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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card: This is a premium card for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards and take advantage of high-end benefits like airport lounge access and an annual travel credit.
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: This card is ideal for earning bonus points across a wide range of common spending categories like restaurants, travel, and gas, all without an annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at what makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve® a standout choice for frequent travelers.
- Its flexible $300 annual travel credit automatically applies to a wide range of purchases, from flights to hotels.
- You'll get premium travel perks like Priority Pass™ Select lounge access and comprehensive travel protections.
- The $300 annual travel credit helps offset the annual fee, making it easier to justify for regular travelers (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Its rewards program offers excellent flexibility, with valuable transfer partners and several ways to redeem your points.
- Enjoy premium travel perks like complimentary airport lounge access and statement credits for trusted traveler programs.
- Strong travel and purchase protections offer peace of mind whether you're on the road or shopping from home.
Cons
- Its high annual fee can be a major drawback if you don't travel enough to maximize its benefits.
- Approval generally requires an excellent credit score, which can be a barrier for some applicants.
- Some benefits require enrollment, and the rewards structure can be complex to navigate for beginners.
Wells Fargo Autograph Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card a standout choice.
- It earns unlimited 3X points across a broad and practical range of everyday spending categories, including restaurants, travel, gas, and transit.
- With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a cost-effective option for use both at home and while traveling internationally.
- Since the card has a $0 annual fee, using the cell phone protection benefit—which covers up to $600 for a damaged or stolen phone—just once could save you hundreds of dollars (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a welcome bonus for new cardholders.
- Flexible redemption options, including cash back, travel, and the ability to transfer points to travel partners.
- Includes valuable cardholder perks, such as cell phone protection and access to special merchant offers.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or credits for expedited security screening programs.
- The selection of airline and hotel transfer partners is more limited compared to other major rewards programs.
- Cardholders need to keep track of specific spending categories to maximize rewards.
Wells Fargo Autograph vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Wells Fargo Autograph®, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel frequency. Let's break down which type of user each card is best suited for.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its extensive travel-related benefits and protections. It is Chase's flagship travel card, offering a suite of perks aimed at enhancing the travel experience.
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a versatile travel card that also serves as a strong everyday rewards card. It's suitable for a wide range of consumers due to its broad bonus categories that cover both travel and daily spending.
Redemption
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, points are most valuable when redeemed for travel, either through the Chase travel portal or by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. The Wells Fargo Autograph® card offers more straightforward redemption options, allowing you to use points for travel, gift cards, or as statement credits.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is built around a robust travel ecosystem. Cardholders get access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal, where points are worth more when redeemed for travel. It also includes complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access worldwide. A significant perk is the annual travel credit, which is automatically applied to travel purchases each year; points on travel are earned after this credit is fully used. Additionally, the card offers an application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS, has no foreign transaction fees, and allows point transfers to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: The travel ecosystem for the Autograph card is more streamlined. It provides access to the Wells Fargo Rewards portal for booking travel and also charges no foreign transaction fees. While it doesn't offer premium benefits like lounge access or annual travel credits, it does provide valuable protections such as an auto rental collision damage waiver, making it a solid choice for less frequent travelers who still want some travel coverage without a high annual fee.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos can help by analyzing your actual spending habits against nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card best suited for frequent travelers with excellent credit who will take full advantage of its benefits. The ideal cardholder dines out often, values airport lounge access, and wants to maximize rewards by transferring points to airline and hotel partners. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit. For those whose spending habits align, a full card review can confirm if the high annual fee is justified.
Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is an excellent choice for those with good to excellent credit seeking a no-annual-fee card that rewards both travel and everyday spending. It's particularly well-suited for people who spend regularly on restaurants, gas, transit, and streaming services, as these purchases earn unlimited 3x points. As detailed in NerdWallet's review, the card also offers a solid welcome bonus, an introductory 0% APR on purchases, and valuable perks like cell phone protection of up to $600 against damage or theft.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've seen the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Wells Fargo Autograph comparison and neither card felt like a winner for you. That's perfectly fine—the best travel card is a personal choice, and we have a few other top-tier alternatives for you to consider.
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Tips for Application Success
Applying for a new credit card is more than just filling out a form—it's about strategy. To boost your chances of approval and ensure you get the most value from day one, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card, require an excellent credit score. Other top-tier cards, such as the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, may be approved for those with good to excellent credit. Know where you stand before you apply.
- Plan your spending: Welcome offers typically require you to meet a minimum spending threshold in the first few months. Map out your upcoming expenses to ensure you can meet this requirement organically, without overspending.
- Research your rewards: Before you’re approved, have a goal for your points. Whether it’s booking a flight with a specific airline transfer partner or saving for a hotel stay, knowing how you’ll use your rewards ensures you’re picking the right card for your wallet.
- Time it right: Align your application with a planned large purchase, like new furniture or a vacation. This can help you meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer quickly and naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card has a higher annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has a significant annual fee, while the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual fee. This cost difference is a primary factor for many when choosing between the two cards.
How do the rewards structures differ between the Sapphire Reserve and Autograph cards?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers elevated points on travel and dining, with points being more valuable when redeemed for travel through Chase. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card provides bonus points across a broader range of everyday categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, and phone plans.
Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve® have a travel credit?
Yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card includes a flexible $300 Annual Travel Credit. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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