12 Autograph Card Benefits That You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Paige Cerulli
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with generous benefits, the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is worth considering. Benefits include a generous welcome bonus, high ongoing rewards in popular categories, a low introductory APR and numerous travel protections and perks. The card features many point redemption options, making it a valuable choice for daily use as well as for travel.
Whether you already have the Autograph Card in your wallet or you are assessing whether or not you should apply here are the top benefits you will want to be familiar with.
Welcome Bonus
When you are approved for the Autograph Card, you can earn 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 in purchases during the first three months. The 20,000 bonus points have a $200 cash redemption value, so you can quickly earn a significant reward payout just for using your card.
Elevated Ongoing Rewards
The Autograph Card gives you unlimited 3x rewards points when you use your card for:
- Restaurants – this includes dining in, take-out, catering and delivery
- Travel – this includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more
- Gas – this includes gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- Transit – this includes subways, ride shares, parking, tolls and more
- Popular streaming services – see the terms and conditions for the full list of streaming services included
- Phone plans – this includes cell phone and landline providers
The fact that these 3x categories do not have caps means the earning potential is significant. On top of the 3x rewards, you will earn 1x points on all other purchases. This means your reward points can rapidly add up.
Additionally, you can use the My Wells Fargo Deals program to earn even more. You can shop personalized deals from select retailers and earn extra rewards points by activating these deals and using your card to make your purchase directly with the merchant by the specified expiration date.
Wells Fargo also gives you plenty of options to redeem your rewards. You can redeem your points for eligible purchases as small as $1. Alternatively, you can redeem points for gift cards in $25 increments. If you travel often or are planning a vacation, you can save up your points and redeem them for flights, car rentals and hotel stays.
Low Introductory APR
The Autograph card features a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) for the first 12 months on purchases after you open the card. If you’re planning to make a purchase that you will pay off within 12 months, you could save on interest with the introductory 0% APR. After the first 12 months, the card features a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR.
Cell Phone Protection
In addition to racking up rewards points, the Autograph card can also help if you need to replace your phone because of damage or theft. When you use your card to pay your cell phone bill your phone is protected from covered theft and damage. You can receive up to $600 in coverage and only pay a $25 deductible,
Auto Rental Collision Waiver
When you use your Autograph card to pay for a rental vehicle, the card’s rental car coverage includes a waiver for costs that might result if you’re in an accident while driving the vehicle. This coverage pays for theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges and administrative fees and reasonable towing charges.
Travel and Emergency Assistance
If you need help locating specific services, such as when you’re traveling abroad, you can access emergency assistance and referral services. The referral service is free, but you will be responsible for the costs of any services that you use.
The benefits administrator can help you find:
- Medical
- Legal
- Emergency transportation
- Emergency ticket replacement
- Lost luggage locator, emergency translation
- Prescription assistance services
Roadside Dispatch
The Autograph Card includes Roadside Dispatch, a pay-per-use roadside assistance program. You’ll pay a set price for the service call, which can include services such as:
- Jump-starting your car
- Changing your tire
- Delivering up to five gallons of fuel
- Unlocking your vehicle
- Five miles of standard towing
Emergency Cash and Card Replacement
If you lose your card and need cash quickly, you can get an emergency cash advance or get your card replaced within one to three business days.
Zero Liability Protection
With Wells Fargo’s zero liability protection, you won’t be responsible for any unauthorized transactions on your card. (You’ll need to promptly report those transactions.)
Credit Close-Up
The Wells Fargo Credit Close-Up gives you free access to your monthly credit update. Features like access to your FICO score, credit monitoring alerts, your Experian credit report and personalized tips can help you monitor and improve your credit score.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
When you use your card abroad, you won’t be charged a fee for converting the purchase to U.S. dollars. Transaction fees can quickly add up when you’re traveling abroad, so this is a valuable benefit for frequent travelers or anyone planning an international vacation.
No Annual Fee
While you’ll enjoy many Autograph Card benefits, this card doesn’t have an annual fee. The fact that you’ll get these rewards without having to pay a fee increases this card’s appeal.
The Bottom Line
The Autograph Card offers many benefits. With 3X rewards on common expenses like gas and dining, you can earn money back on purchases that you would make, anyway.
The card also offers some distinct benefits for travelers, like the rewards on travel expenses, its travel and emergency assistance, and the auto rental collision damage waiver. Whether you travel frequently or want a card that offers flexibility in how you use your rewards points, the Autograph Card is worth considering. To learn more, read our Autograph Card Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card good for?
With its generous rewards program, the Autograph Card is a great way to earn rewards on your purchases. The card is also a good way to get extra protection, such a cell phone and auto rental collision protection.
What credit score do you need for the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card?
The Autograph Card requires good to excellent credit. Typically a FICO credit score of 670 or above meets this criteria. However, having a credit score of 670 or above does not guarantee approval since other factors are taken into consideration.
How to redeem the Autograph Card rewards?
You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, gift cards, when using PayPal, and for travel that you book through Wells Fargo. You can also transfer points to airline loyalty programs. This list of eligible transfer programs continues to grow as the program developes.
