Citi ThankYou Points

Posted on 11 Nov, 2023 - Est. mins read

Citi ThankYou is a versatile rewards program linked with select Citi credit cards that can help you save on travel, earn cash back, or enjoy various other benefits. 

ThankYou Points are valuable rewards currency with multiple avenues of earning and redeeming points. You can also move points to several transfer partners for potentially higher value. 

Citi offers a diverse range of rewards credit cards. While not all Citi credit cards grant access to the valuable ThankYou Rewards program, four of them have enticing welcome offers and generous reward structures like the Citi Premier Card and the Citi Rewards+ Card. There’s likely a Citi card in the lineup that suits your needs.

Let’s delve into the program, exploring each card that offers ThankYou Rewards points and how you can make the most of these valuable rewards. 

We’ll explore what Citi ThankYou Points are, how much they are worth, ways to earn them, and how this points program might be a good rewards option for your wallet.

 

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What are Citi ThankYou Points?

Citi ThankYou Points are a rewards currency offered by Citibank, one of the largest financial institutions in the world. 

These reward points can be accumulated through various activities, including credit card spending, and are redeemable for a range of rewards, including travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.

They represent a world of possibilities, allowing cardholders to unlock many benefits. 

Whether you’re an avid traveler seeking to book flights and hotels, a savvy shopper looking to score deals, or someone who simply wants to make the most of everyday expenses, Citi ThankYou Points offers flexible rewards tailored to your preferences and priorities.

 

How much are Citi ThankYou points worth?

The value of Citi ThankYou Points can vary based on how you redeem them. On average, their value is estimated at around 1 cent per point. However, this can change depending on the redemption option you choose.

Redemption Option Value per Point

Book Travel via Citi Portal

1 cent per point

Buy Gift Cards

1 cent per point (may vary by brand)

Shop with Points

Up to 1 cent per point (value varies)

Cash Back

1 cent per point

Donate to Charities

1 cent per point

Transfer to Partners like Airlines or Hotels

1 : 1 (value varies based on partner and redemption)

 

Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners

One of the best ways to use Citi ThankYou Points is by transferring them to one of the many partner loyalty programs, as your points can be even more valuable. 

Citi ThankYou Points members enjoy access to a network of 19 partners in the airline, hotel, and retail sectors for point transfers. 

Typically, these points transfer at a 1-to-1 ratio. However, the specific transfer ratios may vary depending on the Citi ThankYou Points card.

  1. Airline Transfer Partners

    Citi has a total of 14 airline transfer partners, such as American AAdvantage, JetBlue, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Avianca LifeMiles.

    You can transfer your ThankYou Points to these programs to book flights, with valuable redemption options as well as upgrades to domestic and international first-class and business-class flights.

    Airline Transfer ratio (Points : Airline Partner)

    Avianca Lifemiles

    1 : 1

    Etihad Guest

    1 : 1

    Singapore Airlines Krisflyer

    1 : 1

    Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

    1 : 1

    American Airlines

    1 : 1

    Cathay Pacific

    1 : 1

    Qantas Frequent Flyer

    1 : 1

    Emirates Skywards

    1 : 1

    JetBlue Airways

    1 : 1

  2. Hotel Transfer Partners

    The Citi ThankYou Rewards program also has 4 hotel transfer partners, including Wyndham Rewards and Choice Privileges.

    This allows you to convert your ThankYou Points into hotel loyalty points for free hotel stays, room upgrades, etc., at hotel brands like Ramada, Super 8, Clarion, Comfort Inn, La Quinta, Howard Johnson, and more.

    Hotel Transfer ratio (Points : Hotel Partner)

    Choice Privileges

    1 : 2 OR 1 : 1.5

    ALL- Accor Live Limitless

    2 : 1

    Wyndham Rewards

    1 : 1 OR 1 : 0.8

    Leaders Club

    5 : 1

  3. Retail Transfer Partners

    Shop Your Way is the only Retail transfer partner the Citi rewards program has! You can convert your Citi points into Shop Your Way points at a generous 1:10 ratio, every 1 Citi ThankYou point into 10 Shop Your Way points.

