The Citi Premier® Card is no longer available to new applicants. Please see the issuer’s website for more information on available offers. Card details have been collected independently by Forbes Advisor and have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Citi ThankYou Points is one of the leading flexible rewards programs offered by a credit card issuer, and you can earn points with multiple Citi cards (Citi is a Forbes Advisor partner). And while some will choose to redeem their ThankYou Points for gift cards, travel reservations or merchandise, savvy cardholders will take advantage of the option to transfer their points to travel partners.
When you transfer your points to the right partner and redeem them for expensive flights or hotel stays, it’s often possible to receive several cents in value per point redeemed.
Best Citi Credit Cards Of 2024
Citi ThankYou Points Transfer Partners Overview
The Citi ThankYou Rewards program currently offers select cardholders the ability to convert their rewards to frequent flyer miles with 14 different loyalty programs across all three airline alliances and points with four hotel programs. The Sears Shop Your Way loyalty program is also an option.
Citi cards with no annual fee are restricted in redemption options, but there is a simple way around that—you only need to hold a premium Citi card like the Citi Premier® Card (No longer open to new applications) or Citi Prestige® Card* (no longer open to new applicants). This will allow you to combine your points and redeem at the better rate.
Transfer partners and rates for cards without annual fees are as follows:
- Choice Privileges Rewards: 1,000:1,500
- JetBlue TrueBlue: 1,000:800
- Wyndham Rewards: 1,000:800
Premium cards points transfer at a rate of 1:1 (except where noted) and include the following partners:
- AeroMexico Club Premier
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- ALL-Accor Live Limitless: 1,000:500
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Choice Privileges Rewards: 1,000:2,000
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- EVA Air
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club: 1,000:200
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines Krisflyer
- Thai Air Royal Orchid Plus
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Wyndham Rewards
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Shop Your Way 1:10
How To Earn Citi ThankYou Points
Earning ThankYou Points is relatively easy thanks to the various Citi cards floating around the market. For starters there is the fee-free lineup of ThankYou Points earning cards. These cards are restricted in redemptions options, but, like previously mentioned, holding a premium card will allow you to combine your points and redeem at the better rate. Here are the no annual fee cards that earn ThankYou Points:
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points. The card also earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Additionally, you’ll earn 2 ThankYou Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 in spending per year and 1 ThankYou Point per dollar on other eligible purchases, plus 5 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.
- Citi Custom Cash® Card: This card comes with an offer of $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. The bonus points come in the form of 20,000 ThankYou® Points that can be redeemed for $200 cash back and earns 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle, 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025 and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- AT&T Points Plus® Card from Citi: Earn a $100 statement credit after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of account opening and get 3 points per dollar at gas stations, 2 points per dollar at grocery stores and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
On the other end, Citi has two cards (although one is no longer open to new applicants) that do come with an annual fee but with the price comes the ability to transfer your points to a dozen other partners not open to fee-free cards. Those cards include:
- Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. The card also earns 3 ThankYou points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels, 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases and a total of 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.
- Citi Prestige® Card*: No longer open to new applicants. Earns 5 points per dollar on air travel and restaurants, 3 points on hotels and cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Featured Citi Credit Cards
Best Citi ThankYou Points Airline Transfer Partners
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: SkyTeam
Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program for several carriers including Air France, KLM and Transavia. Sadly, this program no longer offers an award chart and it can impose some very high fuel surcharges on awards. However, it’s known for offering discounts of up to 50% through Promo Rewards that are issued every month. It also features a 25% discount for children. Outside of promotions, award flights in business class between the U.S. and Europe start at 50,000 miles each way and round trip flights to Hawaii in economy class start at around 35,000 miles.
Avianca LifeMiles
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Star Alliance
Avianca is a South American airline that’s part of the Star Alliance. It offers competitively priced award flights especially when flying with partners. Its awards are priced based on predefined regions, and sweet spots can include shorter flights within those regions. For example, United Airlines flights within a designated region can cost as little as 6,500 LifeMiles.
