Citi ThankYou Rewards points offer a versatile way to unlock travel experiences. While many cardholders opt for straightforward redemptions like gift cards or bookings through the Citi travel portal, a world of enhanced value awaits those who explore Citi’s transfer partners. If you hold a premium Citi ThankYou card, leveraging these partnerships can significantly amplify the value of your points, opening doors to a wider array of travel possibilities.
This guide delves into the landscape of Citi transfer partners, providing a detailed overview of each program and how you can strategically utilize them to maximize your Citi ThankYou points. We’ll explore the array of airline, hotel, and other loyalty programs that collaborate with Citi, empowering you to make informed decisions and elevate your travel rewards strategy.
Earning Points for Citi’s Travel Partners
The journey to utilizing Citi transfer partners begins with earning Citi ThankYou points. These valuable points are primarily accumulated through spending on various Citi credit cards, including popular options such as:
It’s crucial to understand that the transferability of your ThankYou points hinges on the type of Citi card you hold. To access the majority of transfer partners detailed in this guide, you typically need a premium Citi ThankYou card. Examples of premium cards include the Citi Prestige® Card (which is no longer available for new applications) and the current Citi Strata Premier. These cards unlock the full potential of the Citi ThankYou program, granting access to a wider range of transfer options.
However, if your Citi portfolio includes cards like the Citi Rewards+ Card, your ThankYou points have somewhat limited transfer options, primarily to JetBlue TrueBlue, Choice Privileges, and Wyndham Rewards. Cards like the Citi Double Cash Card or Citi Custom Cash Card earn rewards as “basic” ThankYou points, which are essentially cash back and are not directly transferable to partner programs. The information for the Citi Custom Cash has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The good news is that if you possess a premium card like the Citi Prestige or Citi Strata Premier alongside cards earning limited or basic points, you can combine your ThankYou points. This strategic combining of points allows you to pool all your rewards under your premium card account, making them eligible for transfer to any of Citi’s extensive list of transfer partners.
The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi Transfer Partner Programs: An In-Depth Look
The Citi ThankYou Rewards program boasts a diverse network of 19 transfer partners, encompassing 14 airline loyalty programs, four hotel loyalty programs, and one retail loyalty program. This variety provides a broad spectrum of redemption possibilities, catering to diverse travel preferences and goals.
To provide a clear understanding of your options, here’s a comprehensive overview of Citi’s transfer partners, along with their respective transfer ratios:
Airline Partners:
- Aeromexico Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Avianca LifeMiles: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Emirates Skywards: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Etihad Guest: 1:1 transfer ratio
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 1:1 transfer ratio
- JetBlue TrueBlue: 1:1 transfer ratio (5:4 transfer ratio for cards earning limited ThankYou points)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: 1:1 transfer ratio
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 1:1 transfer ratio
Hotel Partners:
- Accor Live Limitless: 2:1 transfer ratio
- Choice Privileges: 1:2 transfer ratio (2:3 transfer ratio for cards earning limited ThankYou points)
- Leaders Club: 5:1 transfer ratio
- Wyndham Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio (5:4 transfer ratio for cards earning limited ThankYou points)
Other Partners:
- Shop Your Way: 1:10 transfer ratio (Retail)
It’s worth noting that transfer ratios indicate how many Citi ThankYou points are needed to convert into one partner point or mile. A 1:1 ratio is the most direct, while ratios like 2:1 or 5:1 mean you need more Citi points to get the equivalent partner currency. Conversely, a 1:2 ratio for Choice Privileges is more favorable, giving you twice the Choice points for your Citi points.
Keep an eye out for occasional transfer bonuses offered by Citi. During these promotional periods, you might receive an even more advantageous transfer ratio to select partners, further enhancing the value of your points.
