The world of credit card rewards can be complex, but incredibly rewarding when navigated correctly. For years, Wells Fargo has been evolving its rewards program, and a significant leap forward is the introduction of transfer partners. If you’re a Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees) or Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (see rates and fees) holder, understanding Wells Fargo Transfer Partners is key to unlocking significantly more value from your rewards points.
Previously, redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards points was limited to a fixed value of 1 cent per point through their portal. However, with the launch of their transfer program, your points can potentially be worth much more. By transferring your points to airline and hotel partners, you can leverage their award charts and redemption sweet spots to book travel for far less than the cash value of your points.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Wells Fargo transfer partners, helping you understand how to make the most of this exciting new feature.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Who are the Wells Fargo Transfer Partners?
Wells Fargo has partnered with a curated list of airlines and hotels, allowing you to convert your rewards points into their loyalty currencies. Currently, the Wells Fargo transfer partners are:
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Airlines:
- Aer Lingus AerClub: Part of the Avios ecosystem, offering access to flights within Europe and transatlantic routes.
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: The loyalty program for Air France and KLM, providing extensive routes across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- British Airways Executive Club: Another Avios program, excellent for short-haul flights and transatlantic travel, particularly oneworld alliance partners.
- Iberia Plus: Utilizes Avios as currency and offers great value on flights between the US and Spain, especially in business class.
- Avianca LifeMiles: A Star Alliance program known for its generous award chart and occasional mileage sales, unlocking travel across the Star Alliance network.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Offers unique redemption opportunities on Virgin Atlantic flights and partners, including Delta Air Lines.
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Hotels:
- Choice Privileges: While transferring at a 1:2 ratio (1 Wells Fargo point becomes 2 Choice points), Choice Hotels offers a wide range of properties, particularly in the US and Europe, providing budget-friendly redemption options.
It’s important to note the interconnectedness of some of these programs. Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia all use Avios. This means you can transfer Avios between these programs relatively easily. Therefore, even if only one or two of these were Wells Fargo transfer partners, you would still have access to the broader Avios ecosystem. Similarly, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red allow point transfers between their programs, broadening redemption possibilities.
Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
How to Transfer Wells Fargo Points to Partner Programs
Transferring your Wells Fargo Rewards points to partner programs is a straightforward process. Once you’ve earned points from your eligible Wells Fargo credit card, they become available in your Wells Fargo Rewards account at the end of each billing cycle. You’ll then have the option to redeem them through the Wells Fargo portal or transfer them to the listed partners.
To initiate a transfer, you’ll need to link your partner loyalty accounts to your Wells Fargo account. This is a one-time setup where you add your membership number for each program you intend to use. This linked account information will be saved, making future transfers quick and easy.
One of the most user-friendly aspects of the Wells Fargo transfer partners program is the flexibility in transfer amounts. Unlike some other programs that require minimum transfers or transfers in specific increments, Wells Fargo allows you to transfer any amount, even a single point if needed. This is particularly beneficial when you need a precise number of miles to complete an award booking, preventing orphaned points in your loyalty accounts.
Remember, transfers are typically not reversible. Therefore, it’s crucial to confirm award availability and redemption value with the partner program before you finalize the transfer from Wells Fargo.
Maximizing Value with Wells Fargo Transfer Partners: Best Redemption Options
The true power of Wells Fargo transfer partners lies in strategically redeeming your points for high-value travel. While the cent-per-point redemption through the Wells Fargo portal offers simplicity, transferring to partners can often yield significantly greater value, sometimes exceeding 1.5 cents or even 2 cents per point.
Here’s a look at the potential value and some smart redemption strategies for some key Wells Fargo transfer partners:
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Avios Programs (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia): Avios are incredibly versatile. British Airways Executive Club, for instance, is known for its distance-based award chart, making it ideal for short-haul flights. You can often find sweet spots for flights under 650 miles for just 4,750 Avios each way on off-peak dates within Europe or on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines within North America for 12,000 Avios. Consider using Avios for flights from New York to Miami or Chicago to Dallas on American Airlines, which might be significantly cheaper in points than booking through other programs or paying cash due to dynamic pricing.
