#4 Among Transferable Points
Point Value
1.6 ¢
Program Score
8.4
Citi points offer solid value thanks to a strong transfer partner list, highlighted by exclusive access to American Airlines.
Opening new credit cards and earning welcome offers is the fastest and easiest way to build points balances, and Citi is no exception. However, Citi has fewer high-end cards and elevated welcome offers than Chase and Amex, which limits your long-term earning potential.
You can still earn ThankYou points through welcome bonuses and spending multipliers, especially if you hold either the Citi Strata Elite or Citi Strata Premier, since those cards unlock full transfer access to Citi’s airline and hotel partners. You just won't earn as much as fast as with other banks.
Many Citi users pair multiple cards together to maximize everyday spending rewards while keeping annual fees relatively low. This setup is commonly referred to as the Citi Trifecta:
This strategy requires tracking spending categories and using the right card for each purchase, but it’s still an effective way for existing Custom Cash cardholders to maximize Citi ThankYou points when they’re not actively working on new signup bonuses.
Special Offers Related to Citi ThankYou Rewards. Click the arrow to see more.
Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Qatar Airways Privilege Club. The standard transfer ratio is 1:1, so you'll receive 1,300 Avios for every 1,000 ThankYou points transferred. A minimum transfer of 1,000 points is required, and the offer expires June 30, 2026. One important caveat: this bonus is being provided by Qatar Airways rather than Citi, so it will not appear on Citi's transfer page. Bonus Avios are expected to be deposited by July 31, 2026, so if you're planning to book an award flight in the near future, don't count on having the bonus points available immediately.
Update: This rumor is now confirmed as Citi ended applications for the Custom Cash card on May 28, 2026. As of now, there do not appear to be any changes for existing cardholders. Data points are mixed on if you can still product change now that applications are closed. We will update as more information comes in.
May 26, 2026
Doctor of Credit is reporting that Citi will discontinue applications for the Custom Cash card, possibly as soon as the end of this week. The Custom Cash is one of Citi’s most popular cards and a key part of many Citi trifecta setups thanks to its automatic 5x category earnings each billing cycle. Many users pair it with the Citi Double Cash and a Strata card to maximize earnings and unlock transfer partner access. Applications for the card are still currently live, so if this is a card you’ve been considering, now may be the time to apply. If you already have another Citi card you no longer use, it may also be worth calling to see if you can product change to the Custom Cash, though product change options vary by customer. Citi has not announced any changes for current cardholders.
Citi Travel is celebrating its third anniversary by offering $50 off a one-time hotel booking of $300 or more made through the Citi Travel portal between May 27-29, 2026. There is no minimum stay requirement. The promo can also stack with other Citi Travel benefits, including the Strata Premier’s $100 annual hotel credit on bookings of $500 or more or the Citi Strata Elite’s $300 annual hotel credit (which requires a minimum two-night stay). The standalone $50 discount is solid on its own, but this becomes much more interesting if you can combine it with other Citi card perks.
Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer Hotel Rewards. The standard transfer ratio is 1:2, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 2,600 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points transferred. Offer expires June 13, 2026.
Citi’s transfer partner network has improved in recent years. While it still trails Chase and American Express, the gap has narrowed. As with all transferable point systems, transferring points to partners typically provides the best value. Be sure to check out all the sweet spots with Citi's transfer partners.
If you have multiple Citi cards, combine points with the Strata Premier or Strata Elite to access all partners at the best rates. The Citi Strata card also transfers to partners, but at a reduced rate. The Citi Double Cash can transfer points to just three programs: JetBlue, Choice Privileges, and Wyndham, and at lower ratios.
Because of this, combining points from no-fee Citi cards with the Strata Premier or Elite can unlock full partner access and maximize value. Just be aware that Citi points remain associated with the account that earned them. If you close a card, the points earned from that card must be used within 90 days, even if you combined them with points from another Citi card.
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 main reason to use the portal is to use the hotel credits that come with Citi’s premium cards:
Both credits must be used through the Citi Travel Portal. These are similar to perks offered by:
These redemption options offer poor value compared to transferring points:
Discover your points' highest-value redemption options. Use the filters to find the optimal sweet spot for your next trip.
We rank Citi behind Chase and American Express, and alongside Bilt, among transferable points systems. While Chase and Amex have led the way for years, the gap has narrowed as Citi has improved its partner lineup and has some strong sweet spot redemption opportunities.
The main limitation is the card lineup. With only two high-quality options, the Citi Strata Elite and Citi Strata Premier, it’s harder to build a large balance of points compared to other ecosystems.
Most people in the hobby start with Chase before moving to Amex. Citi is in the next tier alongside Capital One and Bilt. They are the only program that transfers to American Airlines, so if you live near an AA hub or are loyal to the airline, you'll want to prioritize Citi ThankYou points. Citi can work for beginners thanks to simple earning structures on its lower tier cards, but you’ll typically get more value by starting with Chase, then Amex, before adding Citi's high value Strata cards when it fits your broader strategy.
If you cancel or downgrade a Citi card, you have a 37-day grace period to receive a refund of your annual fee. After that, Citi generally does not offer a prorated refund.
Citi ThankYou points remain associated with the account that earned them, even if you combine points from multiple Citi cards. If you close a Citi card, the points earned from that card must be used within 90 days, even if you combined them with points from another ThankYou-earning card.
Yes. ThankYou points are Citi’s rewards currency. You can redeem them for cash back at 1 cent per point, but if you have a card that earns transferable points, you can move them to an airline or hotel partner and redeem them for much more value.
They can be. Cash or statement credit redemptions give you 1¢ per point. Transferring points to an airline or hotel partner can unlock redemptions worth twice that amount or more, especially when you take advantage of partner sweet spots.
Yes. You can book flights through the Citi Travel Portal, but that’s usually poor value. If your card allows transfers, moving points to an airline partner typically gives you a much better return than booking through the portal at a simple 1:1 rate.
Yes. You can redeem points for a statement credit to help pay your bill. We only recommend this if you can’t pay your balance in full and would otherwise incur interest. Otherwise, transferring to an airline or hotel partner will give you better value.
Tracking Points & Transfer Options
