Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
The rumors have been swirling for months now, but we finally know what the reality looks like with the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card. To be honest, it is more compelling than I was expecting. They also get a big boy (or girl) seat at the table, adding the newest transferrable currency to the mix. While they come up a bit short when compared to the competition, remember that this is just the opening credits … we need to let them cook for a bit and see where it goes. Just think of how many partners Bilt Rewards has added since launch as a reference point.
Update 3/21/24: This card is now available for online applications. It is NOT a card you grab under 5/24 and the early data points are that it is a difficult approval. If you go for it, share your application details in the ToP Facebook Group.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Details
Here are some notable details on the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card.
Welcome Offer Details
Here are the welcome offer details on the Autograph Journey:
- Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months.
- The $95 annual fee is NOT waived
- This card WILL count against your 5/24 count
- Learn More
Card's Earning Structure
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey will have the following earning structure:
- 5X points on hotels
- 4X points on airlines
- 3X points on other travel
- 3X points on dining
- 1X points on all other purchases
Card Perks:
Here are what we know about the card perks so far:
- $50 annual credit on airfare each year
- Insurance Coverage
- Trip delay / cancellation coverage
- Lost luggage coverage
- Travel accident coverage
- Secondary car rental coverage (don't use)
- Cell phone coverage
- Roadside assistance
Transfer Partners
While the Autograph Journey is already a compelling travel earner, especially at a net cost of $45 per year with the $50 airfare credit, Wells Fargo really made waves by getting into the transfer partner game. Here are their list of transfer partners at card launch:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue (partners with Delta)
- Avianca LifeMiles (partners with United)
- British Airways Executive Club (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)
- Iberia Plus (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)
- Choice Privileges
That list has some favorites on it, but it is no doubt a little light right now. I expect them to work their way into adding more partners as time goes on. Especially the promiscuous ones like Virgin etc. (that sounded dirtier than I intended it to!)
When Can You Get Your Own Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card?
Per their press release we will need to wait a little bit before we can get our hands on this one. Here are the notable timelines:
- It will be available in select Wells Fargo branches beginning March 9
- It will be available nationwide online and in-branch starting March 20
I would imagine large coastal cities will get the product in branches later this week, if I had to guess.
New Transferrable Currency: ToP Thoughts
Anytime a new credit card launches it is exciting and big news. But, when a new transferrable currency launches it goes to another stratosphere on the excitement scale. We have been lucky enough to see this happen a few times now over the last several years. More opportunity coming our way is always a good thing, as is more competition. Hopefully The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey gets into the transfer bonus game as well.
This card will be one best suited for people over 5/24. I know the urge will be to grab the new hotness, but do not deviate from your plan. This offer, and transfer partners, are nothing worth deviating for. I will say that it is nice to have something to grab at the end of the rainbow though. Hopefully they loosen up approvals some at launch too. That is something Wells Fargo is notoriously stringent on with some.
