{"id":252216,"date":"2026-03-21T12:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=252216\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:12:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:12:37","slug":"citi-transfer-devaluation-choice-preferred-hotels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/citi-transfer-devaluation-choice-preferred-hotels\/","title":{"rendered":"Citi to Devalue ThankYou Point Transfer Ratios to Two Hotel Partners in Mid-April \u2014 What to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

The changes below have taken effect, and this post is no longer being updated. Here is our archive of major updates<\/a> from card issuers and loyalty programs.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the wake of announcing that it\u2019s ending person-to-person transfers<\/a>, Citi shared another negative update affecting ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points<\/a>. Effective April 19, 2026<\/strong>, the transfer ratios to two hotel partners \u2014 Choice Privileges and Preferred Hotels (I Prefer) \u2014 will be devalued in a fairly significant way. And it's not pretty.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know, along with the timeline for these changes to take effect.<\/p>\n

Citi to Devalue Points Transfer Ratios to Two Hotel Partners<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you happened to check your email in the evening hours of March 20, 2026, you might\u2019ve noticed a message from Citi about an update to transferring ThankYou Points to some of its travel loyalty partners<\/a>. In short, Citi plans to devalue transfer ratios to Choice Privileges and Preferred Hotels.<\/p>\n

Effective April 19, 2026<\/strong>, Citi will trim the number of Choice Privileges points you receive from transferring 1,000 ThankYou Points (from an annual-fee-carrying card) by 25%, and reduce the number of I Prefer Hotel Rewards points by 50%.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot
Screenshot of email from Citi ThankYou<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Choice Privileges<\/span><\/h3>\n

As of April 19, 2026, transferring 1,000 Citi points to Choice Privileges<\/a> will yield 1,500 Choice Privileges points (1:1.5 ratio). That\u2019s down from the current 1:2 transfer ratio, where 1,000 Citi points nets you 2,000 Choice points.<\/p>\n

This is rather unfortunate, as the 1:2 ratio has long made it possible to unlock fantastic value from Choice points \u2014 especially for stays in Europe<\/a>. Soon enough, though, those sweet spots will lose a bit of their shine.<\/p>\n

The last day to take advantage of the current 1:2 transfer ratio is April 18. Thankfully, one other Choice transfer partner will continue to offer a more-favorable 1:2 ratio.<\/p>\n

From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,500
Citi devalued this transfer ratio effective April 19, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1:2<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Preferred Hotels (I Prefer)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Also on April 19, 2026, the ThankYou Rewards transfer ratio to Preferred Hotels\u2019 I Prefer Rewards program<\/a> will look very different. The ratio is dropping from 1,000 Citi points = 4,000 I Prefer points to 1,000 Citi points = 2,000 I Prefer points.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s rare to see a 50% devaluation like this, and it\u2019s not one we\u2019re exactly thrilled about. If you\u2019re willing to navigate the nuances of the I Prefer program, there\u2019s still solid value to be had, but this change certainly reduces some of the upside.<\/p>\n

And like with Choice, the last day to take advantage of the current transfer ratio is April 18. To jog your memory, here are the other Preferred Hotels transfer partners:<\/p>\n

From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Preferred Hotels, etc. (I Prefer)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:200<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Preferred Hotels, etc. (I Prefer)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:2,000
Citi devalued this transfer ratio effective April 19, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n

The hits keep coming — especially from Citi ThankYou.<\/p>\n

Citi\u2019s planned transfer ratio devaluation that'll impact both Choice and I Prefer is certainly disappointing, but it\u2019s not all that surprising. Over the past year, Citi has already devalued transfers to Emirates Skywards<\/a> plus a few other programs<\/a> (but only on select cards). And it's making us wonder how long the other 1:1 transfer ratios will stick around.<\/p>\n

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