Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card Worth It?

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Wells Fargo has stopped accepting new credit card applications for some of its cards such as the Wells Fargo Propel Card. After looking at what cardholders spend most on, the institution launched the Wells Fargo Autograph card mid-July, offering 3X rewards in several popular spending categories. 

Krista Phillips, head of Branded Cards and Marketing for Wells Fargo Credit Cards says, “This card complements our other credit cards so that we can offer customers real, transparent value no matter what they’re looking for in their credit card.” But is the Wells Fargo Autograph card worth it? Take a closer look.

Best Features

There are tons of cash back and rewards cards on the market already. Is the Wells Fargo Autograph card worth it? Take a look at some of the biggest selling points that may entice you to apply.

Welcome Offer

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers are standard for many new cards. You’ll receive an introductory interest-free period of 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, followed by a . In addition, spending $1,500 or more in the first three months after approval will earn you a generous 30,000 bonus points — a $300 cash redemption value — to help you get started with rewards.

APR

As mentioned, an introductory offer of 0% APR for 12 months on purchases is available to new cardholders. Take advantage of the intro period to make larger purchases and repay them in installments interest-free. However, keep in mind that the interest-free period ends after the first year. Once the introductory period is over, Wells Fargo‘s Autograph Visa has a rate of . The variable rate is about average for most cards. To avoid the high finance charges, pay your balance off in full before it’s due each month.

Rewards

Besides the 30,000 points you can earn as an initial bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months, you can also earn 1X on all purchases. Plus, you can earn 3X points on travel, restaurants, transit, gas stations, popular streaming services and monthly phone plans with no rewards caps.  

Unlike many other rewards cards, there is no calendar to follow or activation required to earn 3X. You’ll know how much you earn based on the category, which takes the guesswork out of maximizing rewards. Although 3X isn’t the most generous offer on the market, the card has no annual fee, which makes up for the lower earning threshold, making the rewards feature of the Wells Fargo Autograph card worth it.

Redemption

Autograph cardholders will find more redemption flexibility than the average rewards card. Such cards typically offer cash back in the form of a statement credit or redemption at participating retailers. While the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa also offers the option, it’s not the only way to redeem points.

To redeem your points beyond statement credits and the like, the Wells Fargo Rewards platform is also available. You can redeem your points for travel, gift cards and more for the most flexibility.

The financial institution provides a website called My Wells Fargo Deals. It’s a merchant-funded platform of offers where you can get and redeem cash back for dining, shopping, experiences or statement credits. It does require some preparation — you’ll need to activate the deal first in your Wells Fargo Online Banking portal before you make the purchase using the card. 

Additional Perks

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a Visa and comes with many complimentary services and coverages. Besides 3X points on phone service, cardholders receive cell-phone protection for up to two incidents or $1,200 per year — a $25 deductible will apply. It reimburses you if you have to repair or replace a lost or damaged phone — within limits. The protection doesn’t reimburse incidents that don’t affect the phone’s function such as cosmetic damage or a cracked screen.

Other perks include Visa Signature Concierge Services to assist you with travel and entertainment bookings and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. It’s a supplementary form of vehicle insurance to cover damages or losses caused by theft or an accident to a rental vehicle for up to $50,000. Should your personal car insurance have a limit on how much it will pay on a rental car damage or loss claim, the Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver will step in to pay the remainder, up to $50,000.  

In addition, Travel and Emergency Assistance Service is available. A hotline is open to provide referrals and help for a variety of travel-related issues such as medical or legal referrals or help with lost luggage. 

What’s Lacking

Although the Wells Fargo Autograph card has some good features going for it such as 3X points in popular categories, an enticing signup bonus and some additional coverages and perks, the card isn’t offering anything you haven’t seen before by other financial institutions. Nevertheless, there is no annual fee to worry about, making it a viable option as a backup credit card.

Who Is the Wells Fargo Autograph Card For?

In the end, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card may be best for Wells Fargo account holders who would like to manage all their finances in one place. Anyone who is a stickler for a no-annual-fee credit card will appreciate the opportunity to earn 3X on gas, travel, restaurants and more. The cell phone protection could also be a big draw for anyone who deals with a lost or damaged phone more often than they’d care to admit.

Best When You’re Looking For

• A no-annual-fee credit card
• Easy rewards without having to research or activate them first
• A generous no-interest period on purchases
• Phone protection or replacement
• If you spend regularly on gas, travel, streaming services, dining and phone plans

Skip If

• You’re really serious about earning cash-back rewards and are willing to pay an annual fee to get them
• You’d like more travel-rewards redemption options

Takeaway

Wells Fargo’s latest Autograph Visa is set to provide more of what its customers are looking for — higher earnings capability in everyday categories such as gas, restaurants and streaming subscriptions. It comes with some nice Visa-backed perks such as Visa concierge services for travel bookings, rental car coverage and more. If you’re in search of a no-annual-fee credit card with some rewards-earning capability, the Autograph credit card may be worth considering.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Wells Fargo. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Wells Fargo.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of July 18, 2022.

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