Chase Freedom Unlimited 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

‍

This section breaks down the key reasons we think the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card stands out.

‍

• It earns unlimited 3X points on a broad set of everyday categories, including restaurants, travel, gas, and popular streaming services.
• The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for spending at home or abroad.
• With a $0 annual fee, you start earning net positive rewards from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Features a generous and unlimited rewards structure on a wide range of everyday spending categories.
• Allows points to be transferred to multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs, a rare feature for a travel card with no annual fee.
• Includes valuable protections like cell phone coverage for damage or theft when you pay your bill with the card.

‍

Cons

‍

• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or credits for expedited screening programs, which are common on other travel cards.
• The list of travel transfer partners is less extensive than what's offered by competing rewards programs.
• Maximizing rewards requires keeping track of several bonus categories, unlike simpler flat-rate cards.

Wells Fargo Autograph vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Wells Fargo Autograph, comes down to your primary spending habits.

‍

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for those who want consistent rewards on all their spending without tracking bonus categories. It's particularly valuable for existing Chase customers who can pair it with a premium card to enhance their rewards.
• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is designed for people who spend frequently on travel, transit, dining, and gas. This card rewards a broad range of common expenses, making it a strong contender for both daily use and travel.

‍

Redemption

‍

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards. Points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards, potentially unlocking more valuable redemption options.

‍

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Points earned with this card offer flexible redemption choices, including cash back, travel, gift cards, or statement credits. This provides a straightforward way to use your rewards as you see fit.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a strong option for international travel. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® does include a foreign transaction fee.
• Travel Portals: Both cards offer access to their own travel portals for redeeming rewards. Cardholders can book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal or the Wells Fargo Travel portal.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary airport lounge access, a perk generally found on premium travel cards that carry an annual fee.
• Travel Protections: The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card comes with an auto rental collision damage waiver. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also provides some travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

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

‍

• Test drive credit cards: The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate potential earnings from different cards using your real spending data before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your actual spending history.
• Exclusive member benefits: Unlock perks like a welcome offer guarantee, detailed approval odds, and the ability to track your progress toward sign-up bonuses.
• Maximize rewards at checkout: The tool can autofill the best card to use for your online purchases to ensure you're always maximizing your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

‍

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value simplicity and consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. With no annual fee, it offers a solid baseline of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus elevated rewards on dining and at drugstores. It's also a strategic pick for those already in the Chase ecosystem looking to pair it with a premium card to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is an excellent choice for consumers seeking a travel rewards card without an annual fee, especially those who want a straightforward, everyday workhorse. It's particularly well-suited for individuals whose spending is concentrated in common categories like restaurants, travel, gas, streaming services, and phone plans, as it offers a generous 3x points on these purchases. Furthermore, cardholders who value flexible redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, and appreciate practical perks like up to $600 in cell phone protection will find this card highly rewarding.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Wells Fargo Autograph comparison didn't leave you with a clear winner, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market worth considering.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2883", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["No Annual Fee", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending Ensure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements naturally.
• Research the rewards Know how you will use the points, as some cards require pairing for full benefits.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Consider card pairings Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, offer greater value when combined with a premium travel card.
• Match the card to your travel habits Cards with no foreign transaction fees, like the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, are better for international use.
• Look beyond the welcome offer Evaluate long-term benefits like cell phone protection or versatile rewards categories to find the right fit.

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

‍

Which card is better for a beginner?

‍

Both cards are excellent for beginners as neither has an annual fee and both offer straightforward rewards. The best choice depends on whether you prefer the consistent cash back of the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the broad bonus categories of the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.

‍

Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Wells Fargo Autograph card?

‍

Yes, you can absolutely have both cards, which can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards. You can use the Autograph card for its specific bonus categories and the Freedom Unlimited for all other purchases to earn a higher base rate.

‍

What are the annual fees for these cards?

‍

Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card feature a $0 annual fee. This makes them great long-term options for earning rewards without an upfront cost.

‍