IHG One Rewards Premier 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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Here’s a quick look at why the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card stands out in the crowded travel card market.

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• You can earn high rewards rates on hotels, flights, dining, and other travel without being restricted to a specific booking portal.
• It comes with valuable perks like cell phone protection and various travel insurance coverages.
• While the card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the $50 annual airline credit can significantly offset this cost, making the break-even point easy to reach (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earns bonus points on travel and dining purchases without requiring you to book through a specific travel portal.
• Features flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to several airline loyalty programs.
• Comes with a strong package of travel protections and cell phone insurance.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access.
• The list of airline transfer partners is limited and lacks a major domestic U.S. carrier.
• Carries an annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to maximize their hotel rewards.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: This mid-tier travel rewards card is best for frequent travelers who want to earn points quickly across a variety of spending categories and desire flexibility in how they redeem them.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Using points for hotel nights typically provides the most value, making it a straightforward option for brand loyalists.

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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: This card offers a more flexible redemption model, allowing you to use points for a wide range of travel bookings or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners. This versatility lets you book travel beyond a single hotel brand.

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Travel Perks

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• Booking Flexibility: The Autograph Journey card gives you the freedom to book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Wells Fargo travel portal. In contrast, the IHG Premier card's perks are centered on IHG properties, meaning your award redemptions are tied to their hotel network.
• International Travel: Both cards are strong companions for trips abroad, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on your international purchases.
• Hotel-Specific Benefits: If you're loyal to IHG, the Premier card is hard to beat. It grants you automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual free night certificate after your account anniversary, and a fourth-night-free perk on award stays. The Autograph Journey doesn't offer hotel-specific status, prioritizing flexible rewards over brand-centric benefits.
• Travel & Airport Credits: The Autograph Journey provides an annual statement credit for airfare, adding a straightforward travel discount. The IHG Premier card offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can streamline your airport experience.

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Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a strong contender for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn or InterContinental. It's particularly valuable for those who appreciate the immediate perks of Platinum Elite status and can offset the annual fee with the anniversary free night certificate. Furthermore, cardholders who often book longer trips can maximize value with the fourth-reward-night-free benefit, a key feature detailed in this credit card review.

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 to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium card's hefty annual fee. It's a great fit for those who regularly spend on flights, hotels, and dining, and want to maximize their points on these common travel expenses without being tied to a specific booking portal. Cardholders get valuable travel protections and flexible redemption options, making it ideal for experience-focused travelers who don't need luxury perks like airport lounge access.

Alternatives to Consider

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Still on the fence after our IHG One Rewards Premier vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comparison? Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be the perfect match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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.
• Review issuer application rules - Some issuers have restrictions, like limits on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Have a spending plan - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without forcing unnecessary purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers, like Chase and Wells Fargo, have specific restrictions on new card approvals.
• Align with your habits - Choose a card that rewards your existing travel and spending patterns for maximum value.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement more easily.

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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Which card is better for international travel?

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Both cards are strong contenders for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees. The best choice depends on whether you prefer hotel-specific benefits with IHG or flexible travel rewards with Wells Fargo.

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Can I transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards programs?

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No, you cannot transfer points directly between the IHG One Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards programs. They are separate loyalty ecosystems with their own transfer partners and redemption options.

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What are the annual fees for the IHG Premier and Autograph Journey cards?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee, while the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has a $95 annual fee.

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Which card offers better travel protections?

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Both cards offer a suite of travel protections, but the specific coverages and limits can differ. You should review each card's guide to benefits to see which one better aligns with your travel habits and needs.

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