Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Review

Overview

Wells Fargo is the third largest bank in America with $1.7 trillion in assets. It has over 4,200 physical branches in the US and a global customer base of over 70 million. The bank offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), credit cards, and loans.

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that stands out for its competitive rewards structure. Cardholders can earn 3x points on essential categories like dining, travel, and gas. It also offers a hefty welcome bonus - Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. You also get a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter.

Suitable For?

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a great option for people seeking a no-annual-fee credit card that offers a relatively generous reward rate in essential spending categories. It’s particularly ideal for those who frequently spend on dining, travel, and gas, as it offers 3x reward points in these categories.

See Rates and Fees

Interest Rates and Fees

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter.

The card doesn’t charge annual and foreign transaction fees. However, there’s a cash advance fee of 5% or $10, whichever is greater. For balance transfers, there’s an introductory fee of 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) for the first 120 days, after which it increases to 5% or a minimum of $5.

Rewards

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card has one of the most competitive rewards programs in the market for a no-annual-fee card. You can earn a good welcome bonus - Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

In addition, the card earns 3x points per every dollar spent in the following categories:

• Restaurants (dining, takeout, delivery, catering, and more)

• Travel (hotels, car rental, airfare, cruises)

• Gas (gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations)

• Transit (ride shares, parking, subways, tolls and more)

• Streaming services

• Phone plans (including both cellphone and landline)

All purchases outside these categories earn 1x point per dollar. You can redeem your points for a wide range of perks, including travel (flights and hotel stays), statement credits, gift cards, and shopping online with PayPal. There’s no limit to the number of points you can earn in any category.

Other notable perks of the Autograph card are:

• Cell phone protection of up to $600 against theft and damage. Subject to a $25 deductible.

• Rental car damage coverage

• Travel emergency assistance

• Roadside dispatch

• Access to live event tickets via the Autograph Card Exclusives program

• Visa Signature® perks, including Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection and Concierge service

• Access to “My Wells Fargo Deals”

• Free credit score monitoring

The Application Process

Wells Fargo offers a handy tool on its website that lets you check if you pre-qualify for its cards without affecting your credit score. This process only takes a few minutes, and all you need to do is provide your name, address, and last four digits of your Social Security number (or just log in if you’re already a Wells Fargo member).

If you prefer, you can skip the pre-qualification step and apply for the card directly. In this case, simply go to the Wells Fargo website and search for “Wells Fargo Autograph® Card.” On the card's page, click “Apply Now.” This will take you to the online application form. Provide the required info—including your name, address, Social Security number, employment status, and total annual income—and click “Submit” once you’re done.

In most cases, you'll receive an approval decision within minutes. However, it can take longer if the bank needs to carry out additional verification checks. Once you’re approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You can also apply for the Wells Fargo autograph at your local physical branch.

See Rates and Fees

Help and Support

Wells Fargo offers its Autograph cardholders 24/7 support on the phone. Support includes a dedicated fraud hotline whose details are available on the back of your card. You can also schedule a physical appointment at a local branch if your issue requires in-person support.

Additionally, the Wells Fargo website features a comprehensive FAQs section, where you can find answers to common questions about the Autograph Card.

Online feedback about the quality of the bank’s customer services is mixed. Some users report quick access to helpful support, while others mention long wait times and being transferred between multiple agents without having issues resolved.

Security

Wells Fargo uses Secure Sockets layer (SSL) encryption to secure all online transactions.

The bank also monitors your credit card account 24/7 for fraud and will alert you if it detects anything suspicious. For added protection, Wells Fargo automatically logs you out of your online or mobile banking sessions after a period of inactivity.

What’s more, all Wells Fargo’s credit cards, including the Autograph Card, come with zero liability protection. This means the bank won’t hold you responsible for any unauthorized transactions as long as you report them immediately.

Conclusion

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a solid choice for anyone looking to earn competitive rewards on essential expenses without paying an annual fee. With this card, you can get 3x points in popular spending categories like dining, travel, and gas.

There’s a generous welcome bonus - Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Plus a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter. Customer support is available 24/7 and you even get zero liability protection for authorized transactions.

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