How To Best Use Wells Fargo Points

People are currently reading this guide.

Hello there! Are you ready to unlock the true potential of your Wells Fargo Rewards points? Whether you're a seasoned points earner or just starting your journey, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to maximize the value of your hard-earned rewards. Let's dive in!

The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Your Wells Fargo Rewards Points

Wells Fargo Rewards offers a surprisingly flexible program, especially with its recent enhancements, allowing you to turn your everyday spending into incredible experiences, from travel to cash back. While many redemptions offer a fixed value, there are strategic ways to significantly boost what your points are worth.

Step 1: Understand Your Points' Baseline Value – And What It Means For You!

Before you start redeeming, it's crucial to understand the general worth of a Wells Fargo point. For most standard redemptions, like cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or purchases through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, your points are typically worth 1 cent per point.

What does this mean? If you have 10,000 points, you can generally expect to get $100 in value. This is a solid baseline, and for many, it's a convenient and easy way to use their rewards. However, if you're looking for out-sized value, especially in the world of travel, you'll want to explore other options.

Step 2: Accessing Your Wells Fargo Rewards Account

The first practical step is to get familiar with your Wells Fargo Rewards dashboard.

Sub-heading: Logging In Online

Go to the Wells Fargo website: Navigate to wellsfargo.com.
Sign on: Use your Wells Fargo Online credentials to log in to your account.
Find "Rewards": Once logged in, look for a link or tab usually labeled "Rewards" or "Wells Fargo Rewards" in your account summary or navigation menu. This will take you to the dedicated rewards portal.

Sub-heading: Using the Wells Fargo Mobile App

Open the app: Launch the Wells Fargo mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log in: Sign in with your mobile banking credentials.
Locate Rewards: Similar to the online portal, you'll find a section for your rewards points, often under your credit card details or a dedicated "Rewards" menu.

Sub-heading: Calling Customer Service

Dial the number: If you prefer speaking to someone, you can call Wells Fargo Rewards Customer Service at 1-877-517-1358.
Follow prompts: Be prepared to verify your identity and navigate the automated system to reach a representative who can assist with redemption.

Step 3: Exploring Redemption Options (and their values!)

Once you're in your Wells Fargo Rewards account, you'll see a variety of ways to use your points. Let's break down the common options and their typical value:

Sub-heading: Cash Redemptions

Statement Credit: You can apply your rewards as a credit to your eligible Wells Fargo credit card account. This effectively reduces your balance. Value: 1 cent per point.
Direct Deposit/Check: Have your rewards deposited into a qualifying Wells Fargo checking or savings account, or receive a check. Value: 1 cent per point.
ATM Withdrawal: If you have a Wells Fargo ATM or Debit Card, you can withdraw cash from an ATM in increments, typically $20 (2,000 points). Value: 1 cent per point.
- Important Note: For manual online or phone redemptions to your account, they are in increments of $0.01/1 point. However, automatic or paper check redemptions may require a minimum of $25 (2,500 points).

Sub-heading: Gift Cards

Choose from a wide selection of gift cards from popular retailers and restaurants. Value: Generally 1 cent per point. This can be a great option if you have a specific purchase in mind or want to gift rewards.

Sub-heading: Merchandise

Shop for various products directly through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal. Value: Can vary, but often less than 1 cent per point. While convenient, this is generally not the best value for your points. Always compare prices with external retailers before redeeming for merchandise.

Sub-heading: Pay with Rewards

Some Wells Fargo cards allow you to use your points directly at checkout with participating merchants, including PayPal. Value: Typically 1 cent per point. This offers seamless integration for online shopping.

Sub-heading: Loan Payments

You can apply your rewards toward the principal balance of a qualifying Wells Fargo mortgage, home equity, credit card, personal, or auto loan. Value: 1 cent per point. This is a fantastic way to passively reduce your debt!

Sub-heading: Travel Through the Wells Fargo Travel Portal

Book flights, hotels, car rentals, and even cruises directly through the Wells Fargo Rewards travel portal. Value: 1 cent per point. This is straightforward and convenient, acting like a typical online travel agency (OTA).
- Tip: While convenient, always compare prices with other travel booking sites or directly with the airline/hotel. Sometimes, booking direct or via another OTA might offer better cash prices, meaning your 1 cent per point value might not be as strong if the base price is inflated.

Step 4: Unleashing Maximum Value: Wells Fargo Transfer Partners (The Game Changer!)

This is where your Wells Fargo points can truly shine and provide out-sized value, often more than 1 cent per point! Wells Fargo has introduced the ability to transfer points to a select number of airline and hotel loyalty programs. This allows you to leverage their award charts and find redemption sweet spots.

Sub-heading: Understanding Point Transfers

What is a transfer partner? It's an airline or hotel loyalty program where you can convert your Wells Fargo Rewards points into their specific miles or points.
Why is it valuable? While Wells Fargo's own travel portal gives you 1 cent per point, transferring to partners can allow you to book premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays that would cost significantly more if paid for in cash. The value per point can sometimes reach 2 cents, 3 cents, or even more depending on the specific redemption.
Transfer Ratio: Most Wells Fargo transfer partners have a 1:1 transfer ratio, meaning 1 Wells Fargo point equals 1 airline mile or hotel point. However, Choice Privileges stands out with a 1:2 ratio, meaning 1 Wells Fargo point gives you 2 Choice Privileges points!

