Tag Archives for wells fargo.
Bilt Card 2.0 is nearly here. The transition to Cardless brings three new versions — no-fee, $95, and $495 — all earning points on mortgage payments. Current members can choose their new card with no hard credit pull ahead of the February 7 rollout.
When readers ask me what to do now that Sapphire Reserve increased earning on airfare and hotels to 4x, but eliminated 3x earning on ‘all other travel’ like Airbnb and cruises – I tell the Airbnb, Vrbo and cruise set to consider Autograph Journey.
Savings on stays is the interesting play with Expedia’s OneKey Rewards, and the easiest way to earn status that yields that savings is by having one of their new credit cards from Wells Fargo.
I first got the Bilt Rewards Mastercard in November 2021. When the program launched they were with another bank, and launched with Wells Fargo in March 2022. Wells didn’t buy the back book. I suspect the lack of revolve by cardmembers – early adopters like me aren’t a super profitable bunch! – led to this decision.
So there have been Bilt credit cards from two different issuers, although all new cards over the past 27 months have been Wells Fargo cards.
I love reading these insider details, almost as much as the players involved probably hate their being published.
I think both sides come out really well here – Wells Fargo aggressively experimented, found something wasn’t working, and pulled back while they retooled. Meanwhile Bilt Rewards has a lucrative program in place for a long time that consumers benefit from.
Wells Fargo has entered the chat. They’ve announced themselves in travel rewards, and transferring bank points to airline miles and hotel points. They’ve launched a rich new travel credit card, and launched points transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs for both this high-earner and existing cards.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card is a brand new product. It’s pretty compelling in its own right as a travel and dining card, but offers some great possibilities in combination with other Wells cards now that their branded portfolio of points cards all come with point transfers.
They’ve created a no annual fee World Elite Mastercard that makes sense for those loyal to the Choice brand to get. Holding the card makes sense. I just wish it were more rewarding for ongoing spend.
Wells Fargo claims Autograph is their “best points card ever.” I’m surprised their lawyers allowed the claim, because it’s so obviously not accurate.
The Bilt launch event was a lot of fun – and very cool to be there with Wyclef Jean, A$AP Rocky, Mayor Adams and Dr. Oz – but even cooler is that Wells Fargo has a genuine top travel card and has entered the co-brand space with some thunder.
While Bilt is a product that gives consumers something they cannot get anywhere else (free points-earning for their biggest expense) in a no annual fee top travel card to boot.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