Flying from the U.S. to Europe in business class can be as little as 63,000 LifeMiles each way, or just 87,000 in international first class, a true bargain.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Oneworld
Asia Miles is the award program for Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong-based carrier. The program can deliver strong value. For example, you can redeem 45,000 Asia Miles for a one-way transatlantic flight on Oneworld partners like American Airlines, Iberia and British Airways.
When planning a trip to Hong Kong, you can fly in Cathay Pacific first class from the U.S. West Coast to Hong Kong for 84,000 miles each way. And, business-class award flights on Oneworld partner Qantas range from 100,000 to 120,000 miles from the U.S.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 500
Transfer Increment: 500
Alliance: Oneworld
Qatar is now part of the Oneworld Alliance and has even adopted the Avios program used by British Airways, Iberia and others. That means that you can combine your points with British Airways and ultimately other accounts that use the Avios program. Sweet spots on its distance-based award program include one way flights between New York and Doha for 35,000 miles in economy, 70,000 miles in business and 105,000 in international first.
Read more: Qatar Airways Privilege Club: The Complete Program Guide
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Star Alliance
Singapore Airlines is renowned as one of the best in the world. Fun options to redeem your KrisFlyer miles include Singapore Suites Class from New York to Frankfurt for 143,500 miles each way or continue to Singapore for 243,000 miles. Flying from Los Angeles to Singapore via Tokyo in first class is 143,500 miles. And when available, United domestic business class is only 40,000 miles.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 500
Transfer Increment: 500
Alliance: Oneworld
Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and it’s an airline with global reach. And to its credit, it offers several very good deals for redeeming miles. The most attractive may be 7,500 miles each way to Hawaii, or 15,000 round trip. That’s because its Miles&Smiles award chart includes Hawaii as part of North America. In fact, the same is true for award flights to Alaska, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Europe is also a bargain at 45,000 miles each way, in business class. Award flights to India are just 67,500 miles each way in business class. On top of that, look for frequent award sales offered by Turkish Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: SkyTeam
Virgin Atlantic recently joined the SkyTeam Alliance and has a strong partnership with several other carriers. At first glance, the award charts for Virgin Atlantic flights appear to be somewhat high, and to make it worse, the fuel surcharges added are stunningly large, especially in business class. With surcharges even approaching $2,000, it’s best to think of these flights not as awards, but as paid economy class with an upgrade to business for using miles.
However, when you use Virgin Points for partner flights, it can be a bargain. For example, business-class award flights on ANA from the western U.S. to Japan are 90,000 round trip. Award flights on Delta to Europe (not including the U.K.), are 30,000 miles each way in economy and 50,000 miles each way in business, with no fuel surcharges.
All Other Citi ThankYou Points Airline Transfer Partners
Aeromexico Club Premier
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: SkyTeam
Aeromexico Rewards uses Aeromexico Rewards Points instead of miles. It offers two types of award tickets: Classic Award Tickets that have a fixed rate (limited availability) and Award Tickets with a dynamic fare (wide availability). Award prices on Aeromexico aren’t outrageous but there are not many valuable “sweet spots” either.
Round-trip flights between Mexico and the U.S. in coach class start at 36,000 Aeromexico Rewards Points during the low season and go up to 76,000 points during the high season.
Emirates Skywards
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: None
Emirates is based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and it’s well known for connecting nearly the entire world with its large fleet of jumbo jets. However, it’s not part of any of the major airline alliances. For flights on Etihad from New York to Dubai, prices start at 62,500 Skywards miles each way in economy class and 138,000 miles each way in business class. Emirates also offers flights from Newark to Athens, Greece and from JFK to Milan, Italy at 38,750 miles each way in economy class.
Etihad Guest
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: None
This airline is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In March 2023, Etihad massively devalued its partner award charts and sweet spots are now few and far between. Now primarily distance based, your best bet with Etihad miles is for short-haul flights on partners. A partner flight under 500 miles will run 6,000 Etihad Guest points. Flying Etihad for the same distance will run 7,000.
