Bilt Obsidian vs Wells Fargo Autograph℠

Bilt Obsidian
VS
Wells Fargo Autograph℠
The short answer: The Bilt Obsidian delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ if you spend more on gas, travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Bilt ObsidianWells Fargo Autograph℠
Annual fee$95No annual fee
Welcome offer$200 in Bilt Cash on account opening20,000 bonus points ($200 value)
Dining3x3x
Groceries3x1x
Gas1x3x
Travel2x3x
Streaming1x3x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$490$457
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkMastercardVisa

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified September 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

Welcome bonus and value over time

Over timeBilt ObsidianWells Fargo Autograph℠
Welcome bonus$200 in Bilt Cash on account opening20,000 bonus points ($200 value)
To earn itNo minimum spend$1,000 in 3 months
Est. first-year value*$895$657
Est. ongoing value / yr*$695$457

The Bilt Obsidian wins on both fronts: it comes out ahead in year one on the welcome offer and stays ahead every year after. Short term or long, it is the stronger pick on the numbers.

*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent.

Perks, credits, and redemptions

PerksBilt ObsidianWells Fargo Autograph℠
Lounge accessNoneNone
Annual credits~$300/yr (2 credits)None
Points & redemptionsTransferable to airline & hotel partnersTransferable to airline & hotel partners

On perks and redemptions, the Bilt Obsidian carries the heavier credit stack (about $300 a year). Weigh those against the fee, since credits and lounge access only count if you will actually use them.

Transfer partners and point value

The Bilt Obsidian earns Bilt Rewards, which transfers to Alaska / Atmos, Air Canada, World of Hyatt, American Airlines, and Turkish. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ earns Wells Fargo Rewards, reaching Air France-KLM, Avianca, British Airways Avios, and Choice. Most transfers are 1:1 on both, so the partners themselves, not the ratios, are what separate them.

The standout difference is the crown-jewel partner: for the Bilt Obsidian it is Alaska and Hyatt, a rare pairing that covers both a top airline and a top hotel program; for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ it is the Avios and Flying Blue families for flexible short-haul and promo awards. Pick the program whose best partners match the trips you would actually book.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the Bilt Obsidian earns about $490 a year in rewards and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ about $457, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Bilt Obsidian charges $95, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Bilt Obsidian delivers more total value, about $87 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries. Both earn transferable points rather than flat cash, so the deciding factor is whose transfer partners reach the airlines and hotels you would actually book. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Bilt Obsidian if your spending leans toward groceries. Pick the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ if your spending leans toward gas, travel, streaming.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bilt Obsidian or the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ better?
On typical household spending, the Bilt Obsidian comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $87 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Bilt Obsidian and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Bilt Obsidian or the Wells Fargo Autograph℠?
As of September 2026, the Bilt Obsidian offers $200 in Bilt Cash on account opening and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ offers 20,000 bonus points ($200 value). Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.