United Club vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card.

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• It earns unlimited 3x points on a broad mix of popular spending categories, including restaurants, travel, gas, streaming services, and select phone plans.
• There is no annual fee, and cardholders receive valuable perks like up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft when paying their monthly bill with the card.
• Since the card has no annual fee, you begin to capture value from your rewards immediately without needing to calculate a break-even point (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earns bonus points across a broad mix of popular spending categories like restaurants, travel, and gas, with no cap on the rewards you can accumulate.
• Cardholders pay no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for both everyday use and travel abroad.
• Includes valuable benefits not always found on no-annual-fee cards, such as cell phone protection and access to exclusive cardholder offers.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or annual travel credits, which are common on other travel cards.
• Maximizing rewards requires tracking multiple bonus spending categories.
• Reward redemption options, particularly for transferring points to travel partners, are more limited compared to other major rewards programs.

Wells Fargo Autograph vs United Club

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Club or Wells Fargo Autograph, it's essential to examine where each card excels. Your personal spending habits will largely determine which card provides the most value.

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• The United Club℠ Card is tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers who value premium travel benefits. It's best for those who prioritize perks like lounge access and other travel services exclusive to the airline.
• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is ideal for individuals with diverse spending habits. This card offers rewards across a wide range of everyday categories, including dining, gas, transit, and popular streaming services.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that are primarily redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases within the United Airlines network. This redemption structure is designed to directly benefit frequent flyers of the airline.

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Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: This card provides flexible points that can be redeemed for a wide array of options, such as cash back, travel bookings, and gift cards. The versatility allows cardholders to use their rewards in whatever way best fits their needs.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card provides a full United Club membership, granting access to its lounges and those of participating Star Alliance partners. The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card does not include complimentary lounge access.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for international trips, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Airline-Specific Perks: The United Club℠ Card is packed with benefits for United flyers, including free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, plus Premier Access services like priority check-in and boarding. The Autograph® Card does not offer any airline-specific benefits.
• Travel Portals & Booking: Cardholders redeem rewards from the United Club℠ Card through the United MileagePlus program, which is geared toward flights and travel with the airline and its partners. The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers more general flexibility, with points redeemable for travel through the Wells Fargo Travel portal.
• Additional Travel Benefits: The United Club℠ Card provides complimentary Hertz President's Circle elite status. The Autograph® Card counters with practical protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and cell phone protection, adding peace of mind to your travels.
• Annual Fee: The premium perks of the United Club℠ Card come with an annual fee, whereas the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card has no annual fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data for personalized recommendations.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your actual spending history. This feature provides an annual rewards projection and a category-by-category breakdown without requiring an application or a hard credit pull.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances for a credit card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you apply for a card through Kudos and find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Track sign-up bonuses: The platform allows you to monitor your progress toward meeting the spending requirements for credit card sign-up bonuses.
• Stack rewards: You can earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores, which are stacked on top of the rewards you earn from your credit card.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is primarily designed for loyal United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year and can take full advantage of its premium perks. These travelers, particularly those flying for business or internationally, will find immense value in the complimentary United Club membership and the free checked bag allowance. Additionally, as a detailed review of the card points out, it's a strong choice for those chasing MileagePlus Premier status through card spending to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is ideal for consumers seeking a versatile, no-annual-fee card that delivers strong rewards on both travel and daily purchases. It's a great fit for those who frequently spend on dining, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans, as it offers unlimited 3x points in these popular categories. Cardholders who prioritize practical benefits like cell phone protection over premium travel perks will find significant value in this card.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed United Club vs Wells Fargo Autograph comparison, you might find that neither card perfectly aligns with your spending habits or travel goals. Fortunately, the credit card landscape is vast, and several other options offer compelling rewards and benefits worth considering.

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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 rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement through your normal purchases.
• Know the rewards ecosystem: Research the card’s benefits and partners to ensure they align with your travel or cash back goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Align it with a large purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of restrictions that could affect your approval or bonus eligibility.
• Don't settle for a lower offer: Some applications let you see your terms before a hard credit pull, allowing you to walk away.

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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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a significant annual fee that covers its premium travel benefits, while the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual fee. You should always verify current fee information directly with the card issuers before applying.

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Can I access airport lounges with the Wells Fargo Autograph Card?

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No, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card does not include airport lounge access as one of its benefits. This perk is a primary feature of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which includes a full United Club membership.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is generally stronger for earning rewards on everyday purchases, offering bonus points across broad categories like dining, gas, and transit. The United Club℠ Infinite Card's reward structure is more heavily weighted toward United Airlines purchases and other travel spending.

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