    These Shop Your Way points can be exchanged for gift cards at over 100 well-known retail brands, including Amazon, Walmart, Sears, Kmart, and Best Buy.

 

How to earn Citi ThankYou points?

Citi offers various options for customers to earn ThankYou Points. Let’s explore them in detail.

  1. Citi Credit Cards

    They are a primary means of earning ThankYou Points with ease.

    Many Citi credit cards offer ThankYou Points for various spending categories, such as the Citi Premier Card provides extra points for dining and travel expenses.

    You can start by leveraging welcome bonuses offered by rewards credit cards to maximize your points. Additionally, Citi cards provide category bonuses for extra points on eligible purchases, so keep an eye out for bonus points on top of everyday expenses.

  2. Airline Transfer Partners

    Select Citi credit cards offer bonus points when booking flights with the airline transfer partners.

    For example, the Citi Prestige Card grants bonus points for air travel expenses and a $250 air travel credit, making it a lucrative choice for frequent flyers.

  3. Transfer points between accounts

    Citi ThankYou Rewards participants have the flexibility to transfer their points to their family possessing a Citi ThankYou Points account.

    This serves as a valuable option for individuals like spouses, family members, and friends who wish to pool their points for more significant redemptions. 

    Each member can send and receive up to 100,000 points within a calendar year, and the process incurs no fees when transferring points to eligible recipients.

    This sharing feature extends to most Citi ThankYou Points members except Citi Custom Cash Card customers.

  4. Book travel through the Citi portal

    Booking travel through the Citi portal is a smart strategy to boost your Citi ThankYou Points balance.

    Many Citi credit cards offer bonus points when you use the portal to reserve flights, hotels, and more.

    It means you can earn extra rewards on your travel expenses, enhancing the value of your card membership.

  5. Adding Authorized Users

    Citi occasionally provides cardholders bonus points when they add authorized users to their accounts.

    Such offers usually come with specific spending requirements, making it essential to review the associated terms and conditions. 

    It’s worth noting that Citi doesn’t have restrictions on the age of added authorized users.

    These individuals can access the primary account holder’s credit line and make purchases, without being financially liable for bill payments.

 

Best Credit Cards for earning Citi ThankYou points

Among the top credit cards for earning Citi ThankYou Points are the following four personal credit cards.

Each of these provides unique benefits and reward structures to cater to various spending habits and travel preferences.

  1. Citi Premier Credit Card

    The Citi Premier Card offers a substantial 60,000 bonus points, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

    It rewards your everyday spending with just $95 annual fee, offering 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, with 1X points on all other purchases. 

    The card gets even better with 10x points on hotel and car rental bookings through the Citi Travel portal (6/30/2024).

    You also enjoy a $100 discount on a single hotel stay, no foreign transaction fees, and $0 liability on unauthorized charges. There’s no limit on the points you can earn, and your points don’t expire.

  2. Citi Rewards+ Card

    The Citi Rewards+ Credit Card comes with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. You can earn 20,000 points as a welcome bonus, redeemable for $200 in gift cards or travel rewards.

    With this no-annual-fee card, you’ll earn 2 ThankYou Points per $1 at supermarkets and gas stations and 1 point on all other purchases.

    It offers 5 ThankYou Points spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal (June 30, 2024).

    The unique feature of automatically rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase ensures you accumulate points faster.

    Plus, when you redeem points, you get 10% back up to the first 100,000 points redeemed annually.

  3. Citi Custom Cash Card

    The Citi Custom Cash Card has a sign-up bonus of $200 cash reward. With no annual fee and $0 liability on unauthorized charges, it’s a secure and cost-effective choice.

    What truly sets this card apart is the 5% cash back category that adapts to your spending habits, followed by 1% cash back on all other purchases.

