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The way to maximize Citi ThankYou factors

Editor’s be aware: It is a recurring submit, commonly up to date with new info. Citi is a TPG promoting companion.


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 higher worth out of your factors. Particularly, you possibly can maximize your Citi ThankYou factors by transferring factors to this system’s airline and resort companions.

At present, 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 think about learn how to earn Citi ThankYou factors.

The way to earn Citi ThankYou factors

You possibly can 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 (now not accessible to functions) or Citi Premier. If you happen to solely have the Citi Rewards+ Card, you’ll earn extra restricted ThankYou factors that switch to JetBlue, Selection and Wyndham at poor ratios, and to not the opposite companions in any respect. Alternatively, you possibly can redeem factors for money again or journey by Citi.

If in case you have the Citi Double Money Card or the Citi Customized Money Card, you earn money again as “primary” ThankYou factors. When redeemed for reward playing cards, these are value a flat 1 cent every and can’t be transferred to most ThankYou journey companions.

Nevertheless, for those who additionally maintain the Citi Status or Citi Premier, you possibly can mix your primary ThankYou factors with these out of your Citi Status or Citi Premier account. Then, you possibly can 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

JOHN GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY

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 value $1,080.

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

Annual charge: $95.

Card advantages:

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Premier Card

Associated: 4 causes the Citi Premier Card ought to be in your brief checklist

Citi Rewards+ Card

JOHN GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY

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

Rewards charge: For a restricted time, earn 5 factors per greenback on motels, automobile 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 12 months, then 1 level per greenback); 1 level per greenback on every thing else. Additionally, Citi robotically rounds as much as the closest 10 factors on each buy.

Annual charge: None.

Card advantages: You’ll get 10% factors again for the primary 100,000 ThankYou Factors you redeem per calendar 12 months, together with factors earned on different playing cards for those who’ve linked your Citi ThankYou accounts.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Rewards+ Card

Associated: Who ought to get the Citi Rewards+ Card?

Citi Double Money Card

THE POINTS GUY

Signal-up bonus: None.

Rewards charge: 2% money again on purchases (1% once you purchase and 1% once you pay).

Annual charge: None.

Card advantages: No standout advantages.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Double Money Card

Associated: What credit score rating do you have to get the Citi Double Money Card?

Citi Customized Money Card

JOHN GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY

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 will likely be fulfilled as 20,000 factors, which will be redeemed for $200 money again.

Rewards charge: 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 a listing that features issues like eating, groceries and fuel stations; then 1% again (1 ThankYou level per greenback) on different purchases.

Annual charge: None.

Card advantages: No standout advantages.

Official utility hyperlink: Citi Customized Money Card

Associated: Versatile 5% cash-back: A overview of the Citi Customized Money bank card

Citi ThankYou switch companion overview

If in case you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, such because the Citi Status Card or Citi Premier Card, you possibly can switch factors to any ThankYou journey companion at a 1:1 ratio, besides Selection Privileges, the place you get a 1:2 charge.

Another Citi ThankYou playing cards earn primary ThankYou factors which can be solely transferable to 3 packages at decrease charges:

  • Selection 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, sign up 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 should be at the very 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 worthy. Our month-to-month TPG valuations provide you with an thought concerning the relative worth of some currencies. However TPG doesn’t present valuations for each foreign money. In any case, a lot of the worth depends upon the place and the way you propose to journey. Beneath are some concepts to get you began.

Associated: Why mile and level valuations don’t all the time rule my world

Greatest Citi ThankYou switch companions

TPG values Citi ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every. This valuation is predicated on the worth obtained once you switch your factors to pick out companions. So, listed here are 5 of our favourite Citi ThankYou switch companions.

Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles will be an effective way to e book awards on United-operated flights. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Avianca LifeMiles is a well-liked foreign money for reserving flights on Star Alliance carriers with its combined cabin ticketing and low taxes and charges. Not like some frequent flyer packages, Avianca LifeMiles doesn’t cross alongside provider surcharges.

Some hidden gems within the Avianca LifeMiles program embrace:

You possibly can dig into LifeMiles companion redemption choices on the LifeMiles web site.

If you happen to’re brief 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 incessantly provides the chance to buy LifeMiles at a reduced charge.

Associated: The most effective web sites to seek for Star Alliance award availability

Singapore Airways KrisFlyer

You should utilize KrisFlyer miles to e book Singapore Suites. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Singapore Airways KrisFlyer is normally your finest guess for those who’re seeking to e book long-haul premium-cabin flights on Singapore Airways. If there’s saver award area, you possibly can 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 normally reductions routes every month by its Spontaneous Escapes program.

If you happen to’re nonetheless brief 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

Turkish Miles&Smiles can present nice worth if you wish to fly to Hawaii. JAMES R.D. SCOTT/GETTY IMAGES

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 once 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. Nevertheless, gas surcharges are excessive on some Miles & Smiles redemptions.

One other wonderful method 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 regardless of the place you fly within the U.S., together with Hawaii. This makes Turkish the very best Citi switch possibility for many home flights and by far the most suitable choice for flights to Hawaii — although you may want to seek out saver-level awards with a purpose to make the most of this candy spot.

Associated: Devaluation after devaluation, 8 TPG staffers share their favourite award redemptions which can be nonetheless round

Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership

Your Virgin Atlantic factors can snag you a Delta One Suite. NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY

Even after Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership instantly devalued its Delta award chart, it will possibly nonetheless an excellent program for reserving sure Delta-operated flights to Europe. Particularly, you possibly can e book flights on nonstop Delta-operated routes utilizing Virgin Atlantic miles that keep away from the U.Ok. (and people hefty gas surcharges):

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

However, for those who’re seeking 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 first-class. You possibly can see the complete award chart right here.

