How to Do a Balance Transfer with Wells Fargo

A balance transfer is moving a balance from one credit card to another. You typically do a balance transfer to reduce your interest charges and help pay down credit card debt.

You can do a Wells Fargo balance transfer if you have a balance transfer credit card from Wells Fargo. This includes the Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card(Rates and fees), Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card, and Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card.

See how balance transfers work with these credit cards and what fees are involved.

Does Wells Fargo do balance transfers?

Wells Fargo accepts balance transfers on its eligible credit cards. This means you could do a balance transfer from another credit card issuer to an applicable Wells Fargo balance transfer card.

Wells Fargo also allows balance transfers to other credit card companies if you’re an existing Wells Fargo customer. So you could potentially do a balance transfer from the Wells Fargo Reflect Card to an eligible Chase, American Express, or Citi credit card.

How much is Wells Fargo’s balance transfer fee?

The Wells Fargo balance transfer fee varies by Wells Fargo credit card. Here are the balance transfer fees associated with the Wells Fargo balance transfer credit cards:

• Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card: 5%, min: $5
• Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card: 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.
• Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card: varies (see customer agreement).

It’s common for balance transfer fees to vary. You might have a straight dollar amount or the fee could be a percentage of the total balance transfer amount. But it’s uncommon for a balance transfer fee to be more than 5%.

However, a balance transfer fee of 5% could still present a significant amount depending on the balance being transferred. For example, a $10,000 balance transfer with a 5% transfer fee would cost $500.

Note that balance transfer fees are often calculated into the total balance transfer amount. This means a $10,000 balance transfer with a $500 fee would actually be a $10,500 balance transfer.

This is an important consideration because balance transfers are often tied to the credit limit of the credit card you’re transferring a balance to. The balance transfer might not complete, or the amount could be lowered if balance transfer fees were to push the total amount over your available credit.

Does Wells Fargo have balance transfer credit cards?

Yes, Wells Fargo offers these balance transfer credit cards:

• Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card
• Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card
• Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card

All three of these credit cards provide intro APR offers on qualifying balance transfers, as well as other perks and benefits. See how their balance transfer offers, fees, and benefits compare.

Keep in mind that even though intro APR credit cards have promotional periods with lower interest rates, you should still make on-time monthly payments to your lender to avoid potential late fees and any impact on your credit score. It's also important to try and take advantage of the promotional intro APR period before it runs out and the variable APR kicks in. 

Which Wells Fargo balance transfer credit card is best?

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable).

The Wells Fargo Reflect has the best intro APR offer among Wells Fargo credit cards. This is because it has the longest available introductory period compared with the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Wells Fargo Business Platinum. But keep in mind that the balance transfer fee is 5%, min: $5.

The Wells Fargo Reflect doesn’t provide a welcome bonus and isn’t connected to a rewards program. But it has a $0 annual fee, offers cell phone protection, and also has an intro APR offer on new purchases. Receive 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening (then 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable).

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable).

The Wells Fargo Active Cash has an average intro APR offer in terms of length. It’s not one of the best offers available, but it’s a sufficient length to be useful. The balance transfer fee is 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.

However, the value of this intro APR offer becomes more apparent when you consider the additional benefits of the Wells Fargo Active Cash. This includes being able to earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. You can also earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash also offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). For a cash rewards card with a $0 annual fee, you receive loads of potential value.

Find out more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.

Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers for 9 months (then 20.74% + prime rate).

The Wells Fargo Business Platinum has a relatively mediocre intro APR offer compared with the Wells Fargo Reflect and Active Cash. But it’s the best credit card from Wells Fargo for small business offers if you want an intro APR offer on balance transfers. The balance transfer fee varies (see customer agreement).

The Wells Fargo Business Platinum earns 1.5% cash rewards per dollar spent, or earn 1 point per dollar spent and receive 1,000 bonus points each month you spend more than $1,000. You can also earn $300 or 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

This business credit card has a $0 annual fee and also provides 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months (then 7.99% + prime rate to 17.99% + prime rate).

For more details, check out our Wells Fargo Business Platinum credit card review.

How to start a balance transfer with Wells Fargo

You can typically start a balance transfer with Wells Fargo in one of three ways:

• Through your online Wells Fargo account
• By calling Wells Fargo at 1-800-642-4720
• By using a balance transfer check

You also might be able to initiate a balance transfer request during the credit card application process for an eligible Wells Fargo credit card. And you could visit an in-person Wells Fargo branch for assistance with a balance transfer if needed.

Here are the general steps to start a balance transfer with Wells Fargo:

1. Apply for a balance transfer credit card. You typically need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for most balance transfer credit cards. That’s at least a 670 credit score according to the FICO scoring model. Check out our list of the best balance transfer credit cards for our top picks.
2. Initiate the balance transfer process. If you didn’t initiate your balance transfer when you applied for a card, you can start a Wells Fargo balance transfer through your online account, by calling in, or by using a balance transfer check. There’s no obvious advantage of doing one method over another, so it’s up to personal preference. Note that balance transfer checks can’t be ordered, but you might receive some with your new credit card. If you don’t have any, you would have to use a different method for starting a balance transfer.
3. Wait for the balance transfer to complete. It can take up to 14 days for a Wells Fargo balance transfer to process. This doesn’t mean it will take the full 14 days, but you should be prepared to wait up to that amount of time. You can check your credit card account for any changes in your balance or credit limit to see if the balance transfer has gone through.

Keep in mind that having a large balance could affect your overall credit utilization and lower your credit score. It’s recommended to make more than the minimum payments each month if possible to help decrease your account balance. Doing so could help reduce your debt quicker and raise your credit score.

FAQs

Bottom line

You can initiate a Wells Fargo balance transfer through your online account, by calling Wells Fargo, or by using a balance transfer check. The process is relatively simple and it typically takes up to 14 days for a balance transfer with Wells Fargo to complete.

Keep in mind that a balance transfer could be a valuable tool for avoiding interest while you pay down debt. But many balance transfer credit cards don’t offer loads of additional benefits.

Check out our list of recommended credit card offers to compare credit cards to see which new card might make the most sense for your personal finance goals.

Extra Long Intro APR on Purchases & Qualifying Balance Transfers

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR
• Up to $600 Cell phone protection when you pay for the cell phone with your card (subject to a $25 deductible)
• $0 annual fee
• The ongoing APR may still be competitive compared to other cards

Drawbacks

• No rewards for spending
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• 5%, min: $5 balance transfer fee
• Limited list of card perks

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.