Citi ThankYou<sup>®</sup> Points Are More Valuable Than Ever — Here's How to Earn and Use Them Citi ThankYou<sup>®</sup> Points Are More Valuable Than Ever — Here's How to Earn and Use Them

Citi ThankYou® Points Are More Valuable Than Ever — Here's How to Earn and Use Them

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Citi ThankYou® Points are stepping back into the spotlight. With the recent launch of a new premium card, additional transfer partners, and expanded redemption flexibility, Citi is making a strong case for its place in your wallet. While Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards have long dominated the conversation, Citi has steadily built a compelling ecosystem of its own, now with more options, more value, and more ways to travel.

We're here to teach you everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Citi ThankYou Points, including some surprising cards that can help you earn these valuable points.

What are Citi ThankYou Points?

The Citi ThankYou Rewards program is one of the major transferable points currencies — points that can be converted to a variety of hotel and airline partners. ThankYou Points are earned through select credit cards issued by Citi.

Citi Strata℠ Card
Citi Strata℠ Card
Welcome Bonus For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee$0Rates & Fees
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good Credit
  • 5X – Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ via cititravel.com
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Select Transit purchases
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Gas and EV Charging Stations
  • 2X – Earn 2 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants
  • 1X – Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Annual Fee$95Rates & Fees
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
  • 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Welcome Bonus For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening​.
Annual Fee$595Rates & Fees
  • 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
  • 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

With strong card offerings, including lucrative card combinations, and valuable hotel and airline partners in the partner portfolio, these are some of the most valuable points around.

ProgramAverage ValueShort-Haul
Economy
Long-Haul
Business/First
American Express Membership Rewards1.97¢1.19¢2.94¢
Bilt Rewards2.03¢1.4¢3.28¢
Capital One Rewards2.03¢0.99¢2.97¢
Chase Ultimate Rewards1.97¢1.39¢3.04¢
Citi ThankYou Rewards2.2¢1.28¢2.92¢

There's a lot to learn about Citi ThankYou Points. We'll discuss how to earn these points, how best to use these valuable points, and why you should be collecting them.

Who Can Benefit From the Citi ThankYou Points Program?

Until recently, Citi’s transfer partner lineup required a bit more advanced knowledge of partner bookings. That’s because most of Citi’s airline partners were international carriers, with JetBlue serving as the only domestic option. But that changed in July 2025 when Citi added American Airlines as a new partner.

Now, ThankYou Points appeal to a much broader audience:

  • Beginners can get easy value through American, JetBlue, or simple redemptions like the travel portal and cash back.
  • Experienced travelers can still unlock outsized value through international partners.

In short, Citi has gone from niche to versatile, making ThankYou Points useful for travelers at nearly any level.

How Can You Earn Citi ThankYou Points?

Earning Citi ThankYou Points is easy. Generally speaking, you'll need to hold a Citi card that earns ThankYou Points. And the options are broader than you might think. Some of Citi's cards that are marketed as cash back also earn transferable points. Plus, there are a few other ways to earn Citi ThankYou points.

Citi ThankYou credit cards

Citi issues several cards that earn ThankYou Points. Cardholders can earn ThankYou Points fairly easily through welcome bonuses and maximizing spending category bonuses.

Examples include the Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees), which rewards those who spend big on restaurants and travel — and the new ultra-premium Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees), which earns up to 12 points per dollar spent!

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Annual Fee$595
Welcome Bonus For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening​.
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is Citi's premier rewards card, delivering top-tier travel and dining rewards and standout perks like a $300 annual hotel credit and no foreign transaction fees. From Friday night dinners to weekend getaways, the elevated earnings on hotels, air travel, and CitiNights℠ purchases make this a powerhouse option for frequent travelers looking to maximize every dollar spent.
  • For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
  • Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
  • Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
  • Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
  • 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

Referral bonuses

Depending on which Citi cards you hold, it may be possible to refer others and earn points. You'll want to log in to your Citi online account through the website or Citi mobile app to see if this option is available to you.

