Last Updated: July 2025

Let me guess—you've been diligently earning Citi ThankYou Points but aren't quite sure how to squeeze the most value from them. You're not alone. While cashing out for a penny each sounds easy, the real opportunity lies in transferring those points to airline and hotel partners where they can be worth two, three, or even five cents each.

Here's what makes Citi ThankYou points special: with 19 transfer partners spanning all major airline alliances—including the newly added American Airlines AAdvantage—you've got incredible flexibility to book award travel around the world. Whether you're dreaming of Singapore Suites or just need a domestic hop on American, I'll show you exactly how to maximize your points through strategic transfers.

Quick Answer: Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners Overview

Citi ThankYou points transfer to 15 airline partners and 4 hotel partners, giving you 19 total options for maximizing value. Most airline transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio (with a premium Citi card), while hotel transfers vary from 2:1 to 1:2 depending on the partner.

The best part? You can access all three major airline alliances—Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam—plus several non-alliance carriers. This flexibility means you're rarely stuck without options when searching for award availability.

Complete List of All 19 Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners

Let's break down every transfer partner by category. Remember, your access to these partners and the transfer ratios depend on which Citi card you hold—I'll explain that in detail below.

Airline Transfer Partners (15 Total)

Star Alliance Partners:

• Avianca LifeMiles - 1:1 transfer ratio
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - 1:1 transfer ratio

Oneworld Partners:

• American Airlines AAdvantage - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Qantas Frequent Flyer - 1:1 transfer ratio

SkyTeam Partners:

• Aeromexico Club Premier - 1:1 transfer ratio
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue - 1:1 transfer ratio

Non-Alliance Partners:

• Emirates Skywards - 1:1 transfer ratio (changing to 5:4 in late 2025)
• Etihad Guest - 1:1 transfer ratio
• JetBlue TrueBlue - 1:1 transfer ratio (or 5:4 with non-premium cards)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - 1:1 transfer ratio

Remember, these partners can be particularly valuable for specific routes. For ground transportation at your destination, consider booking through Enterprise or Hertz to earn additional points on rental cars.

Hotel Transfer Partners (4 Total)

• Accor Live Limitless (ALL) - 2:1 transfer ratio
• Choice Privileges - 1:2 transfer ratio (or 2:3 with non-premium cards)
• Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer - 1:4 transfer ratio
• Wyndham Rewards - 1:1 transfer ratio (or 5:4 with non-premium cards)

Shopping Partner

• Virgin Red - 1:1 transfer ratio (UK shopping rewards program)

Want to see all your transfer options in one place? Check out the official Citi transfer partner page for current details and any temporary bonuses.

Which Citi Cards Allow Transfer Partners?

Not all Citi cards give you access to these transfer partners. Here's the breakdown:

Premium Cards (Full Access to All Partners)

If you hold the Citi Strata Premier Card or the legacy Citi Prestige Card, you get:

• Access to all 19 transfer partners
• Best transfer ratios (mostly 1:1 for airlines)
• Ability to pool points from other Citi cards

The Citi Strata Premier also offers excellent travel insurance benefits, making it a solid choice for frequent travelers.

Basic Cards (Limited Access)

Cards like the Citi Double Cash, Citi Rewards+, and discontinued Citi ThankYou Preferred Card can only transfer to:

• Choice Privileges (1:1.5 ratio)
• Wyndham Rewards (1:0.8 ratio)
• JetBlue TrueBlue (1:0.8 ratio)

If you're just starting your credit journey, check out the best credit cards for 18 year olds to begin building credit responsibly.

The good news? If you have both a premium and basic card, you can pool all your points together and transfer them at the premium ratios. This makes the Citi trifecta strategy particularly powerful for maximizing your earning potential. For comparison, see how this stacks up against the Chase trifecta strategy.

Best Value Redemptions from Citi Transfer Partners

Now for my favorite part—where can you get outsized value from your Citi ThankYou Points? Based on current award charts and typical availability, here are the redemptions I target:

1. Turkish Airlines Business Class to Europe (45,000 Miles)

Turkish Airlines offers one of the cheapest ways to fly business class to Europe. You'll pay just 45,000 Miles&Smiles miles each way between North America and Europe (including Turkey). Compare that to 60,000-70,000 miles on most other programs, and you're looking at serious savings.

Pro tip: Turkish allows stopovers in Istanbul, so you can visit two European cities for the price of one.

2. Virgin Atlantic for Delta One Suites (50,000 Miles)

Virgin Atlantic's partnership with Delta creates incredible value. Flights between the U.S. and Europe (excluding the UK) cost just 50,000 miles one-way in Delta One Suites. Considering cash prices often exceed $3,000, you're getting 6+ cents per point in value.

