How to maximize Citi ThankYou points

Editor’s word: This can be a recurring publish, often up to date with new info. Citi is a TPG promoting associate.

Many Citi cardholders redeem their Citi ThankYou Rewards factors for journey or reward playing cards. However in case you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, you might be able to get larger worth out of your factors. Particularly, you’ll be able to maximize your Citi ThankYou points by transferring factors to this system’s airline and resort companions.

At the moment, Citi ThankYou Rewards has the next airline switch companions:

Moreover, it has three resort switch companions:

On this information, we’ll look deeper at every of those Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners. However first, let’s contemplate tips on how to earn Citi ThankYou points.

You possibly can earn Citi ThankYou points via a few of Citi’s credit cards. Listed here are a few of my favourite Citi playing cards that may earn ThankYou factors:

However not all ThankYou factors have the identical worth. To transfer your Citi ThankYou points to most companions described on this information, you should maintain a premium Citi ThankYou card such because the Citi Prestige® Card (not obtainable to functions) or Citi Premier. For those who solely have the Citi Rewards+ Card, you’ll earn extra restricted ThankYou factors that switch to JetBlue, Alternative and Wyndham at poor ratios, and to not the opposite companions in any respect. Alternatively, you’ll be able to redeem factors for money again or journey via Citi.

If in case you have the Citi Double Cash Card or the Citi Custom Cash Card, you earn money again as “fundamental” ThankYou factors. When redeemed for reward playing cards, these are price a flat 1 cent every and can’t be transferred to most ThankYou travel partners.

Nevertheless, if you happen to additionally maintain the Citi Prestige or Citi Premier, you’ll be able to mix your fundamental ThankYou factors with these out of your Citi Status or Citi Premier account. Then, you’ll be able to switch to any of the Citi ThankYou journey companions.

The knowledge for the Citi Status card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: Is Citi ThankYou Rewards the most underappreciated and misunderstood program?

Citi Premier Card

Signal-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Factors after you spend $4,000 in purchases inside the first three months of account opening. Based mostly on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is price $1,080.

Rewards price: For a restricted time, earn 10 factors per greenback on accommodations and automobile leases booked on the Citi travel portal via June 30, 2024. Earn 3 ThankYou factors per greenback on air journey, accommodations, eating places, supermarkets and fuel stations; 1 level per greenback on different purchases.

Annual price: $95.

Card advantages:

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Premier Card

Associated: 4 reasons the Citi Premier Card should be on your short list

Citi Rewards+ Card

Signal-up bonus: Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

Rewards price: For a restricted time, earn 5 factors per greenback on accommodations, automobile leases and points of interest (excluding air journey) booked on the Citi travel portal via June 30, 2024. Earn 2 ThankYou factors per greenback at supermarkets and fuel stations (on the primary $6,000 per yr, then 1 level per greenback); 1 level per greenback on every little thing else. Additionally, Citi routinely rounds up to the nearest 10 points on each buy.

Annual price: None.

Card advantages: You’ll get 10% factors again for the primary 100,000 ThankYou Factors you redeem per calendar yr, together with factors earned on other cards if you happen to’ve linked your Citi ThankYou accounts.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Rewards+ Card

Associated: Who should get the Citi Rewards+ Card?

Citi Double Money Card

Signal-up bonus: None.

Rewards price: 2% cash back on purchases (1% while you purchase and 1% while you pay).

Annual price: None.

Card advantages: No standout advantages.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Double Cash Card

Associated: What credit score do you need to get the Citi Double Cash Card?

Citi Customized Money Card

Signal-up bonus: Earn $200 money again after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. This bonus provide will probably be fulfilled as 20,000 factors, which may be redeemed for $200 money again.

Rewards price: Every billing cycle (roughly each month or so), you’ll earn 5% money again (5 ThankYou factors per greenback) on the primary $500 of purchases in your high spending class from an inventory that features issues like eating, groceries and fuel stations; then 1% again (1 ThankYou level per greenback) on different purchases.

Annual price: None.

Card advantages: No standout advantages.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Custom Cash Card

Associated: Flexible 5% cash-back: A review of the Citi Custom Cash credit card

If in case you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, such because the Citi Prestige Card or Citi Premier Card, you’ll be able to switch factors to any ThankYou journey associate at a 1:1 ratio, besides Alternative Privileges, the place you get a 1:2 price.

Another Citi ThankYou playing cards earn fundamental ThankYou factors which are solely transferable to a few applications at decrease charges:

• Alternative Privileges: 1:1.5
• JetBlue TrueBlue: 5:4
• Wyndham Rewards: 1:0.8

To switch Citi ThankYou factors to journey companions, go to thankyou.com, register to your account and choose the ThankYou account you need to use. Then, click on “Journey” on the highest navigation bar and choose “Factors switch.” Every switch have to be a minimum of 1,000 ThankYou factors however not more than 500,000. ThankYou factors can solely be transferred in increments of 1,000.