Targeted offers

Citi doesn't do a ton when it comes to targeted offers, but you may be able to qualify for a retention offer on your card if you make a call. Retention offers are given to those who are considering canceling their cards; as an incentive, cardholders may be offered points or a statement credit if they keep their cards open.

Note that you may have to complete qualifying activities (such as spending a certain amount) to receive the retention offer. As these are targeted, offers vary greatly, and you may not receive any offer at all.

Promotions

As with other banks, Citi often has promotions to accelerate your earning potential. Log in to your account to check which promotions are currently available to you.

What Is the Best Citi ThankYou Points Card?

Which Citi card you should get depends on what type of spending you typically do and how you want to use Citi ThankYou points. Consider these questions about how you want to earn and redeem your points:

  • In which categories do I spend the most money?
  • Do I want to be able to transfer points to hotel or airline partners?
  • Would I rather redeem points as cash back or book in the travel portal?
  • Am I willing to pay a fee on a card each year?

Let's look at some of the cards available to new applicants:

Citi no-annual-fee cards

Citi offers a fantastic range of no annual fee cards. Here's the details of each to help you figure out which one is right for you.

Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Bonus Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a distinctive and flexible cash back program that adapts to your top spending category. Every billing cycle, it automatically grants 5% cash back on the first $500 in your highest spend category, which can range from restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores to select streaming services, travel, transit, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment, and drugstores. Beyond this, all other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. Notably, there's no annual fee, adding to its appeal. The cash back you earn is in the form of ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash back, or combined with rewards​​​​​​​​​​​​ from other qualifying ThankYou Rewards cards and transferred to travel partners.
  • Sign-up bonus of $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening, issued as 20,000 ThankYou® Points
  • 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category on up to $500 of purchses each billing cycle
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for--the top earning category adjusts automatically each month to the eligible category in which you spend the most.
  • Excellent intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
  • 1% cash back thereafter, plus, you'll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • Eligible spending categories are: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment.
  • Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel portal.

Although this is advertised as a cash back credit card, the Citi Custom Cash actually earns ThankYou Points. You can now even transfer points to all of Citi's airline and hotel partners — but at reduced ratios. To access the full 1:1 transfer value, you’ll still need an eligible premium Citi card.

Here are the card's highlights:

  • $0 annual fee
  • Earn 5% cash back (or 5x points) on your highest eligible spend category on your card each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent.

Related: Citi Custom Cash® Card Review

Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
The Citi Double Cash is a dynamic, no-annual-fee cash-back rewards card that allows you to earn 2% traditional cash back, or convert your rewards to ThankYou Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio (2x ThankYou points per $1). When paired with a premium ThankYou Rewards earning card, the Citi Double Cash is now the best card available for everyday, non-bonus purchases.

If you're looking to pay down debt or finance a larger purchase, this card also comes with one of the best available introductory APR offers on balance transfers.
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.

    Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.

    Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.

Another card advertised as earning cash rewards, the Citi Double Cash actually earns points which can be redeemed in the portal, transferred to many travel partners (again at a reduced ratio), or combined with a premium card's Thank You Points for full redemption rates.

Highlights include:

  • 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel
  • $0 annual fee
  • Intro balance transfer APR of 0% for 18 months

Related: Citi Double Cash® Card Review

Citi Strata℠ Card
Citi Strata℠ Card
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Bonus For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
The Citi Strata℠ Card is one of the most rewarding no-annual-fee cards on the market, thanks to its impressive combination of flexible bonus categories and solid everyday earning. Cardholders can earn elevated points in popular categories like gas stations, supermarkets, EV charging, streaming, and even fitness clubs—making it easy to rack up rewards on routine spending without paying an annual fee.
  • For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
  • Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
  • No Annual Fee
  • 5X – Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ via cititravel.com
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Select Transit purchases
  • 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Gas and EV Charging Stations
  • 2X – Earn 2 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants
  • 1X – Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases

Citi recently relaunched the Citi Rewards+® Card as the Citi Strata Card. Although Citi removed some niche earning perks (like rounding up to the nearest 10 points), Citi replaced them with a compelling earning structure that earns 3x points in a wide range of everyday spending categories.

