Many savvy credit card holders who earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points often consider redeeming them for gift cards or travel bookings through the Citi travel portal. However, if you hold a premium Citi ThankYou card, such as the Citi Strata Premier Card, unlocking the value of Citi Premier Transfer Partners can significantly enhance your rewards and travel experiences.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Citi transfer partners, exploring how you can earn ThankYou points eligible for transfer and, more importantly, how to strategically utilize these partnerships to maximize your point value and travel aspirations.
Unlocking Transferable Points with Citi Premier and Premium Cards
Earning Citi ThankYou points is the first step toward leveraging transfer partners. Citi offers a range of Citi credit cards that accumulate these valuable points, including popular options like the Citi Strata Premier Card.
It’s crucial to understand that not all ThankYou points are created equal when it comes to transfers. To access the extensive network of Citi transfer partners discussed in this guide, you generally need to hold a premium Citi ThankYou card. Historically, this included the Citi Prestige Card (no longer available for new applications), and currently, the Citi Strata Premier Card stands as a primary gateway to these enhanced redemption options.
Cards like the Citi Rewards+ Card earn a more restricted type of ThankYou points, limiting transfers to only JetBlue TrueBlue, Choice Privileges, and Wyndham Rewards. Similarly, the Citi Double Cash Card and Citi Custom Cash Card earn cash back in the form of “basic” ThankYou points, which are not directly transferable to partner programs. The information for the Citi Custom Cash and 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.
However, there’s a strategic workaround: If you possess a Citi Strata Premier Card (or former Citi Prestige Card) in conjunction with cards like the Citi Double Cash or Citi Custom Cash, you can combine your limited and basic ThankYou points with your premium card account. This consolidation unlocks the ability to transfer all your combined ThankYou points to the full spectrum of Citi transfer partners, maximizing your redemption flexibility.
Your Gateway to Global Travel: Citi Transfer Partner Programs
The Citi ThankYou Rewards program boasts a diverse portfolio of 19 transfer partners, providing access to a wide array of travel options. This network includes:
- 14 Airline Loyalty Programs: Covering major alliances and regional carriers, offering flights across the globe.
- 4 Hotel Loyalty Programs: Spanning various hotel brands from budget-friendly to luxury, catering to different travel styles.
- 1 Retail Loyalty Program: Providing alternative redemption options, although generally less valuable for travel enthusiasts.
Image alt text: Daily newsletter signup banner for travel rewards and deals.
Here’s a detailed overview of the Citi transfer partners and their respective point transfer ratios:
| Partner Program | Type | Transfer Ratio (Citi : Partner) |
|---|---|---|
| Accor Live Limitless | Hotel | 2:1 |
| Aeromexico Rewards | Airline | 1:1 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | Airline | 1:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Airline | 1:1 |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Airline | 1:1 |
| Choice Privileges | Hotel | 1:2 (or 2:3 for limited points) |
| Emirates Skywards | Airline | 1:1 |
| Etihad Guest | Airline | 1:1 |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | Airline | 1:1 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | Airline | 1:1 (or 5:4 for limited points) |
| Leaders Club | Hotel | 5:1 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | Airline | 1:1 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | Airline | 1:1 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | Airline | 1:1 |
| Shop Your Way | Retail | 1:10 |
| Thai Royal Orchid Plus | Airline | 1:1 |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | Airline | 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Airline | 1:1 |
| Wyndham Rewards | Hotel | 1:1 (or 5:4 for limited points) |
Keep an eye out for occasional transfer bonuses, where Citi may offer improved transfer ratios to select partners for a limited time, further boosting the value of your points. You can stay updated on these promotions through travel rewards news outlets.
Initiating a Point Transfer:
To transfer your Citi ThankYou points, navigate to thankyou.com and log in to your account. Ensure you select the correct ThankYou account if you have multiple. Then, locate the “Travel” section in the top navigation menu and choose “Points transfer.”
Important transfer guidelines to note:
- Minimum transfer amount: 1,000 ThankYou points.
