Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card: Difficult to Beat the Sapphire Preferred

Wells Fargo Autograph Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred are two popular rewards cards. Here's how they stack up.

	Wells Fargo Autograph® Card	Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
FinanceBuzz star ratings	4.4 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p>	Year 1: $945 Year 2: $745	Year 1: $1,986 Year 2: $789
Annual fee	$0	$95
Welcome bonus	Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value)	Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Intro APR	0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, and then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	None
Statement credits	None	$50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel℠
Other benefits	Cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)	Complimentary DashPass from DoorDash (activate by Dec 31, 2027) 10% anniversary point bonus
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Credit needed	Excellent, Good	Excellent, Good
	Apply now or learn more	Apply now or learn more

When to go with the Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph if:

• You want to avoid an annual fee.
• Your everyday expenses align with its bonus categories.
• You want an intro APR offer.

Lower annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph has a $0 annual fee while the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee. The Autograph is the clear winner in terms of which card costs less to keep year after year. This doesn't necessarily mean it offers more benefits than the Sapphire Preferred, but you won't have to worry about an annual cost.

Bonus earning categories

Whether you get value from a card's bonus categories depends on your typical spending habits.

The Wells Fargo Autograph allows you to earn 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.

The tiered earning structure on the Chase Sapphire Preferred can undoubtedly be valuable, but it can also be complex to understand and difficult to remember. The Wells Fargo Autograph earning structure is much more straightforward and allows you to earn the most points per dollar in the categories in which you concentrate your spending.

Intro APR offer

The Wells Fargo Autograph offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, and then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR. This could be useful if you have upcoming large purchases and want to avoid paying interest on your balance for a while. Since the Sapphire Preferred has no intro APR offers, the Autograph comes out on top.

Unfortunately, the intro APR offer on the Wells Fargo Autograph is only for purchases and does not extend to balance transfers. As such, you won't be able to transfer a balance from a high interest card to your Wells Fargo Autograph card to take advantage of an extended no-interest period to pay off debt. It's still helpful in spreading out a large purchase over time, though.

When to go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred if:

• You want flexible and potentially more valuable travel rewards.
• You want increased travel coverage.
• You can utilize the DashPass membership.

Increased redemption value

Both of these cards offer various redemption options, though the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a perk that could provide you with more value—travel redemptions made through Chase Travel℠ receive a 25% boost in value, giving you 1.25 cents per point.

The Wells Fargo Autograph offers a flat rate redemption value of 1 cent per point regardless of your chosen redemption method. Even though you can get outsized value from your points by transferring them to partners, you can still get great deals through the portal. I booked a night at a Renaissance Marriott last year for fewer Ultimate Rewards Points than I would have paid if I used my Marriott Bonvoy points.

Access to transfer partners

If you want to get outsized value from your points, you can transfer them to a hotel or airline partner. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has several valuable transfer partners, including United MileagePlus, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, and World of Hyatt. I've transferred my points to Iberia for an American Airlines flight from the East Coast to London, England, which allowed me to book a last minute flight for a fraction of the cost.

Wells Fargo previously didn't offer the ability to transfer points to travel partners. It's great news for cardholders that this has been added to Wells Fargo's credit card lineup, but the list of partners is still pretty short. It does include a few valuable international airlines like Air France, Avianca, and British Airways.

Even with Wells Fargo offering more flexibility regarding point redemptions, the Chase Sapphire Preferred still reigns supreme.

Comprehensive travel insurance

Both the Wells Fargo Autograph and Chase Sapphire Preferred offer car rental insurance, but that's about where the travel insurance benefits end on the Autograph. The Sapphire Preferred also offers trip cancellation or interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay reimbursement. For frequent travelers, having these protections is invaluable.

Additional benefits

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has several benefits that can help justify the annual fee, including a $50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel℠, a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec 31, 2027), bonus points on Lyft (through Sep 2027) and Peloton purchases (through Dec 31, 2027), and a 10% anniversary point bonus.

A closer look at the welcome bonuses

The Wells Fargo Autograph card allows new cardholders to earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value). Although it's a low offer, it is accessible, and almost anyone can meet the spending requirement.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers new cardholders a chance to earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and those points are worth 25% more if you redeem them through Chase Travel℠. This is obviously much more valuable than the Wells Fargo Autograph card, but be sure you can meet the higher spending requirement before you apply.

FAQ

Advice from our experts

Comparing travel cards browsing for the latest addition to your wallet is exciting, especially if you're looking for more perks. We brought in a panel of experts to share their insights so you can shop for your next card with confidence.

