✈ The Next Credit Card I’m Applying For, Why Flights to China Are Dwindling & More News From TPG ✈

September 9, 2024

An underrated mid-tier offer

by Ben Smithson, Senior writer

I write about points and miles every day for a living, so I keep a close eye on new credit card offerings — and there’s one card I’ve decided should be the next card I add to my wallet.

The new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card doesn’t get as much attention as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, but I think it’s an underrated mid-tier card.

The card offers a respectable 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Wells Fargo Rewards points are worth 1.6 cents apiece according to TPG’s September 2024 valuations, making this bonus worth about $960. While there are cards with higher welcome bonuses, there are other perks that really make this card shine.

For starters, the $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (with a $50 minimum airline purchase) offsets more than half the annual fee of $95.

The card offers a small but useful list of transfer partners, including British Airways Executive Club, Air France-KLM Flying Blue (my favorite SkyTeam loyalty program) and Avianca LifeMiles, all at a 1:1 rate, as well as Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio. Given that the card is new, I’m hopeful more transfer partners will be added soon (Air Canada’s terrific Aeroplan program would be at the top of my wish list).

But the earning rates on this card make it a compelling offer. It’s not unusual for mid-tier cards to offer bonus points on a few select categories, but the Autograph Journey card offers an incredible:

5 points per dollar spent at hotels
4 points per dollar spent on airlines
3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurant purchases
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases

What makes these earning rates even better is that the generous bonus points earned at hotels and on airlines are for spending directly with your favorite airline or hotel brand — there’s no requirement to purchase travel through the card issuer’s portal to earn extra points. Given that some flight prices can be higher through these portals, as TPG’s special report recently discovered, the freedom to earn at least 3 points per dollar spent on all travel and dining, regardless of how you choose to book, has caught my attention. No other card is this generous in all of these categories.

That’s why the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is the next card I plan to apply for.

Here are some more resources to help you decide on your next card:

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Photo Credit: NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY.

Today’s top stories

US-China flights are a quarter of what they were prepandemic — here’s why

Russian airspace is closed to U.S. airlines and fewer Americans are traveling to China.

Virgin Atlantic to fly to Canada for first time in 10 years in broader 3-route expansion

Virgin Atlantic is expanding its network with the addition of three "new" destinations.

Aeroplan elite members can now transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio — but is it worth it?

We'll discuss why it might make sense (or not) to transfer your points.

I nearly missed my cruise ship — here’s how you can avoid becoming a pier runner

When you’re on your own, it’s your responsibility to make it back to the ship on time.

How and why to get Hyatt lifetime Globalist status

A look at how to earn World of Hyatt lifetime Globalist status, and the benefits it provides.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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