as the list of Best Travel Cards . Here’s a look at some of the details.

Wells Fargo provides an enticing introductory offer of 0% APR for the first 12 months after approval, an excellent opportunity to make major purchases and pay them off in installments for the first 12 months with no finance charges. After the introductory period, a rate of will apply.

One of the biggest selling points of the new card are the signup perks and cardholder benefits. New cardholders can kickstart their rewards journey with the chance to earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. This rewards bonus has a $200 cash redemption value .

Even without the signup bonus, this credit card still has some impressive cardholder benefits. Cardholders get up to $600 of cell phone coverage — subject to a $25 deductible — when you pay your monthly wireless bill associated with your cell phone with your eligible Wells Fargo credit card. The free coverage reimburses you for repairs or the replacement of your mobile device if it’s lost or damaged. However, cosmetic damage such as scratches or cracked screens, or any other type of damage that doesn’t affect the phone’s functionality isn’t covered.

As for travel, the Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is a secondary form of vehicle insurance to cover damages or losses caused by theft or an accident involving a rental vehicle for up to $50,000. Your rental vehicle is protected for 15 days in the U.S. or 31 days overseas.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services is available to assist and provide referrals while you’re out of town regarding lost luggage, medical or legal issues and more. Visa Signature Concierge Services will assist you with travel and entertainment bookings.

Once you spend $1,000 in the first three months, you’ll receive a bonus of 20,000 points in rewards, which has a $200 cash redemption value. Besides the signup bonus, all purchases earn at least 1X. Plus, you can earn an elevated 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services — whether or not you’re at home — and phone plans with no rewards caps or limits on rewards and points.

You won’t have to worry about having to activate the categories or follow a quarterly rewards calendar as with other rewards cards. The categories outlined above will always earn 3X. All charges made on the Autograph Visa will earn at least one point for every dollar spent.

Autograph cardholders can redeem points through My Wells Fargo Rewards. According to the financial institution, it’s a merchant-funded platform of offers presenting cash back in the form of statement credits for dining, shopping or experiences. You’ll need to activate the deal in Online Banking first and then make the purchase using the card. Plus, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card is integrated with the Wells Fargo Rewards platform to make other point redemption possible.

Customer Service

Wells Fargo is well known for its customer service through the presence of local branches nationwide as well as online and phone support. For card support, log in to your account or call 1-800-642-4720. You can also redeem rewards by calling 1-877-517-1358.

How Wells Fargo Autograph Card Stands Out

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card stands out for several reasons. There is a lucrative signup bonus, the chance to earn 3X points on some of the most popular spending purchases such as travel, gas and restaurants and no annual fee. Redeeming the rewards is possible as statement credits, applying points towards purchases at participating merchants or redeeming for travel, entertainment, merchandise and more at the Wells Fargo Rewards portal.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs. Competitors

Take a look at how the Wells Fargo Autograph Card compares to other established rewards cards.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card and Discover it are both cash rewards cards that earn a 1% or 1X base rate on purchases plus additional earnings on select categories. However, the Autograph card provides you with more flexibility with the option to redeem for more than just cash. Points can be redeemed for merchandise and travel as well. The Discover it card’s cash rewards balance can be applied towards select purchases such as Amazon or towards your statement balance.

Earning rewards from either card depends on your spending category. The Wells Fargo Autograph Card lets you earn 1X on all spending and 3X on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. The Discover it card earns 1X on all spending and 5X cash back at different places each quarter. The 5X cash back has a quarterly maximum and you must activate your 5x rewards each quarter.

With the Discover it card, you’ll get a dollar-for-dollar cashback match at the end of your first year with the credit card. That’s an opportunity to double your rewards.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a higher base rate of 1.5% cash back and offers an extra 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back. Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases. After the first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. As mentioned, the Wells Fargo Autograph card offers 1X on all spending and 3X on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

Both cards have no annual fee and are backed by two of the largest financial institutions in the country. The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great choice if you spend broadly across many categories to earn the 1.5% cash back. If the bulk of your card spending is in the categories that earn 3X through the Autograph Visa such as gas or travel, it may be the better option of the two.

How To Apply

To apply, head over to the Wells Fargo website, navigate to the credit card listings and click “Apply Now” on the listing for the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. From there, fill out the required information and click “Submit.”

Who Wells Fargo Autograph Card Is Best For

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is best for individuals in search of a no-annual-fee card that provides some of Visa’s best services such as phone protection, travel concierge, secondary car rental coverage and emergency travel assistance. Earning 3X on categories such as gas, travel and dining is the icing on the cake.

