Wells Fargo Rewards: How to Earn and Use Them

Wells Fargo Rewards is, as you may have guessed, the name of the rewards program for Wells Fargo-branded credit cards. Often overlooked relative to cards from major issuers like Chase and American Express, Wells Fargo cards offer solid rewards rates and new cardholder benefits like sign-up bonuses and introductory 0% APR periods.

Cards that earn Wells Fargo Rewards include the following:

• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.

Here’s what you need to know about the Wells Fargo Rewards program.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best Wells Fargo credit cards

Wells Fargo Rewards: The basics

You can earn Wells Fargo Rewards by paying for purchases with an eligible Wells Fargo credit card. Depending on which card you have, rewards are issued as points or cash back. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns cash back, while the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns points.

You can access your Wells Fargo Rewards through your card account page on the Wells Fargo website or app.

Points and cash back can be redeemed in similar ways and at a similar value (generally 1 cent each). If you have multiple cards and earn both types of rewards, you can transfer and combine those rewards into one account.

» MORE: Cash back vs. travel: How to choose credit card rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cardholders an unlimited 2% cash back on eligible purchases. With a solid everyday rewards rate combined with a rich sign-up bonus and a competitive 0% APR period for new cardholders, it’s no wonder the card was voted by NerdWallet as the Best Credit Card for Simple Cash Back in 2023.

» MORE: Should you get the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card?

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card lets cardholders grab a big sign-up bonus in addition to 3 points per $1 spent in everyday categories, including restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming services and phone plans. You’ll earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. There aren’t many $0-annual-fee cards that offer those kinds of onoing rewards with no rotating categories to manage.

» MORE: Benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

How to redeem Wells Fargo Rewards

Wells Fargo Rewards can easily be redeemed in a variety of ways, either online, through the Wells Fargo app or by calling the 800 number on the back of your card. Redemption options include:

• Cash back: If you have a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card, you can redeem points for cold hard cash by visiting a Wells Fargo ATM and cashing out your rewards in increments of $20 (or 2,000 points). You can also request a paper check in increments of $25 or 2,500 points, or redeem rewards as a deposit or credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo account (1 cent or 1-point minimum). 

• Statement credit: You can redeem rewards against transactions made with your card of $1 or more, but you must have enough rewards to redeem for the entire transaction amount. 

• Travel: You can use the online portal to book travel with rewards, including flights, hotels, car rentals and more. There is no minimum redemption amount and rewards are worth 1 cent each — unless you have the legacy Wells Fargo Visa Signature card, which can offer increased value on plane tickets. (See the box below for more on that). 

• Pay with Rewards: You can use your rewards directly for merchandise when you shop online with a Wells Fargo partner merchant. You’ll receive 1 cent per point in value but won’t earn rewards on the transaction. You’d be better off paying with your card to earn rewards and requesting cash back or a statement credit to cover the expense.

• Gift cards: Rewards are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for gift cards. That’s the same value as a cash redemption, although cash will be more flexible than gift cards.

Wells Fargo Rewards can be transferred or gifted to another Wells Fargo customer who also has a card that earns Wells Fargo Rewards.

Should you earn Wells Fargo Rewards?

Simplicity and value are sometimes hard to find together, but with the Wells Fargo Rewards program, rewards are as easy to redeem as they are to earn. Cards that earn Wells Fargo Rewards offer low-cost, low-maintenance options that let you stack rewards fast.