Key takeaways

  • The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card rewards you for the spending you already do with a 3X points reward rate for categories like restaurants, travel and gas stations.
  • The card also offers some travel benefits — such as auto rental collision damage waiver and no foreign transaction fees — though it comes with fewer opportunities to optimize your travel rewards compared to other top travel credit cards.
  • Unlike many other everyday spending cards, the Autograph card does not require you to activate bonus categories on a quarterly basis.
  • This, along with perks like cellphone protection and Visa Signature benefits, makes it a handy card to have in your wallet.

Looking for a strong credit card option that earns points in everyday spending categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations and more? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card should be on your list.

Here, we’ll break down the benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph, along with the extra features you’ll want to take advantage of as an Autograph credit card holder.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card details

Quick highlights

  • Rewards rate: 3X points on restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, electronic vehicle charging stations, popular streaming services and phone plans; 1X points on other purchases
  • Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (a $200 cash redemption value)
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Purchase intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases, followed by a 20.24 percent, 25.24 percent, or 29.99 percent variable APR

Before we weigh the pros and cons of the Wells Fargo Autograph, it’s worth pointing out some of the key features of this card. The generous rewards rate on plenty of common spending categories makes it easy to earn points.

However, if you factor in its welcome offer of 20,000 bonus rewards points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, you stand to earn even more. Many cards with similar rewards rates and welcome bonuses will charge an annual fee, whereas the Autograph card does not.

There’s plenty of value to be found in these features alone. That said, there are still a few other perks of the Wells Fargo Autograph to take note of.

Wells Fargo Autograph Card benefits

Earning rewards

The great thing about this card is that you get a relatively high rewards rate on various common spending categories. Unlike some rotating bonus category cards, there’s no need to activate your spending categories each quarter. Simply swipe your card for purchases, and you’ll earn 3X points on restaurants, travel and transit, gas stations, electronic vehicle charging stations, popular streaming services and phone plans. You’ll also earn 1X points on other spending.

Redeeming rewards

The Autograph Card offers various flexible rewards redemption options, including:

  • Statement credits
  • Physical cash in $20 increments at Wells Fargo ATMs (using a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card)
  • Direct deposits into Wells Fargo checking accounts
  • Gift cards (via Wells Fargo Rewards)
  • Travel (including flights, car rentals and hotel stays) via Wells Fargo Rewards

The minimum redemption amount is $1 or 100 rewards points. Rewards may also be redeemed with a manual request or automatically. If you set up automatic redemptions, these can only be in increments of $25 in cash rewards or 2,500 points.

You can also redeem through Wells Fargo Rewards while getting additional points through My Wells Fargo Deals, a merchant-funded offers platform covering spending on things like shopping, dining and experiences.

Introductory APR

If you’ve got a larger purchase on the horizon, the welcome bonus can help fund a portion or even all of it — and the 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months can help you save on interest. Once the 12-month term is over, you’ll have a 20.24 percent, 25.24 percent, or 29.99 percent variable APR. If your credit score is on the lower end, though, be mindful that you could end up with a very high APR if you don’t pay off your balance in time.

Cellphone protection

This popular card benefit is offered across many Wells Fargo cards. Essentially, this insurance protects your cellphone against damage or theft for up to $600 per claim (subject to a $25 deductible) each month you pay your cellphone bill with the card.

Rental car

If your rental car is damaged in an accident or stolen, your Autograph card can help. To take advantage of this benefit, you must charge the full rental cost to your card and provide a letter of coverage with the rental agency (if required). Different terms apply for the U.S. versus overseas rentals.

Visa Signature perks

As a Wells Fargo Autograph cardholder, you’ll also qualify for Visa Signature benefits:

  • Visa Signature Concierge services (complimentary 24/7 assistance in booking travel, event tickets and dinner reservations)
  • Access to the Luxury Hotel Collection properties
  • Travel and emergency assistance services

No foreign transaction fees

The Autograph Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. This makes it a great option for vacations or other globe-trotting opportunities.

How to maximize the Wells Fargo Autograph Card’s benefits

Since the Autograph card offers rewards in categories you’ll likely spend in frequently anyway, it won’t be hard to get a lot of value out of this card. Here are some suggestions to help you take advantage of the card’s benefits:

  • Welcome bonus: Plan to purchase enough on this card ($1,000 within the first three months) to get the welcome bonus, worth $200 in cash redemption value (Earned as 20,000 bonus points).
  • Bonus categories: Use this card for your transactions in the bonus categories that earn 3X points: restaurants, travel and transit, gas stations, electronic vehicle charging stations, streaming services and phone plans.
  • Cellphone benefit: Be sure to pay your cellphone bill with this card. That way, you can be eligible for this benefit should you need to file an insurance claim.
  • Rental car coverage: If you’re planning to travel, use this card for your rental car charges. Again, this will make you eligible if you need to file an Auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • No foreign transaction fees: If you plan on traveling abroad, consider taking this card with you, as you won’t be charged additional fees on your purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards: Redeem your hard-earned rewards for cash or things like gift cards, flights, car rentals and hotel stays through the Wells Fargo Rewards site.

The bottom line

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great no-annual-fee option for earning rewards on common spending categories. Our only complaint is that there aren’t many options to optimize the rewards you’ll earn for travel — whether through travel partners or a rewards boost by using the issuer’s travel portal.

However, if you don’t have an immediate need for a travel credit card with these features, the Wells Fargo Autograph card is a respectable option with enough perks and benefits to still make it worthwhile.