Wells Fargo Bank’s latest credit card introduction is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. The financial institution looked at what categories cardholders most typically spend on and designed a card that earns triple the points in those categories. These extras make it an excellent option when you’re in search of a rewards Visa with a $0 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card FAQ

• The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is the bank's latest release and is currently accepting applications on their website.
• The Wells Fargo Autograph Card has a signup bonus of 20,000 rewards points --  a $200 cash redemption value. To earn the bonus, you'll need to spend $1,000 or more in purchases within the first three months.
• The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a rewards credit card issued by Wells Fargo. You can earn 3x points on every dollar spent at restaurants, travel, gas, transit, phone plans, and streaming services. Plus, 1x points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Wells Fargo doesn't publish credit score requirements for the Autograph card. However, this rewards credit card is aimed at consumers with good credit. With that, you may need a credit score of around 670 or higher.
• The decision to add a rewards credit card to your wallet is based on your personal spending habits. Take a look at the rewards-earning opportunity and see how much you would earn based on your average spending. If you compare your potential rewards across multiple credit cards, you'll find the most lucrative option for your situation.
• Yes. The Wells Fargo Autograph card enjoys Visa Signature benefits, such as extended warranty protection; reimbursement for lost luggage, trip cancellation, trip delay/interruption reimbursement, travel accident insurance, emergency medical or dental care, and more.
• New cardholders will receive a generous introductory offer on purchases. There is also a welcome bonus of 30,000 rewards points cardmembers can earn after spending $1,500 in the first three months.

Sarah Sharkey contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Jan. 5, 2023.

The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for this product.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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Credit Cards

Why I applied for the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Jason Steele

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 10:32 a.m. UTC April 8, 2024

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MassimoVernicesole, Getty Images

I love earning travel rewards. For me, the only thing better than taking a great vacation is doing so for free, or very close to it. And as any award travel junkie will tell you, the best kind of rewards don’t come from a single airline or hotel program, they’re flexible points you can transfer to multiple airlines or hotel programs. There are only a handful of credit card issuers that offer these kinds of rewards, and Wells Fargo just joined this exclusive club with its new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . When I first heard the details, I decided to apply as soon as the card became available. Here’s why:

Strong rewards for spending

This card offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. That’s decent, but not earth-shattering. What does move the needle is how many rewards points you can earn from your spending. This card features 5 points per $1 on hotels, 4 points per $1 on airlines, 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. For a frequent traveler like myself, this card has serious potential.

Compelling transfer partners, and the promise of more

Cardholders can transfer their Wells Fargo Rewards points to the following airline and hotel programs, most at a 1:1 ratio:

• Choice Privileges (1:2 ratio)
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca Lifemiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Iberia Plus

While this is a modest list, Wells Fargo has indicated that more partners will be added throughout the year. But even now, Wells Fargo Rewards points are extremely valuable. For example, you can transfer points to the Choice Privileges program of Choice Hotels at a 1:2 ratio. That means that 10,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points will turn into 20,000 Choice points, which can be a great deal, especially at their high-end hotels in the U.S. and their hotels in Europe. 

You can also transfer your card earnings to Avianca Lifemiles, which can be redeemed on flights operated by the airline’s Star Alliance partners such as United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Swiss and Turkish Airlines. Likewise, the Flying Blue program is great for awards on SkyTeam airlines such as Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic and others. And the British Airways Executive Club offers strong value for awards on their Oneworld partners such as American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines (JAL). 

Earning travel rewards is a long game, and by the time I’ve earned enough rewards for a big redemption, I’m hopeful that Wells Fargo might add some additional, valuable transfer partners. 

Low annual fee 

This card has an annual fee of just $95, which is common among cards of this type, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and the Citi Premier® Card * The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . However, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card also comes with a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. You don’t have to purchase the flights from Wells Fargo’s travel agency — any airline should work. For me, that brings the net yearly cost down to just $45, which is very low for a card with these features. 

our partner

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Final verdict

I write about credit cards for a living, but I can’t rush out and apply for every new credit card on the market. However, the value proposition for the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is strong enough to make even this veteran credit card journalist take a chance at submitting an application. Thankfully, I was immediately approved, and I’m looking forward to using this card and taking some fun trips with the rewards.

*The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Citi Premier® Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jason Steele is a freelance writer specializing in credit cards and award travel. Since 2008, Jason's work has appeared in over 100 outlets and he's been widely quoted in the mainstream media. Jason also produces CardCon, which is The Conference for Credit Card Media.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Wells Fargo Rewards program: How to earn, redeem and transfer points

Alongside the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card , Wells Fargo revamped its travel rewards program, adding a total of six transfer partners — five airlines and one hotel — to its Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards program.

Previously, those holding the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card (see rates and fees ) could earn points and redeem them for 1 cent per dollar through the portal. However, Wells Fargo points are now more valuable with the addition of transfer partners, as cardholders can maximize their points by earning transferable rewards .

Keep reading to find out more about how to earn, redeem and transfer your Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards.

The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to earn Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards

To earn Go Far Rewards, you need to spend on your Wells Fargo credit card. If you sign up for the Autograph Journey Card, you will earn 60,000 bonus reward points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. If you opt to redeem your rewards via the Wells Fargo portal, your points will be valued at 1 cent each; therefore, this bonus would be worth $600. However, as mentioned, you can get more value out of your welcome bonus points if you transfer them to travel partners.