    You can choose from several eligible categories like restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, travel, transit, streaming services, etc. Cashback is earned in the form of ThankYou Points.

    It also provides free access to your FICO® Score, 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both purchases & balance transfers, and Citi Entertainment.

  4. Citi Double Cash Credit Card

    The Citi Double Cash Card simplifies cash back rewards with a flat 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay for it).

    There are no category restrictions, ensuring effortless earning without any hassle. The beauty of this card lies in its flexibility; you can earn an unlimited amount of cashback.

    Cashback is earned as ThankYou Points, offering versatile redemption options, including statement credits, gift cards, travel, or shopping with points at Amazon.com.

    It also has added perks like 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, no annual fee, Citi Entertainment, and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.

Credit card
Uthrive rating
Intro offer Rewards rate Annual fee Learn more
card_name
card_name

Terms Apply

Rating

4.4/5
Top-Tier Travel Credit Card

Intro Offer

bonus_miles

Reward Rates

1x - 3x points per dollar

Annual Fees

annual_fees

card_name
card_name

Terms Apply

Rating

4.4/5
-

Intro Offer

bonus_miles

Reward Rates

1x - 5x ThankYou points

Annual Fees

annual_fees

annual_fees
annual_fees

Terms Apply

Rating

4.5/5
-

Intro Offer

bonus_miles

Reward Rates

1% - 5% casah back

Annual Fees

annual_fees

card_name
card_name

Terms Apply

Rating

4.5/5
Popular Everyday Cash Back Card

Intro Offer

bonus_miles

Reward Rates

Earn 2% on every purchase

Annual Fees

annual_fees

 

How to use Citi ThankYou points?

ThankYou Rewards members have numerous options when redeeming points. These include travel, gift cards, cash, shopping, and charitable donations.\

  1. Transfer ThankYou Points to Travel Partners:

    One of the most rewarding ways to utilize ThankYou Points is by transferring them to travel partners- hotels and airlines. 

    It enables you to access premium flights and accommodations, often providing higher-value redemptions. Typically, you must hold either the Citi Prestige or Citi Premier for the transfer. 

    With a selection of 19 airline, hotel, and retail partners, most points transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, although certain cards might have distinct transfer ratios for specific loyalty programs. 

    Plus, it’s worth looking out for periodic Citi promotions that offer points transfer bonuses ranging from 20% to 50%, allowing you to maximize your rewards even further.

  2. Redeem for Cash Back

    For a straightforward approach, using your points for cash back or statement credits offers financial flexibility. 

    It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer money in hand. ThankYou points are valued at 1 cent when redeemed for cash back across all cards except for the Citi Rewards+ Card.

  3. Use the ThankYou Rewards Travel Portal

    The Citi travel portal allows you to utilize your points for booking flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and a range of experiences. It’s a user-friendly portal that simplifies your travel planning.

  4. Use Shop With Points

    Citi collaborates with many retail partners, enabling members to redeem their points to make shopping more affordable and convenient. 

    These include online or in-store purchases, gas expenses, and statement credits. A few notable partners are Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Best Buy, and Shell.

  5. Redeem for Gift Cards

    You can even exchange your points for gift cards that cover dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences. 

    Exchanging your points for gift cards provides you with discounts and shopping opportunities. The selection includes popular brands like Airbnb, Domino’s, Lowe’s, Nike, and Staples.

 

How can you Maximize Citi ThankYou Points?

Here are four key ways to make the most of your Citi ThankYou Points:

  1. Take Advantage of Transfer Partners

    Transfering your points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners provides access to premium travel experiences, such as first-class flights and luxury hotel stays. It often offers a higher value for your points.

  2. Utilize Promotions

    Keep an eye on promotions and bonus point offers provided by CitiBank and its transfer partners. These can significantly boost your point balance and enhance your rewards.

    For example, customers received a 40% transfer bonus in June 2022 when transferring points to Qatar Airways.