Are there any red flags to look out for when browsing for starter travel cards to apply for?

Maggie Daniels, PhD

School of Sport, Recreation and Tourism Management and College of Education and Human Development | George Mason University

Travelers should think of credit card red flags as indicators of potentially manipulative practices on the part of the issuing company. Consumers should be on particularly high alert for the following: 1) low introductory annual percentage rate (APR) gimmicks, where credit card companies lure you in with a 0% transfer APR to move all of your debt to their card, and then blindside you with rates of 29.99% or higher at the end of the grace period; 2) travel benefits that do not kick in unless the consumer has spent a minimum of $1,000 and upwards to $10,000 within a short time period, meaning that the issuer is encouraging you to accrue debt; and 3) reserving the most desirable perks for the highest tier, meaning that starter travel cards tend to be the least useful, while elite cards are accompanied by exorbitant annual fees of $500 and up.

Dr. Abhijeet Shirsat

Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator | California State University, Sacramento

When seeking starter travel credit cards, watch for these red flags: high annual fees, low rewards rates, complicated redemption processes, foreign transaction fees, and high APRs. Avoid cards with unrealistic bonus requirements or limited travel perks. Be cautious of poor customer service, strict approval requirements, and deceptive marketing. Look for cards with reasonable fees, good rewards on your typical spending, easy-to-use points systems, and useful travel benefits. Ensure the card doesn't charge extra for foreign purchases and has attainable approval criteria for those new to credit. Always read the fine print and compare offers before applying.

Are frequent travelers the only ones who benefit from having a travel credit card?

Elaine Luther

D.Sc., Professor, Business Management | Point Park University

Many travel cards provide rewards beyond those related to travel. And some offer cash as well as travel-related redemption options. Many cover restaurants, tourist attractions, and other forms of travel besides airfare. If a customer goes out frequently, or lives near a tourist destination, they can earn rewards without actually traveling. In addition, customers could earn rewards for travel that can be redeemed for travel use by others, including children who went away for college. The parents can earn the rewards, and their family members can benefit from them as well.

Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis

Ph.D., Professor of Hospitality Innovation and Leadership, Chairperson - Applied Business Studies | Miller College of Business at Ball State University

Frequent travelers are just some people who can benefit from a travel credit card. Here are some ways non-frequent travelers can also help:

• Everyday spending rewards: Many travel cards offer rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, dining, and gas. Accumulating these points can lead to significant travel rewards, even if you don't travel often.
• Sign-up bonuses: Travel cards often come with lucrative sign-up bonuses that can provide substantial points or miles. These bonuses can sometimes cover the cost of a trip or two, even if you don't travel frequently.
• No foreign transaction fees: A travel card with no foreign transaction fees can save you money if you occasionally make international purchases online or travel abroad infrequently.
• Purchase protections and insurance: Travel cards often come with various consumer protections, such as extended warranties, purchase protection, and return protection, which can be valuable regardless of travel frequency.
• Travel perks for infrequent trips: Benefits like free checked bags, airport lounge access, and travel insurance can make occasional trips more comfortable and less expensive.

Guan Jun Wang

Professor of Finance in the McAfee School of Business | Union University

Though some benefits of travel credit cards, such as airport lounge access, are tailored towards frequent travelers by air, there are other advantages that can appeal to a broader range of cardholders. Many travel credit cards offer generous cash back on everyday purchases or rewards points that can be redeemed for various benefits, not just travel-related ones. Even if you don't travel frequently, the accumulated rewards and cash back can significantly offset occasional travel expenses or rental car costs. For instance, if your car is in the shop and you need a rental for daily errands, these rewards can be used to cover those expenses as well even when the rental isn't for travel.                

Bottom line

If you have to pick just one, the Sapphire Preferred will likely make more sense and bring more value. Even though we prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Wells Fargo Autograph has plenty going for it — a $0 annual fee, a simplified earning structure, and an intro APR offer that can help you spread out a big purchase over time. No matter which card you choose, be sure to thoroughly research the options before applying.

Awesome Rewards Rates + Intro APR

Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card

4.4

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Excellent earning potential for a $0 annual fee
• Offers a welcome bonus
• No spending caps on rewards categories
• Cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)

Drawbacks

• Limited options to transfer points to airlines/hotels
• Limited travel perks (secondary car rental insurance and travel and emergency assistance)
• Fewer perks than some dedicated travel cards

Card Details

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.