If you're also considering premium travel cards for lounge access, check out the best credit cards for Priority Pass to enhance your airport experience.

3. Qatar Airways Qsuites (70,000 Qmiles)

Often rated as the world's best business class, Qatar's Qsuites feature sliding doors for complete privacy. Flights between the U.S. and Doha cost 70,000 Qmiles one-way in business class—an incredible value for this premium product. For luxury travel planning assistance, services like Virtuoso can help secure additional perks on premium bookings.

4. EVA Air Business Class to Asia (75,000-85,000 Miles)

EVA Air's Royal Laurel business class consistently ranks among the world's best. Book it for:

• West Coast to Asia: 75,000 miles one-way
• East Coast to Asia: 85,000 miles one-way

Their soft product (service and food) is exceptional, making this one of my go-to redemptions for Asia travel.

5. Choice Hotels Hidden Gems (6,000-35,000 Points)

Don't overlook Choice Hotels. With the 1:2 transfer ratio, you're only using 3,000-17,500 Citi points per night. During their promotional periods, certain properties drop to just 6,000 Choice points per night—that's only 3,000 Citi points!

6. Flying Blue Promo Rewards (Variable Pricing)

Air France-KLM regularly offers Promo Rewards with 25-50% discounts on select routes. I've seen business class to Europe drop to 37,500 miles one-way during these promotions. Set up alerts on their website to catch these deals.

7. American Airlines Web Special Awards (NEW!)

With the new AAdvantage partnership, you can now access AA's Web Special awards offering discounted redemptions. Some highlights:

• Domestic economy flights from 7,500 miles one-way
• Off-peak Europe awards for 22,500 miles in economy
• Reduced mileage awards to Latin America and Caribbean destinations

This addition is particularly valuable for domestic travel and AA's extensive Central/South America network. For airport parking at your home airport, save money with The Parking Spot to stretch your travel budget further.

How to Transfer Citi ThankYou Points: Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make your first transfer? Here's the exact process:

Step 1: Log into Your Account

• Visit ThankYou.com
• Sign in with your Citi credentials
• You'll see your total points balance on the homepage

Step 2: Navigate to Points Transfer

• Click the "Travel" tab in the main menu
• Select "Points Transfer" from the dropdown

Step 3: Choose Your Transfer Partner

• Browse the available partners
• Click "Continue" next to your chosen program
• Note the transfer ratio and any current bonuses

Step 4: Enter Transfer Details

• Input the number of points to transfer (minimum 1,000)
• Enter your loyalty program member number
• Double-check all information for accuracy

Step 5: Confirm and Submit

• Review the transfer summary
• Accept the terms and conditions
• Click "Transfer Now"

For a visual guide, check Citi's official help resources or contact their ThankYou customer service at 1-800-THANKYOU.

Transfer Times

While Citi states transfers can take up to 5 business days according to their official documentation, here's what I typically see:

• Instant: Most partners
• 1-3 days: Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines
• Up to 5 days: EVA Air, occasional delays with others

Critical tip: Never transfer points speculatively! Always confirm award availability first, and when possible, place awards on hold before transferring.

Comparing Citi to Other Transferable Points Programs

How does Citi stack up against the competition? Let me break down the key differences. If you're building a comprehensive points strategy, understanding these distinctions is crucial. For a deep dive into Chase's offerings, check out the complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

Unique Partners Only Citi Has

• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (incredible Europe value)
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (top-tier Asia business class)
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Qsuites access)
• JetBlue TrueBlue (great for domestic flights)

Important Recent Addition

• American Airlines AAdvantage (NEW! Direct transfer now available) - see more about this exciting development at Citi's American Airlines partnership

Partners Citi Lacks (But Others Have)

• United MileagePlus (only Chase has direct access)
• Marriott Bonvoy (Amex and Chase transfer)
• Hyatt World of Hyatt (Chase exclusive)

Transfer Bonuses

Citi occasionally offers transfer bonuses ranging from 10-30%. Recent examples include:

• 25% bonus to Avianca LifeMiles
• 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic
• 20% bonus to Flying Blue

These bonuses can turn good redemptions into amazing ones. Sign up for Citi's email alerts to stay informed. For additional deal alerts and mistake fares, consider subscribing to Thrifty Traveler for premium flight deals.