  3. Strategic Redemptions

    Always use your points for high-value rewards, such as international travel or luxury experiences. Avoid spending them on low-value redemptions like merchandise or small cash-back amounts.

  4. Combine Points

    If you have multiple Citi accounts, consider pooling your points with family members or transferring them between your own accounts to reach the required point threshold for more significant redemptions.

Another marvelous way to maximize Citi ThankYou Points is to optimize your purchases.

By combining the earning power of multiple Citi ThankYou Points credit cards, you can get maximum points on all of your purchases.

Like the Citi Premier and Citi Double Cash combo, which earns 2x-3x points per dollar on all spending for only an annual fee of $95.

 

Should You Use Citi ThankYou Points?

Using Citi ThankYou Points can be a great way to earn rewards and save on expenses, especially if you enjoy travel or frequently shop at partner retailers.

Consider your spending habits, travel goals, and lifestyle to determine if these points are right for you.

Pros

  • Checkmark

    Citi ThankYou Points offers access to 19 airline, hotel, and retail partners, providing a wide range of redemption options.

  • Checkmark

    Most redemption choices yield a consistent 1 cent per point in value, even when opting for cash back.

  • Checkmark

    Citi's ThankYou Points cards typically come with attractive sign-up bonuses, adding extra value for new cardholders.

Cons

  • Citi lacks a small-business credit card that allows earning ThankYou Points, potentially limiting options for business-related rewards.

  • Its domestic airline transfer partners may be limited, impacting your options for domestic travelers.

 

Why track your Citi ThankYou points with Uthrive?

Uthrive is your trusted companion in the complex world of maximizing your rewards and savings. It serves as your credit card manager, recommending the most suitable credit card for each purchase, whether it’s groceries, dining, or travel. 

With its user-friendly interface, tracking your rewards and cash back becomes effortless, keeping you well-informed about your financial gains. Hence, tracking your CitiThankyou Points with Uthrive is the ultimate solution. 

 

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The beauty lies in its simplicity –  Just input your credit cards, and Uthrive takes care of the rest! Its features, such as easy rewards maximization, best card recommendations, alerts on missed rewards, and robust security measures, set it apart. 

On average, Uthrive users stand to gain an extra $200-800 in savings, a compelling reason not to leave potential rewards on the table. 

The app supports all major credit cards and ensures you make the most of your purchases, making it a must-have tool for anyone seeking to enhance their financial well-being.

 

FAQs

How do I use my Citi ThankYou points?

You can use your Citi ThankYou points for various redemptions, such as travel bookings, gift cards, cash back, or transferring them to partner loyalty programs.

How much are 1,000 ThankYou Citi points worth?

The value of 1,000 ThankYou points typically ranges from $10 to $15, depending on your chosen redemption method.

Where can you redeem Citi ThankYou points?

You can redeem Citi ThankYou Reward points through the Citi ThankYou portal or by transferring them to participating loyalty programs, such as Wyndham, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore Airlines, etc.

Can you buy Citi ThankYou points?

No, Citi ThankYou points are generally not available for purchase.

Do Citi ThankYou points expire?

Your Citi ThankYou points won’t expire as long as you have an active Citi ThankYou credit card.

How do you redeem Citi points?

To redeem Citi points, log in to your Citi account on the official website or Citi Mobile App and go to the ThankYou Rewards section. You can even contact Customer Care at 1 (888) 248-4226.

How do I check my Citi Rewards points?

You can check your Citi Rewards points balance by logging into your CitiBank account and accessing the Rewards section.

Can I combine my Citi ThankYou points?

Yes, you can combine Citi ThankYou points with eligible family members or friends having a Citi account.

Can I convert Citi points to cash?

While you can’t convert Citi points directly to cash, you can easily redeem them for cash back.

How do I use Citi ThankYou points on Amazon?

To use Citi ThankYou points on Amazon.com, link your Citi ThankYou account to your Amazon account and select points as a payment option during checkout.


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