Wells Fargo doesn't offer a single, definitive "best" travel credit card, as the optimal choice depends on your individual spending habits and travel preferences.
Table of Contents:
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card:
What is the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card?
Benefits for Travelers:
Is it Worth It? (Pros and cons, who should consider it)
Alternatives to Consider
Wells Fargo Autograph Card: This card offers:
Unlimited 3x points on travel, gas, and streaming services.
1x point on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
No Annual Fee.
This card is a well-rounded option for frequent travelers who spend on various travel categories and want a card with no annual fee.
Bilt World Elite Mastercard (not directly issued by Wells Fargo): This card, offered through Bilt Rewards with a points program partially powered by Wells Fargo, provides:
3x points on rent payments.
2x points at travel providers and on dining.
1x point on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $250.
This card is ideal for renters who spend heavily on rent and want to maximize their points towards travel rewards. However, keep in mind the annual fee.
Quick Comparison to Help You Decide:
|
Feature |
Wells Fargo Autograph Card |
Bilt World Elite Mastercard |
|
Rewards on travel |
3x points |
2x points |
|
Other bonus categories |
Gas & streaming (3x) |
Rent (3x), dining (2x) |
|
Welcome bonus |
20,000 points |
N/A |
|
Annual fee |
No |
$250 |
Which Wells Fargo Travel Card Has no Foreign Transaction Fee?
Out of the Wells Fargo travel cards, only the Wells Fargo Autograph Card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. This means you can use this card abroad to make purchases in a foreign currency without any additional fees on top of the exchange rate.
What Benefits Does The Wells Fargo Autograph Card Offer to Travelers?
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers several benefits specifically for travelers, including:
Rewards:
3X points on travel, gas stations, and select streaming services. This broadens your earning potential for travel rewards compared to cards with narrower travel categories.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You can use your card abroad without incurring additional charges on top of the exchange rate.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. This translates to $200 in travel statement credit or other redemption options.
Travel Benefits:
Auto rental Collision Damage Waiver: Provides secondary coverage for damage to rental vehicles in most countries worldwide, offering peace of mind while renting a car abroad.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: This service can help with various situations like lost luggage, emergency medical or legal assistance, and travel document replacement.
Roadside Dispatch: Offers 24/7 assistance for covered situations like flat tires, dead batteries, and towing.
Emergency Cash Disbursement & Card Replacement: In case your card is lost or stolen, this service can help you access emergency cash and expedite a replacement card.
Visa Signature Concierge: This complimentary service provides assistance with various travel arrangements, including booking reservations, finding recommendations, and securing tickets.
Visa Signature Luxury
Hotel Collection: Offers special benefits and potential savings at
participating luxury hotels worldwide.
What is The Credit Limit for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card?
Wells Fargo doesn't publicly disclose specific credit
limit ranges for their cards, including the Autograph Journey Visa Card.
This means the credit limit you'll be offered depends on your individual financial situation, including factors like:
Credit Score: This is generally the most significant factor influencing your credit limit. Higher credit scores typically qualify for larger credit limits.
Income: Your income level helps assess your ability to repay the credit line.
Employment History: Stable employment can positively impact your creditworthiness and potentially lead to a higher credit limit.
Existing Debt: Having a high amount of existing debt can make it less likely you'll be approved for a high credit limit on a new card.
Credit History:
Your overall credit history, including payment history and credit utilization
ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total limit), plays a
role in determining your creditworthiness.
Is The New Wells Fargo Travel Credit Card Worth it?
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card is worth it depends on your individual travel habits and spending patterns. Here's a breakdown of its pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros:
High Rewards Potential: Earns 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airfare, and 3x points on other travel and dining, offering a competitive rewards rate compared to other travel cards, especially for hotel stays.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You can use the card abroad without incurring additional charges on top of the exchange rate.
Travel Benefits:
Includes travel and emergency assistance services, auto rental collision damage
waiver, and access to Visa Signature benefits like concierge services and
luxury hotel collection perks.
New Transfer Partners:
As of April 4, 2024, you'll be able to transfer points to several airline
loyalty programs, potentially increasing redemption value for frequent flyers
with specific preferred airlines.
Welcome Offer: Currently offers a 60,000 bonus point’s offer after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months, which translates to $600 in travel statement credit or other redemption options.
Cons:
Annual Fee: Has a $95 annual fee, which some travelers might find unappealing compared to no-fee travel cards.
New Card: Launched
in March 2024, so it has a shorter track record compared to established travel
cards.
Transfer Partners:
While the addition of transfer partners is a positive development, the initial
selection is limited compared to cards with more extensive transfer partner
networks.
Redemption Flexibility:
While points offer various redemption options, the highest value is typically
obtained through travel statement credits or transferring points to travel
partners, potentially limiting flexibility for those who prefer cash back or
other redemption options.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Are the Key Differences between the Wells Fargo Autograph Card and the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card?
Both cards offer travel rewards, but the Journey card has
a higher annual fee ($95 vs. no fee) and earns bonus points specifically for
hotels and airfare (5x and 4x respectively) compared to the broader 3x points
on travel for the Autograph card.
Is the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card better than the older Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
It depends on your travel habits. If you primarily spend
on hotels and flights and plan to utilize the transfer partners, the Journey
card might be worth the annual fee for the higher rewards rate.
Who Should Consider the New Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card?
This card could be suitable for frequent travelers who
spend heavily on hotels and flights, particularly those who have preferred
airlines within the transfer partner network.