Editorial take: United Explorer Card
Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.
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Side-by-side
United Explorer Card vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Both are well-respected travel cards. The United Explorer Card comes from Chase at $150/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
For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,040 more in estimated value) than the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | United Explorer Card | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus | 60,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,040 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Wells Fargo |
| Card category | airline | travel |
| Best earning category (United) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
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, United Explorer Card or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- The United Explorer Card has a public bonus (70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040), while the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the United Explorer Card's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- At $150/yr, the United Explorer Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the United Explorer Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey?
- 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 United Explorer Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. United Explorer Card: $3,000 spend in 3 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.