Aside from earning points via the welcome bonus, you will earn 5 points per dollar spent at hotels, 4 points per dollar spent on airfare, 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and dining purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

If you're searching for a no-annual-fee credit card, you may want to check out the Wells Fargo Autograph Card , which offers 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants (dining in, takeout, catering, delivery and more), travel-related purchases (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more), gas (gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations), transit (subways, ride-sharing services, parking, tolls and more), streaming services and phone plans. You'll also earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Though no longer available to new applicants, the Wells Fargo Visa Signature® card will allow you to redeem 1.5 cents per point on travel redemptions through the online portal.

The information for the Wells Fargo Visa Signature card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners

Wells Fargo Rewards joins the list of valuable transferable currencies you can earn alongside Chase Ultimate Rewards , Capital One miles, American Express Membership Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards® .

As of April 4, Wells Fargo Autograph and Journey cardholders can now transfer their points to the following programs at a 1:1 ratio:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• Choice Privileges (transfers at a 1:2 ratio)

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points

How to redeem Wells Fargo Rewards

To redeem your points, sign into your credit card account or the mobile app and click on the Wells Fargo Rewards page. From there, you can hover over "Use Rewards" and select how you would like to redeem your rewards.

You can redeem your points for travel, such as airfare and hotels, make a charitable donation, buy products from retailers, pay for specific purchases using points, purchase gift cards or get a statement credit for items already purchased.

When used for travel purchases, Go Far Rewards can be redeemed at 1 cent per point. However, other redemptions, such as when purchasing gift cards or items from retailers, may be redeemed at a lesser value.

If you want to transfer your points, hover over "Use Rewards" and select "Rewards Points Transfer." You'll see a list of the airlines and hotel transfer partners.

From there, click on "Link accounts" for the partner you want to link and enter your partner account number before clicking "Continue."

You'll see a confirmation message to confirm that the accounts have been linked (it only takes a few seconds). From there, you can transfer points (if you have them), but if you click "Cancel," you'll come back to the main transfer page — which now has a new expandable menu labeled "My linked rewards programs."

Transfers can be made in multiples of 1,000 points, with a 1,000-point minimum. Remember, transfers are non-reversible, so be sure you check award availability on the partner's website if you're transferring points for a specific redemption. Also, transfers may not happen instantly, so keep that in mind when looking to book award travel.

Wells Fargo Rewards credit cards

Though Wells Fargo offers several types of credit cards, including cash-back cards, you can currently only earn Go Far Rewards with the following cards:

• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
• Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Both cards offer an attractive welcome bonus to help you earn points to redeem on your next travel or shopping purchase. With the introduction of transferable partners, we're excited to see Wells Fargo expanding its loyalty program. Plus, we wouldn't be surprised if the number of airline and hotel partners grows within the next two years to compete with other credit card reward companies.

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MORE FROM VAULT

5 Best Ways To Use Points Or Miles

Melanie Lockert

Credit & Credit Cards Expert

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer with nearly a decade of experience in the personal finance space. She is the founder of the blog and author of the book “Dear Debt” and paid off $81,000 in student loans. She has an M.A. from New York University and is an LA native based in Brooklyn, NY.

Robert Thorpe

Senior Editor

Robert is a senior editor at Newsweek, specializing in a range of personal finance topics, including credit cards, loans and banking. Prior to Newsweek, he worked at Bankrate as the lead editor for small business loans and as a credit cards writer and editor. He has also written and edited for CreditCards.com, The Points Guy and The Motley Fool Ascent.

Updated April 15, 2024 at 11:26 am

Costs are rising in nearly all sectors, including travel. While travel costs dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic, prices have rebounded and now exceed previous levels.

As of 2022, all travel expenditures for out-of-town trips were 27% higher than 2019 levels, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) . If you’re planning your next getaway, you can lower costs by redeeming the points and miles you rack up with your travel rewards card . But the redemption value of your rewards can vary and some options may be more favorable than others. Here are the five best ways to use your points or miles.

Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.

Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.

Vault’s Viewpoint

• Travel costs have increased significantly over the past few years.
• Credit card travel rewards can help lower costs through savvy redemption options.
• The value of points or miles depends on many factors and some options are worth more than others.

Booking a flight for your next trip is now more expensive than it was just a few years ago. Transportation costs for out-of-town trips rose 20% in 2022 compared to 2019, going from $849 to $1,022 allocated, according to BLS data.

To help offset high ticket costs, you can redeem points or miles from a travel rewards card to cover your airfare. Before you book your next flight, be sure to compare the redemption cost versus the cash price. In general, aim for a minimum of one cent per mile or point. But here are the two best ways to maximize your existing points and miles and get even more mileage out of them.

Book a Flight Through Your Credit Card Travel Portal

Credit card travel rewards can often be redeemed through your credit card’s travel portal. This can also be more valuable than other redemption methods.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , your points are worth 25% more when you book via Chase Travel.

