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

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card a strong contender.

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• The card offers some of the highest rewards rates for travel and dining in its class, without forcing you to book through a specific portal.
• It comes packed with unusually strong benefits for a mid-tier card, including trip cancellation coverage up to $15,000 and cell phone protection.
• After factoring in the $50 annual airline credit, you only need to spend $900 on hotels to cover the rest of the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Generous rewards on travel and dining that you can earn without being tied to a specific booking portal.
• Robust travel protections and cell phone insurance that rival what’s offered by more expensive cards.
• An annual airline credit that helps offset the annual fee, plus flexible redemption options including transfers to travel partners.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee but lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access.
• The list of transfer partners is smaller than many competitors and lacks major domestic U.S. airlines.
• Approval requires a good to excellent credit score, and the bank limits how often you can apply for a new card.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs Chase Freedom Flex®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex® or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals. Each card excels in a different area, catering to distinct types of consumers.

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is ideal for savvy spenders looking for a powerful rewards card without an annual commitment.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: This card is tailored for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on their travel and dining purchases.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Flex®: You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock even more valuable travel redemption options.

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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Rewards are designed with travelers in mind, offering flexible redemption for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Wells Fargo portal or by transferring points to partner loyalty programs. You can also redeem points for statement credits or gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is designed for travel and does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international trips. The Chase Freedom Flex®, on the other hand, does have a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for purchases abroad.
• Travel Portal Access: Both cards provide access to a travel portal for redeeming points. Autograph Journey℠ cardholders can use the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, while Freedom Flex® cardholders have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal to book flights, hotels, and other travel.
• Annual Credits and Lounge Access: The Autograph Journey℠ card offers an annual statement credit for airfare purchases, adding a direct monetary benefit for travelers. However, neither of these cards includes complimentary airport lounge access.
• Travel Insurance and Protections: Both cards come with a range of travel protections, such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and travel and emergency assistance services. The extent of the coverage can vary, so you should always review the card’s benefits guide for specific details.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make confident, data-driven decisions, you can use a tool like Kudos, which acts as an ultimate financial companion to help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of applying.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is tailor-made for strategic spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards through rotating bonus categories. It's an ideal fit for those who frequently dine out or shop at drugstores, and for cardholders aiming to build a powerful "Chase trifecta" by pairing it with other Chase cards. Given its lack of an annual fee and flexible rewards, this 5% cash back card is a top contender for anyone looking to get more value from their everyday purchases.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is designed for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium card's high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those who spend regularly on travel and dining and want to maximize points on flights, hotels, and meals. As detailed in a comprehensive review, this card appeals to users who value flexible redemption options, including point transfers to airline partners, and practical benefits like travel insurance.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Freedom Flex vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit, several other excellent options are available. These alternatives might better align with your spending habits and financial goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: A good to excellent score is typically required for approval.
• Review issuer application rules: Some issuers have restrictions based on how many cards you've recently opened.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements naturally.

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Application Strategy

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• Be mindful of issuer rules: Some issuers, like Chase, have strict limits on the number of cards you can open within a 24-month period.
• Time your applications: Other issuers may require you to wait a set period, such as six months, between opening new accounts.
• Consider a product change: If you are ineligible for a new card, you may be able to switch an existing card from the same issuer instead.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for a credit card beginner?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is often a better starting point for beginners due to its lack of an annual fee and straightforward cash back rewards. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is geared more towards experienced users who can maximize its travel-focused benefits.

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey cards?

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Yes, you can absolutely have both cards in your wallet, as they are issued by different banks. This can be a great strategy to maximize rewards across a wider range of spending categories.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is superior for international travel because it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Chase Freedom Flex® typically charges a fee on purchases made outside the United States, making it less ideal for use abroad.

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