Switch instances and ratios

Some journey companions acknowledge transfers from Citi ThankYou Rewards faster than others. Citi says transfers can take as much as 14 days to course of. TPG ran some experiments to find out how long Citi ThankYou points take to transfer.

So, you might be questioning which Citi travel partners are most valuable. Our month-to-month TPG valuations provide you with an concept in regards to the relative worth of some currencies. However TPG doesn’t present valuations for each forex. In any case, a lot of the worth depends upon the place and the way you intend to journey. Beneath are some concepts to get you began.

Associated: Why mile and point valuations don’t always rule my world

TPG values Citi ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every. This valuation relies on the worth obtained while you transfer your points to pick out companions. So, listed below are 5 of our favourite Citi ThankYou transfer partners.

Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles is a well-liked forex for booking flights on Star Alliance carriers with its mixed cabin ticketing and low taxes and costs. Not like some frequent flyer applications, Avianca LifeMiles doesn’t pass along carrier surcharges.

Some hidden gems within the Avianca LifeMiles program embrace:

You possibly can dig into LifeMiles associate redemption choices on the LifeMiles website.

For those who’re brief on LifeMiles after transferring from Citi, Avianca LifeMiles can also be a switch associate of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, Avianca steadily provides the chance to purchase LifeMiles at a discounted rate.

Associated: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability

Singapore Airways KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is normally your finest wager if you happen to’re trying to guide long-haul premium-cabin flights on Singapore Airlines. If there’s saver award house, you’ll be able to guide the nonstop flight from John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) for 111,500 miles one-way in enterprise class.

As well as, KrisFlyer normally reductions routes every month via its Spontaneous Escapes program.

For those who’re nonetheless brief on KrisFlyer miles after transferring from Citi ThankYou, it’s also possible to switch factors from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy.

Associated: A first timer’s guide to Singapore’s hawker centers

Turkish Airways Miles & Smiles

There are a number of candy spots within the Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles program. Traditionally, solely hardcore factors and miles collectors would undergo the trouble of discovering and reserving awards on this program. However the on-line search and reserving course of has improved, which makes this system extra accessible.

You’ll get probably the most worth while you use your miles to guide Turkish- or Star Alliance-operated flights. Miles & Smiles costs award flights on region-based award charts and one-way awards are bookable for half the value of a round-trip award. Nevertheless, fuel surcharges are excessive on some Miles & Smiles redemptions.

One other glorious approach to redeem Turkish miles is on U.S. home flights. You’ll pay 7,500 miles one-way in financial system and 12,500 in enterprise class irrespective of the place you fly within the U.S., together with Hawaii. This makes Turkish one of the best Citi switch choice for many home flights and by far the most suitable choice for flights to Hawaii — although you will want to search out saver-level awards with a purpose to make the most of this candy spot.

Associated: Devaluation after devaluation, 8 TPG staffers share their favorite award redemptions that are still around

Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership

Even after Virgin Atlantic Flying Club abruptly devalued its Delta award chart, it could nonetheless an awesome program for reserving sure Delta-operated flights to Europe. Specifically, you’ll be able to guide flights on nonstop Delta-operated routes using Virgin Atlantic miles that keep away from the U.Ok. (and people hefty fuel surcharges):

• From 30,000 miles for financial system class from the U.S. to Europe (every approach).
• From 50,000 miles for enterprise class from the U.S. to Europe (every approach).

However, if you happen to’re trying to fly between the U.S. and Japan, Virgin Atlantic has a powerful award chart for ANA-operated flights. Particularly, for round-trip flights between the U.S. and Japan, you’ll pay 45,000-65,000 miles for financial system, 70,000-95,000 miles for enterprise and 145,000-170,000 miles for firstclass. You possibly can see the complete award chart here.

For those who’re nonetheless brief on Flying Membership miles after transferring from Citi, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership can also be a switch associate of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, Flying Membership typically provides the chance to purchase miles at a discounted rate.

Associated: 3 great ways to redeem Virgin Atlantic points now that Delta awards are devalued

Common Citi ThankYou switch companions

Though not fairly as sturdy because the 4 switch companions we simply mentioned, there’s nonetheless a great little bit of worth within the following seven Citi ThankYou switch companions.

Aeromexico Membership Premier

Whereas Aeromexico Club Premier has an award chart in idea, it makes use of dynamic pricing in follow. Once you seek for a flight, you would possibly discover a completely different worth than what you see on the award chart.

Nonetheless, you might get good worth from Aeromexico if you happen to use your factors in the fitting conditions.