To initiate a transfer, simply log in to your Citi ThankYou account at thankyou.com. Navigate to the “Travel” section and select “Points transfer.” You’ll need to specify the ThankYou account you wish to use for the transfer. Transfers are typically processed in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points and a maximum of 500,000 points per transaction. While Citi states that transfers can take up to 14 days, real-world data suggests that most transfers are completed much faster. For detailed insights into transfer times, resources like “how long Citi ThankYou points take to transfer” offer valuable information.
The following sections will delve deeper into each Citi transfer partner, evaluating their value proposition and exploring optimal strategies for point redemption.
Related: Best ways to redeem Citi ThankYou points
Hotel Transfer Partners in Detail
Accor Live Limitless
Accor Live Limitless encompasses a vast portfolio of 53 brands, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury accommodations, including well-known names like Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, and Mövenpick. Accor’s redemption system is straightforward: 2,000 points are equivalent to 40 euros, which translates to roughly $44 based on current exchange rates. This fixed value means each Accor point is generally worth around 2.2 cents.
However, the 2:1 transfer ratio from Citi ThankYou to Accor significantly impacts the value proposition. Transferring at this ratio effectively reduces the value of your Citi points to just over 1 cent per point, which is lower than TPG’s valuation of Citi points at 1.8 cents each.
Despite this lower transfer value, Accor Live Limitless can still be a worthwhile option in specific scenarios. If you have a limited stash of Citi points and are aiming for hotel stays within the Accor network, transferring to Accor might yield slightly better value compared to redeeming points for travel directly through the Citi travel portal. It’s essential to compare redemption values based on your specific travel needs.
Choice Privileges
CAMBRIA HOTEL COPPER MOUNTAIN/CHOICEHOTELS.COM
Choice Privileges significantly expanded its footprint by integrating Radisson Rewards Americas in mid-2023. This integration brought legacy Radisson brands into the Choice portfolio, creating a more diverse range of hotel options bookable through Choice Privileges. Award night redemptions at most Choice properties globally typically range from 6,000 to 35,000 points per night.
The 1:2 transfer ratio (or 2:3 for limited ThankYou points cards) to Choice Privileges is a significant advantage. This favorable ratio means you get double the Choice points for each Citi point transferred, making it easier to accrue points for award stays. To maximize your Choice Privileges redemptions, explore resources like “Choice Hotels Sweet Spot Rewards” and “unique ways to redeem Choice points.” These guides can help you uncover hidden gems and maximize the value of your Choice points.
Related: Register for Choice Hotels Your Extras to earn gift cards or other perks on weekday stays
Leaders Club
Leaders Club, the loyalty program for The Leading Hotels of the World, is Citi’s newest hotel transfer partner. Leaders Club employs dynamic award pricing, meaning point values can fluctuate. However, typical redemptions tend to fall within the range of 6 to 8 cents per point.
The 5:1 transfer ratio from Citi ThankYou to Leaders Club needs careful consideration. While Leaders Club points themselves can have a higher value, the unfavorable transfer ratio dilutes the value of your Citi points when transferred. At a 5:1 ratio, you’ll generally achieve a value between 1.2 and 1.6 cents per Citi point, which is below TPG’s 1.8 cents valuation.
Despite the transfer ratio, transferring Citi points to Leaders Club can still be advantageous compared to booking LHW properties through the Citi travel portal. It’s crucial to perform a cost-benefit analysis for your specific booking. Compare the points required and potential value gained through both methods to determine the most optimal redemption strategy.
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards stands out with its refreshingly simple award chart. Award nights are priced at a flat rate of 7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points per night, depending on the specific property. While not every Wyndham property represents an exceptional redemption value, you can uncover valuable deals, particularly in expensive cities, at upscale properties, or during peak travel periods.
Beyond standard hotel stays, Wyndham points offer versatile redemption options. You can also redeem points for stays at Wyndham vacation club resorts, Caesars Rewards properties, and Vacasa vacation rentals, expanding the utility of your Wyndham Rewards balance.
