Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.
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Side-by-side
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/yr; the Wells Fargo Autograph Card from Wells Fargo at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the Wells Fargo Autograph Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Wells Fargo Autograph Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Wells Fargo Autograph Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 75,000 points | 20,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Wells Fargo |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 5x | 3x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
$0/yr · 20,000 points
Editorial take: Wells Fargo Autograph Card
The best no-annual-fee card for everyday spend in 2026. 3x on six broad categories with no caps trumps almost every other free card. Pair with the Autograph Journey if you want transferable points.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus — 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 20,000 points (~$200) on the Wells Fargo Autograph Card.
- Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
- At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Wells Fargo Autograph Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Wells Fargo Autograph Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Wells Fargo) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Wells Fargo Autograph Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 spend in 3 months. Wells Fargo Autograph Card: $1,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.