Editor’s notice: It is a recurring put up, frequently up to date with new info. Citi is a TPG promoting companion.
Many Citi cardholders redeem their Citi ThankYou Rewards factors for journey or present playing cards. However if in case you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, you could possibly get higher worth out of your factors. Particularly, you may maximize your Citi ThankYou factors by transferring factors to this system’s airline and resort companions.
Presently, 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 switch companions. However first, let’s take into account find out how to earn Citi ThankYou factors.
How you can earn Citi ThankYou factors
You may earn Citi ThankYou factors by a few of Citi’s bank cards. Listed below are a few of my favourite Citi playing cards that may earn ThankYou factors:
However not all ThankYou factors have the identical worth. To switch your Citi ThankYou factors to most companions described on this information, you will need to maintain a premium Citi ThankYou card such because the Citi Status® Card (not accessible to functions) or Citi Premier. In the event you 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 may redeem factors for money again or journey by Citi.
When you have the Citi Double Money Card or the Citi Customized Money Card, you earn money again as “primary” ThankYou factors. When redeemed for present playing cards, these are price a flat 1 cent every and can’t be transferred to most ThankYou journey companions.
Nonetheless, for those who additionally maintain the Citi Status or Citi Premier, you may mix your primary ThankYou factors with these out of your Citi Status or Citi Premier account. Then, you may switch to any of the Citi ThankYou journey companions.
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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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Is Citi ThankYou Rewards probably 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 throughout 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 lodges and automotive leases booked on the Citi journey portal by June 30, 2024. Earn 3 ThankYou factors per greenback on air journey, lodges, eating places, supermarkets and fuel stations; 1 level per greenback on different purchases.
Annual payment: $95.
Card advantages:
Official software hyperlink: Citi Premier Card
Associated: 4 causes the Citi Premier Card must be in your quick checklist
Citi Rewards+ Card
Signal-up bonus: Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
Rewards price: For a restricted time, earn 5 factors per greenback on lodges, automotive leases and sights (excluding air journey) booked on the Citi journey portal by 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 the whole lot else. Additionally, Citi mechanically rounds as much as the closest 10 factors on each buy.
Annual payment: 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 different playing cards for those who’ve linked your Citi ThankYou accounts.
Official software hyperlink: Citi Rewards+ Card
Associated: Who ought to get the Citi Rewards+ Card?
Citi Double Money Card
Signal-up bonus: None.
Rewards price: 2% money again on purchases (1% if you purchase and 1% if you pay).
Annual payment: None.
Card advantages: No standout advantages.
Official software hyperlink: Citi Double Money Card
Associated: What credit score rating do it’s worthwhile to get the Citi Double Money 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 supply can be fulfilled as 20,000 factors, which will 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 payment: None.
Card advantages: No standout advantages.
Official software hyperlink: Citi Customized Money Card
Associated: Versatile 5% cash-back: A evaluation of the Citi Customized Money bank card
Citi ThankYou switch companion overview
When you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, such because the Citi Status Card or Citi Premier Card, you may switch factors to any ThankYou journey companion at a 1:1 ratio, besides Alternative Privileges, the place you get a 1:2 price.
Another Citi ThankYou playing cards earn primary ThankYou factors which might be 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 at the least 1,000 ThankYou factors however not more than 500,000. ThankYou factors can solely be transferred in increments of 1,000.
Switch occasions 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 lengthy Citi ThankYou factors take to switch.
So, it’s possible you’ll be questioning which Citi journey companions are most dear. Our month-to-month TPG valuations offer you an concept concerning the relative worth of some currencies. However TPG doesn’t present valuations for each forex. In any case, a lot of the worth is dependent upon the place and the way you intend to journey. Beneath are some concepts to get you began.
Associated: Why mile and level valuations don’t all the time rule my world
Finest Citi ThankYou switch companions
TPG values Citi ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every. This valuation relies on the worth obtained if you switch your factors to pick out companions. So, listed below are 5 of our favourite Citi ThankYou switch companions.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles is a well-liked forex for reserving flights on Star Alliance carriers with its combined cabin ticketing and low taxes and costs. Not like some frequent flyer applications, Avianca LifeMiles doesn’t cross alongside service surcharges.
Some hidden gems within the Avianca LifeMiles program embrace:
You may dig into LifeMiles companion redemption choices on the LifeMiles web site.
In the event you’re quick on LifeMiles after transferring from Citi, Avianca LifeMiles can also be a switch companion of American Specific Membership Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, Avianca ceaselessly presents the chance to buy LifeMiles at a reduced price.
