Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners: How to redeem your points
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees) is available with a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This card is the mid-tier version of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (see rates and fees), which comes with additional perks like a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (with a $50 minimum airline purchase) and bonus points on travel and dining purchases.
Previously, Wells Fargo Rewards points earned from Wells Fargo credit cards could only be redeemed through Wells Fargo Rewards at 1 cent each, making this bonus worth $600. However, Wells Fargo introduced a number of travel transfer partners — that will allow you to utilize your hard-earned rewards points with seven airline and hotel partners.
Here is everything you need to know about Wells Fargo transfer partners.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
What are the Wells Fargo transfer partners?
You can now transfer Wells Fargo points to the following programs at a 1:1 ratio:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red
- Choice Privileges (transfers at a 1:2 ratio)
While this seems like an impressive list of transfer partners, remember that Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia all use Avios as their program currency. They can be transferred between any of these programs (including Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club) in any direction at a 1:1 rate; so, even if only one of these three programs was a Wells Fargo transfer partner, you could still easily transfer the Avios to all three of the programs, as well as to Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Similarly, you can link your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red accounts to transfer your points between the programs. If you want to book Virgin Atlantic flights, you can use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Virgin Red offers members the chance to redeem rewards for other trip details like food tours, excursions and hotel stays.
Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
How do I transfer Wells Fargo points to partners?
Once you have earned Wells Fargo points from an Autograph card at the end of each billing cycle, they will be available in your Wells Fargo account. You could elect to redeem them through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal at a value of 1 cent each or transfer them to one of the partner programs above at a rate of 1:1 (except for Choice Privileges, which is 1:2). As an example, 1 Wells Fargo Rewards point could become 1 Flying Blue mile.
You must first link any transfer partners in your Wells Fargo account by adding the membership number so you can easily transfer to travel partners.
Thankfully, unlike other transferable currencies, there's no minimum transfer amount, and you aren't limited to specific increments. In fact, you could transfer just a single point if you needed to. This allows you to transfer the exact number you need for your specific redemption — rather than being forced to round up to the next multiple of 1,000, which can leave you with orphaned points or miles in a loyalty account.
Transfers are not reversible, so make sure you want to make the transfer before doing so.
What are the best Wells Fargo transfer partners?
TPG currently values the Wells Fargo transfer partners as follows, per our September 2024 valuations:
- Avios: 1.5
- Virgin: 1.4
- Flying Blue: 1.3
- LifeMiles: 1.6
- Choice: 0.6
Remember that you would receive 2 Choice Privileges points for every 1 Wells Fargo Rewards point you transfer, so the value of Choice Privileges points would be 1.2 cents.
There are great ways to maximize the value of Wells Fargo transfer partners. Here are some of our favorites:
- British Airways Executive Club prices American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partner flights up to 650 miles long within North America on all dates at 12,000 Avios. Longer Zone 2 flights cost 16,000 Avios. So, you should be able to fly from any New York airport to Miami International Airport (MIA) or from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for 16,000 Avios in American Airlines economy class. Since American operates using dynamic pricing, redeeming Avios could be significantly cheaper and a better use of your rewards. However, it's always best to double-check before transferring and redeeming your points.
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue releases Promo Rewards each month. You can only book these deeply discounted award tickets within the same month they're released. These promotions can provide an excellent deal on tickets to Europe and beyond (for example, transatlantic business class for under 40,000 miles).
- British Airways Executive Club charges just 4,750 Avios each way for off-peak flights it operates from London to destinations up to 650 miles away (peak-date flights are only 5,250 Avios). This includes flights to Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria and Italy.
- Iberia Plus business class to Europe costs just 34,000 Avios (plus modest taxes and fees) each way on off-peak dates for the following routes: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) or New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD); BOS or JFK to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN); Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to MAD; and ORD to MAD.
- Avianca LifeMiles offers one of the best ways to book Lufthansa first class with miles. Award rates to Europe start at just 87,000 miles each way and carry minimal taxes and fees. This is lower than United MileagePlus, which prices Lufthansa first-class awards to Europe at around 121,000 miles each way, and Air Canada Aeroplan, which charges 100,000 points.
- Flying Blue prices its awards dynamically; however, the program has now standardized saver-level pricing for all one-way flights between the U.S. and Europe, regardless of origin or destination; this means you can connect at no extra cost for 20,000 miles in economy, 35,000 miles in premium economy or 50,000 miles in business class.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club does impose lofty surcharges on its award tickets, but you can find great deals, such as flying from the East Coast to the U.K. during off-peak dates for just 15,000 points (though we've seen economy redemptions for as low as 10,000 points). Plus, if you book a partner award redemption, such as a main cabin Delta flight from the U.S. to Europe (outside the U.K.), you'll pay significantly lower surcharges. While the flight will cost you more Virgin points, it can be worth it if Delta SkyMiles has priced the same flight a lot higher when booked through its own program.
- Choice Privileges has well-located properties in Europe and Japan for 12,000 points or less per night. Choice points can also provide great value in the U.S. For example, some solid-value Choice Hotels are near national parks and in large cities. For inspiration, check out the hotels currently featured as Choice Hotels' Sweet Spot Rewards.
Remember, transfers are irreversible, so it's important to double-check airline and hotel availability before proceeding.
How do I earn Wells Fargo points?
You can earn Wells Fargo points from the following credit cards:
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This card comes with a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases ($50 minimum) and valuable earnings rates on travel and dining purchases. It has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Earning rates:
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent at hotels.
- Earn 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases.
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurant purchases.
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Some other cards require travel to be booked through the card provider's travel portal to earn bonus points. With the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card, you'll earn bonus points for booking directly with the airline or hotel, meaning you'll never miss out on earning points and utilizing elite status benefits.
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card review: Valuable earnings rates and transfer partners
Current welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 or more on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Earning rates:
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases, takeout, catering, food delivery services, travel, gas, transit, eligible streaming services and phone plans.
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Plus, you'll enjoy up to $600 in cellular telephone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Card review: Quality perks with no annual fee
Bottom line
The Wells Fargo transfer partner list may be small, but there are some excellent redemption options. Additionally, the ability to transfer points in any amount provides valuable flexibility that other credit card currencies lack. We hope this transfer partner list will continue to grow and that the product evolves.