New Card Launched: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

Today, Wells Fargo launched the new Autograph Journey card online. While this has been available in bank branch locations for a few weeks, today marks the first day it’s available for online applications.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card (non-affiliate link) currently has a welcome bonus of 60,000 points:

60,000 bonus points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months
5X points on hotels
4X points on airlines
3X points on restaurants and other travel
1X points on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance and car rental collision coverage
Visa Signature privileges including concierge and benefits at luxury hotels
$95 annual fee, partially offset by $50 annual airline credit

How can you spend 60,000 points? These points are worth $600 towards travel expenses. And, beginning next month, you can transfer these points 1:1 to:

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

My thoughts on this card

Personally, I’m excited to see a new card with a sizable welcome bonus that will have transfer partners. Most of my miles and points are accumulated through new card sign-up bonuses. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card is the only card I know of that earns 5X points on hotels (other cards earn that much but only if you book through a travel portal). And, I love that the $95 annual fee is partially offset by an airline credit.

On the other hand, I’d be a bit more excited about this card if the welcome bonus had more of a wow factor (80,000 points would be better!). The number of transfer partners is low compared to Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt. For newbies trying to travel with credit card rewards, I’d still recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Capital One Venture Rewards card before this one.

But, for people who no longer qualify for Chase cards or already have many other credit cards, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is a solid option to earn more points for travel. I will likely apply for the card at some point in the future.