Key perks include:

  • 5X on Citi Travel℠ bookings (including hotels, car rentals, and attractions); 3X on supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations, select transit, and one self-selected category (choose from fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores); 2X at restaurants; 1X on everything else
  • $0 annual fee
  • For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Premium cards that earn Citi ThankYou Points

The Citi Strata Premier Card and the new Citi Strata Elite are the only cards available to new applicants that let cardholders transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to all 21 points transfer options, including 15 airline partners, five hotel partners, and one retail partner.

Both cards also allow members to redeem their points as travel rewards in the Citi TravelSM portal or for cash back as a credit against your bill, as a check, or via direct deposit.

Let's look at how they differ.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Annual Fee$595
Welcome Bonus For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening​.
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is Citi's premier rewards card, delivering top-tier travel and dining rewards and standout perks like a $300 annual hotel credit and no foreign transaction fees. From Friday night dinners to weekend getaways, the elevated earnings on hotels, air travel, and CitiNights℠ purchases make this a powerhouse option for frequent travelers looking to maximize every dollar spent.
  • For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
  • Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
  • Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
  • Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
  • 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

The Citi Strata Elite is Citi’s new premium-tier travel card, launched in July 2025 with a steep $595 annual fee. It includes luxury perks and credits designed for frequent travelers.

Key perks include:

  • after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
  • 12X points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions, and 6x on airfare booked through the Citi Travel portal.
  • 3X points on dining with weekend dining bonuses
  • 1.5X on all other purchases
  • $300 annual hotel credit on bookings made through the Citi Travel portal.
  • $200 Splurge credit valid for American Airlines purchases, Best Buy, and more.
  • $200 Blacklane credit for luxury car service.
  • $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Priority Pass membership and AA Admirals Club passes

Related: Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Review

Citi Strata Premier® Card
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
The Citi Strata Premier® Card offers some of the best earning rates of any rewards card with an annual fee under $100. This card offers excellent rewards on an unusually generous list of earning categories, including air travel, hotels, car rentals, groceries, and dining—and it tops our list of the best cards for gas & fuel purchases.
  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
  • Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases.
  • 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
  • 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases

The Citi Strata Premier is Citi’s mid-tier travel card. With easy-to-maximize earning categories and a modest $95 annual fee, it's a practical choice for travelers who want rewards and flexibility without premium card pricing.

Key perks include:

  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
  • 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
  • 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
  • 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
  • $100 annual hotel credit on a single hotel stay of $500 or more booked through the Citi Travel portal.
  • Travel protections and no foreign transaction fees.

Related: Citi Strata Premier® Card Review

Woman using a credit card at a point of sale terminal
Credit: Blake Wisz / Unsplash

A Citi card combo strategy

The best earning strategy would be a combination of cards that includes the Citi Strata Premier or the Citi Strata Elite. That's because you can combine all of your points into one account and transfer points to hotel or airline partners from there at the full transfer ratio from either of these two premium cards — while still having the option to redeem as cash back or through the travel portal.

One of the best combinations is the Citi Strata Premier, the Citi Double Cash, and the Citi Custom Cash cards. This combo has a combined annual fee of just $95, but you can earn the following:

  • 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
  • 5X on your top spending category each billing period (up to $500 of this spending).
  • 3X on airfare, hotels, gas/EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
  • 2X on everything else.

Let's say you spend an average of $500 per month at supermarkets, $300 at restaurants, $150 at fuel stations or EV charging stations, $200 on air travel and hotels, and $850 on other miscellaneous charges on your cards — a total of $2,000 in card spending per month. In this case, you would earn the following:

That's a total of 6,150 points earned on $2,000 of spending! That's over 3 Citi ThankYou points per $1 spent. Just remember that the Citi Custom Cash 5X rate only applies to your top spending category each billing period and only up to $500 of spending in that category; you'll earn 1X after that.

