Wells Fargo Autograph vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Wells Fargo Autograph wins 4-0. No-fee 3x on six categories — broader than most no-fee competitors. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Wells Fargo Autograph | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 3% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 3 months | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.4/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Chase United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
FAQ
›Wells Fargo Autograph vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Wells Fargo Autograph wins on more dimensions (4 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Wells Fargo Autograph for its best categories, Chase United Explorer for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Wells Fargo Autograph: 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 3 months. Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.