Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Which $95 card is better?
Editor's Note
If you're looking to add a mid-tier travel card to your wallet, the number of options available to you can feel overwhelming.
Two solid cards are among the popular choices: the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees). These cards share many similarities but also offer unique perks for respective cardholders.
Both come in at the $95 annual fee threshold, allow you to earn travel rewards and come with worthwhile benefits.
So which one should you opt for? Let's dive into the pros and cons of each card to learn more.
Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card comparison
| Card | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey | Capital One Venture Rewards |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
Welcome bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening |
Earning rates |
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Other benefits |
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Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey welcome offer
Both cards provide valuable welcome bonuses in their respective currencies.
The Venture Rewards comes with a welcome offer of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The offer is worth up to $1,388 based on TPG's March 2025 valuations of Capital One miles as worth 1.85 cents per mile. This bonus could offer fantastic value.
The Autograph Journey, meanwhile, comes with 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. These points are worth $960, based on our March 2025 valuation of Wells Fargo Rewards points at 1.6 cents apiece.
Winner: Venture Rewards. It has a more valuable welcome offer than the Autograph Journey.
Related: How to redeem Capital One’s 75,000-mile welcome offer for maximum value
Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey benefits
The Venture Rewards comes with an up-to-$120 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, plus travel accident insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection and access to Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection of hotels and Capital One Entertainment.
Meanwhile, the Autograph Journey comes with a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases, effectively lowering the annual fee to $45 if you can take advantage of that perk. Cardholders also receive cellular telephone protection.
This card also comes with access to a benefit called Autograph Card Exclusives, which includes live event tickets and other entertainment experiences.
Winner: Venture Rewards. Despite the promise of the Autograph Journey’s perks, the Venture’s longer list of established benefits wins out.
Related: The best credit cards for concert tickets and VIP access
Earning miles on the Capital One Venture Rewards vs. the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
With the Venture Rewards, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.
This makes the Venture a solid option for nonbonus spending and a good card to choose if you aren't interested in memorizing bonus categories.
On the other side, the Autograph Journey has much broader bonus categories. With it, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar spent on airlines, 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and dining at restaurants and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
This card features higher bonus-earning opportunities across multiple popular categories. If you frequently spend in any of these bonus categories and want to maximize your expenses, this card is a great choice.
Winner: Autograph Journey. While we value Wells Fargo points to be worth slightly less than Capital One miles, the additional bonus categories make up the difference.
Redeeming miles on the Capital One Venture Rewards vs. the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
The Venture Rewards earns extremely valuable Capital One miles, giving you a bevy of redemption options that make the miles worth about 1.85 cents apiece, per our March 2025 valuations.
You’ll get the most value by transferring your miles to one of Capital One’s travel partners, but you can also redeem them for a statement credit to cover travel purchases, for gift cards or for cash back.
The Autograph Journey has a much smaller list of redemption options and transfer partners, but the program is newer and has added more partners in the last few years.
Winner: Venture Rewards. This could change if the Wells Fargo program continues to expand, but for now, Capital One still has the edge.
Related: Should you transfer Capital One miles to partners or redeem directly for travel?
Transferring miles with the Capital One Venture Rewards vs. the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
The Venture Rewards allows you to transfer your miles to any of Capital One’s 15-plus hotel and airline partners, including valuable options like Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
And if you can take advantage of a transfer bonus, you’ll get even more value from your miles.
The Autograph Journey currently allows cardholders to transfer points to six airline programs, including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
These are great transfer partners and TPG favorites, though the number of options is obviously much smaller than those available with the Venture Rewards.
You’ll also be able to transfer to a single hotel program, Choice Privileges, though that list will hopefully continue to grow.
Winner: Venture Rewards. Again, the current Wells Fargo transfer lineup isn’t quite at Capital One’s level.
Related: Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners: How to redeem your points
Should I get the Capital One Venture Rewards or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
If you want an established card with great benefits and redemption options, you’ll want to go with the Venture Rewards. You’ll get a strong earning rate, the ability to take advantage of Capital One’s transfer partners and some travel benefits for just a $95 annual fee.
If you want higher earning rates, the Autograph Journey is a viable option worth considering, especially as Wells Fargo continues to grow its list of transfer partners.
Bottom line
Despite their differences, the Venture Rewards and the Autograph Journey are excellent travel rewards cards with valuable benefits and earning rates for their mid-tier annual fee.
The Venture Rewards’ established list of perks and transfer partners give it the edge, but the Autograph Journey could be right there soon, given its growing list of redemption options.
Taking advantage of both cards could definitely make sense, too, if you can handle two $95 annual fees.
For additional details, check out our Venture Rewards full review and Autograph Journey full review.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.