Wells Fargo Rewards

Wells Fargo Rewards: learn to earn more points, transfer to top frequent flyer programs, discover best redemption options, and maximize your travel rewards.

Type
Bank
Category
Travel points

Overview

Wells Fargo Rewards may be a newer player in the transferable points and miles space, but it’s quickly becoming a competitive loyalty program with valuable transfer partners.

You can earn Wells Fargo Rewards with the following credit cards, some of which offer no annual fee and 0% APR for a set period:

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
$200
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
20,000 points
Apply Now

To unlock Wells Fargo’s full lineup of eight transfer partners, you’ll need either the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or an everyday spender, this guide will walk you through how to make the most of your Wells Fargo Rewards.

Wells Fargo Rewards overview

Wells Fargo Rewards typically have a base value of 1 cent per point when you redeem for cash back, statement credits or book travel in the Wells Fargo travel portal. However, you can often achieve greater value by using your points for travel-related expenses.

Here are some key points to know about Wells Fargo Rewards:

  • Your points never expire as long as your account stays active and in good standing.
  • Transferring points to partner loyalty programs can provide greater value than redeeming them through the Wells Fargo travel portal.
  • Travel partner transfers are limited and only available with select cards, like the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, which can maximize your points’ potential.

Overall, while the base redemption value is straightforward, strategic use of your points for travel can significantly increase their worth.

How to earn Wells Fargo Rewards

Earning Wells Fargo Rewards begins with choosing the right credit card and maximizing its earning potential.

Credit cards that earn Wells Fargo Rewards

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, plus a cash rewards bonus.
  • Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Earn 3 points per dollar on dining, travel, gas stations and more.
  • Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Earn 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on flights, 3 points per dollar on restaurants and other travel and more.
  • Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card: Earn unlimited 4% cash rewards on select purchases, plus a cash rewards bonus.

Business cards that earn Wells Fargo Rewards

  • Wells Fargo Signify Business Card: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, plus a cash rewards bonus.

However, to transfer points to partners, you must have either the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card to combine points from any of the eligible cards.

Tips for earning more Wells Fargo Rewards

If you want to earn more Wells Fargo Rewards, here are a few tips:

  • Welcome bonuses: Take advantage of generous welcome offers, which can provide tens of thousands of points when you meet the spending requirements within the first few months.
  • Everyday spending: Earn points on all purchases made with eligible Wells Fargo credit cards, typically at a rate of 1 point per dollar spent. Some cards offer higher multipliers for specific categories.
  • Bonus categories: Cards like the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card allow you to earn 3 points per dollar on dining, travel, gas stations and more.
  • Business expenses: Using business credit cards can be an effective way to earn additional rewards on operational costs.

By strategically utilizing these tips, you can significantly increase your Wells Fargo Rewards and maximize their value.

How to redeem Wells Fargo Rewards

Wells Fargo Rewards offers various redemption options with some providing better value than others.

Here’s a quick overview.

Travel redemptions (best value)

  • Transfer partners: If you have the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, you can transfer points to a limited selection of hotel and airline partners. This option can yield the highest value but requires some knowledge of partner loyalty programs to maximize redemptions.
  • Wells Fargo travel portal: You can use Wells Fargo’s travel portal to book flights, hotels, car rentals and more at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point. However, if you have the legacy Wells Fargo Visa Signature® Credit Card, you may receive better value on airfare redemptions.

Other redemption options (less value)

  • Cash: You can redeem points for cash in several ways:
    • Withdraw cash at a Wells Fargo ATM in increments of $20 (2,000 points) if you have a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card.
    • Request a paper check in increments of $25 (2,500 points).
    • Deposit rewards into a qualifying Wells Fargo account (with a 1-point minimum).
  • Statement credit: Use points to cover transactions of $1 or more, but you must redeem the full transaction amount — partial redemptions aren’t allowed.
  • Pay with rewards: Use points to shop directly with Wells Fargo partner merchants at 1 cent per point. However, this method doesn’t earn additional rewards, so a cash redemption or statement credit is the better choice.
  • Gift cards: Redeem points for gift cards at 1 cent per point, the same as cash back. While convenient, cash offers more flexibility.

Wells Fargo transfer partners

Wells Fargo has seven airline partners and one hotel partner:

1:1 transfer ratio

1:2 transfer ratio

While Wells Fargo lists Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia as separate partners, all three use Avios, which can be transferred freely between them — as well as to Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club — at a 1:1 rate.