Related: The Citi ThankYou Rewards Trifecta

Other Citi cards that earn ThankYou Rewards

These cards still earn points but are no longer available to new applicants:

  • Citi Prestige® Card
    • 5X points on flight bookings, travel agencies, and at restaurants, 3X points at hotels and on cruise line purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
    • Annual travel credit of $250.
    • Priority Pass Select membership.
    • Ability to transfer points to hotel and airline partners.
    • $495 yearly cardholder fee.
  • Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card
    • Earn 2X on dining and entertainment plus 1X on other purchases.
    • No yearly cardholder fee.
  • AT&T Access Card from Citi
    • Earn 2X on retail, travel, and AT&T purchases plus 1X on other purchases.
    • No yearly cardholder fee.
  • Sears Mastercard® with ThankYou® Rewards
    • $0 yearly cardholder fee.
    • 5% cash back (issued as Citi ThankYou Points) at gas stations and 3% back (as points) on $10,000 of combined spending on groceries and restaurants.
Citi ThankYou Rewards program banner
Credit: Citi

What Are the Best Ways To Redeem Your Citi Points?

Redeeming points is the best part about earning them, which is why Citi has so many different methods to do so. Not all of these redemption options are equal, of course. Some yield a higher value for your points than others.

For example:

  • Gift cards: Usually 1 cent per point but occasionally more during a sale
  • Cash back/credit on your bill: varies from .5 to 1 cent depending on the card
  • Online shopping: Typically 0.8 cents per ThankYou Point
  • Bookings in travel portal like a hotel, car rentals, or flights: 1 cent per ThankYou Point
  • Transfer points to hotel and airline partners: Depends on the redemption, but AwardWallet users typically get 2.2¢ apiece

You also can donate your points to charities or transfer points to another member. Be careful, though. Those transferred points will expire within 90 days, so be sure you only share points when you're ready to use them.

How To Get the Best Return on Your Citi ThankYou Points

As we mentioned above, transferring your points to Citi's hotel and airline partners generally yields the best value for your points. This is especially true when you consider the rate you'll receive when redeeming your points for cash back, credits on your billing statement, or online shopping. For these types of redemptions, you'll usually get about 1 cent in value per point.

Transfer partners, meanwhile, can make your Citi ThankYou Points worth far more. Let's look at the options to transfer points.

Citi Transfer Partners: The Best Way To Redeem ThankYou Points

With Citi now serving as the only credit card program that transfers points directly to American Airlines, the value of ThankYou Points has increased significantly. The ability to earn and transfer points to AA opens up new redemption opportunities for domestic and international travel alike, taking advantage of the numerous sweet spots available to AAdvantage members.

A screenshot shows that AA is now a transfer partner of Citibank
Credit: Citibank

Additionally, JetBlue and a wide range of international carriers remain options, especially for those who know how to maximize value through airline alliances.

From
To
Transfer Ratio
Min.Transfer
Average Time
Accor Group (ALL - Accor Live Limitless)
1,000:500
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 350 transfer rate.
-
Unknown
Aeromexico (Rewards)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
-
6 days
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
-
Immediate
American Airlines (AAdvantage)
1,000:1,000
Transfer partner added July 27, 2025. Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
-
Unknown
1,000:1,250
25% transfer bonus through October 18, 2025. Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
-
Immediate
Cathay Pacific (Cathay)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
-
Immediate
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)
1,000:2,000
Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi Rewards+®, Sears Mastercard, Citi® Double Cash Cardmembers get a reduced 1,000 -> 1,500 transfer rate.
-
Unknown
Emirates (Skywards & Business Rewards)
1,000:800
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 560 transfer rate.
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Unknown
Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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1 hour
EVA Air (Infinity MileageLands)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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2 days
JetBlue Airways (TrueBlue)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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Immediate
LHW (Leaders Club)
1,000:200
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced transfer rate.
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Unknown
Preferred Hotels, etc. (I Prefer)
1,000:4,000
Transfer partner added October 20, 2024. Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 2,800 transfer rate.
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Unknown
Qantas (Frequent Flyer)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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1 day
Qatar Airways (Privilege Club)
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1 day
Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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20 hours
Thai Airways (Royal Orchid Plus)
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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3 days - 7 days
Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles)
1,000:1,500
50% transfer bonus through October 18, 2025. Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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16 hours
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)
1,000:1,300
30% transfer bonus through October 18, 2025. Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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Immediate
Wyndham Rewards
1,000:1,000
Transfer rate for Citi Strata EliteSM, Citi Strata Premier®, and AT&T Access More Cardmembers. Other eligible Citi cardmembers may be eligible for a reduced 1,000 -> 700 transfer rate.
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Unknown