- Maximum transfer amount: 500,000 ThankYou points.
- Transfer increments: Points must be transferred in multiples of 1,000.
Processing times for transfers can vary depending on the partner program. While Citi states that transfers may take up to 14 days, real-world data often shows much faster processing times. For detailed insights, resources are available online that track Citi ThankYou point transfer times to various partners.
In the following sections, we will explore each Citi transfer partner in detail, evaluating their potential value and ideal use cases to help you make informed decisions about maximizing your Citi ThankYou points.
Related: Maximizing Your Points: The Best Ways to Redeem Citi ThankYou Points
Hotel Transfer Partners: Expanding Your Accommodation Options
Citi ThankYou points offer partnerships with four distinct hotel loyalty programs, each with its unique strengths and redemption opportunities:
Accor Live Limitless: Global Hotel Variety
Accor Live Limitless encompasses a vast portfolio of 53 brands worldwide, ranging from budget-conscious options to luxury experiences. Notable brands within the Accor family include Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, and Mövenpick.
Accor’s point redemption system is straightforward: 2,000 points equate to 40 euros (approximately $44 USD) based on current exchange rates. This translates to a fixed value of roughly 2.2 cents per Accor point.
However, the Citi ThankYou transfer ratio to Accor is 2:1. This means for every two Citi points you transfer, you receive one Accor point. Consequently, transferring Citi points to Accor yields a value of just over 1 cent per Citi point, which is lower than TPG’s valuation of Citi points at 1.8 cents each.
Despite the lower transfer value, Accor Live Limitless can still be a viable option if you have a smaller balance of Citi points and seek slightly better value than redeeming through the Citi travel portal for hotels.
Choice Privileges: Budget-Friendly and Hidden Gems
Image alt text: Exterior view of Cambria Hotel Copper Mountain, a Choice Hotel brand, showcasing modern architecture and mountain scenery.
Choice Privileges significantly expanded its reach by integrating Radisson Rewards Americas in mid-2023. This integration allows you to book hotels across the combined portfolio, including legacy Radisson brands, through the Choice Privileges program.
Award night redemptions at most Choice properties globally range from 6,000 to 35,000 points per night.
The favorable Citi transfer ratio to Choice Privileges is 1:2 (or even 2:3 for points earned on limited ThankYou cards). This high ratio makes it easier to accumulate points quickly for Choice redemptions.
To maximize your Choice points, explore resources on Choice Hotels Sweet Spot Rewards and discover unique ways to redeem Choice points, including leveraging their diverse brand portfolio and geographic reach.
Related: Enhance Your Stays: Register for Choice Hotels Your Extras to earn gift cards or perks on weekday stays
Leaders Club: Luxury Independent Hotels
Leaders Club, the loyalty program for The Leading Hotels of the World, is the newest addition to Citi’s transfer partner network. This program focuses on luxury, independent hotels around the globe.
Leaders Club utilizes dynamic award pricing, meaning point values can fluctuate. However, typical redemptions often yield between 6 and 8 cents per Leaders Club point.
Considering the Citi transfer ratio to Leaders Club is 5:1, transferring Citi points to this program generally results in a value between 1.2 and 1.6 cents per Citi point. This is still slightly below TPG’s 1.8 cents valuation, but it can be advantageous for stays at high-end LHW properties.
When considering redeeming Citi points for LHW stays, compare the value of transferring to Leaders Club versus booking through the Citi travel portal. In most cases, transferring points to Leaders Club will offer better value, but always calculate the specific redemption to confirm.
Wyndham Rewards: Fixed-Rate Redemptions and Vacation Options
Wyndham Rewards stands out with its simplified award chart. Award nights are priced at a fixed rate of 7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points per night, depending on the specific property.
While not every Wyndham property represents exceptional value, you can often find valuable redemptions, particularly in expensive cities, at upscale hotels within the Wyndham portfolio, or during peak travel periods when cash prices are inflated.
Beyond standard hotel stays, Wyndham points can also be redeemed for stays at Wyndham vacation club resorts, Caesars Rewards properties, and Vacasa vacation rentals, providing diverse accommodation options.