Similarly, you can link Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red to move points between them. Use Flying Club for flights and Virgin Red for experiences like food tours, excursions and hotel stays.

Maximizing Wells Fargo Rewards

Instead of redeeming points for just 1 cent each through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, we often recommend transferring them to airline and hotel partners for more value.

For example, Avianca LifeMiles and Flying Blue offer premium cabin flights at a discount compared to cash fares. Choice Privileges transfers at a 1:2 ratio, which can make for a great way to book affordable hotels in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

And of course, you can use the $50 annual airfare statement credit on the Autograph Journey Card to help offset travel costs, including taxes and fees from award tickets.

Wells Fargo Rewards sweet spots

Maximizing Wells Fargo Rewards means knowing where to transfer your points for the best value. 

Here are some of the top sweet spot redemptions:

Short-haul American & Alaska Flights (12,000 British Airways Avios)

  • New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Washington’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Iberia Business Class to Europe (34,000 Avios)

  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD).

Air France-KLM Flying Blue (dynamic pricing)

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) from 25,000 miles in economy, 40,000 miles in premium economy and 60,000 miles in business class.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (dynamic pricing)

  • Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) from 6,000 miles in economy class.

LifeMiles (from 6,500 miles for domestic United flights)

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Choice Privileges

  • Cambria Hotel New York – Chelsea from 35,000 points (17,500 Wells Fargo Rewards)
  • Quality Inn Centre-Ville Montreal from 15,000 points (7,500 Wells Fargo Rewards)
  • Comfort Inn Hyde Park London from 12,000 points (6,000 Wells Fargo Rewards)

We recommend verifying current rates and availability before transferring your Wells Fargo Rewards, as transfers are final and cannot be reversed once completed.

Bottom line

Wells Fargo Rewards is quickly emerging as a strong competitor in the points and miles space, offering valuable transfer partners and flexible redemption options. While its base redemption value is straightforward, strategic travelers can maximize their points by leveraging airline and hotel transfers. With a solid lineup of credit cards, including options with no annual fees and 0% APR periods, Wells Fargo Rewards provides opportunities for both everyday spenders and frequent travelers to earn and redeem points effectively.

FAQs – Wells Fargo Rewards

What are Wells Fargo Rewards?

Wells Fargo Rewards is a loyalty program that allows cardholders to earn points through eligible credit cards. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners for greater value.

Which cards earn Wells Fargo Rewards?

You can earn rewards with cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash®, Autograph℠, Autograph Journey℠, Attune℠, and Signify Business. However, only the Autograph and Autograph Journey cards allow you to transfer points to partners.

How much are Wells Fargo Rewards points worth?

Points are generally worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash, gift cards, or travel via the Wells Fargo portal. However, transferring points to airline or hotel partners can yield much higher value.

Can I transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to travel partners?

Yes, if you hold the Autograph℠ or Autograph Journey℠ card. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to seven airline partners and 1:2 to Choice Privileges, a hotel program.

Do Wells Fargo Rewards points expire?

No, Wells Fargo Rewards points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

What are the best uses of Wells Fargo Rewards?

Transferring to partners like Avianca LifeMiles, Flying Blue, or British Airways can unlock excellent value for premium cabin redemptions or short-haul flights. Choice Privileges transfers at 1:2, offering great value for hotel stays.

Can I redeem Wells Fargo Rewards for cash or gift cards?

Yes. You can redeem for cash, statement credits, or gift cards — all generally at a value of 1 cent per point. While easy, this method may not offer the best value compared to travel transfers.

What are some sweet spot redemptions with partners?

Examples include 6,000 Virgin Atlantic miles for U.S.-UK economy flights, 34,000 Avios for Iberia business class to Europe, and 17,500 Wells Fargo points for Choice Hotels like Cambria NYC or Comfort Inn London.

Cards that earn in this program

2 cards found

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Wells FargoWells Fargo Rewards
Annual fee
$0
Our valuation
$350

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.

Welcome offer
20,000 points
Apply Now

on Wells Fargo's website

Features
Issuer
Wells Fargo
Network
Program
Wells Fargo Rewards
Fees and terms
Annual Fee
$0
Min. annual income
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Rewards
Rate
Gas & EV
3x
Transit
3x
Travel
3x
Streaming
3x
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