Review
Updated
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a solid no annual fee rewards card with valuable benefits like cellphone protection and unlimited rewards potential. Cardholders can earn up to 3X points in many popular spending categories, including restaurants, transit and travel, and gas stations. This rewards card also has a hefty welcome offer. Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review to see if this is a good rewards card for you.
2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
1X-3X points
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 bonus points
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This card offers unlimited 3X points on common things like restaurants, gas stations, travel, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. This could be a great pick if you spend a lot in those categories. A solid welcome bonus and cell phone protection are the cherries on top.
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- Strong welcome bonus for a no annual fee card
- Earn Unlimited 3x points on useful categories
- Cellphone protection
- Other cards offer larger bonuses, though they usually come with annual fees
- The 1x points baseline rewards rate on other purchases, though normal for this type of card, can be beat
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- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. N/A | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Up to $300 cash back Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash back Enjoy 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; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
|
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
60,000 bonus points 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℠. | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases 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. |
Intro: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review
This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers who want a no annual fee card that earns unlimited rewards in multiple spending categories, a welcome offer, and valuable benefits like cellphone protection.
Features and benefits
This is a credit card that practically does it all, with a high rewards rate, lots of ways to use your points, and a 0% intro APR. With all its perks, it's ideal if you're going for a one-card wallet.
Maximize rewards with a welcome bonus and lots of 3x bonus categories
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card was extremely popular as soon as it launched, and that's mainly for one reason: It has an amazing rewards program.
When you open this card, you can earn a welcome offer of 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Those bonus points have a cash redemption value of $200, making this one of the most valuable welcome bonuses for a card with no annual fee.
You'll probably also have no trouble earning bonus rewards on your regular spending. This card earns an unlimited 3X points per $1 in the following categories:
- Restaurants
- Travel
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Transit
- Popular streaming services
- Phone plans
It's a great mix, especially since you'll be earning bonus points on travel and several everyday spending categories. Many credit cards only have a small number of bonus categories, but this card has six of them.
Transferable points: Great for saving money on travel
My favorite feature on this card is the reward redemption options. You can always get at least $0.01 per point by redeeming rewards for travel, gift cards, and toward previous purchases you've made.
In addition, you can transfer points to Wells Fargo's travel partners. After you've transferred points, you can use them to book travel through that pattern's loyalty program. Wells Fargo's lineup of partners currently includes:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
- Choice Hotels
There aren't many no annual fee cards that have transferable points, so this is a perk you don't see often from similar cards. And it can help you save big. I've transferred rewards to Avianca LifeMiles, Flying Blue, and Iberia Plus before, turning my points into miles in those programs. Then, I've used those miles to book international airfare that would've otherwise cost thousands of dollars.
A 0% intro APR lets you pay off big purchases over time interest free
It's easier to pay large expenses over time, in monthly installments. But it's normally cheaper to pay in full upfront, because you won't get charged interest. With this Wells Fargo card, you get the best of both worlds.
This card has a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening. After that, the go-to 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies going forward. So if you have a $4,500 home repair that you can't pay right now, you could open this card and pay it off with 12 monthly payments of $375.
A quick word of caution: Only use this benefit if you really need it. Some people see a 0% intro APR as an excuse to spend more. You're still going into debt, even if you aren't getting charged interest during the intro period. It's better to avoid debt when you can, especially credit card debt.
Save on some of the most common credit card fees
This card has no annual fee, which is always important if you're trying to keep costs down. It also has no foreign transaction fee. You won't need to pay an extra 3% on purchases you make during international trips, like you would with a lot of cards.
With no foreign transaction fee and its other travel perks, this is one of the better travel credit cards. It also helps that this is a Visa® Signature card. Visa and Mastercard are the two most widely accepted payment networks. Their cards are more likely to be accepted outside the United States than American Express and Discover cards.
Complimentary insurance coverage for your cellphone and rental cars
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has a couple of useful extra protections:
- Cellphone protection: Considering how expensive smartphones are to replace, it's always a good idea to have insurance for yours. If you pay your cellphone bill with this Wells Fargo card, it includes complimentary protection for damage, theft, and involuntary and accidental parting. The coverage limit is $600 per claim (with a $25 deductible) and two claims per 12-month period.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: It seems like every time you rent a car, you're pressured to pay extra for insurance. When you pay with this Wells Fargo card, you can safely skip that. Its rental car insurance covers damage and theft.
Drawbacks to know about
Since this is a well-rounded card, there aren't any serious issues. But there are a few perks it doesn't have that many of its competitors do.
The 0% intro APR isn't the longest and doesn't apply to balance transfers
While this card has a 0% intro APR, that's not its strong suit. It lasts for 12 months from account opening, which is about average. There are other credit cards with a 0% intro APR for 15 months, 18 months, and even as long as 21 months.
Whether this matters depends on how much you need to spend and how long it will take you to pay off. For example, if you're buying furniture that you expect to pay off in six to eight months, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card will give you more than enough time. But if you need to borrow $10,000 or more and pay it off in years, not months, then you'll want the longest 0% intro APR you can find.
This card's 0% intro APR doesn't apply to balance transfers, either. Those have the go-to 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR from the beginning. If you're dealing with credit card debt, then you'll need a balance transfer card.
Related: The Ascent's Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Hub
Missing travel and purchase protections that other cards offer
Some credit cards are loaded with complimentary protections. They may offer:
- Purchase protection (covering damage or theft)
- Extended warranty coverage
- Return protection
- Lost and delayed luggage reimbursement
- Trip delay and cancellation insurance
With this Wells Fargo card, you get none of the above. It has cellphone protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver, to be fair. But that still leaves a lot of common situations where you're not protected.
For example, I always prefer to use credit cards with purchase protection for expensive items, like electronics. If my new iPad gets dropped and damaged, or stolen at a cafe, I know I can file a claim with my credit card. Even when I don't actually need to use this benefit, it gives me peace of mind. If those types of protections are important to you, check out more credit card reviews to find a better match.
Suggested credit score
This credit card is intended for consumers with good credit. A FICO® Score of at least 670 is recommended when applying for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. Your credit score is one of many factors considered during the application process. It's possible to get approved with a lower score or be denied with a higher credit score.
Read more: Wells Fargo Credit Card Application Rules: What You Need to Know
The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is right for you if:
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a solid rewards card with great rewards earning potential and attractive benefits. This credit card could be a good fit for you if you're looking for a credit card with the following features:
- No annual fee
- Earns rewards in several everyday spending categories with no rewards cap
- Has flexible redemption options
- Offers 0% intro APR on purchases
- Includes cellphone protection
If you're not looking for a card with these particular features, other rewards credit cards may better align with your needs.
FAQs
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No, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual fee.
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No foreign transaction fees are charged when using the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, making it a solid credit card option when traveling abroad and making purchases in foreign currency.
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When using the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, you'll earn three points per $1 on eligible purchases in the following categories: restaurant, travel and transit, gas stations, popular streaming services, and phone plans. You'll also earn 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases made with your credit card.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Mastercard, PayPal, Target, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard, short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard, and short June 2024 $67.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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