What the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is a balance transfer credit card that charges 0% interest on balances you move to it for a set period — typically 18 to 21 months, depending on your creditworthiness and when you open the account. You pay a one-time balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you move (the minimum is usually $5). After the promotional period ends, a standard purchase APR kicks in, which varies by your credit profile.
The card has no annual fee, which means you are not charged just for holding it. If you have high-interest debt on another card — say a 20% APR balance — moving it to this card and paying it down during the interest-free window can save you hundreds in interest charges. The catch is that you need decent credit to get approved, and you have to actually pay down the balance during those 18 to 21 months, or you will owe interest on whatever remains.
Key Takeaways
- The Wells Fargo Reflect Card charges 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 to 21 months, but you pay a 3% fee upfront on the amount you transfer.
- You need good credit (typically a score of 670 or higher) to be approved, and approval is not may provide.
- Any balance you do not pay off by the end of the promotional period will be charged the card's standard APR, which can be 18% or higher.
- The card has no annual fee, and you can use it for new purchases, though those do not get the 0% rate unless a separate promotional offer applies.
- A balance transfer only makes financial sense if you can pay down the debt faster than you could on your current card, offsetting the 3% transfer fee.
Who this card makes sense for
This card works best if you have a specific high-interest balance you want to eliminate and a realistic plan to pay it off within 18 to 21 months. If you owe $5,000 at 22% APR on another card, you are paying roughly $92 per month in interest alone. Moving that to the Reflect Card costs you $150 upfront (3% of $5,000), but if you pay $250 per month toward the balance, you will be debt-free in 20 months and save over $1,000 in interest compared to staying on the original card.
The card does not make sense if you cannot commit to paying down the balance before the 0% period ends, or if you only have a small balance that would not save you much money after the transfer fee. It also does not work if your credit score is below 670, because you will likely be denied.
How to move a balance to the Reflect Card
Once you are approved for the card, you can request a balance transfer through Wells Fargo's website, mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your new card. You will need the account number and balance of the card you want to transfer from. Wells Fargo will send the payment directly to your old card issuer, not to you.
The transfer usually posts within 7 to 14 days, though it can take longer depending on the other bank. During that time, keep making minimum payments on your old card so you do not fall behind. Once the transfer completes, you will see the new balance on your Reflect Card statement, including the 3% fee added to what you transferred.
Do not close the old card when ready after the transfer. Closing it can hurt your credit score by reducing your available credit and raising your credit utilization ratio. Leave it open with a zero balance.
The math: when a balance transfer saves money
A balance transfer only saves you money if the interest you avoid exceeds the 3% transfer fee. Here is how to do the math yourself.
Take your current balance, current APR, and the number of months until you can pay it off. Use an online credit card interest calculator to find out how much interest you will pay if you stay on your current card. Then calculate what you will pay on the Reflect Card: the 3% fee plus zero interest (assuming you pay it off before the 0% period ends). If the Reflect Card total is lower, the transfer makes sense.
Example: You owe $3,000 at 19% APR and can pay $150 per month. On your current card, you will pay roughly $600 in interest over 20 months. On the Reflect Card, you pay $90 in transfer fees (3% of $3,000) plus zero interest. You save about $510. If you could only pay $100 per month, the math changes — you might not pay it off in time, and the remaining balance would be charged the Reflect Card's standard APR.
What happens when the 0% period ends
When the promotional period expires, any remaining balance on the card will be charged the card's standard APR. This rate is not fixed and varies based on your credit score and payment history. Wells Fargo typically charges between 18% and 28% APR on the Reflect Card, though your rate could fall outside that range.
If you still owe $1,500 when the 0% period ends and your APR is 22%, you will start paying interest on that $1,500 when ready. This is why the card only works if you have a concrete plan to pay off the balance before month 21. If you cannot, you should explore other options — a personal loan, a debt management plan through a nonprofit credit counselor, or a different balance transfer card with a longer promotional period.
Credit score requirements and approval odds
Wells Fargo does not publish a minimum credit score for the Reflect Card, but approval typically requires a score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, you are unlikely to be approved. If it is between 650 and 670, approval is possible but not certain.
Your approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and payment history. Even with a good score, if you have recently missed payments or carry very high balances on other cards, Wells Fargo may deny you or offer you a lower credit limit than you requested. You can check your odds before formally explore by using Wells Fargo's pre-qualification tool on their website, which does a soft credit inquiry and does not affect your score.
Comparing the Reflect Card to other balance transfer options
Other banks offer balance transfer cards with different terms. The Citi Simplicity Card offers 0% APR for 21 months with a 3% transfer fee (same as Reflect). The Chase Slate Edge offers 0% APR for 21 months with a 3% fee. The American Express EveryDay Preferred offers 0% APR for 15 months with a 3% fee. The difference is usually in the length of the promotional period and the card's other features — some offer cash back on purchases, others do not.
If you need more than 21 months to pay off your balance, a personal loan from a bank or credit union might be cheaper than a balance transfer card. Personal loans typically charge 6% to 36% APR depending on your credit, but there is no promotional period — the rate stays the same for the life of the loan. A nonprofit credit counselor can help you compare these options for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from another Wells Fargo card to the Reflect Card?
No. Wells Fargo does not allow you to transfer a balance from one of their own cards to another. You can only transfer balances from cards issued by other banks.
What if I miss a payment on the Reflect Card?
A missed payment will end your 0% promotional period when ready, and the remaining balance will be charged the standard APR. Your credit score will also drop. Make autopay your minimum payment to avoid this.
Can I do multiple balance transfers to the same Reflect Card?
Yes, you can transfer multiple balances to the same card, and they all share the same 0% promotional period. However, each transfer incurs its own 3% fee. Plan your transfers carefully so you do not exceed your credit limit.
Does the 0% APR explore to new purchases?
No. The 0% rate only applies to balances you transfer. New purchases are charged the standard APR from day one. Avoid using the card for new purchases while you are paying off the transferred balance.
What if I cannot pay off the balance before the 0% period ends?
Contact Wells Fargo before the period ends to discuss your options. Some cardholders can request a lower payment plan, though this does not extend the 0% period. You could also transfer the remaining balance to another balance transfer card, though you will pay another transfer fee. A nonprofit credit counselor can help you explore debt repayment strategies.