Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
American Express Gold vs Wells Fargo Autograph
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
American Express
American Express Gold
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
US
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Autograph
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Wells Fargo Autograph |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Gold
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (incl. Uber Eats)
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
- 3x on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com
- $120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at select partners)
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
Wells Fargo Autograph
- 3x on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming, cell phone
- 1x on everything else
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
- Cell phone protection up to $600/claim
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Wells Fargo Autograph: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. American Express Gold wins on 2 criteria, Wells Fargo Autograph on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Gold for its best categories, Wells Fargo Autograph for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months. Wells Fargo Autograph: 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 3 months.