Wells Fargo has introduced a valuable new option for its rewards program by adding Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red as transfer partners. This means that cardholders can now transfer points at a 1:1 ratio, opening up a host of exciting opportunities for international travel and unique experiences. With this partnership, Wells Fargo users can redeem points for flights with Virgin Atlantic, as well as explore experiences through Virgin Red (i.e. hotels, cruises, and other travel experiences).

A New Wells Fargo Transfer Partner

Time to dive into what this means, the benefits of this partnership, and how it stacks up against existing transfer partners.

The Addition Of Virgin Atlantic And Virgin Red

Credit. Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club And Virgin Red Join Wells Fargo Award Program.

As of September 2024, Wells Fargo customers with certain cards, like the Wells Fargo Autograph® Journey Card, can transfer their rewards points directly to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red at a 1:1 ratio. This means every point you earn with your Wells Fargo card is now eligible to be transferred into these programs, providing great value for frequent flyers or anyone looking to explore more redemption opportunities. Here is a broad overview of each program:

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is the frequent flyer program of the well-known British airline Virgin Atlantic. Known for its competitive award charts, particularly for long-haul flights between the United States and Europe, Flying Club offers a variety of options for redeeming points on both Virgin Atlantic and its partner airlines like Delta Air Lines, Air France – KLM, and All Nippon Airways (ANA).
• Virgin Red is a broader rewards platform that allows you to redeem points across Virgin Group brands, including Virgin Hotels, Virgin Voyages (for cruises), and even non-travel experiences. While it may not provide as high a value for aviation enthusiasts, Virgin Red adds versatility by giving users options outside the travel space.

This addition not only expands the travel possibilities for Wells Fargo cardholders but also gives them more flexibility. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points are especially valuable for booking award flights to Europe in both Economy Class and Premium cabins, while Virgin Red offers rewards for those who prefer to use points on lifestyle experiences.

A Complete Overview Of All Wells Fargo Transfer Partners

Before the Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Red partnership, Wells Fargo already had a decent list of transfer partners for its select credit cardholders. Here is a quick look at the current list of partners after the announcement:

• Aer Lingus AerClub* (1:1 – Instant)
• Air France – KLM Flying Blue (1:1 – Instant)
• Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 – Instant)
• British Airways Executive Club* (1:1 – Instant)
• Iberia Plus* (1:1 – Instant)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 – Instant)
• Choice Privileges (1:2 – Instant)
• Virgin Red (1:1 – Instant)

* The following airlines all utilize the Avios frequent flyer program: Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. If you are able to transfer points to one of these airlines, you can then move the points to any other airline in the Avios award program (i.e. transfer to British Airways, then move the points to Qatar Airways). 

With the addition of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Red, Wells Fargo increases the total number of transfer partner options to eight, making its rewards system more competitive. This is especially true for users looking to travel internationally or book luxury experiences. This change positions Wells Fargo closer to major players like American Express, BILT, Capital One, Chase, and Citi, which have long offered transfers to popular airlines and hotels.

Example Award Redemptions With Virgin Atlantic

Credit. Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic Business Class.

When transferring your Wells Fargo points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can unlock excellent value for both Economy Class and Business Class flights. Here are a few redemption examples examples:

Economy Class

• New York City  (JFK) to London (LHR): 10,000 points one-way (off-peak)
• Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR): 15,000 points one-way (off-peak)
• San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (HND): 60,000 points round-trip (via ANA)

Business Class

• New York City (JFK) to London (LHR): 47,500 points one-way (off-peak)
• Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR): 67,500 points one-way (off-peak)
• San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (HND): 105,000 points round-trip (via ANA)

These are just a few examples of the incredible value you can extract from the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club award program.

Note: The taxes and fees on Virgin Atlantic operated flights can often surpass $1,000 for a one-way award redemption. 

Conclusion

The addition of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red as transfer partners is a significant move for the Wells Fargo rewards program. With its strong lineup of existing partners and the flexibility these new additions bring, Wells Fargo is becoming an increasingly attractive option for points enthusiasts. Whether you are looking to redeem points for a European adventure, a luxury cruise, or a unique Virgin experience, this new partnership opens up a world of possibilities. Start strategizing your redemptions and make the most of your Wells Fargo rewards!