Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card $650/yr, Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card $0/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card on everyday spending, Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card on travel.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
American Express
Wells Fargo
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1X | 3X |
| Gas Stations |
The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 0.
Travel
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Gas Stations
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Transit
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Streaming
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Telecom
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Dining
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Both scenarios favor the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Published annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card $650/yr, Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card $0/yr — a $650 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| 1X |
| 3X |
| Streaming | 1X | 3X |
| Telecom | 1X | 3X |
| Transit | 1X | 3X |
| Travel | 1X | 3X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
| Scenario |
|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|
| Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card |
|---|
| Ongoing winner |
|---|
| Year-one winner |
|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $144 Credits (our usable estimate): $317 − Annual fee ($650) Ongoing: -$189 Year one: -$189 | Rewards: $255 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $255 Year one: $505 | Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card | Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $576 Credits (our usable estimate): $317 − Annual fee ($650) Ongoing: $243 Year one: $243 | Rewards: $1,020 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $1,020 Year one: $1,270 | Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card | Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card |
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr — that's $650 more than the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $650 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card includes travel credits, dining credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $650 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $650 fee gap means the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card needs roughly $650 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on everyday spending and everyday spend.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you:
Get the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