Through the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, their premium credit card, that boost doubles. When Chase Ultimate Rewards are redeemed via Chase Travel, their value increases by 50%.

So if you have 10,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points and redeem for travel through the Chase Travel portal, your rewards, by our math, are worth $125 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or $150 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card.

Transfer Points and Miles to an Airline Partner

Some travel rewards cards give you the option to use their platform to book a flight or to transfer to an eligible airline partner. In some cases, transferring to an airline partner can yield better results.

Transferring points and miles can help you in several ways:

• Eligible bonuses. Airline partners may offer limited-time promotions or bonuses that can increase your miles or points. For example, you may receive a 25% bonus for transferring your points to a partner airline. So if you have 1,000 points, just by transferring you could have 1,250 points or miles.
• Lower award tickets. Every airline has different award brackets and you may be able to score a lower award ticket after transferring. In other words, you may be able to use fewer miles to book a flight when you use a partner airline and still have points or miles left over.
• Get closer to an award. You might have racked up a sizable number of miles on a specific airline but you’re just shy of being able to redeem them for an award flight. If you can transfer points or miles to that airline as a partner, it can help you get closer to an award flight or help you reach the minimum required to book your desired flight.
• Higher redemption value. If you transfer points or miles to an airline partner you could have a higher redemption value. To get the most out of the transfer, look into business and first-class tickets on international flights. While the cash price for these flights may be high, the cost in points or miles may be less than you think and the redemption value could be significantly higher.

2. Hotel Redemptions

While redeeming points and miles for a flight can save you money on your next trip, don’t ignore how much you might save with hotel redemptions.

For context, lodging for out-of-town trips saw the highest increase in travel expenditure categories, increasing 35% from 2019 to 2022, going from $619 to $837 allocated, according to BLS data .

Statista found that the average daily rate of hotels in the United States in 2022 was $148.83. Given that average, lodging for a one-week trip costs over a thousand dollars. Hotel stays can be a major weight on any travel budget. So redeeming free hotel stays is one of the best ways to use points or miles.

You can typically redeem your points or miles to book a hotel stay via your credit card’s portal. In other cases, similar to flights, you may be able to transfer points to eligible hotels. Just make sure that the points or miles you’re transferring have a minimum 1:1 redemption value, or else it’ll defeat the purpose. So if you have 1,000 points, after transferring you’ll have 1,000 points with the hotel.

The best part about redeeming points or miles for hotel stays is the flexibility. You can book a budget-friendly hotel, choose a location in a neighborhood you want or opt for a more luxurious experience. When you use points, some hotel partners may offer special bonuses like a free night after meeting minimum stay requirements or waive resort fees.

3. Peak-Season Travel

Peak-season travel refers to certain periods when travel is at its peak— the busiest times of year to fly. Summertime and any holidays are typically considered peak season and you can expect prices to be much higher compared to off-season travel. Why? Supply and demand.

Let’s say you want to spend the Fourth of July holiday in Paris. A roundtrip flight from New York to Paris from July 1 to July 8 is $900+. Changing dates to October 1 to October 8 results in a flight price of around $500. That $400 difference could go toward accommodations or other travel costs.

Booking peak-season travel is one of the best ways to use points or miles. Your redemption value may go further and can help you travel on a budget when flights are cost-prohibitive. So if you want to travel with your family during the summer when the kids are off or go visit your parents during the holidays, miles and points can put these in reach even if your bank account says otherwise.

4. Off-Peak Travel

Miles and points can save you money during the peak travel period. But you typically need fewer miles and points when you book off-peak travel. In other words, you may be within reach of an award ticket if you choose to fly off-peak. Plus, you’ll have miles or points left over for another trip.

I’ve booked roundtrip tickets to Rome and Madrid during the off-peak travel season for 45,000 American Airlines miles and taxes and fees. Granted, this was before the MileSAAver program was discontinued and dynamic pricing was implemented. While prices now can shift based on a variety of factors, you can see how traveling off-peak can save you miles.

At the time of writing, flying one-way from New York to Rome on April 15, 2024, would cost you 27,000 miles and taxes and fees.

To take the same flight roughly four months later in the heart of summer, you’ll need more than double the number of miles. Instead of paying 27,000 miles and taxes and fees, you’d pay 56,000 miles and taxes and fees—and that’s only one way. Put another way, you could travel round trip off-peak for fewer miles than one-way during peak season.

5. Pool Points and Miles Using Multiple Credit Cards

You may have points and miles scattered across various credit cards. In some cases, you may be able to consolidate your rewards. Combining travel rewards can help boost your balance so you can redeem for airfare, hotel stays and more.

Typically, you can do this if you have more than one card with the same credit card issuer . For example, Multiple Citi credit cards that offer ThankYou Points. And some Chase credit cards offer Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

You may be able to consolidate your points if they’re under the same issuer, typically in your credit card portal. Make sure you’re transferring your points to the card that has a higher redemption value. For example, transferring points from other Chase credit cards to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® could boost your per-point value.