Related: The 12 best Wyndham hotels in the world
Airline Transfer Partners: Maximize Your Miles
Aeromexico Rewards
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Aeromexico Rewards presents a mixed bag of redemption value. While it maintains an award chart for limited-availability “classic” award tickets, the program primarily utilizes dynamic pricing for most award tickets operated by Aeromexico, Delta, KLM, and Air France. Dynamic pricing means award costs fluctuate based on factors like demand, availability, destination, and class of service. Unfortunately, these dynamically priced awards often lack compelling value. Adding to the cost, Aeromexico levies an award booking fee of 365 Mexican pesos (approximately $22), even for online bookings.
While specific situations might yield decent value from Aeromexico Rewards, it’s generally not considered one of the most lucrative Citi transfer partners. Explore other airline partners before heavily considering Aeromexico for point transfers.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a widely recognized program and often cited as one of the premier Citi transfer partners. However, it’s essential to be aware that Flying Blue also employs dynamic award pricing and imposes fuel surcharges on some routes, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of award tickets. “avoid fuel surcharges on award travel” for strategies on mitigating these fees.
Despite these considerations, Flying Blue offers valuable opportunities. In late 2023, Flying Blue standardized prices for saver-level redemptions to Europe, creating more predictable and potentially affordable award options to the continent. Furthermore, the program’s monthly Flying Blue Promo Rewards and the Flying Blue stopovers feature offer avenues for substantial savings. Utilize Flying Blue’s calendar search tool to efficiently identify lower-priced award tickets.
Related: How to find the cheapest redemption rates using Flying Blue miles
Avianca LifeMiles
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Avianca LifeMiles is a popular currency among savvy award travelers, particularly for booking flights on Star Alliance carriers. Its appeal lies in features like mixed-cabin ticketing (allowing you to combine different classes of service within an itinerary) and low taxes and fees on award tickets. Unlike some programs, LifeMiles generally does not pass along carrier surcharges.
Although Avianca LifeMiles increased award costs to Asia in late 2022, several valuable sweet spots remain. Notable examples include:
- Lufthansa business class one-way to Europe for 63,000 miles: A highly competitive rate for transatlantic business class travel.
- One-way economy domestic awards on United Airlines for as few as 6,500 miles: Excellent value for short-hop domestic flights within the United States.
You can also frequently discover affordable Avianca-operated award flights within the Americas, making LifeMiles a versatile option for travel within the region.
Related: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles utilizes distance-based award charts for flights on Cathay Pacific and Oneworld partner airlines. These charts are segmented by distance flown, meaning longer flights generally require more miles. Long-haul routes, such as those connecting the U.S. and Hong Kong, can be particularly expensive in terms of miles. For instance, “ultra-long” Cathay Pacific flights exceeding 7,501 miles can cost 160,000 Asia Miles in first class, 110,000 in business, 75,000 in premium economy, and 38,000 in economy for a one-way journey.
Asia Miles passes on fees and surcharges imposed by other carriers and often levies significant fees on its own tickets. While Cathay increased most Asia Miles award rates in late 2023, opportunities for valuable redemptions still exist. In specific instances, booking through Asia Miles can still represent the most advantageous option, especially for certain Oneworld routes.
Related: Traveling soon? These 10 apps and websites make award redemptions easier to find
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is arguably most compelling for aspirational redemptions in Emirates business class or first class. However, it’s important to acknowledge that Skywards award prices are generally high. As an example, a one-way business-class flight from New York to Dubai can cost a hefty 138,000 miles plus $839 in taxes and fees.
EMIRATES.COMA
A potentially more accessible avenue for Skywards redemptions lies in Emirates’ fifth-freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe. For example, a one-way business-class award from New York to Milan can be booked for 87,000 miles plus $106 in taxes and fees. If you can secure round-trip, saver-level awards on this route, the total cost drops to 108,000 miles plus $248. These fifth-freedom routes can offer a more attainable entry point to experiencing Emirates premium cabins using Skywards miles.