For example, those looking to visit Hawaii can transfer their points to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles. As a member of Star Alliance, you can use Turkish Airlines miles to book award flights on United. The award chart is exceptionally generous: You'll pay just 10,000 Turkish miles one-way for an economy flight from anywhere in the U.S. mainland to Hawaii.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club provides another sweet spot for domestic travel. With Virgin points, you can often book Delta flights for less than booking directly with Delta SkyMiles. That's because Virgin Atlantic has distance-based Delta redemptions at the following rates (for non-Europe flights):

  • 0–500 miles: 7,500 points
  • 501–1,000 miles: 11,000 points
  • 1,001–1,500 miles: 16,500 points
  • 1,501–2,000 miles: 18,500 points

Another excellent option is to convert your points to Choice Privileges points. Those who hold the Citi Strata Premier or the Citi Strata Elite can transfer those points over at a 1:2 ratio, which means one Citi point becomes two Choice points. This is double the value of other Choice partners and means you can score redemptions like all-inclusive resort stays for 15,000 ThankYou Points per night.

looking at the Choice Hotels Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort Riviera Maya
Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort (Riviera Maya) Credit: Choice Hotels

Looking for some international travel? The options are plentiful and provide excellent value. Air France/KLM Flying Blue has great options to Europe and North Africa. Singapore Airlines has sweet spots to Europe, Asia, and more. Avianca LifeMiles partners with Air Canada, United, and Lufthansa to provide even more options for international and domestic awards.

Related: Best Ways To Use Citi ThankYou Points That You Didn’t Know

What Is the Value of Citi ThankYou Points?

AwardWallet users redeem ThankYou Points for an average of 2.2¢ per point. As noted above, the value of the points depends on how you redeem them.

Portal bookings and cash back redemptions make your points worth about 1 cent. But AwardWallet users typically redeem Citi ThankYou Points for 2.92¢ per point when transferring points to book business- or first-class long-haul flights.

Related: How To Transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to Partners: A Step-By-Step Guide

Do Citi ThankYou Points Expire?

Citi ThankYou Points don't expire — at least for the most part. Current credit cards offered by Citi don't earn points that expire, but some older cards do. That being said, there are still ways to lose your Citi ThankYou points if you're not careful.

  • If you close your Citi account, you have 60 days to redeem your points.
  • If you receive points through a transfer, you have 90 days to redeem them before they expire.
  • If Citi closes your account due to abuse, you immediately lose your points.

How To Make the Most Out of Your Citi ThankYou Points

Citi ThankYou Points have flown under the radar for a long time, especially compared to flashier programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. But with recent updates, like the ability to transfer points to American Airlines and the launch of a premium card that competes with other top-tier options, Citi has really stepped up its game.

Personally, I’ve overlooked my Citi cards in the past, but that’s changing. With the addition of AA as a travel partner, I know I’ll be leaning on my Citi setup a lot more going forward. If you’re looking to diversify your points strategy, it might be time to take a second look at what ThankYou Points can do.

Citi ThankYou FAQ

Can points be shared between different ThankYou Points accounts?

Yes, points can be combined between your own accounts, and you can transfer points to other members free of charge. However, if you do transfer points to someone else, remember that they expire after 90 days.

How can online banking aid in earning Citi ThankYou Points?

Until recently, you could earn ThankYou Points through your Citi personal banking accounts. Unfortunately, Citi no longer offers this option.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Strata℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and Citi Double Cash® Card (Rates & Fees)

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know that you can view your account balances across all airlines within one of the global alliances? Click the alliance icon in the list of accounts next to any airline in an alliance to see the details.
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