Best Credit Cards To Earn and Redeem Points and Miles

There are so many rewards credit cards on the market, that it can be tough to choose which one is best for you. Consider your goals and travel habits.

• How often do you travel?
• Do you prioritize flying or booking the best hotels?
• Do you always check a bag or only use a carry-on?

Knowing the kind of traveler you are and what you want can help you identify a credit card that makes sense for your situation.

Here are the top options for credit card travel rewards broken down by different categories. It’s always a good idea to look into annual fees, annual percentage rates (APRs), welcome bonuses, spending minimums, perks and customer reviews.

• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

After spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual fee with generous benefits in a wide range of categories. It also has no foreign transaction fees and multiple travel redemption options, making it an attractive choice.

Additional information:

Welcome bonus: 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months

• 3X points on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations, as well on travel, transit, select streaming services and phone plans
• 1X points on all other purchases

Citi Premier® Card

After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

The Citi Premier® Card has a significant welcome bonus and major earning potential with a range of redemption options. The card has no foreign transaction fees and has a hotel benefit.

Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening

• 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through ThankYou.com (through June 30, 2024)
• 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels
• 1X points on other purchases

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with an annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access , and elevated earnings for travel-related purchases. Plus, points are worth even more when redeeming through Chase Travel and can be transferred to other partners.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (worth $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel)

• 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel*
• 10X points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards
• 5X points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel*
• 3X points on other travel (not purchased through Chase)*
• 3X points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out

*Travel-related rewards kick in after the $300 annual travel credit is spent each year.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

On CreditCards.com's secure site

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has compelling rewards like free nights, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and purchase protection. The card has a generous point structure in a variety of categories.

Additional Information:

Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening

• Up to 26X total points on paid hotel stays with IHG Hotels and Resorts (10X points with this card, up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG One Rewards Member, up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status)
• 5X points on travel (excluding purchases made at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards that qualify for 10X points), at gas stations and restaurants
• 3X points on all other purchases

The 5 Worst Ways To Redeem Credit Card Rewards

Credit card travel rewards can be a fantastic way to book free or heavily discounted travel. While travel rewards on average are worth one cent per point or mile, with smart redemption options they can be worth much more.

On the other hand, the wrong move could devalue your points or miles, making them worth even less than one cent. Here are the five worst ways to redeem credit card rewards in our view.

• Shopping. Many credit card portals allow you to shop and purchase merchandise. While it can seem like you’re saving money by not paying cash, those points and miles could go further elsewhere.
• Gift cards. While you can use your miles and points for a gift card for your favorite retailer doesn’t mean you should. The value of your travel rewards may be less than one cent, making it a poor redemption option.
• Donations. You may be able to donate your miles or points to a charity and help a good cause. But if the value of your rewards falls below one cent, you’d likely be better off donating cash and using your points and miles on something that can get you more.
• Rental cars. If you need a rental car for your next vacation, using your points and miles can be enticing. Unfortunately, rental car redemptions may also offer lower value under one cent.
• Statement credits. Unlike cash back credit cards, some travel cards like the American Express® Gold Card offer redemption values below one cent when redeeming for statement credits.

How to Calculate the Value of Your Points or Miles

Before redeeming any travel rewards, calculate the value of the points. Ideally, you want the highest redemption value possible, but one cent is the minimum you should aim for. Anything less than that is likely not a good use of points or miles.

To calculate your points or miles, take the cash price of the flight or hotel and divide that by the number of miles or points required.

So if a roundtrip flight you’re looking at is $700 and would cost 54,000 miles, you’d divide 700 by 54,000.

700 / 54,000 = 0.0129

Take that sum and multiply it by 100 to get the per-point value. In this case, that would be 1.29 cents. In this case, it could be a solid redemption option but there may be better ones out there. The key is to calculate the value each time you want to use your points or miles.

If it’s below the one cent threshold you may want to hold on to your points and miles if possible or find a new redemption option that is more favorable. Review all of your options as there are some ways to use points or miles that are better than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card is best for international travel.

If you’re traveling internationally, the best credit card to get is one without foreign transaction fees . These fees charge you a small percentage, typically between 1% and 3%, on any transactions made abroad. Some credit cards without foreign transaction fees include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Platinum Credit Card

What Credit Score Do I Need for a Travel Rewards Card?

Every credit card issuer has different eligibility recommendations. In general, to get a travel rewards card you’ll need what’s considered a good or excellent credit score. That means a credit score of at least 670 or above.

How Do I Keep My Air Miles From Expiring?

Some travel rewards may have an expiration date for miles. To avoid having your miles expire, you can use the miles, consider a credit card tied to an airline that resets the clock on expiration with purchases, or transfer the miles. Check with your credit card issuer on potential expiration dates and how you can keep your miles current.