Related: Top Tier Stays: The 12 Best Wyndham Hotels in the World
Airline Transfer Partners: Reach the Skies with Citi Points
Citi ThankYou Rewards partners with an extensive network of 14 airline loyalty programs, offering access to flights across various alliances and global destinations. Let’s explore some key airline partners and their potential value:
Aeromexico Rewards: Flights within the Americas
Image alt text: Aeromexico 787-9 Dreamliner business class cabin interior, showcasing angled flat-bed seats and cabin ambiance.
Aeromexico Rewards program offers both a classic award chart with limited availability and dynamic pricing for most award tickets on Aeromexico, Delta, KLM, and Air France.
Dynamic pricing fluctuates based on demand, availability, destination, and class of service. Generally, redemption rates through dynamic pricing are not particularly compelling. Additionally, Aeromexico levies an award booking fee of 365 Mexican pesos (approximately $22 USD) even for online bookings.
While niche opportunities for good value may exist, Aeromexico Rewards is generally not considered one of the most valuable Citi transfer partners for most travelers.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue: European Gateway and Promo Rewards
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a popular program often cited as one of the best Citi transfer partners for flights to Europe and beyond. However, it’s important to be aware that Flying Blue utilizes dynamic award pricing and may impose fuel surcharges on certain routes.
In late 2023, Flying Blue standardized saver-level redemption prices to Europe, providing more predictable award costs for these routes. Significant value can be found through monthly Flying Blue Promo Rewards [https://thepointsguy.com/deals/flying-blue-special-promo-rewards/], offering discounted award flights, and by leveraging Flying Blue stopovers to maximize your itineraries.
Utilize Flying Blue’s calendar search tool to efficiently identify cheaper award tickets based on date flexibility.
Related: Unlock Savings: How to Find the Cheapest Redemption Rates Using Flying Blue Miles
Avianca LifeMiles: Star Alliance Access and Sweet Spots
Image alt text: Avianca 787 Dreamliner business class seat, showcasing lie-flat configuration, personal entertainment screen, and cabin details.
Avianca LifeMiles is a favored currency for booking flights on Star Alliance carriers, thanks to its features like mixed-cabin ticketing and generally low taxes and fees on award tickets. Notably, LifeMiles typically does not pass along carrier surcharges on award bookings.
While Avianca LifeMiles increased award costs to Asia in late 2022, several valuable sweet spots remain:
- Lufthansa Business Class to Europe: One-way for 63,000 miles.
- United Airlines Domestic Economy Awards: One-way awards within the U.S. for as low as 6,500 miles.
You can also often find reasonably priced Avianca-operated award flights within the Americas.
Related: Star Alliance Award Search: The Best Websites to Find Availability
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Oneworld Gateway to Asia
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles utilizes distance-based award charts for flights on Cathay Pacific and Oneworld partner airlines. Long-haul flights, such as those between the U.S. and Hong Kong, can be expensive in terms of miles.
For example, “ultra-long” Cathay Pacific flights exceeding 7,501 miles can cost 160,000 Asia Miles in first class, 110,000 in business class, 75,000 in premium economy, and 38,000 in economy for one-way travel.
Asia Miles does pass on fees and surcharges from partner carriers and often imposes significant fees on its own flights. Despite award chart increases in late 2023, Asia Miles can still present valuable redemption opportunities in specific situations.
Related: Award Redemption Tools: Top 10 Apps and Websites for Easier Travel Booking
Emirates Skywards: Premium Cabin Experiences and Fifth-Freedom Routes
Emirates Skywards is particularly appealing for those seeking to experience Emirates’ renowned business-class or first-class products. However, award prices are generally high. For instance, a one-way business-class flight from New York to Dubai can cost 138,000 miles plus substantial taxes and fees (around $839).
Image alt text: Emirates A380 onboard business class lounge and bar area, featuring stylish seating, illuminated bar, and social atmosphere.