Associated: The most effective web sites to seek for Star Alliance award availability
Singapore Airways KrisFlyer
Singapore Airways KrisFlyer is often your finest guess for those who’re trying to e book long-haul premium-cabin flights on Singapore Airways. If there’s saver award area, you may e book 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 often reductions routes every month by its Spontaneous Escapes program.
In the event you’re nonetheless quick on KrisFlyer miles after transferring from Citi ThankYou, it’s also possible to switch factors from American Specific Membership Rewards, Chase Final Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy.
Associated: A primary timer’s information to Singapore’s hawker facilities
Turkish Airways Miles & Smiles
There are a number of candy spots within the Turkish Airways Miles & Smiles program. Traditionally, solely hardcore factors and miles collectors would undergo the effort 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 if you use your miles to e book 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. Nonetheless, gasoline surcharges are excessive on some Miles & Smiles redemptions.
One other glorious strategy 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 the most effective Citi switch possibility 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.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership
Even after Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership abruptly devalued its Delta award chart, it could possibly nonetheless a terrific program for reserving sure Delta-operated flights to Europe. Specifically, you may e book flights on nonstop Delta-operated routes utilizing Virgin Atlantic miles that keep away from the U.Okay. (and people hefty gasoline surcharges):
- From 30,000 miles for financial system class from the U.S. to Europe (every means).
- From 50,000 miles for enterprise class from the U.S. to Europe (every means).
Alternatively, for those who’re trying to fly between the U.S. and Japan, Virgin Atlantic has a formidable 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 may see the complete award chart right here.
In the event you’re nonetheless quick on Flying Membership miles after transferring from Citi, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership can also be a switch companion of American Specific Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Final Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, Flying Membership typically presents the chance to buy miles at a reduced price.
Associated: 3 nice methods to redeem Virgin Atlantic factors now that Delta awards are devalued
Common Citi ThankYou switch companions
Though not fairly as robust because the 4 switch companions we simply mentioned, there’s nonetheless a very good little bit of worth within the following seven Citi ThankYou switch companions.
Aeromexico Membership Premier
Whereas Aeromexico Membership Premier has an award chart in idea, it makes use of dynamic pricing in apply. While you seek for a flight, you may discover a totally different value than what you see on the award chart.
Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll get good worth from Aeromexico for those who use your factors in the appropriate conditions.
Associated: What it’s worthwhile to learn about Aeromexico’s dynamic award pricing
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Flying Blue is a well-liked program that some may argue is without doubt one of the finest Citi switch companions.
Some redemptions are actually 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 gasoline surcharges that may be hefty on some routes.
One vivid spot is that Flying Blue presents month-to-month Promo Rewards on its web site, which provide reductions of as much as 50% on award tickets.
Associated: Flying Blue so as to add free stopovers: Here is why this might make your miles much more worthwhile
ALL Accor Reside Limitless
Accor has 54 manufacturers, together with in style names like Sotifel, Fairmont, Raffles and Movenpick. Its redemptions are easy — 2,000 factors are price 40 euros (round $43, based mostly on present change 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 usually is not the most effective switch companion.
Since 2,000 Accor factors are price 40 euros, you might decide to partially scale back the out-of-pocket price of an upcoming Accor keep, particularly for those who’re touring throughout peak journey occasions. On this sense, you are not worrying about restricted availability for normal rooms, which will be problematic with different resort loyalty applications.
When you have a restricted variety of Citi factors, Accor may very well be an possibility. In the event you switch 4,000 factors to a different Citi companion, that is not often sufficient for a redemption. Nonetheless, 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 steel and Oneworld companion awards. Lengthy-haul flights, reminiscent of these between the U.S. and Hong Kong, will be costly. Particularly, you may e book 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 gasoline surcharges from different carriers however not prices gasoline surcharges on a lot of its personal tickets. The Cathay Pacific Asia Miles reserving engine will be irritating and tough to decipher. However for those who can handle it, there will be worth in this system.
Associated: Asia Miles eliminates two award varieties, introduces Miles Plus Money bookings
Alternative Privileges
The majority of Alternative properties fall on the price range facet of the spectrum, however there are some hidden gems overseas. For instance, you will get a superb deal when reserving lodges in Japan and Northern Europe. This one-night keep on the Funken Lodge in Longyearbyen, Norway, prices simply 12,000 Alternative factors per night time. The identical keep retails for $357.69.
However that’s not the most effective half. Citi factors switch to Alternative at a 1:2 ratio, which 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 superb for Citi ThankYou Rewards.