Article Sources

At Newsweek Vault, our team of dedicated writers and editors are not just experts in their respective fields but also committed to delivering content that meets the highest standards of journalistic integrity. We analyze primary sources, including peer-reviewed studies, authoritative government sites and insights from leading industry professionals and ensure that every piece of information is researched, fact-checked and presented with accuracy and relevance.

• Consumer expenditures in 2022 . U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on April 10, 2024.
• Average daily rate of hotels in the United States from 2001 to 2022 . Statista. Accessed on April 10, 2024.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

Will you earn more with the Robinhood Gold Card vs 2% flat-rate rewards credit cards?

Other rewards rates and perks to consider.

• What about the Robinhood Gold Card’s travel rewards?

Redeeming rewards is also more challenging

How robinhood gold stacks up to the competition, should you sign up for the robinhood gold card, bad news for wells fargo active cash new robinhood gold card earns 3% cash back on everything.

Even without a welcome bonus, Robinhood’s flat-rate rewards card has a competitive edge.

Courtney Johnston

Senior Editor

Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

When it comes to managing your money or earning rewards , I’m a big fan of eliminating unnecessary complications. So I love the simple structure of a competitive flat-rate rewards credit card, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card . But the gold standard in credit cards is facing new competition.

The Robinhood Gold Card * was recently announced and offers 3% back on every purchase -- and a competitive 5% back on travel booked in the new Robinhood travel portal. That’s a higher rewards rate than the Active Cash, which recently won a CNET Editors’ Choice award for its competitive rewards and ease of use.

The catch? You’ll need to be a Robinhood Gold member to apply, which costs $5 a month. That brings the annual cost up to $60 a year, but if you pay annually, it will only cost you $50, saving you an extra $10. That’s not a steep fee, but is it worth the cost when most 2% flat-rate cards don’t charge an annual fee?

Let’s find out.

Robinhood Gold Card

If we focus just on flat-rate rewards , the Robinhood Gold card can earn more in rewards after you hit a certain spending threshold.

Let’s say you spend $1,000 a month regularly with a 2% flat-rate card like the Active Cash. Assuming you pay your bill in full and don’t accrue interest or penalties, you could earn $240 in a given year.

If you spend the same amount with the Robinhood card and earn a flat 3% rewards rate, you’d earn $360. When you subtract the Robinhood Gold membership’s annual cost ($50), that brings your earnings to $310 -- $70 higher than you would earn with a 2% flat-rate card.

But if you spend less than $400 a month, you’ll earn more with the Active Cash (assuming you pay $50 for the annual Robinhood Gold membership).

How much you can earn in rewards each year, after annual fees :

Aside from the flat rewards rates, you’ll also want to weigh other benefits each card offers. While the Robinhood Gold could net you a bigger return, the Active Cash offers an easy-to-earn welcome bonus that can earn you an extra $200 in cash rewards after spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. When you take this bonus into consideration, the tables turn slightly.

How much you can earn in rewards the first year, after annual fees, including welcome bonuses :

With the additional $200 welcome bonus, the Active Cash becomes the clear winner -- but only for the first year. After that, the Robinhood Gold would eventually start to pull ahead.

What about the Robinhood Gold Card’s travel rewards?

If you plan on booking travel with your card, then the Robinhood Gold can earn 5% rewards through its travel portal. While that sounds great -- and it may be -- the card isn’t live yet. You’ll need to add your name to the card’s waitlist. So we don’t know enough about how the travel portal works to determine if it’s worthwhile. 

It’s worth keeping a eye on, but if you already earn a 5% rewards rate with a travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* or the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® *, I wouldn’t jump ship just yet.

How you like to redeem your rewards will help you decide which flat-rate card is best for you. You might earn more with Robinhood’s card and you can technically redeem your rewards as cash-back, but it’s not always that simple. You’ll need to transfer your rewards to your Robinhood brokerage account and then transfer them to a linked bank account. 

The Active Cash makes it easier to redeem rewards for cash back, cutting out this two-transfer step. But if you’re looking to invest your rewards or earn the same 1% redemption rate when using them at checkout, Robinhood’s card has the edge. 

Here’s a more comprehensive look at how the Robinhood Gold card compares to similar flat-rate cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Citi Double Cash® Card .

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

If you’re already a Robinhood Gold member, signing up for this card is a no-brainer -- unless there’s another rewards card you like more. If you’re not a member, you’ll want to look at how much you spend each month and consider how you like to redeem your rewards. 

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Robinhood’s new gold card goes head-to-head with apple and paypal, move over, chase sapphire preferred. this new travel credit card is turning heads, credit card rewards shake-up: visa and mastercard agree to lower swipe fees.

*All information about the Capital One Venture Card, Robinhood Gold Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Journey: Sapphire Takes the Edge

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card, Wells Fargo’s travel card launched in March 2024 , is a direct competitor to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which is to many the standard for what a mid-tier travel card should be. And that standard is high. For a $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred delivers incredible value in the form of many benefits that can be accessed year after year.

