Amex Green vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Let's take a closer look at the specific features that make the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card a compelling option for travelers.

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• The card offers exceptionally high rewards rates on travel and dining without forcing you to book through a specific portal.
• Cardholders get access to valuable benefits like an annual airline credit, travel insurance, and cell phone protection.
• You have the flexibility to redeem points for travel and cash back at a consistent value or transfer them to airline partners for potentially greater returns.

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Pros

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• Excellent rewards on travel and dining purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, and restaurants.
• Offers valuable statement credits and protections, including travel insurance and cell phone coverage.
• Points can be redeemed in several ways, including for travel, cash back, or by transferring to airline partners.

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Cons

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• Charges an annual fee, which may not be ideal for infrequent travelers.
• The list of airline and hotel transfer partners is limited, especially when compared to other travel cards.
• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or free checked bags.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs American Express® Green Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Green or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, depends on your spending habits and travel style. Both cards offer strong rewards, but they cater to slightly different types of users.

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• American Express® Green Card: This card is best for travelers and diners who want to maximize rewards through flexible transfer partners. It's a good fit for those who spend significantly in both travel and dining categories and enjoy optimizing points.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who want premium-like benefits and high earning rates without a premium annual fee. It's designed for those who travel several times a year and value straightforward rewards and protections.

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Redemption

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American Express® Green Card: Points can be redeemed for travel through the Amex portal or transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. This flexibility is key for maximizing value, especially for those who enjoy finding premium travel deals.

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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Rewards offer straightforward redemption options like cash back, gift cards, and travel bookings through the Wells Fargo portal. Cardholders can also transfer points to a curated list of travel partners, blending simplicity with valuable travel options.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the American Express® Green Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card are great for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Travel Credits: The Amex Green Card offers an annual credit toward a CLEAR Plus membership to help you get through airport security faster. The Autograph Journey card provides an annual statement credit applicable to airfare purchases.
• Lounge Access: With the Amex Green Card, you receive an annual credit for LoungeBuddy to purchase airport lounge access. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey does not include lounge access benefits.
• Booking Portals: Each card has its own travel portal for booking trips. Green cardmembers can use AmexTravel.com, while Autograph Journey cardholders have access to the Wells Fargo travel portal.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial technology tool that helps you compare top-rated credit cards and maximize your rewards based on your actual spending.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and approval odds analysis based on your credit report and spending habits.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee—if you find a better public offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

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The American Express® Green Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and diners who are willing to put in some effort to maximize their rewards. This card is geared toward individuals who can take full advantage of its 3x points on travel and restaurant purchases worldwide by transferring those points to valuable airline and hotel partners. It's also a great fit for those who will use the annual statement credits, such as up to $209 for a CLEAR+® membership, making the $150 annual fee a worthwhile investment (Terms apply).

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is designed for frequent travelers who want premium-style rewards without committing to a high annual fee. This card is a strong fit for individuals who travel several times a year and dine out regularly, allowing them to quickly accumulate points on their largest spending categories. It's also ideal for those who value practical perks like robust travel protections, cell phone insurance, and a flexible $50 airline credit to help offset the modest annual cost.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Green vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comparison didn't convince you that either card is the right choice, let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that might better suit your needs.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Have a spending plan - Make sure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Be patient - Wait for an elevated welcome offer to maximize your value.
• Research issuer-specific rules - Some issuers, like Wells Fargo, limit how many new cards you can open in a six-month period.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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How do I choose between two similar travel cards?

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Consider your personal spending habits and travel style. The best card for you is the one that offers the highest rewards on your most frequent purchases and provides benefits you'll actually use.

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Is it worth paying an annual fee for a travel credit card?

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An annual fee can be worthwhile if the value you get from the card's rewards and benefits, such as travel credits and lounge access, exceeds the cost of the fee. You should calculate the potential value based on your own usage to make a decision.

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Can I have both the American Express® Green Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card?

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Yes, it is possible to hold credit cards from different issuers simultaneously. Having both could allow you to maximize rewards across a wider range of spending categories, provided you can manage both accounts responsibly.

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