Chase Freedom Flex vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3023", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card stands out to us.

‍

• It offers unlimited 3x points on broad everyday categories like dining, travel, and gas without charging an annual fee.
• Cardholders get valuable perks not always found on no-annual-fee cards, such as cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees.
• You only need to spend about $1,667 in the card’s top bonus categories to earn the equivalent of $50 back in rewards (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• There are no caps on the bonus rewards you can earn, and your points won’t expire as long as the account remains open.
• Points can be transferred to a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs, which can increase their value for travel redemptions.
• New cardholders can take advantage of an introductory APR offer on purchases.

‍

Cons

‍

• It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or credits for expedited security screening.
• The selection of airline and hotel transfer partners is smaller than what some competing rewards programs offer.
• You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Wells Fargo Autograph vs Chase Freedom Flex®

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Wells Fargo Autograph, it's crucial to look at their reward categories to see which aligns with your spending habits.

‍

• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is ideal for those who want to maximize rewards through rotating bonus categories that change each quarter, requiring activation.
• Wells Fargo Autograph®: This card excels with its broad, fixed bonus categories that cover everyday spending like dining, travel, gas, and streaming services.

‍

Redemption

‍

Chase Freedom Flex®: You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase portal. These points also offer the flexibility to be combined with other eligible Chase cards for potentially greater value.

‍

Wells Fargo Autograph®: This card allows you to redeem points for travel, gift cards, or as a statement credit against your purchases. The redemption options are designed to be simple and easy to use.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Chase Freedom Flex®:
  • Travel can be booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
  • Incurs a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
  • Does not include airport lounge access.
  • Offers some travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
• Wells Fargo Autograph®:
  • Travel can be booked through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal.
  • Has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel.
  • Does not offer airport lounge access.
  • Provides benefits such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and travel and emergency services assistance.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions matched to your spending history.
• Monitor your finances: Keep track of your transactions, spending, and credit score in one place.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

‍

The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy strategizing to maximize their earnings through rotating 5% cash back categories. It particularly suits those who frequently spend on dining and at drugstores, and it can be a powerful component of a multi-card strategy when paired with other Chase cards. Cardholders who value the flexibility of earning cash back or Ultimate Rewards® points without the burden of an annual fee will find this card especially rewarding.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a versatile, no-annual-fee card that rewards both everyday purchases and travel. It's particularly well-suited for those who spend heavily on dining, transit, gas, popular streaming services, and phone plans, as it earns unlimited 3x points in these common categories. Cardholders who value straightforward rewards and perks like up to $600 in cell phone protection, but don't need luxury travel benefits, will find this card a strong contender, as detailed in NerdWallet's review.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If you've weighed the Chase Freedom Flex® vs Wells Fargo Autograph comparison and decided neither card is for you, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Let's explore a few other rewards cards that could be a better match for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - A good to excellent credit history is typically required for approval.
• Know the issuer’s rules - Be aware of any application restrictions, such as the Chase 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility.
• Understand the benefits - Some perks, like rotating bonus categories or special offers, may require activation to earn rewards.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application - Align it with a large planned purchase to help meet any initial spending requirements.
• Research transfer partners - Know how you will use your points, as partners vary between card programs.
• Match the card to your spending - Choose a card with bonus categories, like those on the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, that align with your regular expenses.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card?

‍

Yes, you can absolutely have both cards in your wallet. Since they are issued by different banks, applying for one will not prevent you from getting the other, assuming you meet each issuer's application requirements.

‍

Do the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card have annual fees?

‍

No, neither the Chase Freedom Flex℠ nor the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card charges an annual fee. This makes them great options for earning rewards without an upfront cost.

‍

Which card is better for beginners, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or the Wells Fargo Autograph℠?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is often simpler for beginners due to its straightforward, fixed-rate reward categories. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ requires more active management to maximize its rotating quarterly bonus categories.

‍