Ever dreamed of flying to your favorite destination using your Wells Fargo Rewards points, perhaps on a fantastic American Airlines flight? It's a common aspiration for many points and miles enthusiasts! While Wells Fargo Rewards offers some excellent transfer partners, directly transferring Wells Fargo points to American Airlines AAdvantage is not an option. American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, and Wells Fargo's transfer partners are a bit different.
Don't despair, though! There's a clever workaround that can get you on an American Airlines flight using your Wells Fargo points. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, helping you maximize your rewards for that dream trip.
Let's dive in and unlock the full potential of your Wells Fargo Rewards!
Step 1: Understand Wells Fargo Rewards Transfer Partners (The Crucial First Insight!)
Before we jump into the "how-to," it's absolutely vital to understand who Wells Fargo partners with. This is where many people get stuck.
Wells Fargo Rewards are a flexible points currency, but they don't have American Airlines (AAdvantage) as a direct transfer partner. Instead, Wells Fargo has partnered with several airline and hotel loyalty programs. As of my last update, these include:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club / Virgin Red
- Choice Privileges
(hotel partner)
Notice something important? British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus are both on that list! This is our key. Why? Because British Airways and Iberia are both members of the Oneworld Alliance, the same alliance as American Airlines. This means you can often book American Airlines flights using Avios (the points currency for British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus).
Key Takeaway: You cannot directly transfer Wells Fargo points to American Airlines AAdvantage. However, you can transfer them to British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus, and then use those Avios to book American Airlines flights.
Step 2: Ensure You Have an Eligible Wells Fargo Card
Not all Wells Fargo cards earn Wells Fargo Rewards that are transferable to airline and hotel partners. To be able to transfer points, you generally need to have one of the following cards:
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
If you have a different Wells Fargo card that earns cash rewards (like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card), you might be able to convert your cash rewards to Wells Fargo Rewards, which then become transferable. Check your specific card's terms and conditions or contact Wells Fargo customer service to confirm this.
Action Item: Verify that your Wells Fargo credit card is eligible for points transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Step 3: Create a British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus Account
If you don't already have one, your next step is to create an account with either British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus. Both programs use Avios as their loyalty currency, and while they have their nuances, they offer similar redemption opportunities for Oneworld alliance partners.
- For British Airways Executive Club: Visit the British Airways website and navigate to their Executive Club section to sign up.
- For Iberia Plus: Visit the Iberia website and look for the Iberia Plus program to enroll.
It's free and easy to sign up, and you'll need your account number for the transfer.
Pro Tip: It's generally a good idea to have both accounts. While they both use Avios, sometimes one program will have better award availability or lower taxes/fees for a specific route.
Step 4: Link Your Wells Fargo Rewards Account to Your Chosen Airline Loyalty Program
This is where the actual transfer process begins within the Wells Fargo ecosystem.
- Log in to your Wells Fargo Online account. Go to the official Wells Fargo website (wellsfargo.com) and sign in with your credentials.
- Navigate to the Rewards section. Look for a "Rewards" or "Wells Fargo Rewards" link, usually found under your account summary or a dedicated tab.
- Find the "Points Transfer" option. Within the Wells Fargo Rewards portal, you'll need to locate the section dedicated to transferring points to partners. This might be under a "Use Rewards" dropdown menu or a separate "Rewards Points Transfer" link.
- Select British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus. From the list of available transfer partners, choose either British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus.
- Link your loyalty account. You will be prompted to link your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account to your Wells Fargo Rewards account. This typically involves entering your airline loyalty program membership number and confirming your details. Ensure the name on your Wells Fargo Rewards account exactly matches the name on your airline loyalty program account to avoid any delays or issues.
Important Note: Wells Fargo typically requires a minimum transfer threshold, often 1,000 points, and transfers usually occur in increments of 1,000 points. However, some sources suggest Wells Fargo allows transfers in single-point increments which is a great flexibility. Double-check the exact terms during the transfer process.
Step 5: Initiate the Transfer of Wells Fargo Points to Avios
Once your accounts are linked, you can proceed with the transfer.
- Enter the desired transfer amount. Input the number of Wells Fargo Rewards points you wish to transfer to Avios.