A potentially more accessible option is to explore 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 approximately $106 in taxes and fees. Round-trip saver-level awards on this route can reduce the total cost to 108,000 miles plus around $248 in fees.
Related: Luxury in the Air: The Complete Guide to the Emirates A380 Onboard Bar and Lounge
Etihad Guest: Partner Redemptions and Evolving Value
Etihad Guest once offered exceptional value for partner redemptions. Unfortunately, significant award chart devaluations in 2023 diminished many of its previous sweet spots, with some routes experiencing award rate increases exceeding 300%.
Further changes to Etihad Guest are underway, including reduced GuestSeat award prices and the intriguing option to redeem miles for upgrades to The Residence on select A380 flights [https://thepointsguy.com/news/etihad-a380-new-york-residence/].
However, Etihad Guest award rates tend to be elevated, and published award charts may only reflect introductory rates, with actual booking costs often being considerably higher.
Related: Award Availability Mastery: Your Ultimate Guide to Searching for Major Airlines
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: Niche Opportunities and Regional Awards
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands is generally not the most straightforward program and is often outperformed by other options. However, specific niche scenarios may warrant its consideration.
One area to explore is intra-region round-trip itineraries. Infinity MileageLands permits up to two stopovers, up to six flight segments, and one open jaw on round-trip Star Alliance awards. Some defined regions are quite broad. For example, the “North Asia” region includes Guam, Japan, Micronesia, Palau, Russian Far East, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, and Saipan. This allows for constructing complex itineraries, such as island-hopping trips, for potentially reasonable mileage costs (e.g., 30,000 miles round-trip in economy within North Asia). Similar regional sweet spots may exist in the “South West Pacific” and “South America” regions.
Refer to the award chart for Star Alliance awards and the award chart for EVA Air awards for detailed mileage requirements.
Related: EVA Air Business Class Review: Is the Boeing 787-10 Experience Worth It?
JetBlue TrueBlue: Simple Redemptions and Hawaiian Airlines
Image alt text: JetBlue Mint Studio premium cabin seat, showcasing spacious layout, reclined seating, and modern design elements.
JetBlue TrueBlue offers a straightforward redemption model: point values are directly linked to cash prices. Higher cash fares translate to higher point redemption costs. Generally, you can expect to achieve around 1.4 cents per TrueBlue point in value, according to TPG valuations, although this can fluctuate slightly.
Another redemption option is to redeem JetBlue points for travel on Hawaiian Airlines. Nonstop, one-way intra-Hawaii economy flights can often be booked for 7,500 points plus a nominal $5.60 fee. However, consider that paid fares on these routes are frequently inexpensive, diminishing the relative value of point redemptions in some cases.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Distance-Based Awards and Specific Niches
Qantas Frequent Flyer is generally not the most lucrative program due to factors like high fuel surcharges and less competitive award charts in many scenarios. The program utilizes multiple distance-based award charts, requiring careful selection of the correct chart based on the operating airlines.
However, specific sweet spots exist, including:
- Short, Qantas-operated domestic flights within Australia.
- Around-the-world Oneworld award tickets (complex routings, but potentially high value).
- Transatlantic business-class awards on American Airlines.
- Short-haul American Airlines flights within North America.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Avios Integration and Partner Access
Image alt text: Qatar Airways Qsuite business class cabin, featuring enclosed suites with privacy doors, lie-flat beds, and luxurious finishes.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club gained significant attention when it adopted Avios as its loyalty currency in 2022. It is currently the only Avios-accruing program that partners with Citi ThankYou Rewards.
The key advantage of this partnership is the ability to combine Avios across different programs that utilize Avios. This allows you to transfer Citi points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and then leverage those Avios to book sweet spot redemptions within the British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub programs.
Related: Early Bird Advantage: How to Book Qatar Qsuites Before Anyone Else
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Suites Class and Spontaneous Escapes
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is often the premier program for booking Singapore Airlines’ coveted Suites class using points and miles [https://thepointsguy.com/guide/the-best-ways-to-book-singapore-airlines-first-class/].