EVA Air Infinity Mileage Lands
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Star Alliance
EVA Airlines of Taiwan is a Star Alliance partner that offers reasonable award prices. For example, one way flights between North America and Asia are just 50,000 miles in economy and 80,000 in business. But it also offers two free stopovers plus an open jaw (returning from a city that wasn’t your destination).
JetBlue TrueBlue
Transfer Ratio: 1:1 (Premier and Prestige cardholders) 1:0.8 (250:200, all other cards)
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: None
JetBlue is the only domestic airline that’s a Citi ThankYou Points transfer partner. It’s also one of the easiest to use as TrueBlue points are worth a relatively fixed value and there’s no limit to the flights that you can book with points. There’s really no sweet spots available with this program though.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Oneworld
This Australian carrier is part of the Oneworld alliance and offers some pretty valuable sweet spots. Because its award chart is distance based, some of the best deals are for shorter flights. For example, you can fly American Airlines from its Miami hub to places in the southern U.S. and the Caribbean for as little as 8,000 miles each way. This works for any flight less than 600 miles long.
El Al is an Israeli carrier that’s a Qantas partner, and you can use it to fly in business class between Boston or New York and Tel Aviv for just 90,000 points.
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Alliance: Star Alliance
The award charts for this airline aren’t particularly generous, but there can still be some value if you look hard. Opportunities include flights on United, its Star Alliance partner, between North American and the Caribbean for just 17,500 miles, each way.
Best Citi ThankYou Points Hotel Transfer Partners
Choice Privileges
Transfer Ratio: 1:2 (Prestige and Premier cardholders) 1:1.5 (All other cards)
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Choice Hotels offers over 7,000 properties in over 40 countries among its 20 plus brands including Quality Inn, Comfort, Clarion and EconoLodge. Free night awards start at under 10,000 Choice Privileges points per night, and are best used in small towns where there aren’t many other options. Just note that this program differs from other hotel programs in that you can only book nights within 100 days of arrival.
Wyndham Rewards
Transfer Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Transfer: 1,000
Transfer Increment: 1,000
Wyndham Rewards is the loyalty program for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts which includes 24 brands such as Ramada, Days Inn and La Quinta. It’s also the loyalty program for Wyndham Vacation Clubs, Caesars Rewards and vacation rental company Vacasa. Wyndham points can be redeemed for free nights starting at 7,500 points per night, but most awards will cost 15,000 points, with a few going up to 30,000.
All Other Citi Hotel Transfer Partners
ALL-Accor Live Limitless
Transfer Ratio: 2:1
The Accor group includes over 5,000 hotels across 100 countries, with over 4,000 of those properties located in Europe or Asia. The Accor’s family of brands includes Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Novatel and dozens more that range from economy to luxury. The ALL-Accor Live Limitless program has a minimum redemption of 2,000 points for hotel stays which will take 40 euros off your bill. You can always combine your ALL Reward points with cash and can even redeem them right at the checkout counter. Redemptions for private hotel and villa stays with onefinestay start at 7,200 points for a 100 euros voucher.
Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club
Transfer Ratio: 5:1
Leading Hotels of the World is a portfolio of over 400 boutique luxury hotels around the world. Leaders Club is the loyalty program for participating hotels, providing elite benefits like room upgrades when available and free breakfast. There’s no award chart because prices are dynamic, meaning they fluctuate based on demand, seasonality and other factors.
While it’s a small selection compared to much larger chains, each hotel is unique and focuses on guest experience. Room rates tend to be pricey, but award prices can pack a lot of value toward a memorable stay.
All Other Citi Transfer Partners
Sears Shop Your Way
With this retail rewards program, every 1,000 points earns one dollar towards qualifying purchases in-store or online. Since you receive 10 Shop Your Way Points for every Citi ThankYou Point, it returns 1 cent in value for every point redeemed. This is below the value that you can often receive from other point transfers.
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Bottom Line
Citi offers a strong list of award transfer partners that make its ThankYou Rewards program very valuable. Even though you can’t transfer your points to any of the largest domestic airlines, you can still utilize its partners to book award travel on American, Delta and United. By understanding the value of each of these transfer partners, you can decide if earning ThankYou Rewards points makes sense for your needs.