Associated: What you need to know about Aeromexico’s dynamic award pricing

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Flying Blue is a well-liked program that some would possibly argue is without doubt one of the finest Citi switch companions.

Some redemptions are definitely interesting, although. For instance, enterprise class between the U.S. and Europe begins at simply 55,000 Flying Blue miles one-way. However Flying Blue will add fuel surcharges that may be hefty on some routes.

One shiny spot is that Flying Blue provides monthly Promo Rewards on its web site, which provide reductions of as much as 50% on award tickets.

Associated: Flying Blue to add free stopovers: Here’s why this could make your miles a lot more valuable

ALL Accor Dwell Limitless

Accor has 54 manufacturers, together with common names like Sotifel, Fairmont, Raffles and Movenpick. Its redemptions are easy — 2,000 factors are price 40 euros (round $43, primarily based on present trade charges). Which means every Accor level is price round 2.15 cents.

By transferring Citi factors to Accor at a 2:1 ratio, you will get simply over 1 cent per level, so Accor typically is not one of the best switch associate.

Since 2,000 Accor factors are price 40 euros, you can choose to partially scale back the out-of-pocket price of an upcoming Accor keep, particularly if you happen to’re touring throughout peak journey instances. On this sense, you are not worrying about restricted availability for normal rooms, which may be problematic with different resort loyalty applications.

If in case you have a restricted variety of Citi factors, Accor could possibly be an choice. For those who switch 4,000 factors to a different Citi associate, that is not often sufficient for a redemption. Nevertheless, changing 4,000 Citi factors to 2,000 ALL factors will get you 40 euros off your keep.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles makes use of distance-based award charts for flights by itself metallic and Oneworld partner awards. Lengthy-haul flights, comparable to these between the U.S. and Hong Kong, may be costly. Particularly, you’ll be able to guide one-way “ultra-long” Cathay Pacific flights of seven,501 miles or longer for 125,000 Asia Miles in firstclass, 85,000 miles in enterprise, 60,000 miles in premium financial system and 42,000 miles in financial system.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles passes on fuel surcharges from different carriers however no longer charges fuel surcharges on many of its own tickets. The Cathay Pacific Asia Miles booking engine may be irritating and troublesome to decipher. However if you happen to can handle it, there may be worth in this system.

Associated: Asia Miles eliminates two award types, introduces Miles Plus Cash bookings

Alternative Privileges

The majority of Alternative properties fall on the price range aspect of the spectrum, however there are some hidden gems overseas. For instance, you will get a wonderful deal when booking hotels in Japan and Northern Europe. This one-night keep on the Funken Lodge in Longyearbyen, Norway, prices simply 12,000 Alternative factors per evening. The identical keep retails for $357.69.

However that’s not one of the best half. Citi factors switch to Alternative at a 1:2 ratio, that means this redemption solely requires 6,000 ThankYou factors. You will get almost 6 cents per level in worth from that specific redemption, which is great for Citi ThankYou Rewards.

After all, not all redemptions will yield that a lot worth. Right here within the States, most Alternative accommodations fall into manufacturers like Econolodge, Clarion and Sleep Inn. These usually present much less worth resulting from low money charges, so that you’ll need to maintain off on Citi transfers except you’re heading overseas.

Associated: 19 ways to earn more Choice Privileges points

Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards is maybe most helpful for reserving award tickets for Emirates business class or first class. However its award costs are excessive. For instance, a one-way flight from JFK to Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB) in firstclass usually prices 138,000 miles and $838 in taxes and costs.

A extra viable choice is to take a look at one of many provider’s fifth freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe:

• Each day service from New York-JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) on the Airbus A380.
• Each day service from Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) to Athens Worldwide Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) on the Boeing 777-300ER.

These could be a nice choice, even after this year’s devaluation. One-way award charges begin at 87,000 miles plus ~$100 in taxes and costs, but when yow will discover round-trip, saver-level awards, your complete worth drops to only 108,000 miles.

Associated: Best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for maximum value

Etihad Visitor

Etihad Guest was a implausible program for maximizing associate redemptions. Sadly, Etihad slashed all its candy spots and elevated award charges by over 300% on some routes. There are nonetheless a number of routes the place you’ll be able to maximize Etihad Visitor miles. For instance, flights from Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport (AUH) to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Worldwide Airport (FCO) begin at 60,003 miles.

It is price noting that American AAdvantage now provides decrease award charges for Etihad flights in comparison with Etihad Visitor. Nevertheless, American AAdvantage would not have 1:1 switch partnerships outdoors of Bilt Rewards.

For those who’re nonetheless brief on Etihad Visitor miles after transferring from Citi ThankYou, it’s also possible to switch factors from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. Etihad additionally periodically provides the chance to purchase Etihad Guest miles at a discounted rate.

