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About this time last year, Citi announced a new transfer partner: Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club. This niche program is home to over 400 independent luxury hotels across over 80 destinations. And that's why this moment is exciting; those with an eligible Citi ThankYou® points-earning card can take advantage of Leaders Club's first-ever transfer bonus — and a 25% one at that!
Here's what you need to know about the new Citi-Leaders Club transfer bonus and if it's worth your attention.
Leaders Club 25% Transfer Bonus Key Terms
- Through 11:59 pm ET on October 19, 2024, transfer Citi ThankYou points to Leaders Club and receive 25% bonus points.
- It's unknown how long it takes for Citi ThankYou points to transfer, but most Citi transfers transfer in under one day.
- The 25% bonus is hardcoded, meaning you can transfer as many times as you like and receive the bonus every time.
- There is no limit to the number of points you can transfer under this promotion.
- Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transfer Citi ThankYou points to Citi's 21 travel partners.
Is This Leaders Club Transfer Bonus a Good Deal?
First things first: Let's talk about the transfer ratio and what Leaders Club points are worth. On a normal day, you'll net 200 Leaders Club points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou points you convert. With this transfer bonus, you'll get 250.
Across several redemptions, we've found that Leaders Club points are worth between 7.5¢ and 8¢ apiece. At that redemption rate, it's a fair trade to get 250 Leaders Club points (~$19-20) for a transfer of 1,000 Citi points (~$20.60) — based on the 2.17¢ apiece rate AwardWallet users typically redeem Citi points for. In other words, there's no need to be afraid of the seemingly lopsided transfer ratio.
Better yet, you can unlock better-than-average value at several of the best hotels across the world. This is the Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club, after all.
For example, you can snag a night at the Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for 7,125 Leaders Club points per night (29K Citi points with this transfer bonus). A night here otherwise costs $689 after taxes and fees, so you'll get nearly 10¢ per LHW point on this redemption — or 2.38¢ per transferred Citi ThankYou point.
In another corner of the world, you can reserve a night at the PuXuan Hotel and Spa in Beijing. If you'd rather not pay $370 per night, you can redeem 4,195 Leaders Club points (17K Citi points with this transfer bonus) for a Grand King room. That's almost 9¢ per LHW point — or 2.18¢ per transferred Citi point.
Examples like this abound. So, if you're keen on staying in luxury, it's worth considering this transfer bonus and exploring additional top-tier uses of Leaders Club points to stretch your rewards the furthest.
Best Ways To Earn Citi ThankYou® Points
Citi has several valuable transfer partners, so if Citi ThankYou points aren't already part of your rewards strategy, they're at the very least worth considering. And part of what makes Citi points so useful is that they're easy to earn.
While it may not help you with this current transfer bonus, earning a welcome bonus on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card could help jumpstart your rewards balance. As a new applicant, you can earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Related: 5X on Top Category, 3X on Travel and Food, 2X on Everything Else: The Citi ThankYou Rewards Trifecta
Final Thoughts
Without an active transfer bonus, it's hard to justify the ratio to transfer Citi ThankYou points to Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club. But when there's a 25% transfer bonus on the table like there is now, the math changes. If you're interested in reserving a night or two at one of the fantastic Leading Hotels of the World this is a transfer bonus worth your attention. Just don't forget to initiate your transfer by October 19, 2024.
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