United Club vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7644", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Mid-Tier Travel Rewards"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card.

‍

• You can earn elevated points on hotels, flights, dining, and other travel without being restricted to a specific booking portal.
• While it comes with an annual fee, the card includes valuable benefits like trip cancellation coverage and cell phone protection.
• The card’s annual airline incidental credit helps offset the annual fee, effectively lowering your out-of-pocket cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Earns bonus points across a wide range of travel and dining categories without requiring you to book through a proprietary portal.
• Comes with robust travel protections and cell phone insurance, which are strong perks for a card at its price point.
• Points can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, offering potentially higher value for your rewards.

‍

Cons

‍

• Charges an annual fee without offering premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or annual hotel credits.
• The selection of airline transfer partners is small and notably lacks any major U.S. domestic carriers.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs United Club

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, United Club or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, it's crucial to recognize they cater to different travelers. One is a premium airline card, while the other is a flexible mid-tier travel card.

‍

• The United Club℠ Card is a premium travel card designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who are seeking lounge access and other elite travel perks.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a mid-tier travel rewards card for frequent travelers who want to earn points quickly and have flexibility in how they use them.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily designed for booking award flights with United and its partners or for upgrades.

‍

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Points earned with this card offer greater flexibility, with redemption options that include booking travel, transferring to travel partners, or opting for cash back.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card’s signature benefit is a United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card does not offer complimentary lounge access.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: As a co-branded airline card, the United Club℠ Card provides perks specific to flying United, such as free first and second checked bags for the cardmember and a companion, plus Premier Access services like priority check-in and boarding. The Autograph Journey card, being a general travel card, offers a flexible annual statement credit for airfare instead of airline-specific benefits.
• Booking Portals: Cardholders use the United Airlines website and app to book award travel with the United Club℠ Card. In contrast, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card utilizes the Wells Fargo travel portal, which allows for booking across a wider range of airlines and hotels.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To cut through the noise and find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending patterns.

‍

• Use the Test Drive feature to simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your real transaction history—no application or credit pull required.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better public offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores, stacking on top of your regular card earnings.
• Stay on top of your finances by monitoring transactions, spending habits, and your credit score all within the platform.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

‍

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who value premium travel experiences and can maximize the complimentary United Club membership. It's also a strong contender for business travelers who benefit from priority airport services and international travelers who can leverage the extensive Star Alliance lounge network. Additionally, MileagePlus members looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through spending will find this card particularly rewarding.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is designed for frequent travelers who want premium-style benefits without paying a premium annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those who travel several times a year and dine out often, including younger travelers who prioritize flexible points and practical perks like cell phone insurance. However, as a comprehensive review points out, it may not be the best fit for infrequent travelers or points hobbyists committed to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our deep dive into the United Club vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey cards didn't yield a clear winner for your wallet, other excellent options are available. Let's look at a few alternatives that might better align with your travel style and spending habits.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Understand the benefits - Be aware that some card perks may require separate enrollment to activate.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Know the issuer's rules - Some banks, like Chase and Wells Fargo, have specific restrictions on new card approvals.
• Time your application wisely - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements.
• Align the card with your habits - Choose a card that rewards your typical spending and travel patterns for maximum value.

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

‍

Does the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card offer airport lounge access?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card does not include complimentary airport lounge access. This is a primary benefit of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which provides a full United Club membership.

‍

Can I transfer points from both cards to airline and hotel partners?

‍

Yes, both cards allow you to transfer points, but they utilize different programs. The Autograph Journey card has its own set of transfer partners, while the United Club card earns United MileagePlus miles, which can be used with Star Alliance airlines.

‍

Do either of these cards offer an annual travel credit?

‍

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card provides a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases. The United Club℠ Infinite Card does not offer a general travel credit, focusing instead on its lounge membership and other United-specific benefits.

‍