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Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Flying Blue frequently offers “Promo Rewards,” deeply discounted award tickets released monthly. These promotions can provide exceptional value, especially for transatlantic flights and business class travel to Europe for potentially under 40,000 miles. Keep an eye on these monthly deals for spontaneous travel opportunities.
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Iberia Plus: For those looking to travel to Spain, Iberia Plus offers outstanding value on business class flights between the East Coast of the US (Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago) and Madrid or Barcelona, often for just 34,000 Avios each way on off-peak dates, plus modest taxes and fees. This can be a fraction of the cost compared to booking directly with cash or through other programs.
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Avianca LifeMiles: LifeMiles can be valuable for booking Star Alliance awards, particularly in business or first class. While sometimes criticized for its website quirks, LifeMiles often offers competitive award pricing and access to Star Alliance partner availability, which can be useful for reaching destinations worldwide. Keep an eye out for LifeMiles mileage sales, which can further enhance redemption value.
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Choice Privileges: While the 1:2 transfer ratio might seem less appealing at first glance, Choice Privileges can be useful for budget-conscious travelers. With a vast portfolio of hotels, especially in the US and Europe, Choice points can be redeemed for hotel stays in locations where other major hotel chains have limited presence or are significantly more expensive. This can be a practical option for maximizing value when cash prices are high, or you are traveling to more remote locations.
Remember to always compare redemption options and consider factors like cash prices, alternative programs, and your travel goals before transferring your Wells Fargo points. Tools like The Points Guy valuations (currently valuing Avios at 1.5 cents, Virgin at 1.4 cents, Flying Blue at 1.3 cents, LifeMiles at 1.6 cents, and Choice at 0.6 cents, effectively 1.2 cents due to the 1:2 transfer ratio) can provide a benchmark for evaluating redemption value.
Related: Monthly Credit Card Points and Miles Valuations
Earning Wells Fargo Rewards Points: Which Cards to Use
To take advantage of Wells Fargo transfer partners, you need to earn Wells Fargo Rewards points. The primary cards for accumulating these points are:
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
This card is designed for travel enthusiasts, offering a strong earning structure and travel perks.
- Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Key Benefits: $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (minimum $50 purchase), valuable bonus points on travel and dining, no foreign transaction fees.
- Annual Fee: $95 (see rates and fees).
- Earning Rates:
- 5 points per dollar on hotels
- 4 points per dollar on airlines
- 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
A significant advantage of the Autograph Journey card is that bonus points are earned on travel booked directly with airlines and hotels, not just through a travel portal. This ensures you can still earn elite status benefits and loyalty points with your preferred travel providers.
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card review: Valuable earnings rates and transfer partners
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
The Autograph Card is a popular no-annual-fee option that still provides valuable rewards.
- Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 or more on purchases in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
- Key Benefits: Cell phone protection (up to $600, subject to a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly bill with the card.
- Earning Rates:
- 3 points per dollar on restaurants, takeout, catering, food delivery, travel, gas, transit, streaming services, and phone plans.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Card review: Quality perks with no annual fee
Bottom Line: Unlocking Travel Potential with Wells Fargo Transfer Partners
While the list of Wells Fargo transfer partners is currently smaller compared to some other credit card programs, it offers a solid selection of valuable airlines and hotels. The flexibility to transfer points in any amount is a major advantage, providing users with greater control over their redemptions.
By understanding the nuances of each partner program and strategically utilizing your Wells Fargo Rewards points, you can unlock significant value and elevate your travel experiences. As the program matures, there’s anticipation for the addition of more partners, further enhancing the potential of Wells Fargo transfer partners in the future. For now, savvy travelers can already find excellent redemption opportunities within the existing partner network.
