Max. Point Value 1.60 ¢
Do Points Expire? Yes
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends Yes
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Citi ThankYou Rewards Outside Point System
1:1 50% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 63% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 50% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 0% value retained
1:1.25 78% value retained
Citi points are increasing in value with the addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner, though limited partner-transfer cards still hold them back.
Citi ThankYou points may not look like much at first glance, but they certainly demand our attention. While redemption can vary considerably -- depending on which credit card you hold and how you decide to redeem your points -- you can tap into some pretty significant savings. Your two best options for earning and redemption will be through the Citi Prestige or Citi Premier cards. Both cards offer a substantial sign-up bonus and extra points earned on certain spending categories. Some of the best value comes from transferring, which can only be done if you hold one of these 2 cards in your wallet.
Earning can be quick and easy, especially when you wait for a good sign-up bonus and then keep an eye on extra point categories. For example, the Prestige card gets you 5x points per $1 on airfare and restaurants, while the Premier can earn you 3x points on all travel, including gas. Make sure retention offers are on your current card so you can maximize points earned on everyday spending. We like to call every 6 months or so to make sure that the current retention offer is on the card.
Now let's talk about redeeming. ThankYou points stand out because they're transferable to every major alliance: OneWorld, SkyTeam and Star. We’ll forgive the fact that transfers aren’t always instantaneous, because Citi ThankYou points are so diverse with their partners that they’ll cover you whether you’re looking for a free domestic flight or a deluxe international fare. It can take a little research and pulling out your savvy side, but it's well worth it in the end. Some of the best redemption comes through Avianca LifeMiles, Etihad Guest, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer. Just remember: you must hold the Prestige or Premier Card to transfer. We suggest checking those airlines to see if your route is covered by any of them.
Citi’s transfer partner network has improved in recent years. While it doesn’t yet rival Chase or American Express, it’s getting closer. As with all programs that have partners, transferring points usually provides the best value. If you have multiple Citi cards, move points to the Strata Premier or Strata Elite to access all partners at the best transfer rate.
You can redeem through the Citi Travel Portal at 1¢ per point, but value is limited and you won’t earn loyalty points on these bookings.
The best reason you'd want to use the portal is if you hold one of Citi’s premium cards. These offer portal-only hotel credits as part of their benefits:
Both credits must be booked through the Citi Travel Portal. These mirror the portal booking perks offered by:
The Citi Double Cash can transfer points to partners, but only to three programs: JetBlue, Choice Privileges, and Wyndham. The transfer ratio is also reduced compared to what you get with the Citi Strata Elite or Strata Premier.
Because of this, it’s important to combine any points you earn from lower level, no-fee Citi cards with the Strata Elite or Premier so you can transfer to all partners at the highest value.
These options give poor value compared to transferring points to partners:
Citi ThankYou points are tied to specific cards. If you want to cancel a no-fee card, you can transfer all your points to the Strata Elite or Strata Premier so you can still transfer to any partners. Keep in mind that points from the canceled card will expire after 60 days, so be sure to use them.
Transferring points to an airline or hotel partner will keep them safe, though they will then follow that program’s expiration rules. We do recommend having a plan to use them before transferring. You can also transfer points to a spouse, family member, or friend with a Citi ThankYou account, but transferred points will expire after 90 days.*
*Note that the Custom Cash Card does not allow you to share points with another person. You can combine those points with other Citi cards you own, but if you close the Custom Cash Card, the points you moved will expire 60 days after canceling.
- Citi Premier MasterCard - Limited Time Offer - 75,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum - Special Offer - $75,000 AA Miles, after spending $3500 in 4 months, $0 Annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Chase Sapphire Visa - Limited Time Offer - 80,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.
- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard - Limited Time Offer - 70,000 Points, after spending $2000 in 3 months, $89 Annual fee.
Earn 80,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months with the Citi Premier Card, $85 annual fee is not waived.
- IHG extends anniversary night certificates until 12/2022 & Elite Status until 02/2023.
- Citi Thank You Rewards adding Wyndham as a transfer partner.
- Expiration of AAdvantage Miles paused until 3/31/2022.
- Earn Flying Blue Elite Status twice as fast through June 2022.
From now until November 13, 2021 Citi ThankYou Points are Transferrable to American Airlines. For Citi Chairman, Prestige & Premier Members the transfer rate is 1:1. For Preferred & Citi Rewards+ the transfer rate is 2:1.
- Citi Premier MasterCard - Limited Time Offer - 75,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum - Special Offer - $75,000 AA Miles, after spending $3500 in 4 months, $0 Annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Chase Sapphire Visa - Limited Time Offer - 80,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.
- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard - Limited Time Offer - 70,000 Points, after spending $2000 in 3 months, $89 Annual fee.
Earn 80,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months with the Citi Premier Card, $85 annual fee is not waived.
- IHG extends anniversary night certificates until 12/2022 & Elite Status until 02/2023.
- Citi Thank You Rewards adding Wyndham as a transfer partner.
- Expiration of AAdvantage Miles paused until 3/31/2022.
- Earn Flying Blue Elite Status twice as fast through June 2022.
From now until November 13, 2021 Citi ThankYou Points are Transferrable to American Airlines. For Citi Chairman, Prestige & Premier Members the transfer rate is 1:1. For Preferred & Citi Rewards+ the transfer rate is 2:1.
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