Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 breakdown of why we like the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card.

• It offers impressive rewards on travel and dining without forcing you to book through a specific portal.
• The card includes valuable travel protections and cell phone insurance, adding a layer of security to your spending.
• The $50 annual airline credit helps offset the $95 annual fee, making it simple to get value from the card (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers high rewards rates on travel and dining purchases without requiring you to book through a specific portal.
• Provides flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
• Includes a suite of valuable travel protections and an annual airline credit that helps offset the annual fee.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee, which may not be ideal for infrequent travelers or those who won't maximize the card's benefits.
• Features a smaller list of airline and hotel transfer partners compared to some of its main competitors.
• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or annual free night certificates.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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When deciding between premium and mid-tier travel cards, many people ask which is better: Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠? Both cards offer compelling rewards for travelers, but they cater to different needs and spending habits.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize their travel-related benefits and protections.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠: Also aimed at frequent travelers, this mid-tier card focuses on accumulating points quickly through high reward rates on everyday spending without needing to book through a special portal.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for a higher value through the Chase travel portal or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. This system is designed for travelers looking to maximize the value of each point on premium redemptions.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠: This card offers flexible redemption choices, from simple cash back and gift cards to booking travel. It also allows point transfers to select travel partners, giving cardholders multiple ways to use their rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card provides a comprehensive travel ecosystem. Cardholders get access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more when redeemed for travel. It includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access worldwide. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers a $300 Annual Travel Credit. The first $300 in travel purchases each year goes toward this credit, and points are not earned on these initial purchases. Additionally, it provides a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠: The ecosystem for this card is more streamlined. It features the Wells Fargo Rewards portal for booking travel, though without the redemption value boost seen with the Reserve. While it also has no foreign transaction fees, it does not offer airport lounge access. However, it does provide an annual airline statement credit to offset travel costs.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailor-made for frequent travelers who can fully leverage its premium benefits to offset the annual fee. This card is a strong fit for those who spend heavily on dining and travel and value luxury perks like airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. According to a detailed card review, savvy users maximize value by transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

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 paying a premium annual fee. It's particularly beneficial for those who spend regularly on travel and dining and want the flexibility to redeem points for cash, travel, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. While it offers strong travel protections, it's best for cardholders who don't need luxury perks like airport lounge access, making it a great fit for someone with good to excellent credit looking for a solid mid-tier travel card.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a top-tier travel card requires a bit of strategy. Here’s how to improve your chances.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card generally require excellent credit (typically 740+), while others like the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card may be accessible to those with good-to-excellent credit (often 670+).
• Plan your spending. Ensure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer within the required timeframe without overextending your budget.
• Review issuer-specific rules. Some banks have application restrictions. For example, Wells Fargo may limit applicants to one new card every six months.

Application Strategy:

• Match the card to your lifestyle. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits, whereas the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ is a great fit for those who spend heavily on travel and dining.
• Strengthen your profile. If your credit score is on the lower end of the required range, consider taking time to improve it before applying. Starting with a no-annual-fee card can also be a solid stepping stone to building a stronger credit history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ cards?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card carries a higher annual fee that corresponds with its extensive list of premium travel benefits. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card has a more moderate annual fee, positioning it as an accessible entry into premium travel rewards cards.

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Do both the Sapphire Reserve® and Autograph Journey℠ offer annual travel credits?

Yes, but they function differently. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a flexible $300 Annual Travel Credit; points on travel are not earned until after the first $300 in travel purchases is spent annually to earn this credit. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ provides an annual statement credit specifically for airfare purchases.

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What airport lounge access is included with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card does not include complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit.

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How does redeeming points differ between Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Wells Fargo Rewards®?

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points from the Sapphire Reserve® can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners or redeemed for 50% more value through the Chase travel portal. Wells Fargo Rewards® points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards, and the program offers its own distinct set of transfer partners.