Sub-heading: Current Wells Fargo Transfer Partners (as of June 2025)

Wells Fargo currently partners with several reputable travel loyalty programs:

Airlines (1:1 Transfer Ratio):

Aer Lingus AerClub (Avios)
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance)
British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
Iberia Plus (Avios)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club / Virgin Red

Hotels (1:2 Transfer Ratio):

Choice Privileges

Sub-heading: How to Transfer Your Points Step-by-Step

Log in to Wells Fargo Rewards: As outlined in Step 2.
Navigate to "Rewards Points Transfer": Look for this option within the "Use Rewards" or similar dropdown menu.
Select your desired partner: Choose the airline or hotel program you wish to transfer to.
Link your loyalty account: If you haven't already, you'll need to link your Wells Fargo Rewards account to your chosen airline or hotel loyalty program account. Ensure the name on both accounts matches exactly to avoid delays.
Enter the transfer amount: Specify how many Wells Fargo points you want to transfer. A great feature of Wells Fargo is that you can often transfer in 1-point increments, which is very flexible compared to other programs that require 1,000-point increments.
Confirm the transfer: Review the details and confirm the transfer.
- Crucial Warning: Transfers are generally irreversible! Once points are moved to a partner, they cannot be transferred back to your Wells Fargo Rewards account. Always confirm award availability with the airline or hotel before initiating a transfer.

Sub-heading: Maximizing Value with Transfer Partners – Key Strategies

Premium Cabin Redemptions: Business or First Class flights often provide exponentially higher value per point than economy tickets. Look for "sweet spots" in partner award charts.
Off-Peak Travel: Award availability is usually better during off-peak seasons, and some programs offer lower redemption rates during these times.
Airline Alliances: Remember that transferring to an airline within a major alliance (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld) gives you access to flights on all partner airlines within that alliance. For example, Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance) can book flights on United, Lufthansa, and more.
Promotional Offers: Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses! Occasionally, Wells Fargo or its partners might offer bonus points when you transfer, further increasing your value.
Choice Privileges 1:2 Ratio: Don't underestimate Choice Privileges! While not a luxury brand, their 1:2 transfer ratio means your points go twice as far, making them excellent for budget-friendly stays or supplementing other travel plans.

Step 5: Advanced Strategies for the Savvy User

Beyond the basics, here are some ways to truly optimize your Wells Fargo Rewards strategy:

Sub-heading: Combining Rewards

If you have multiple Wells Fargo credit cards that earn rewards (e.g., a cash back card like Active Cash and a points-earning card like Autograph Journey), you can combine your rewards into a single account. This allows you to accumulate points faster for larger redemptions, especially for travel.

Sub-heading: Leveraging Welcome Bonuses

The quickest way to earn a large stash of Wells Fargo points is by meeting the spending requirements for new credit card welcome bonuses. These can be substantial and significantly jumpstart your rewards balance.

Sub-heading: Utilizing Card-Specific Benefits

Some Wells Fargo cards, like the Autograph Journey, offer additional benefits that can enhance your travel redemptions, such as annual statement credits for airfare. Factor these into your overall value calculation.

Sub-heading: "Pay with Rewards" at the Pump or for Streaming

Some Wells Fargo cards offer bonus categories for everyday spending like gas stations, popular streaming services, and phone plans. While these often offer 1 cent per point value for direct redemption, the earning rate itself can be a fantastic way to accrue points quickly.

10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)

Here are some quick answers to common questions about Wells Fargo Rewards:

How to check my Wells Fargo Rewards balance?
- Log in to your Wells Fargo Online account or the Wells Fargo mobile app, and your rewards balance will typically be displayed on your account summary page or under a dedicated "Rewards" section.
How to redeem Wells Fargo points for cash?
- You can redeem points for a statement credit to your eligible Wells Fargo credit card account, a direct deposit to a qualifying Wells Fargo checking or savings account, or a check, all via the Wells Fargo Rewards portal or by calling customer service. You can also withdraw cash from a Wells Fargo ATM in $20 increments with a linked debit/ATM card.
How to redeem Wells Fargo points for travel?
- You have two main options: book directly through the Wells Fargo Rewards travel portal (1 cent per point) or transfer your points to one of Wells Fargo's airline or hotel partners for potentially higher value.
How to transfer Wells Fargo points to airline partners?
- Log in to Wells Fargo Rewards, navigate to "Rewards Points Transfer," select the airline partner (e.g., British Airways Executive Club), link your loyalty account, and enter the desired transfer amount. Remember transfers are generally irreversible.
How to find the value of my Wells Fargo points?
- For most direct redemptions (cash, gift cards, Wells Fargo travel portal), your points are worth 1 cent each. For travel transfers, the value can vary greatly depending on the specific redemption and partner program, often exceeding 1 cent per point.
How to combine Wells Fargo Rewards points from different cards?
- If you have multiple eligible Wells Fargo rewards-earning cards, you can typically combine your rewards within the Wells Fargo Rewards portal. Look for an option to link or consolidate your rewards accounts.
How to use Wells Fargo points to pay for a loan?
- Within the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, look for a redemption option that allows you to apply your rewards towards the principal balance of an eligible Wells Fargo loan (mortgage, home equity, credit card, personal, or auto loan).
How to get the most value out of Wells Fargo points for international travel?
- The best way is often to transfer your points to one of Wells Fargo's airline partners (like Avianca LifeMiles, Flying Blue, or British Airways Avios) and then leverage their award charts for premium cabin redemptions or strategic economy flights that offer superior value compared to cash prices.
How to avoid losing Wells Fargo Rewards points?
- Generally, Wells Fargo Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, it's always wise to regularly check your rewards balance and program terms and conditions for any updates.
How to determine if a Wells Fargo Rewards transfer is a good deal?
- Before transferring, compare the cash cost of the flight or hotel you want to book with the number of points required by the transfer partner. Divide the cash cost by the number of points to calculate the cents-per-point value you'd be getting. If it's significantly above 1 cent, it's likely a good deal!

5575240627134142576