Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we're fans of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card.

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• It offers a simple yet powerful rewards structure with high earning rates on travel and dining.
• The card includes an annual airline credit that helps offset its annual fee, along with other valuable travel protections.
• Using the card’s annual airline credit can effectively reduce the annual fee by more than half. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Bonus rewards on travel purchases are earned directly with airlines and hotels, with no proprietary booking portal required.
• Offers robust travel insurance and cell phone protection, a standout perk for a card in this category.
• Points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, creating opportunities for high-value redemptions.

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Cons

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• The card carries an annual fee.
• Its selection of travel transfer partners is more limited compared to other travel cards.
• Lacks premium travel perks such as airport lounge access.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty. One card is tailored for hotel loyalists, while the other offers broader travel rewards.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize rewards within that ecosystem.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is best for frequent travelers who value flexible rewards across a wide range of travel and dining purchases, rather than being tied to a single hotel chain.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also use points for flights and car rentals by transferring them to Marriott's travel partners.

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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be redeemed for travel through the Wells Fargo portal or transferred to a selection of airline and hotel partners. This provides a wide array of booking options beyond a single brand.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built exclusively around the Marriott Bonvoy hotel portfolio. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, it comes with perks like automatic Silver Elite status and an annual Free Night Award. Cardholders benefit from having no foreign transaction fees. Points are most valuable when redeemed for hotel stays, though they can also be transferred to a network of airline partners.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: This card provides a more flexible travel ecosystem through the Wells Fargo Rewards program. It features a travel portal for direct bookings and allows point transfers to a variety of airline and hotel partners, offering broader options beyond a single brand. Like its competitor, it does not charge foreign transaction fees but also does not include airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a deeper dive into which card suits your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find your perfect match.

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• Simulate potential rewards from different credit cards using your actual spending data with the 'Test Drive' feature.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Unlock exclusive offers and rewards, including a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties, whether for business or leisure. It also appeals to value-conscious individuals who can maximize the annual free night award and those looking to fast-track their way to higher tiers of Marriott Bonvoy elite status. As detailed in a comprehensive review, the card is also a great fit for everyday spenders who want to earn points on groceries, gas, and dining.

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 a high rate of rewards on their adventures without paying a premium annual fee. It's a great fit for those who dine out regularly and want to maximize points on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses, all while having flexible redemption options. This card is particularly appealing to travelers who value core protections like trip cancellation and cell phone insurance over luxury perks such as airport lounge access, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs. Wells Fargo Autograph comparison didn't leave you with a clear winner, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market worth exploring.

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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 - You will generally need good to excellent credit to be approved for a top travel rewards card.
• Review issuer-specific rules - Be aware of application restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule or Wells Fargo's six-month policy on new cards.
• Plan your redemptions - Know how you'll use your points ahead of time, whether for flights, hotel stays, or other rewards.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application around a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• If you receive a lower-than-expected welcome offer, consider declining it and trying again later.
• If you cannot realistically meet the spending requirement, consider a card with a lower threshold.

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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Can I transfer points from the Wells Fargo Autograph Card to Marriott Bonvoy?

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No, you cannot directly transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to the Marriott Bonvoy program. The Autograph Card's points can be redeemed for travel through the Wells Fargo portal or transferred to a selection of airline and hotel partners, which does not currently include Marriott.

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What happens to my Marriott Bonvoy points if I close my Boundless card?

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Your Marriott Bonvoy points are safe even if you close your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, as the points are held in your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account, not with the credit card issuer. As long as your loyalty account remains active, you will retain your points.

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Is the annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card worth it?

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For many travelers, the annual fee is justified by the card's annual Free Night Award, which can easily be worth more than the fee itself. If you stay at Marriott properties at least once a year, the card often provides excellent value.

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