Associated: Your ultimate guide to searching award availability for the major airlines

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas typically is not probably the most profitable loyalty program with its excessive gasoline surcharges and a lackluster award chart.

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program makes use of a number of distance-based award charts. So that you’ll want to pick out the right award chart primarily based on the airways you intend to fly. Specifically, you might discover some worth from brief Qantas-operated flights which are costly when utilizing money.

Associated: Destination unknown: Qantas to relaunch famous ‘mystery flight’

Qatar Airways Privilege Membership

Qatar’s loyalty program would not provide a ton of worth, however for the reason that provider’s change to Avios as its forex, there are some causes to contemplate it as a switch associate.

For starters, it is the one Avios-accruing program to associate with Citi ThankYou Rewards. The others — British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub — associate with different transferrable currencies however not Citi.

And since you’ll be able to combine your Avios throughout all 4 of those applications, you’ll be able to switch ThankYou factors to Qatar after which make the most of candy spots in different applications — like 34,000 Avios for off-peak, business-class flights from New York to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on Iberia.

Listed here are a number of different redemptions that is likely to be worthwhile:

• American Airways and Iberia: U.S. to Europe from 35,000 and 70,000 Avios in financial system and enterprise class every approach.
• Qatar Airways: Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH) to Europe from 64,500 Avios in firstclass or from 70,000 Avios from the U.S. to Doha on the Qsuite.
• Royal Air Maroc: U.S. to Morocco from 70,000 Avios in enterprise class.

Associated: Sweet Spot Sunday: How to book Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives for just 85,000 points

Wyndham Rewards

Citi ThankYou factors switch to Wyndham at a 1:1 ratio. Wyndham has a easy award chart: Award nights price 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 factors per evening. Not all properties are a great deal, however you’ll be able to typically discover bargains in costly cities, at high-end properties or over holidays and different peak journey instances.

You may as well use Wyndham Rewards points to book Vacasa vacation rentals. These leases price 15,000 factors per evening per bed room, so that you’ll get one of the best deal on studio and one-bedroom leases. All Vacasa properties are bookable with factors, however you should name to search out award house and guide.

Associated: I redeemed points for a home rental in a way you’ve probably never heard of — here’s how

Worst Citi ThankYou switch companions

Even a few of the least-valuable Citi ThankYou switch companions have shiny spots. Right here’s the lowdown on these applications, together with a number of areas to search for worth.

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands typically received’t be your program of alternative. In any case, it’s typically crushed by different applications and is slightly obscure. However there are a number of notable circumstances wherein you would possibly need to use Infinity MileageLands.

One specific space the place I’d look to acquire worth is intra-region round-trips. You’re allowed as much as two stopovers, as much as six segments and one open jaw on round-trip Star Alliance awards — and a few areas are very broad. For instance, the “North Asia” area consists of “Guam, Japan, Micronesia, Palau, Russian Far East, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Saipan.” So you can piece collectively a pleasant island hopper for simply 30,000 miles round-trip in financial system or 55,000 miles in enterprise class. Likewise, the “South West Pacific” and “South America” areas additionally look interesting.

You possibly can see the award chart for Star Alliance awards here and the award chart for EVA Air awards here.

Associated: 7 reasons EVA Air is the most overlooked transpacific business-class option

JetBlue TrueBlue

Redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue points for the provider’s flights is straightforward: The extra a flight prices in money, the extra it can require in factors. In line with TPG’s valuations, you’ll be able to count on to get roughly 1.3 cents of worth for each TrueBlue level you redeem. However some flights could yield barely higher or worse worth. Specifically, redeeming for Mint award tickets usually solely offers about 1 cent per level.

An alternative choice is to redeem JetBlue points for travel on Hawaiian Airlines. This award chart has some good offers, together with one-way intra-Hawaii flights for six,000 factors in financial system and 12,000 factors in enterprise, although these steadily have low money charges. You may as well guide long-haul worldwide Hawaiian Airways flights from Hawaii for 30,000 factors in financial system and 70,000 factors in enterprise.

Associated: How to earn points in the JetBlue TrueBlue program

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

Regardless of some interesting intra-region award pricing, you received’t discover a lot worth in Thai Royal Orchid Plus. Yow will discover the Thai award chart for originating in Bangkok here, the Thai award chart for connecting in Bangkok here and the Star Alliance associate award chart here.

Associated: Citi Premier credit card review: 60,000 bonus points with valuable earning rates

As you’ll be able to see, there are many choices for using your Citi ThankYou points to guide a visit. It is smart to work on earning Citi ThankYou points even if you happen to don’t know the way you need to spend them but. As soon as you understand the place you need to go, you’ll be able to decide which switch companions present one of the best choices and worth to your journey.

Extra reporting by Kyle Olsen.