Wells Fargo has significantly enhanced the value of its rewards program by introducing travel transfer partners. Previously, points earned from Wells Fargo credit cards were limited to a fixed value when redeemed through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal. Now, cardholders can transfer their points to a range of airline and hotel loyalty programs, potentially unlocking much greater value for their travel rewards. This exciting development opens up a world of possibilities for maximizing your points and experiencing dream vacations.
Discovering Wells Fargo’s Transfer Partners
Wells Fargo has partnered with several airlines and hotels, allowing you to convert your Wells Fargo Rewards points into partner loyalty currencies at a 1:1 ratio in most cases. This means 1 Wells Fargo point becomes 1 partner point or mile, giving you access to a wider array of redemption options beyond the standard cash value.
Here’s a list of the current Wells Fargo Travel Partners:
-
Airlines:
- Aer Lingus AerClub (Avios)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
- Iberia Plus (Avios)
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
-
Hotels:
- Choice Privileges (1:2 transfer ratio)
Image: A table listing Wells Fargo transfer partners including airlines Aer Lingus, Air France KLM, British Airways, Iberia, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic, and hotel Choice Privileges.
While the list might seem concise, it’s strategically powerful. Notably, the inclusion of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia, all utilizing Avios as their currency, provides a significant advantage. Avios can be seamlessly transferred between these programs, as well as to Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, expanding your reach even further. This interconnectedness means that even with just one Avios partner, you effectively gain access to the entire Avios ecosystem. Similarly, the partnership with Virgin Atlantic opens doors to Virgin Red, allowing for point transfers between these programs, broadening redemption possibilities beyond flights to include experiences and hotel stays.
How to Transfer Your Wells Fargo Points to Travel Partners
Transferring your Wells Fargo points to partner programs is a straightforward process. Once you’ve accumulated points with your Wells Fargo Autograph card, they become available in your Wells Fargo Rewards account after each billing cycle. Instead of redeeming through the Wells Fargo portal at a fixed cent-per-point value, you can choose to transfer them to one of the listed partners.
To initiate a transfer, you’ll first need to link your partner program accounts to your Wells Fargo account. This involves adding your membership number for each program you wish to use. Once linked, transferring points is typically a quick and easy online process.
A significant advantage of Wells Fargo’s transfer program is the flexibility it offers. Unlike some other programs with minimum transfer amounts or fixed increments, Wells Fargo allows you to transfer any amount of points, even a single point. This is particularly useful for topping off an account to reach a specific award redemption without stranding points. However, it’s crucial to remember that transfers are irreversible. Therefore, always confirm award availability and redemption value with the partner program before finalizing your transfer.
Maximizing the Value of Your Wells Fargo Travel Partners
The true potential of Wells Fargo travel partners lies in strategically redeeming points for high-value travel experiences. While the cent-per-point redemption through the Wells Fargo portal provides a baseline value, transferring to partners can significantly amplify your rewards.
Here’s a look at the potential value based on current valuations:
- LifeMiles (Avianca): Often valued around 1.6 cents per point, LifeMiles can be excellent for Star Alliance redemptions, particularly for premium cabin flights.
- Avios (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia): With a valuation around 1.5 cents per point, Avios are versatile for short-haul flights, particularly oneworld alliance partners like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, and for specific long-haul sweet spots.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Valued at approximately 1.4 cents per point, Virgin Atlantic miles can be valuable for Virgin Atlantic flights, especially when leveraging partner awards or promotional deals.
- Flying Blue (Air France-KLM): Valued around 1.3 cents per point, Flying Blue provides access to SkyTeam awards and monthly Promo Rewards offering discounted award tickets, particularly to Europe.
- Choice Privileges: Despite a lower valuation of around 0.6 cents per point (or 1.2 cents considering the 1:2 transfer ratio), Choice points can be useful for budget-friendly hotel stays, especially in locations with limited chain hotel options.
Image: A valuation table of Wells Fargo transfer partners including Avios, Virgin, Flying Blue, LifeMiles, and Choice, with cent per point values.
Strategic Redemption Examples:
- British Airways Avios for Short-Haul Flights: British Airways Executive Club offers attractive pricing for short-haul flights within North America on partners like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, often costing fewer Avios than booking directly with those airlines, especially with dynamic pricing in play. Flights up to 650 miles can be particularly affordable in Avios.
- Flying Blue Promo Rewards for European Deals: Air France-KLM Flying Blue’s monthly Promo Rewards can offer significant discounts on award tickets, including transatlantic business class flights to Europe for considerably fewer miles than standard redemptions.
- Iberia Avios for Business Class to Europe: Iberia Plus offers compelling off-peak business class awards to Madrid and Barcelona from select East Coast US cities for just 34,000 Avios each way, representing excellent value for transatlantic business class travel.
Remember to always check award availability with the partner airline or hotel program before transferring your Wells Fargo points, as transfers are irreversible.
Earning Wells Fargo Points to Fuel Your Travels
To take advantage of these valuable transfer partners, you’ll need to earn Wells Fargo Rewards points. The following Wells Fargo credit cards are your gateway to accumulating these points:
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card:
This card is designed for travelers, offering a strong welcome bonus and excellent earning rates on travel and dining.
- Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Earning Rates:
- 5x points on hotels
- 4x points on airlines
- 3x points on other travel and restaurants
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $95
The Autograph Journey card stands out by offering bonus points on travel booked directly with airlines and hotels, not just through a travel portal, allowing you to maximize both rewards and elite status benefits.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card:
A no-annual-fee option that still provides solid rewards, particularly in popular spending categories.
- Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 or more on purchases in the first three months.
- Earning Rates:
- 3x points on restaurants, takeout, food delivery, travel, gas, transit, streaming services, and phone plans
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $0
Image: Two Wells Fargo Autograph credit cards, the Journey card in navy and the standard Autograph card in grey, displayed against a blurred hotel lobby background.
Both the Autograph Journey and Autograph cards provide access to the Wells Fargo transfer partners, allowing you to leverage your everyday spending into valuable travel rewards.
Final Thoughts on Wells Fargo Travel Partners
While the list of Wells Fargo travel partners is currently focused, it offers high-value redemption opportunities through strategic airline and hotel partnerships. The flexibility to transfer points in any amount adds a unique advantage compared to other transferable currencies. As the program evolves, the potential for even greater value and more partners is promising. By understanding how to utilize these transfer partners, you can unlock exceptional travel experiences and maximize the rewards earned with your Wells Fargo credit cards.
