Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs. Capital One Venture: Both Have Bragging Rights

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has long been a mainstay for travelers seeking low-effort rewards for a relatively modest annual fee. It touts a generous sign-up bonus, the same rewards rate for most purchases, flexible rewards redemption options and additional travel benefits that boost its value.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey entered the credit card marketplace in March 2024, but it’s quickly catching up with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You can earn a sign-up bonus and elevated rewards in certain spending categories. Redeeming your rewards is easy with this card, too. Plus, it provides impressive travel protections.

Which card is right for you comes down to which perks you value the most. Here’s how to decide.

Compared with other travel credit cards that have convoluted rewards programs, the $95-annual-fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has always kept earning and redeeming miles super simple.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns:

• 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases.

• 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One’s travel portal. 

For the most part, there are no spending categories to memorize — just a decent rewards rate no matter where you use the card. If you want travel rewards that keep it simple, this is hard to beat.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. That’s a lot of value in the first year you carry this card.

There are multiple ways to use your miles:

• Cover the cost of travel purchases made within the past 90 days. Eligible travel purchases include airlines, hotels, trains, buses, rental cars, cruises, taxis and limousine services, travel agents and timeshares. 

• Redeem miles on Capital One’s travel portal for flights, car rentals and hotel bookings.

• Transfer rewards to other eligible Capital One cards.

• Transfer rewards to Capital One’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

You can also redeem miles for cash back or gift cards, but redemption values vary, so this isn’t an ideal way to use your rewards.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a statement credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years. You’ll also get Hertz Five Star status, which offers a wider selection of rental cars, upgrades when available and more.

Get access to VIP event experiences and ticket presales through Capital One Entertainment. You can also book tables at in-demand restaurants and attend special events through Capital One Dining.

Like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has a $95 annual fee and travel-focused rewards. While it lacks a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, the card offers other benefits, including robust travel protections.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey earns:

• 5 points per $1 on hotels.

• 4 points per $1 on airlines.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

That’s a bit more complicated than the flat rate on most purchases with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, but it’s potentially more rewarding if you spend more on travel and dining specifically.

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That’s not as generous as the sign-up bonus on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, but it’s still a nice bonus if this is the card you choose.

Redeem rewards for not just travel, but also statement credits to offset eligible purchases, gift cards, charitable donations and merchandise. You can also pay with points at select merchants.

Another option is to transfer points to Wells Fargo’s airline and hotel partners. It’s a relatively short list for now, but according to Wells Fargo, there are plans to expand it.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey lacks a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, but it does offer a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers no such credit toward airfare.

Plus, with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, you’ll have robust travel protections, including a reimbursement of up to $15,000 if your trip is canceled for a covered reason.

You can also take advantage of Autograph Card Exclusives, which is a series of concerts in small venues.

If you pay your cell phone bill with your Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, you’re covered if your phone is stolen or damaged. You can claim up to $1,000, with a maximum of two claims per year.

When you compare these two cards, it comes down to rewards earnings and perks. Opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card if you prefer simple rewards and want to save on TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.