Related: The complete guide to the Emirates A380 onboard bar and lounge
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest once held a prominent position as a top program for maximizing partner redemptions. Unfortunately, Etihad significantly curtailed its sweet spots in 2023, implementing substantial award rate increases, exceeding 300% on some routes.
Etihad is undergoing further loyalty program adjustments in the current year, including reduced GuestSeat award prices and the novel option to redeem miles for upgrades to the exclusive Residence on select A380 flights. However, it’s crucial to note that Etihad Guest award rates generally tend to be elevated, and the published award charts often display only introductory rates. The actual rates you encounter when booking may be considerably higher.
Related: Your ultimate guide to searching award availability for the major airlines
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands is generally not the most straightforward or universally valuable program. It’s often overshadowed by other Star Alliance programs and can be complex to navigate. However, specific niche scenarios exist where Infinity MileageLands can become a worthwhile option.
One such area is intra-region round-trip itineraries. Infinity MileageLands permits up to two stopovers, up to six segments, and one open jaw on round-trip Star Alliance awards within defined regions. Intriguingly, some of these regions are quite expansive. For example, the “North Asia” region encompasses “Guam, Japan, Micronesia, Palau, Russian Far East, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Saipan.” This broad definition opens the door to crafting unique itineraries, such as an island-hopping adventure within North Asia for just 30,000 miles round trip in economy or 55,000 miles in business class. Similarly, the “South West Pacific” and “South America” regions also present potentially appealing redemption opportunities for intra-region travel.
Consult the award chart for Star Alliance awards and the award chart for EVA Air awards for detailed mileage requirements and regional definitions.
Related: Is EVA Air business class worth it on the Boeing 787-10?
JetBlue TrueBlue
JORDAN WALLER/THE POINTS GUY
JetBlue TrueBlue offers a simplified redemption model: the point cost of a flight is directly linked to its cash price. Higher cash fares translate to higher point redemption costs. Based on TPG valuations, you can generally anticipate receiving around 1.4 cents of value per TrueBlue point. However, the actual value can fluctuate slightly depending on specific flights and routes.
Another avenue for TrueBlue point redemption is for travel on Hawaiian Airlines. You can typically book nonstop, one-way intra-Hawaii economy flights for 7,500 points plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. However, it’s worth noting that paid fares on these inter-island routes are often quite competitive, so carefully evaluate cash prices before redeeming points.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas Frequent Flyer is generally not considered the most consistently lucrative loyalty program. It’s characterized by high fuel surcharges on many award tickets and award charts that are not always the most competitive. Qantas employs multiple distance-based award charts, requiring you to consult the correct chart based on the operating airlines for your award flights. The various distance-based award charts can be complex to navigate.
Despite these drawbacks, Qantas Frequent Flyer does offer pockets of value. Sweet spots include short-haul Qantas-operated flights, around-the-world Oneworld award tickets, transatlantic business-class awards operated by American Airlines, and short-haul American Airlines flights. Thorough research and strategic route selection are key to maximizing value within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Qatar Qsuite. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has gained increased relevance in the award travel landscape since it adopted Avios as its loyalty currency in 2022. It now stands as the sole Avios-accruing program partnered with Citi ThankYou Rewards.
The significance of this partnership lies in the ability to combine Avios across different loyalty programs that utilize Avios. By transferring Citi points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club, you unlock the potential to then leverage sweet spots within the British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus loyalty programs, all of which also use Avios. This interconnectedness expands your redemption horizons and allows for strategic Avios utilization across multiple programs.
Related: Book Qatar Qsuites before anyone else
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is often the go-to program for aspirational redemptions in Singapore Airlines first-class Suites. If experiencing the renowned Suites cabin is a travel goal, KrisFlyer is typically the most direct route. Availability for Suites awards, particularly on long-haul routes like New York to Singapore, is often limited to “Advantage” award space, which can be expensive, often around 243,000 miles one-way in first class on the nonstop route from New York to Singapore. Business class on the same route is also pricey, with Advantage awards costing 143,500 miles and Saver awards at 111,500 miles. If your desired award isn’t immediately available, KrisFlyer offers a waitlist option.
