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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs Amex Gold

Not credit advice. Facts and math from issuer pages and the CFPB, each with its date. Offers change; approval depends on your credit. Verify on the issuer's site.

Rubric: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey leads by 4.6 pts. Scores: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey 66.0%, Amex Gold 61.4%.

At a sample $1,920/month (groceries $500, dining $300, gas $150, travel $150, online $200, other $400 …): Wells Fargo Autograph Journey nets $243/yr, Amex Gold nets $229/yr after annual fees. Use your own numbers →

Criterion scores (0–10)

Annual feeJourney: 8.0 · Gold: 5.0
Rewards rateJourney: 5.0 · Gold: 6.0
Sign-up bonusJourney: 8.0 · Gold: n/a
Intro 0% APRJourney: 0.0 · Gold: 0.0
Regular APRJourney: 7.2 · Gold: 7.0
Foreign transaction feeJourney: 10.0 · Gold: 10.0
Regulatory record (CFPB)Journey: 8.0 · Gold: 10.0

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

IssuerWells Fargo
Typetravel
Annual fee$95 creditcards.wellsfargo.com, 2026-10-12
Regular purchase APR19.49%–28.49% variable files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Rewards1% base; 3% dining; 3% travel creditcards.wellsfargo.com, 2026-10-12
Sign-up bonus (≈$)$600 60,000 bonus points after qualifying purchases (valued at 1¢) creditcards.wellsfargo.com, 2026-10-12
Intro APRnone No intro APR shown creditcards.wellsfargo.com, 2026-10-12
Foreign transaction feenone files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Penalty APRnone No penalty APR appears in the issuer's CFPB-filed agreement (only penalty fees are listed) consumerfinance.gov, 2026-06-30
Late feenot found files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Balance transfer feenot found files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Cash advance feenot found files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Credit needed620–719, 720+ (CFPB TCCP targeted tiers) files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Grace period25 days files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Cash advance APR29.49% files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31

Amex Gold

IssuerAmerican Express
Typetravel
Annual fee$325 americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Regular purchase APR19.74%–28.74% variable americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Rewards4x restaurants (up to $50k) & U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k); 5x prepaid hotels via AmexTravel; 3x flights americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Sign-up bonus (≈$)not found americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Intro APRnone Charge card with Pay Over Time; no intro APR offer americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Foreign transaction feenone Foreign Transaction: None americanexpress.com, 2026-10-11
Penalty APRPrime + 26.74% Variable: Prime Rate + 26.74% per Amex agreement rate table consumerfinance.gov, 2026-06-30
Late feeup to $40 up to (first and repeat late fee) files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Balance transfer feenot found files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Cash advance fee5% files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Credit needed720+ (CFPB TCCP targeted tiers) files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Grace period25 days files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
Cash advance APR29.49% files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31
CFPB survey APR (2025-12-31)19.49%–29.24% files.consumerfinance.gov, 2025-12-31 older; issuer figure above is newer

Downsides

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey66.0%
Wells Fargo · travel
Annual fee $95APR 19.49%–28.49% variableRewards 1% base; 3% dining; 3% travelCredit 620–719, 720+ (CFPB TCCP targeted tiers)
⚠ $95 annual fee · APR up to 28.49% if you carry a balance · Airlines 4x, hotels 5x; we use 3x 'other travel' conservatively.
Amex Gold61.4%
American Express · travel
Annual fee $325APR 19.74%–28.74% variableRewards 4x restaurants (up to $50k) & U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k); 5x prepaid hotels via AmexTravel; 3x flightsCredit 720+ (CFPB TCCP targeted tiers)
⚠ $325 annual fee · APR up to 28.74% if you carry a balance · Penalty APR Prime + 26.74% (variable)

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FAQ

Which is better, Wells Fargo Autograph Journey or Amex Gold?

On VaultRubric's rubric: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey scores higher. The better card for you depends on where you spend; the calculator shows net value for your spending.

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.