Sapphire Preferred vs Autograph Journey (June 2026)
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Which Card Wins?
NC
nextcard teamPublished Jun 14, 2026
NC
nextcard teamPublished Jun 14, 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Which Card Wins?
TLDR
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the better pick for travelers who care about transfer partners, credits, and stronger travel protections. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is better if you spend heavily with hotels and airlines and want simple paid-travel earning. The main decision is whether you prefer Chase’s rewards ecosystem and credits or Wells Fargo’s higher direct travel earning rates.
TLDR
Choose the Preferred if you want 5x through Chase Travel, 3x on several key everyday categories, and significantly better transfer partners like Hyatt or United.
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Choose Wells Fargo Autograph Journey if you want strong earnings: 5x with hotels, 4x with airlines, and 3x on restaurants and other travel.
Both cards charge a $95 annual fee, but Chase has the larger welcome offer: 75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months vs. 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months.
Chase wins for credits, protections, and partners; Wells Fargo wins for straightforward hotel and airline earning.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
Annual fee
$95
$95
Welcome offer
75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
Best earning
5x Chase Travel; 3x several key everyday categories
5x with hotels; 4x with airlines; 3x restaurants and other travel
Credits
$100 Chase Travel hotel credit; up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
$50 annual airline credit with $50 minimum airline purchase
Other notable benefits
Free DashPass through 12/31/2027; complimentary Apple TV subscription when activated by 12/31/2026
Up to $1,000 cell phone protection with $25 deductible
Best for
Transfer partners and travel protections
Paid hotel and airline purchases
When Chase Sapphire Preferred Wins
The Sapphire Preferred wins if you want a stronger all-around travel rewards card. It earns 5x through Chase Travel and 3x on dining, gas, EV charging, streaming, online groceries, and select vacation homes. That gives it more everyday category depth than Wells Fargo.
It also has the significantly stronger credits and perks package. The card includes a $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each account anniversary year, up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years, complimentary DashPass, and a complimentary Apple TV subscription when activated by December 31, 2026.
Chase also wins on transfer partners. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners include unique standouts like World of Hyatt, United, and Southwest, which makes Sapphire Preferred the better pick for award-travel upside.
When Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Wins
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey wins if your travel spending is concentrated with hotels and airlines. It earns 5x with hotels, 4x with airlines, 3x on restaurants and other travel, and 1x on other purchases.
It also has a useful $50 annual airline credit after your first airline purchase of at least $50 each year. That is simpler than Chase’s hotel credit since it's not restricted to a travel portal.
Wells Fargo also has one benefit Chase does not emphasize the same way: cell phone protection. You can get up to $1,000 per claim against damage or theft when you pay your monthly wireless bill with the card, subject to a $25 deductible and benefit terms.
Which Card Is Better Overall?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is generally the overall better card. It has stronger transfer partners, more credits and benefits, better everyday bonus categories, and a deeper travel-protection package. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is better for people who mostly want high earning on paid hotel and airline purchases.
FAQ
Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
Yes. They are issued by different banks, so holding both can make sense if you use Chase for partners and credits, then Wells Fargo for hotel, airline, and cell phone-protection value. However, you'd be
Which is better for paid travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is better for direct paid travel because it earns 5x with hotels and 4x with airlines. Chase is better if you book through Chase Travel or want stronger travel protections.
Which card has better transfer partners: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
Chase Sapphire Preferred has better transfer partners, especially because of Chase-only standouts like World of Hyatt, United, and Southwest. Wells Fargo’s unique angle is strong paid-travel earning, not partner depth.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred annual fee worth it?
Yes; if you can use any of the Preferred's credits to their full value, including the $100 Chase Travel hotel credit, $120 Trusted Traveler credit, DashPass, or complimentary Apple TV subscription. If not, Wells Fargo’s airline credit and hotel/airline earning may be easier to justify.