For more accessible value, explore the monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes program. This program offers discounted award rates on select Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights for travel within specific periods, providing opportunities for significant savings on award travel.
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
Thai Royal Orchid Plus is generally not a program that yields widespread high-value redemptions. While it may offer some decent intra-region award pricing within Southeast Asia, it generally lacks compelling sweet spots for long-haul travel or premium cabin redemptions compared to other Star Alliance programs.
For those interested in exploring Thai Royal Orchid Plus further, refer to the program’s award charts: the Thai award chart for flights originating in Bangkok, the Thai award chart for flights connecting in Bangkok, and the Star Alliance partner award chart. Careful examination of these charts may reveal specific routes or regions where Royal Orchid Plus offers competitive award pricing.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles has been a favorite among award travelers in recent years, often lauded for its previously generous award charts and sweet spots. However, Turkish Airlines recently devalued its award charts. While this devaluation has diminished some of the program’s allure, pockets of value still remain.
The most consistent value within Miles&Smiles is typically found when redeeming miles for flights operated by Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners. Based on the Miles&Smiles region-based award charts, one-way awards are priced at half the cost of round-trip awards, offering flexibility for one-way travel. However, be mindful that fuel surcharges can be significant on certain Miles&Smiles redemptions, particularly on long-haul routes.
One notable sweet spot within Turkish Miles&Smiles is for domestic flights operated by partners. This can be particularly advantageous in countries with extensive partner networks. For example, domestic flights within the U.S. on United Airlines (a Star Alliance partner) can be booked for just 10,000 miles one-way in economy or 15,000 miles in business class, including flights to Hawaii.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has historically been a popular program among award travelers, known for its attractive sweet spots. However, the program has undergone several devaluations in recent years, diminishing some of its previous high-value redemption opportunities. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic significantly reduced the value of its Delta sweet spots. Further devaluations in 2023 included increased redemption rates for ANA first class and a devaluation of the award chart for many Delta flights outside of Europe and the United Kingdom.
Despite these changes, opportunities for value still exist within Flying Club, particularly when considering Virgin Atlantic Flying Club partners. For instance, Delta Main Cabin flights between the U.S. and the U.K. on standard season dates can start at 15,000 Virgin points each way, which can be competitive. Explore Virgin Atlantic Promo Rewards for discounted award flights on select routes and dates, potentially unlocking further savings.
Related: How to book Delta award flights with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points
Other Transfer Partner: Retail
Shop Your Way
Shop Your Way is a shopping rewards program, distinct from airline or hotel loyalty programs. Redemption options within Shop Your Way are not transparent until you accrue a sufficient point balance. However, according to information on the Shop Your Way website, 1,000 points are worth $1 towards a gift card.
Citi ThankYou points transfer to Shop Your Way at a very unfavorable 1:10 transfer ratio. This ratio translates to a value of approximately 1 cent per Citi point when transferred to Shop Your Way. Given that you can already redeem Citi points for statement credits or checks at a rate of 1 cent per point, there is very little compelling rationale to transfer your valuable Citi points to Shop Your Way. Direct cash-back redemptions through Citi offer equivalent or better value and greater flexibility.
Bottom Line: Strategic Use of Citi Travel Partners
As this guide illustrates, Citi ThankYou Rewards partners offer a diverse landscape of redemption possibilities. The sheer number of partners – encompassing airlines, hotels, and even retail – makes earning Citi ThankYou points a strategic move, even if your immediate travel plans are undefined.
The key to maximizing your Citi ThankYou points lies in strategic planning and understanding the value proposition of each transfer partner. Before transferring points, carefully consider your desired destination and travel style. Research which partners align best with your travel goals and offer the most advantageous redemption rates for your specific itineraries. By taking a thoughtful approach, you can unlock significantly greater value from your Citi ThankYou points compared to standard redemption methods, transforming everyday spending into extraordinary travel experiences.
