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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Battle of the mid-tier travel cards
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
May 6, 2024 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
The article compares two popular mid-tier travel rewards cards, highlighting their benefits, earning structures and redemption options.
Both cards offer a range of travel-related perks, including statement credits, hotel benefits and access to exclusive experiences.
One card stands out for its broader selection of transfer partners and higher point valuations per TPG's June 2024 data.
The other card is noted for its growing list of bonus categories and potential for expanded transfer options in the future.
What to consider
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available; readers should check for current details.
Eligibility for certain benefits, such as anniversary bonuses, may depend on application dates and are subject to change or expiration.
Point values and transfer partner availability can shift, impacting the overall value proposition of each card.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of travel rewards cards, including nuanced differences in benefits, redemption flexibility and transfer partner networks.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
When it comes to mid-tier travel cards, it's hard to beat the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). It comes with strong earning rates, a bunch of nifty benefits and a long list of valuable redemption options and transfer partners, all for an annual fee of $95.
But how does it compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees), also with a $95 annual fee? Keep reading to find out.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comparison
Annual fee
$95
$95
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earning rates
5 points per dollar on hotels
4 points per dollar on airlines
3 points per dollar on other travel and dining
1 point per dollar on other purchases
5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
5 points per dollar on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027)
5 points per dollar on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, gas, electric vehicle charging stations, vacation homes at these top brands: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa and online grocery store purchases (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal
1 point per dollar on everything else
Other notable benefits
$50 annual statement credit for after a minimum $50 airline purchase
Access to "Autograph Card Exclusives," offering access to concerts from big-name artists in small venues
Cellphone protection
$100 annual hotel credit when booking through Chase Travel
10% anniversary points boost (for cardholders who applied before June 15, 2026; benefit ending Oct. 1)
DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey welcome offer
The Sapphire Preferred is currently offering 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $2,050.
THE POINTS GUY
The Autograph Journey, meanwhile, comes with an introductory offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. TPG values Wells Fargo points at 1.6 cents each, making this bonus worth $960.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. With a more valuable offer, the Sapphire Preferred has the edge over Autograph Journey.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey benefits
The Sapphire Preferred comes with a ton of great perks, including a $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit and an account anniversary points bonus of 10% of the total purchases you made that year (for cardholders who applied before June 15, 2026; ending Oct. 1).
You'll also get a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription for at least one year (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
DOORDASH
The Autograph Journey, meanwhile, comes with a $50 annual statement credit for after a minimum $50 airline purchase, plus cellphone protection. There's also a benefit called "Autograph Card Exclusives," which promises to offer access to concerts showing "big-name artists in small venues."
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. The Autograph Journey's list of perks could keep growing, but the Sapphire has it beat for now.
Earning points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
The Sapphire Preferred earns a hefty 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) and Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (with a maximum earning of 25,000 total points, through Dec. 31, 2027).
You'll also get 3 points per dollar on dining, online groceries, gas, EV charging, vacation homes at these top brands: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa and select streaming purchases, as well as 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
MOMO PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
With the Autograph Journey, you'll get 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airlines, 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. The earning rates on these cards are mostly comparable, but because Chase points are more valuable (see below), the Sapphire Preferred has the edge.
Redeeming points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Your most valuable redemption option with the Sapphire Preferred is transferring your points to any of Chase's 14 airline and hotel partners. You can also use them to book travel through Chase Travel or use Chase's Pay Yourself Back option.
Additionally, you can redeem your points for cash back or gift cards, but you'll get a lower value from your points going this route, so we recommend using your points for travel when you can.
The first-class cabin on a United Airlines plane. CALLAGHAN O'HARE/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
The Autograph Journey, on the other hand, has a much smaller list of redemption options and transfer partners. It remains to be seen how these options will change, however — the issuer has promised more transfer partners will continue to be added throughout this year (more on that below).
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. This could change if the Wells Fargo program continues to expand, but for now, the Sapphire Preferred has the upper hand once again.
Transferring points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Some of the most valuable transfer partners on the Sapphire Preferred include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.
As a budget traveler, TPG editor Emily Thompson loves transferring points to World of Hyatt and stretching them by staying at Category 1 Hyatt properties as much as possible. She also frequently transfers points to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and gets great value by taking advantage of its frequent sales.
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
The Autograph Journey currently allows cardholders to transfer points to five airline programs:
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Avianca LifeMiles
British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub and Iberia Plus (all earning Avios)
You'll also be able to transfer to one hotel program, Choice Privileges.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. Again, the current Wells Fargo transfer lineup isn't quite at Chase's level.
Should I get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
If you want an established card with great benefits and redemption options, your best bet will definitely be the Sapphire Preferred. It has valuable earning rates, a long list of transfer partners and great travel benefits for just a $95 annual fee. If you want more bonus categories and believe in the growing Wells Fargo travel program, however, the Autograph Journey could be a good choice.
Bottom line
Despite their differences, both the Sapphire Preferred and Autograph Journey are excellent travel rewards cards that pack great value into their mid-tier annual fees. The Sapphire Preferred is tough for any competitor to beat, but the Autograph Journey could give it a run for its money as its list of benefits and partners continues to grow.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
