New Wells Fargo Autograph Card launches, offering rewards on everyday spending for no fee
Some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Wells Fargo is continuing along the path of revamping and adding to its line of consumer credit cards — this time around with the new Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.
This no-annual-fee rewards card is taking center stage with a compelling offer: earn an unlimited 3X points on top spending categories, including restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. The Autograph Card first launched in late June to select markets but is now available nationwide.
The Autograph Card follows last year’s launch of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and Wells Fargo Reflect® Card for cash rewards and qualifying balance transfers, respectively — not to mention its partnership with the Bilt Mastercard®.
In essence, this card has a somewhat unique offering in an already crowded rewards card space: a higher rate of rewards on common spending categories without the hassle of tracking or activation, which some higher-earning cash back cards require. With no annual fee, this card is poised to provide a hassle-free rewards experience for the right cardholder.
Wells Fargo Autograph Card details
Quick highlights
- Rewards rate: 3X points on restaurants, travel and transit, gas stations, popular streaming services and phone plans; 1X points on other purchases
- Welcome offer: (Limited time offer, Offer expires 1/10/2023) 30,000 bonus rewards points, worth $300 cash redemption value, when you spend $1,500 in the first three months
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase Intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases, followed by a 18.74 percent, 23.74 percent or 28.74 percent variable APR
This card checks many of the boxes you’d expect for a rewards card. You can count on a respectable welcome bonus and an even more desirable rewards rate on everyday spending categories, with no limit on the amount of points you can earn.
If you have a large purchase on the horizon, the introductory APR offer can help you spread out payments over time. Like other major issuers, Wells Fargo cardholders can redeem rewards through Wells Fargo Rewards while also getting additional points through My Wells Fargo Deals, a merchant-funded offers platform covering spending on things like shopping, dining and experiences.
Other card perks include cellphone protection when customers pay their monthly cellphone bill with their Autograph Card and zero liability protection, so customers aren’t responsible for any unauthorized transactions when reported promptly. Cardholders also get access to these standard Wells Fargo credit card benefits:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement
- Roadside dispatch
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Visa Signature Concierge services
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection access
What’s different about the Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
Not only does the Autograph Card bring a refreshing change in terms of boosting and simplifying rewards, but it seems to be a true product of consumer feedback.
“Our customers told us they tend to focus on three core areas when it comes to their credit card preferences: cash back, value and rewards,” said Krista Phillips, EVP, head of branded cards and marketing for Wells Fargo Credit Cards, in the press release. “So we took their feedback to heart, and as evidenced by each of the new cards we have launched — Active Cash, Reflect and Autograph — you can see that we’re focused on delivering competitive offerings across each of those categories.”
Who should get the Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is definitely a step in the right direction for the issuer’s plans to improve its lineup of consumer credit cards. Higher, simplified earnings are great, but there’s still progress to be made in terms of the rewards program, specifically when it comes to travel redemption options.
Unlike other popular credit card rewards programs — such as American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards — the Wells Fargo Rewards program doesn’t allow cardholders to transfer rewards to hotel or airline partners, which can be a deal-breaker for some travel enthusiasts that rack up rewards for discounted travel options. We also noticed that redemptions options don’t boost rewards values like many of the best travel credit cards.
Barring the absence of these travel features, we still feel good about recommending this card, as the issuer has made good on its promise to improve its credit card offerings. It’s very possible that Wells Fargo could be working on a more premium travel card to offer some of the features lacking with the Autograph.
In the meantime, if you want to earn more rewards with a no-annual-fee card and don’t need elite travel benefits at the moment, the Autograph could be a great choice.