If you happen to’re nonetheless brief 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 provides the chance to buy miles at a reduced charge.

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 little bit of worth within the following seven Citi ThankYou switch companions.

Aeromexico Membership Premier

NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY

Whereas Aeromexico Membership Premier has an award chart in idea, it makes use of dynamic pricing in observe. If you seek for a flight, you may discover a totally different worth 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 proper conditions.

Associated: What you have to find out about Aeromexico’s dynamic award pricing

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Flying Blue is a well-liked program that some may 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 gas surcharges that may be hefty on some routes.

One shiny spot is that Flying Blue provides 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: This is why this might make your miles much more useful

ALL Accor Stay Limitless

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

By transferring Citi factors to Accor at a 2:1 ratio, you may get simply over 1 cent per level, so Accor usually is not the very best switch companion.

Since 2,000 Accor factors are value 40 euros, you may 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 packages.

If in case you have a restricted variety of Citi factors, Accor could possibly be an possibility. If you happen to switch 4,000 factors to a different Citi companion, that is hardly ever 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 first-class. EMILY MCNUTT/THE POINTS GUY

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles makes use of distance-based award charts for flights by itself metallic and Oneworld companion awards. Lengthy-haul flights, akin to these between the U.S. and Hong Kong, will be costly. Particularly, you possibly can e book one-way “ultra-long” Cathay Pacific flights of seven,501 miles or longer for 125,000 Asia Miles in first-class, 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 gas surcharges from different carriers however now not expenses gas surcharges on lots 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 sorts, introduces Miles Plus Money bookings

Selection Privileges

JONATHAN WEISS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The majority of Selection properties fall on the finances facet of the spectrum, however there are some hidden gems overseas. For instance, you will get a superb deal when reserving motels in Japan and Northern Europe. This one-night keep on the Funken Lodge in Longyearbyen, Norway, prices simply 12,000 Selection factors per evening. The identical keep retails for $357.69.

CHOICEHOTELS.COM

However that’s not the very best half. Citi factors switch to Selection 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 superb for Citi ThankYou Rewards.

In fact, not all redemptions will yield that a lot worth. Right here within the States, most Selection motels fall into manufacturers like Econolodge, Clarion and Sleep Inn. These sometimes present much less worth because of 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 Selection Privileges factors

Emirates Skywards

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

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

A extra viable possibility is to have 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 is usually a nice possibility, even after this 12 months’s devaluation. One-way award charges begin at 87,000 miles plus ~$100 in taxes and charges, but when yow will discover round-trip, saver-level awards, your complete worth drops to simply 108,000 miles.

Associated: Greatest methods to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for optimum worth

Etihad Visitor

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

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 possibly can 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 value 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.

If you happen to’re nonetheless brief 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 provides the chance to buy Etihad Visitor miles at a reduced charge.

Associated: Your final information to looking out award availability for the most important airways

Qantas Frequent Flyer

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Qantas usually is not probably the most profitable loyalty program with its excessive gas 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 based mostly on the airways you propose to fly. Particularly, it’s possible you’ll discover some worth from brief Qantas-operated flights which can be costly when utilizing money.

Associated: Vacation spot unknown: Qantas to relaunch well-known ‘thriller flight’

Qatar Airways Privilege Membership

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Qatar’s loyalty program would not supply a ton of worth, however because the provider’s change to Avios as its foreign money, 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 Govt Membership, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub — companion with different transferrable currencies however not Citi.

And since you possibly can mix your Avios throughout all 4 of those packages, you possibly can switch ThankYou factors to Qatar after which make the most of candy spots in different packages — 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 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 manner.
  • Qatar Airways: Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH) to Europe from 64,500 Avios in first-class 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: The way to e book Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives for simply 85,000 factors

Wyndham Rewards

TOBIAS ARHELGER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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 deal, however you possibly can typically discover bargains in costly cities, at high-end properties or over holidays and different peak journey occasions.

You too can use Wyndham Rewards factors to e book Vacasa trip leases. These leases price 15,000 factors per evening per bed room, so that you’ll get the very best deal on studio and one-bedroom leases. All Vacasa properties are bookable with factors, however you will need to name to seek out award area and e book.

Associated: I redeemed factors for a house rental in a manner you’ve most likely by no means heard of — right 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 packages, together with just a few areas to search for worth.

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands

It’s possible you’ll get a pleasant island-hopper journey out of EVA Air Infinity MileageLands. JT GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands usually gained’t be your program of alternative. In any case, it’s usually crushed by different packages and is moderately obscure. However there are just a few notable instances through which you may 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 may 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 right here and the award chart for EVA Air awards right here.

Associated: 7 causes EVA Air is probably the most ignored transpacific business-class possibility

JetBlue TrueBlue

You should utilize JetBlue factors to fly Hawaiian Airways. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue factors for the provider’s flights is straightforward: The extra a flight prices in money, the extra it should require in factors. Based on TPG’s valuations, you possibly can anticipate to get roughly 1.3 cents of worth for each TrueBlue level you redeem. However some flights might yield barely higher or worse worth. Particularly, redeeming for Mint award tickets usually solely offers 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 incessantly have low money charges. You too can e book long-haul worldwide Hawaiian Airways flights from Hawaii for 30,000 factors in financial system and 70,000 factors in enterprise.

Associated: The way to earn factors within the JetBlue TrueBlue program

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

Thai Airways A350 enterprise class. (Photograph by Javier Rodriguez/The Factors Man)

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 overview: 60,000 bonus factors with useful incomes charges

Backside line

As you possibly can 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 understand how you need to spend them but. As soon as you realize the place you need to go, you possibly can decide which switch companions present the very best choices and worth to your journey.

Extra reporting by Kyle Olsen.

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