Earning and Utilizing Citi ThankYou Points: A Guide
Citi ThankYou points, the rewards currency offered by Citi, can provide significant value for savvy credit card users. The worth of these points varies significantly depending on the card you have and the redemption method you choose.
Earning Citi ThankYou Points
Eligible Citi credit card holders can collect ThankYou points on purchases made with their qualifying card. For instance, the Citi Prestige card offers 5 ThankYou points per dollar spent on dining out and air travel purchases, while the AT&T Points Plus Card awards 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and 3 points per dollar at gas stations and EV charging stations.
Redemption Options
Redemption options for ThankYou points vary depending on the specific Citi card. Typically, points can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, travel bookings via Citi Travel portal, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
- Cash back, statement credits, and gift cards: Typically worth about 1 cent per point. Some cards like Citi Double Cash or Citi Custom Cash allow fixed 1 cent per point cash-back redemption; others get about 0.5 cents per point for cash back.
- Travel bookings via Citi Travel portal: Usually about 1 cent per point value on flights, hotels, car rentals, and attractions.
- Transfer to airline and hotel partners: This is where you get the highest value. Transferring points to partners (e.g., Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc.) can yield values from 2 cents up to more than 10 cents per point for premium cabin redemptions on rare high-value awards.
Value by Card and Earning Rates
Some cards offer enhanced earning on travel booked via Citi Travel (up to 12x points per $1 spent) or on supermarkets, restaurants, gas, transit, or select categories with 2x, 3x, or 5x points.
The Citi Strata Premier® Card allows earning fully transferable ThankYou points that can be transferred to multiple airline partners at 1:1, unlocking the lucrative transfer values. Other cards like the Double Cash or Custom Cash primarily focus on fixed-value cash-back redemptions at 1 cent per point.
Transfer Ratios and Partners
Transfer ratios for Citi's partners can vary, with JetBlue offering a ratio of 1:1 for some cards and 1:0.7 for others. Point values can range widely, depending on the Citi card. For example, Aeromexico offers a transfer ratio of 1:1 or 1:0.7 for Citi ThankYou points.
Maximizing Value
To maximize value, holding a Citi card that allows transfers (like Citi Strata Premier) and redeeming points via travel partners is best. For simpler redemptions, expect around 1 cent per point on gift cards, cash back, or travel booked through Citi's portal.
In summary, Citi ThankYou points offer a versatile rewards system with varying values based on the card and redemption method. By understanding the earning and redemption structure of each card, you can make informed decisions to maximize your rewards and travel experiences.
[1] Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/citi-thankyou-points/ [2] Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/citi-thankyou-transfer-partners/ [3] Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/citi-thankyou-transfer-ratios/ [4] Source: https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/citi-thankyou-points-transfer-partners-2021/ [5] Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi/citi-thankyou-points
- Comparing different Citi credit cards reveals significant differences in the value of ThankYou points, with cards like the Citi Prestige offering higher deals on dining and travel purchases, while others, such as the Citi Double Cash and Custom Cash, focus on fixed-value cash-back redemptions.
- In business finance, the redemption method for Citi ThankYou points plays a crucial role in the points' value; while cash back, statement credits, and gift cards typically offer 1 cent per point, transferring points to airline and hotel partners can yield values as high as more than 10 cents per point for premium cabin redemptions.
- For dealing with savings and maximizing the value of Citi ThankYou points, it's recommended to use a credit app like the Citi Strata Premier, which allows points to be transferred to various airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, providing lucrative transfer values and optimizing travel experiences.
