Credit score needed for the Wells Fargo Reflect Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card is a popular card to use for balance transfers, thanks to its generous introductory APR. However, to use this card to tackle your credit card debt, you’ll need to make sure you have a high enough credit score to qualify.

Are you considering applying for the Wells Fargo Reflect, either for a balance transfer or simply day-to-day spending? Keep reading to learn what credit score you need to get the Wells Fargo Reflect card, how you can improve your credit score to qualify and what to do if your application for the Wells Fargo Reflect is denied.

What credit score do I need to get the Wells Fargo Reflect?

To qualify for the Wells Fargo Reflect card, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score, which generally means a score of 670 or higher.

It’s important to note that your credit score isn’t the only factor that determines whether you qualify for a card. Someone with a credit score that exceeds 670 could still be denied for the card based on other factors of their credit score.

That being said, having a credit score above 670 likely means you’ve got a decent shot at qualifying, assuming the rest of your credit report is in decent shape.

How can I improve my score to get this card?

If you don’t meet the credit requirements for the Wells Fargo Reflect card, you aren’t entirely out of luck. There are plenty of steps you can take to increase your credit score and make yourself a better candidate for the Wells Fargo Reflect – or any other credit card you’ve got your eye on.

Make consistent on-time payments

Your payment history is the single most important factor in determining your credit score. It makes up 35% of the calculation. So if you haven’t been making your monthly payments on time, then it’s likely had a huge impact on your credit score.

Because your payment history is such an important factor when it comes to your credit score, one of the most effective long-term solutions for a solid credit score is to consistently pay your bills on time.

Catch up on any past due bills

If you have any delinquent accounts or bills that have been sent to collections, you can likely boost your credit score by paying those off. While it’s true that the mark will stay on your credit report for seven years, you can still see a credit score boost from paying it off.

Dispute errors on your credit report

A 2021 Consumer Reports survey found 12% of survey respondents spotted an error last time they checked their credit report. Identifying and removing these errors can be one of the quickest ways to boost your credit score. You can easily dispute errors directly with the credit bureau where you found the error.

Pay off debt

Your credit utilization ratio – the balance on your credit card divided by the card’s credit limit – is another factor that impacts your credit score. In general, it’s good for your credit score if your credit utilization ratio is smaller – essentially, having a lower balance on your credit card compared to its available credit limit. If you’re currently using more than about 30% of your available credit, then pay off some of your existing credit card debt to boost your score.

Ask for a credit limit increase

Just like paying off debt can reduce your credit utilization and boost your credit score, so can increasing your available credit. Sometimes all it takes is a simple phone call to your credit card issuer to ask them to increase your limit.

Avoid closing old credit accounts

Your instinct might be to close old credit accounts you aren’t using to avoid having too many items on your credit report. But doing so can actually do more harm than good. The length of your credit history also affects your credit score and the longer your credit history the better. By closing old credit accounts, you could inadvertently reduce the length of your credit history, thereby lowering your credit score.

Get credit for your monthly bills

When you make payments on your debt accounts such as loans and credit cards, your lender reports those payments to the three credit bureaus. However, many of the bills you pay each month don’t help to boost your credit. For example, bills like your phone bill and utilities aren’t reported to the credit bureaus, so they don’t affect your credit score.

Experian offers a product called Experian Boost, which gives you credit for the utility bills you pay each month. If you have a slim credit report or are just below the next credit score range, those reported payments may help boost your score.

Become an authorized user

You might be surprised, but becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is an excellent way to boost your credit score to qualify for your own credit card. When you become an authorized user, the other person’s years of credit history and on-time payments for that card will appear on your credit report.

Just make sure you become an authorized user on a card with a history of timely payments, so its payment history will actually boost your score instead of bringing it down. And if the other user gives you access to a credit card, use it responsibly, since your spending will affect their credit as well as your own.

What can I do if Wells Fargo declines my application?

So you’ve gotten your credit score up to meet Wells Fargo’s requirements for the Reflect card, but they still deny your application. If that happens, there are still some last resorts you can turn to.

First, if your credit score doesn’t meet the Wells Fargo Reflect requirements or you have other negative marks on your credit report, then it might make sense to spend some time increasing your credit score before taking further action.

However, credit card companies have reconsideration lines card applicants can call to have their applications reviewed by a real human. Before you call, make sure you can explain why you think you should have been approved. If your credit report and score are sufficient, someone may look at your case and decide to approve your application after all.

Bottom line

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card doesn’t have too many benefits, but it does have one big one: up to 21-month 0% introductory period (0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within the first 120 days. Intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. 14.49% to 26.49% variable APR thereafter). You’ll likely need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for this card. If you aren’t there yet, don’t worry. There are plenty of steps you can take to boost your credit score to qualify next time.

And remember, plenty of credit card companies – including Wells Fargo – offer cards more suited to applicants with fair credit. These cards can be excellent ways to build your credit and qualify for even better credit cards in the future.