- Review the transfer details. Before confirming, carefully review the transfer amount and ensure it's correct. Transfers are generally irreversible once initiated.
- Confirm the transfer. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transfer.
Transfer Time: Many Wells Fargo point transfers to airline partners are reported to be instant or nearly instant. However, it's always a good idea to allow for some processing time, especially if you're planning a time-sensitive booking. Some sources suggest allowing up to 72 hours, though it's often much quicker.
Step 6: Find American Airlines Award Availability Using Avios
Now that your Wells Fargo Rewards points have been converted into Avios (in your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account), you can use them to book American Airlines flights.
- Log in to your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account.
- Navigate to the "Book with Avios" or "Spend Avios" section. This is where you'll search for award flights.
- Search for American Airlines flights. When searching, you'll be able to select your desired departure and arrival airports, dates, and number of passengers. The system will then display available flights. Because American Airlines is a Oneworld partner, their flights should appear in the search results.
- Look for "saver" level award availability. Award space can be limited, especially for popular routes and dates. Be flexible with your travel dates if possible.
Strategic Insight: British Airways and Iberia have different award charts for partner airlines, and sometimes one might offer a better deal (fewer Avios or lower taxes/fees) for the same American Airlines flight. It's worth checking both if you have accounts with both programs.
Step 7: Book Your American Airlines Flight with Avios
Once you've found the American Airlines flight you want to book with Avios:
- Select the flight. Choose the specific American Airlines flight that fits your travel plans.
- Review the total cost. This will include the required Avios and any associated taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges. These can sometimes be substantial, so factor them into your decision.
- Complete the booking. Follow the prompts to confirm your booking and pay any cash portion (taxes and fees) using your credit card.
Congratulations! You've successfully leveraged your Wells Fargo Rewards points to book an American Airlines flight, even without a direct transfer partnership. This workaround opens up a world of travel possibilities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, specifically starting with "How to," along with their quick answers, related to transferring Wells Fargo points for travel:
How to check my Wells Fargo Rewards balance?
You can check your Wells Fargo Rewards balance by logging into your Wells Fargo Online account and navigating to the "Rewards" section. Your current point balance will be prominently displayed.
How to know if my Wells Fargo card earns transferable points?
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card are the primary cards that earn transferable Wells Fargo Rewards. If you have another card, check its specific terms and conditions or contact Wells Fargo customer service.
How to find Wells Fargo's official transfer partners?
You can find the official and most up-to-date list of Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners by logging into your Wells Fargo Rewards account online and navigating to the points transfer section, or by visiting the Wells Fargo website's rewards program pages.
How to transfer Wells Fargo cash rewards to points?
If you hold an eligible Wells Fargo credit card that earns transferable points (like the Autograph or Autograph Journey), you may be able to convert cash rewards earned on other Wells Fargo cards into transferable Wells Fargo Rewards points. Check your account settings or contact Wells Fargo.
How to minimize taxes and fees when booking flights with Avios?
Taxes and fees on Avios redemptions can vary. Generally, booking flights on American Airlines for domestic routes within the US can have relatively low taxes and fees. International flights, especially those originating in the UK, often have higher surcharges. Look for flights with minimal surcharges when searching.
How to find American Airlines award availability with British Airways Avios?
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account, go to the "Book with Avios" section, and search for your desired American Airlines route and dates. Ensure you select "British Airways and Partner Airlines" when searching for availability.
How to transfer Avios between British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus?
Once you have accounts with both, you can often link them and transfer Avios between British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus on the Avios.com website, providing flexibility in booking.
How to maximize the value of Wells Fargo Rewards points?
To maximize value, transfer your Wells Fargo Rewards to airline partners like British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus to book premium cabin flights or high-value redemptions on partner airlines, rather than redeeming for cash back or merchandise.
How to tell if a Wells Fargo points transfer was successful?
After initiating the transfer, you'll usually see the points deducted from your Wells Fargo Rewards balance. Log in to your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account to confirm the points have been credited, which is often instant or near-instant.
How to get assistance with Wells Fargo Rewards transfers?
For assistance with Wells Fargo Rewards transfers, you can contact Wells Fargo Rewards Customer Service directly via the phone number provided on your credit card statement or on the Wells Fargo website for rewards inquiries.