Award availability in Suites class is often limited to “Advantage” award levels, which can be expensive (e.g., 243,000 miles one-way for New York to Singapore nonstop). Business-class awards on the same route range from 111,500 miles (Saver) to 143,500 miles (Advantage) one-way. If your desired award is not immediately available, Singapore Airlines offers a waitlist option.
For more accessible redemptions, explore the monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes [https://thepointsguy.com/news/singapore-krisflyer-spontaneous-escapes/] program, which offers discounted award flights on select routes.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: Limited Value and Regional Focus
Thai Royal Orchid Plus generally offers limited value compared to other Star Alliance programs. While some decent intra-region award pricing may exist, it’s not typically a program to prioritize for Citi ThankYou point transfers.
Refer to the Thai Airways award charts for flights originating in Bangkok [https://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/rop/Redeeming/New-structure-THAI-Air-Awards2-2.page], connecting in Bangkok [https://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/rop/Redeeming/To-From-Thailand2-2.page], and for Star Alliance partner awards [https://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/rop/Redeeming/Redeeming_Award-Air_Awards_StarAlliance.page?].
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: Domestic Sweet Spots and Devaluation Considerations
Image alt text: Turkish Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner business class cabin, featuring modern seats, overhead bins, and cabin lighting.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles has been a popular program among award travelers. However, a recent award chart devaluation has impacted its overall value proposition.
Despite the devaluation, some valuable redemptions remain, particularly for flights operated by Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners. Miles&Smiles uses region-based award charts, with one-way awards bookable for half the price of round-trip awards. Be mindful of potentially high fuel surcharges on certain Miles&Smiles redemptions.
A notable sweet spot within Miles&Smiles is for domestic flights operated by partner airlines. This can be leveraged in countries with Star Alliance hubs. For example, domestic United Airlines flights within the U.S. (including Hawaii) can be booked for 10,000 miles one-way in economy or 15,000 miles in business class.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Delta Redemptions and Evolving Value
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has historically been favored for award travelers, but the program has undergone changes that have removed some of its most prominent sweet spots in recent years.
In 2021, Virgin Atlantic significantly reduced value for Delta sweet spots. In 2023, further devaluations impacted ANA first-class redemptions and Delta flights outside of Europe and the UK.
Despite these changes, value can still be found, particularly by exploring Virgin Atlantic Flying Club partners. For example, Delta Main Cabin flights between the U.S. and the U.K. during standard season dates can start at 15,000 Virgin points each way. Also, monitor Virgin Atlantic Promo Rewards for discounted award flight opportunities.
Related: Unlock Delta Awards: How to Book Delta Flights with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points
Retail Transfer Partner: Shop Your Way – Generally Avoid
Shop Your Way is a retail rewards program. Redemption options are only visible once you accrue a sufficient point balance. According to their website [https://help.shopyourway.com/hc/en-us/articles/4426873397773-All-About-Your-Points], 1,000 Shop Your Way points are worth $1 toward gift cards.
Citi ThankYou points transfer to Shop Your Way at a dismal 1:10 ratio. This means you receive approximately 1 cent per Citi point if transferred to Shop Your Way. Given that you can already redeem Citi points for statement credits or checks at a value of 1 cent per point, there is virtually no compelling reason to transfer your valuable Citi points to Shop Your Way. This transfer option should generally be avoided.
Bottom Line: Strategic Transfers Maximize Citi Point Value
As this guide demonstrates, Citi ThankYou Rewards offers a diverse and valuable network of transfer partners. Earning Citi ThankYou points, especially with premium cards like the Citi Strata Premier, can be highly rewarding even if your immediate travel plans are not finalized.
The key to maximizing your Citi points lies in strategic transfers. Once you have a destination and travel style in mind, carefully evaluate the Citi transfer partners to identify programs that offer the most advantageous redemption options and value for your specific trip. By understanding the nuances of each partner program and potential sweet spots, you can unlock exceptional travel experiences and stretch your Citi ThankYou points further than ever before.