The Autograph Journey℠ is a great card with similar perks to the Sapphire Preferred, but it falls just short of the classic travel card titan .

Improvements seem to be imminent though, as Wells Fargo has already announced that it’s adding more travel partners in 2024. Just as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card got better over time, the same could be true for the Autograph Journey℠.

For now, though, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the better card for most people.

Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is better for most people

Points are more valuable for travel.

The sign-up bonuses for the Sapphire Preferred and Autograph Journey℠ seem equal, but in reality, the Sapphire Preferred’s bonus is worth more. New Sapphire Preferred cardholders get the following offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. Those 60,000 points are worth up to $750 because 1 point is worth 1.25 cents if you book travel in the Chase Travel portal.

Points earned with the Autograph Journey℠ are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for statement credit, shopping via PayPal and gift cards. While 1 cent per point is the industry standard, it’s still less than what you’d get by booking through Chase Travel.

More transfer partners

As the more established card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has more transfer partners than the Autograph Journey℠. And it’s not close. As of this writing, Chase has 14 airline and hotel travel partners while Wells Fargo has six. Transferring Ultimate Rewards® is one of the best ways to maximize the value of rewards earned with the Sapphire, and with 14 travel partners, cardholders have plenty of booking flexibility.

Wells Fargo said it will add more transfer partners as early as 2024. Until then, Chase’s network of transfer partners remains superior.

Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

Air Canada (1:1 ratio).

Air France-KLM (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Emirates (1:1 ratio).

Iberia (1:1 ratio).

JetBlue (1:1 ratio).

Singapore (1:1 ratio).

Southwest (1:1 ratio).

United (1:1 ratio).

Virgin Atlantic (1:1 ratio).

Hyatt (1:1 ratio).

InterContinental Hotels Group (1:1 ratio).

Marriott (1:1 ratio).

Avianca (1:1 ratio).

Choice Privileges Hotels (1:2 ratio).

More complimentary cards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns Ultimate Rewards® on every purchase, but it’s not the only Chase card that does. Points earned on another Ultimate Rewards®-earning card may be transferred to the Sapphire Preferred, allowing cardholders to pool them together. Seven Chase cards earn Ultimate Rewards®, including Chase Freedom Unlimited® , Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card . More of these cards in your wallet means more opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards® and the potential to optimize the value of each card.

Only two other Wells Fargo cards earn points that may be combined with points earned from the Autograph Journey℠ — the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . Note that those who only hold the $0 -annual fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card can transfer points to travel partners. In the Chase ecosystem, you must have an Ultimate Rewards®-earning card that carries an annual fee to unlock the ability to transfer.

» LEARN: Chase Ultimate Rewards: How the program works

More trip protections

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Autograph Journey℠ card have car rental insurance and trip cancellation protection, but the Sapphire Preferred covers losses up to $20,000 per trip; the coverage on the Autograph Journey maxes out at $15,000.

And unlike the Autograph Journey,℠ the Sapphire Preferred also has baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement.

» MORE: How free travelers insurance through credit cards works

Who might prefer the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card

You’re already in the wells fargo ecosystem.

If you already have another Wells Fargo credit card, it makes sense to get the Autograph Journey℠ rather than the Sapphire Preferred. As noted earlier, the Autograph Journey℠ is a nice complement to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card because you can move rewards earned with both cards to the Autograph Journey℠.

You want more booking flexibility

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ earns:

5 points per $1 on hotels.

4 points per $1 on airlines.

3 points per $1 on other travel and dining.

1 point per $1 on other purchases.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the best rewards rate is reserved for travel booked through Chase Travel . Not so with the Autograph Journey℠, which earns 5x on hotels and 4x on flights regardless of booking platform.

Similarly, Autograph Journey℠ cardholders get a $50 annual statement credit for flights booked with an airline or through Wells Fargo’s travel portal. You only get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ’s $50 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel.

You want cell phone insurance

As long as you pay your cell phone bill with your Autograph Journey℠ card, Wells Fargo will pay for two claims and up to $2,000 in a 12-month period. Cardholders have to pay a $25 deductible per claim.

Other Wells Fargo cards have cell phone insurance, but their maximum claim payout isn’t as high as that of Autograph Journey℠.

» MORE: What to expect from Wells Fargo’s cell phone insurace

Which card should you get?

If you're looking for your first travel card , it’s hard to go wrong with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , especially if you already have another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards®. However, if you’re loyal to Wells Fargo’s suite of products, or you plan to be, it makes sense to choose the Autograph Journey℠ card. It’s an excellent travel card with the potential to become even better as Wells Fargo expands its roster of transfer partners.

» NEXT: A guide to travel credit cards for beginners

on Chase's website

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

TD Bank Savings Rates

• Pros and Cons

How TD Bank Savings Rates Compare

• Why You Should Trust Us

Today's TD Bank Savings Rates: Earn up to 4.00% APY

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TD Bank has two savings accounts: TD Simple Savings and  TD Signature Savings. Each one pays a different savings rate. 

