Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Cash Back vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Cash Back comes from Discover at $0/yr; the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey from Wells Fargo at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Discover it Cash Back | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) | 60,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | Wells Fargo |
| Card category | cashback | travel |
| Best earning category (Rotating) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Read the full review
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
$95/yr · 60,000 bonus points
Editorial take: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
5x on flights is class-leading at this price point. Wells Fargo added 6 transfer partners in 2024 (Flying Blue, Avianca, BA Avios, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Choice), making this card meaningfully better than before. Worth considering over Sapphire Preferred for frequent flyers.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Discover it Cash Back or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- The Discover it Cash Back has a public bonus (Cashback Match (first year, unlimited), worth roughly $200), while the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Discover it Cash Back's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Discover it Cash Back.
- Can I have both the Discover it Cash Back and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Cash Back or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Cash Back: $0 spend in 12 months. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: $4,000 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.