After all, not all redemptions will yield that a lot worth. Right here within the States, most Alternative lodges fall into manufacturers like Econolodge, Clarion and Sleep Inn. These sometimes 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 methods to earn extra Alternative Privileges factors
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is maybe most helpful for reserving award tickets for Emirates enterprise class or firstclass. However its award costs are excessive. For instance, a one-way flight from JFK to Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB) in firstclass sometimes prices 138,000 miles and $838 in taxes and costs.
A extra viable possibility is to have a look at one of many service’s fifth freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe:
- Day by day service from New York-JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) on the Airbus A380.
- Day by day service from Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) to Athens Worldwide Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) on the Boeing 777-300ER.
These is usually a nice possibility, even after this yr’s devaluation. One-way award charges begin at 87,000 miles plus ~$100 in taxes and costs, but when you will discover round-trip, saver-level awards, your whole value drops to only 108,000 miles.
Associated: Finest methods to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for optimum worth
Etihad Visitor
Etihad Visitor was a unbelievable program for maximizing companion redemptions. Sadly, Etihad slashed all its candy spots and elevated award charges by over 300% on some routes. There are nonetheless just a few routes the place you may 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 presents decrease award charges for Etihad flights in comparison with Etihad Visitor. Nonetheless, American AAdvantage would not have 1:1 switch partnerships exterior of Bilt Rewards.
In the event you’re nonetheless quick on Etihad Visitor miles after transferring from Citi ThankYou, it’s also possible to switch factors from American Specific Membership Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. Etihad additionally periodically presents the chance to buy Etihad Visitor miles at a reduced price.
Associated: Your final information to looking award availability for the foremost airways
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas usually 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 proper award chart based mostly on the airways you intend to fly. Specifically, it’s possible you’ll discover some worth from quick Qantas-operated flights which might be costly when utilizing money.
Associated: Vacation spot unknown: Qantas to relaunch well-known ‘thriller flight’
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
Qatar’s loyalty program would not supply a ton of worth, however because the service’s swap to Avios as its forex, there are some causes to contemplate it as a switch companion.
For starters, it is the one Avios-accruing program to companion with Citi ThankYou Rewards. The others — British Airways Government Membership, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub — companion with different transferrable currencies however not Citi.
And since you may mix your Avios throughout all 4 of those applications, you may 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 below are just a few different redemptions that may be worthwhile:
- American Airways and Iberia: U.S. to Europe from 35,000 and 70,000 Avios in financial system and enterprise class every means.
- 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: Candy Spot Sunday: How you can e book Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives for simply 85,000 factors
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 night time. Not all properties are a very good deal, however you may typically discover bargains in costly cities, at high-end properties or over holidays and different peak journey occasions.
It’s also possible to use Wyndham Rewards factors to e book Vacasa trip leases. These leases price 15,000 factors per night time per bed room, so that you’ll get the most effective deal on studio and one-bedroom leases. All Vacasa properties are bookable with factors, however you will need to name to search out award area and e book.
Worst Citi ThankYou switch companions
Even a number of the least-valuable Citi ThankYou switch companions have vivid spots. Right here’s the lowdown on these applications, together with just a few areas to search for worth.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands usually gained’t be your program of selection. In any case, it’s usually overwhelmed by different applications and is somewhat obscure. However there are just a few notable circumstances during which you may need to use Infinity MileageLands.
One explicit 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 might 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 may see the award chart for Star Alliance awards right here and the award chart for EVA Air awards right here.
Associated: 7 causes EVA Air is probably the most neglected transpacific business-class possibility
JetBlue TrueBlue
Redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue factors for the service’s flights is straightforward: The extra a flight prices in money, the extra it should require in factors. In keeping with TPG’s valuations, you may 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 typically solely supplies about 1 cent per level.
An alternative choice is to redeem JetBlue factors for journey on Hawaiian Airways. 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 ceaselessly have low money charges. It’s also possible to e book long-haul worldwide Hawaiian Airways flights from Hawaii for 30,000 factors in financial system and 70,000 factors in enterprise.
Associated: How you can earn factors within the JetBlue TrueBlue program
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Regardless of some interesting intra-region award pricing, you gained’t discover a lot worth in Thai Royal Orchid Plus. Yow will discover the Thai award chart for originating in Bangkok right here, the Thai award chart for connecting in Bangkok right here and the Star Alliance companion award chart right here.
Associated: Citi Premier bank card evaluation: 60,000 bonus factors with worthwhile incomes charges
Backside line
As you may see, there are many choices for utilizing your Citi ThankYou factors to e book a visit. It is smart to work on incomes Citi ThankYou factors even for those who don’t know the way you need to spend them but. As soon as you understand the place you need to go, you may decide which switch companions present the most effective choices and worth in your journey.
Extra reporting by Kyle Olsen.