• Earn $200 when you deposit $10,000 or more in new money within 20 days, then maintain that balance for 90 days from the date the deposit requirement is initially met (Offer ends June 30, 2024)

$5 monthly service fee

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly fee for students, or for adults under age 24 or age 62 or older
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly fee for the first 12 months, with recurring monthly deposits of $25
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Mobile check deposit
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum opening deposit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low APY
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $5 monthly service fee

TD Bank Signature Savings Account pays a higher interest rate than the TD Simple Savings Account on balances of $10,000 or more. However, to get the most out of this account, you'll need to qualify for a relationship rate and meet one of the requirements to waive the TD Signature Savings - Fees Display. Ultimately, you can find much better rates with the best online banks.

• No monthly service fee for students, adults under age 24 or age 62 or older
• Waive $5 monthly service fee by maintaining $300 minimum daily balance
• No monthly fee for the first 12 months if you make recurring $25 monthly deposits
• Interest compounded daily
• FDIC insured

$15 monthly service fee

0.01% to 4.00%

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn a competitive APY when you link to another eligible TD Bank account
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn a higher APY with a higher balance
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free incoming wire transfers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free money orders
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free stop payments
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free official checks
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $15 monthly service fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low APY if you don't link to another TD Bank account
• Earn a bump rate APY when you link a TD Bank personal checking account, small business checking account, credit card, mortgage, or home equity loan
• Earn 0.01% APY if you maintain less than $10,000 in your account
• Earn 0.05% APY if you don't have an eligible TD Bank account and maintain an account balance of $10,000 or more
• Earn 2.00% APY if you link an eligible TD bank account and maintain an account balance between $10,000 and $24,999
• Earn 2.25% APY if you have an eligible TD Bank account and maintain an account balance between $25,000 and $49,999
• Earn 2.50% APY if you have an eligible TD Bank account and maintain an account balance between $50,000 and $99,999
• Earn 4.00% APY if you have an eligible TD Bank account and maintain an account balance over $100,000
• Waive $15 monthly service fee by maintaining a $10,000 minimum balance, linking to a TD Beyond Checking Account, or opening an IRA
• No out-of-network ATM fees and ATM fee refunds if you maintain a $2,500 balance

The TD Simple Savings Account pays 0.02% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on all balances, which is low compared to the average savings account interest rate . Meanwhile, TD Signature Savings offers standard rates and relationship rates, which means the rate will vary depending on which one you qualify for.

TD Bank makes it pretty easy to qualify for a "relationship rate," or a higher rate as a reward for having another TD Bank product. You'll have relationship rates when you link your TD Signature Savings to a TD Bank personal checking account, small business checking account, credit card, mortgage, or home equity loan.

You'll earn the following savings rates with TD Signature Savings :

Your decision between the two savings accounts could come down to how much money you plan to keep in the account.  

Generally, TD Signature Savings pays a better interest rate on higher account balances. However, you'll actually earn a slightly higher rate with the TD Simple Savings Account if you keep under $10,000 in savings.

Also, keep in mind that many of the best online banks still offer higher better rates than either savings account at TD Bank.

Compare savings accounts

Td bank savings pros and cons.

TD Bank Savings vs. Bank of America Savings

Bank of America Advantage Savings pays 0.01% APY on most balances, but you can earn a little more if you qualify for Preferred Rewards. The Preferred Rewards tiers are as follows:

• Gold: Earn 0.02% APY with a three-month average combined balance of $20,000 to $49,999.99 in all Bank of America bank accounts or Merrill investments
• Platinum: Earn 0.03% APY with a three-month average combined balance of $50,000 to $99,999
• Platinum Honors: Earn 0.04% APY with a three-month average combined balance of $100,000 or more

Overall, Bank of America savin gs rates are pretty low, regardless of whether you qualify for Preferred Rewards. If you plan to maintain a high balance, you may want to open TD Signature Savings to earn more than Bank of America's maximum rate.

Bank of America Review

TD Bank Savings  vs. Wells Fargo Savings

Wells Fargo is another national bank with substantial branches on the East Coast. Wells Fargo savings rates may vary depending on the savings account. You'll earn 0.01% APY with the Wells Fargo Way2Save® Savings Account , and 0.25% to 2.51% APY with the Platinum Savings Account.

You might be better off opening TD Signature Savings if you qualify for a relationship rate and maintain a high account balance. You'll need to get a TD Bank personal checking account, small business checking account, credit card, mortgage, or home equity loan, and keep $100,000 or more in your account. 

Wells Fargo Bank Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed TD Bank Savings Accounts

We rate bank accounts on a scale from zero to five stars. For our TD Bank saving rates review, we used our bank account methodology, which looks at interest rates, minimum opening deposits, monthly service fees, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, and the ethics of the company to rate savings accounts.

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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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