As a seasoned traveler, I’m always on the lookout for new credit cards that fit my lifestyle—especially when they fill a gap in my wallet. While a huge welcome bonus is (obviously) appealing, there’s more to choosing a great travel card than that.
And recently, I added a great card to my portfolio.
This is why I applied for a new job Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see prices and fees) — plus I’m thinking of using the card’s welcome bonus when it hits my account.
Read more: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Review
A new transferable currency
Earlier this year, Wells Fargo officially burst onto the market for transferable credit card currencies. We did knew it was coming as of December 2023, but when Signature itinerary card When launched, it marks the first time Wells Fargo customers have had access to airline and hotel transfer partners with one of its own cards. When used strategically, transfers can allow you to get incredible value from your points and miles by taking advantage of the perks of partner programs.
But even if you’re not ready to learn about these optimization opportunities, there’s another important feature of Wells Fargo Rewards program (and reasons to get the Signature Cruise Pass): You can easily use rewards of 1 cent each to offset the fees on the card.
Other issuers price their bonus types differently depending on the redemption type. In some cases, this reduces the value of each point or mile to 0.7 cents or even 0.5 cents.
Not Wells Fargo.
Each direct Wells Fargo Rewards redemption is worth 1 cent per point. You can use your points as credits to eligible accounts or to offset eligible purchases on the card. You can choose from gift cards, travel, merchandise, or even online shopping via PayPal, all at the same 1 cent per point rate.
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I typically lean toward transfer partners when redeeming my points, but it’s great to have the flexibility to pay for purchases or book travel without worrying about getting poor value from your rewards.
Income ratio
Another attractive feature of Wells Fargo autographed travel card is a set of earnings rates that make it valuable. When I use my card, I earn:
- 5 points per dollar spent on hotel purchases
- 4 points per dollar spent on airline tickets
- 3 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases
- 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Send Wells Fargo Transfer PartnerYou can think of this as earning 5 British Airways Avios for every dollar spent at hotels or 4 Avianca LifeMiles for every dollar spent on airfare, assuming that you eventually transfer your points to other programs. that program.
The best part about the top two is that they don’t require you to book through a specific portal or website. Many other rewards cards increasingly force you to book through the issuer to get better rates—but I can go directly to my favorite hotels and airlines with the Autograph Journey Card.
This card also does not incur any foreign transaction fees (see prices and fees), making it the perfect companion for a recent trip to the Mediterranean.
More benefits (and discounts)
But this card doesn’t just come with great rewards. You’ll also unlock a bunch of additional perks and get access to targeted discounts through My Wells Fargo Deals.
For example, you’ll receive an annual statement credit of $50 with no minimum purchase of $50. Unlike other popular cards, this does not apply to a single airline and is not limited to certain additional fees. Just make at least $50 in purchases with the airlines and you’ll get a $50 credit applied to the card.
Immediately after receiving the card, I needed to book a plane ticket for a summer trip. I currently have a credit with that airline to cover part of the ticket, but I have $97.20 left to pay. I charged this amount to my Signature Cruise Pass and two days later I had $50 credited to my account (note that it may take one or two billing periods for this credit appear).
I also earned 4 points per dollar spent on this purchase.
Another pleasant surprise came shortly after the card arrived. That was when I was able to access my online account—and the My Wells Fargo Offers page. Many popular merchants offer discounts on purchases when you activate offers and use the card. In fact, I was able to earn a total of $58.17 in statement credits for three purchases I made during my first month of card membership. These purchases included two hotel stays and a Lyft ride. I earned the statement credits simply by activating offers and paying with my Signature Journey Card.
When you add in the $50 statement credit, I’ve already paid more than the card’s $95 annual benefit fee (see prices and fees) in less than two months—and with no effort required to do so.
In addition, the card also offers a number of benefits when shopping or traveling. Include:
- Mobile phone protection:If you pay your monthly wireless service bill with a card, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 per claim (up to $2,000 every 12 months) for repairs or replacements phone if it is damaged or stolen (subject to $25 deductible).
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If you charge a common carrier ticket to your card, use rewards, or use a combination of both, you’ll be eligible for a refund of non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel or interruption of your trip for a covered reason (up to $15,000 per covered traveler, per trip and up to $20,000 per 12-month period, per account).
- Waiver of damage caused by car rental collisions: You can get reimbursed up to $50,000 for theft or damage to your rental car when you use your Signature Pass (or your rewards) and opt out of the rental car company’s insurance. This coverage is even primary outside the United States, meaning you won’t need to file a claim with any other insurance provider first.
While I hope I never have to use any of these insurance benefits, it’s nice to know they’re still available if something goes wrong during a trip.
Get and use 60,000 bonus points
Of course, the main reason I chose to buy Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is a welcome bonus. If you apply for (and get approved for) the card, you can earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. This is a relatively easy spending threshold to reach, requiring an average of just $1,333.33 per month for the first three months.
So how do I plan to use that reward?
Unsurprisingly, I’m exploring points transfer options with Wells Fargo’s solid list of airline and hotel partners. While award ticket prices will naturally go up and down over time, the current redemptions I’ve found include:
- Switch to British Airways Executive Club to book direct flights with American Airlines: Since I live near Miami, I have a lot of great options for visiting the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. For example, I can book round-trip flights to Belize for a long weekend in January 2025 for just 22,000 Avios plus $98.40 in taxes and fees. The welcome bonus plus the points I’ll earn from spending with the card means I can book this itinerary for me, my wife, and my daughter.
- Switch to Iberia Plus to book non-stop, off-peak, business class flights: Another great award option from Miami International Airport (MIA) is a business class flight to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for 42,500 Avios. I’ve booked this flight multiple times with Avios, and it remains one of the most cost-effective ways to travel from the United States to Europe in a lie-flat seat.
- Switch to Air France-KLM Flying Blue to book business class flights: Air France and KLM offer a variety of itineraries from the United States to Europe. Business class seats on one of these routes start at just 50,000 miles, making the Flying Blue program a great way to book flights that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars.
These options don’t even take into account all the points I’ve earned (and will continue to earn) through my card spending. By the end of the year, my Wells Fargo Rewards points balance could reach six figures.
Regardless of how I end up redeeming these points, one thing’s for sure: These transferable points will really help with my future vacation planning.
Last line
As TPG’s senior editorial director, I always find new credit card launches exciting because they offer new ways to meet the travel rewards desires and needs of the TPG community.
But Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card not just a new card on the market. It represents a brand new opportunity to earn transferable rewards with a host of additional perks to make the deal even more attractive.
I am very happy with the earning rate and the discount I received. The points I earned (plus the 60,000 welcome bonus) will go a long way towards booking my family’s upcoming trips.
If you’re looking for a great new travel credit card with a low annual fee and flexible redemption options, you really can’t go wrong with the Signature Cruise Card.