Strategies for Maximizing Your Citi ThankYou Points

After years of using this program, here are my top strategies:

1. Focus on Premium Cabin International Awards

Economy awards rarely beat paying cash, especially when you factor in taxes and fees. Business and first-class international flights offer the best value—often 2-5 cents per point or more. For earning extra points on everyday purchases, don't forget to use cashback apps like Upside for gas and dining purchases to supplement your credit card earnings.

2. Watch for Transfer Bonuses

A 25% transfer bonus effectively gives you a 25% discount on award flights. I always check for bonuses before transferring, even if it means waiting a few weeks. Sign up for Citi's email alerts and check blogs like The Points Guy and One Mile at a Time for transfer bonus announcements.

3. Leverage Airline Alliances

Remember, transferring to one airline often gives you access to their entire alliance:

• Transfer to Turkish Airlines → Book any Star Alliance carrier
• Transfer to Qatar Airways → Book any Oneworld carrier
• Transfer to Flying Blue → Book any SkyTeam carrier

4. Consider the Citi Trifecta

Maximize your earning potential by combining:

• Citi Strata Premier for 3x on travel and transfers
• Citi Custom Cash for 5% back in your top category
• Citi Double Cash for 2% on everything else

All points pool together, giving you maximum flexibility and earning power. While you're building your points strategy, check out the best Chase credit cards for travel points to see how other programs compare.

5. Use Award Search Tools

Finding award availability can be challenging. I recommend using tools like ExpertFlyer or Seats.Aero to search across multiple airlines simultaneously. For comprehensive searches across all your points programs, Point.me offers excellent value. Learn more about the best award search engines to maximize your success rate.

6. Don't Forget About Hotels

While airline transfers usually offer better value, hotel transfers can work well for:

• Choice Hotels during Sweet Spots promotions
• Wyndham all-inclusive resorts
• Accor properties in expensive cities where cash rates are high

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from my mistakes and those of others:

1. Transferring Without Checking Availability

This is the cardinal sin of points transfers. Always—and I mean always—confirm award space exists before transferring. Transfers are irreversible!

2. Ignoring Transfer Times

Planning a last-minute trip? Stick to partners with instant transfers. I once missed a great award because EVA Air took 4 days to process.

3. Overlooking Fuel Surcharges

Some partners add hefty fuel surcharges:

• Air France-KLM (can exceed $500 on some routes)
• Etihad Guest (varies significantly by route)
• Emirates (especially on European routes)

Research surcharges before transferring to avoid unpleasant surprises. Tools like ITA Matrix by Google can help you check the taxes and fees on award tickets before committing your points.

4. Using Points for Low-Value Redemptions

Cashing out at 1 cent per point or booking through the Citi portal rarely makes sense when transfers can yield 2-5 cents per point or more. For finding the best cash flight deals to compare against your points redemptions, consider using Skyscanner or Kayak to ensure you're getting good value.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Want to take your redemptions to the next level? Here's what the pros do:

Finding Award Availability

• Use Point.me to compare redemption options across programs
• Set up ExpertFlyer alerts for hard-to-find award space
• Check partner websites directly—sometimes they show different availability
• Consider PointsYeah for real-time award alerts

Booking for Others

You can book awards for anyone—they don't need to be family members. Just enter their name exactly as it appears on their passport when booking. This flexibility makes Citi points particularly valuable for those who travel with friends or book awards for family members.

Combining Points Sources

If you're short on Citi points for a redemption:

• Check if the airline sells miles at a reasonable rate (often during promotions)
• See if you can transfer from another program (like Amex or Chase)
• Consider booking one direction with points and the return with cash
• Use Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) to find cheap cash fares for comparison

Status Benefits

When flying on partner airlines using miles, you'll typically still earn elite qualifying miles and enjoy your existing status benefits. The exception is when booking through certain partner programs—always check the terms. For strategies on earning elite status faster, see our guide on the best credit cards for elite status.

Travel Protection

Consider purchasing travel insurance through Faye Travel Insurance or InsureMyTrip for expensive award bookings. Award tickets can be difficult to change or replace if something goes wrong. For added protection, consider cards with built-in purchase protection benefits.

International Connectivity

When redeeming for international travel, grab an eSIM from Airalo to stay connected without expensive roaming charges. Other reliable eSIM providers include GlobalYo and Roamless.

Airport Lounge Access

While earning and redeeming Citi points, don't forget about maximizing your travel experience. Many premium cards offer lounge access—compare Chase Sapphire vs American Express lounge access to see which ecosystem provides better airport benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Citi points to American Airlines or United?

Great news! Citi recently added American Airlines AAdvantage as a direct transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio. This is a game-changer for booking American flights and using their extensive domestic network.

For United flights, there's still no direct partnership, but you can book them through Star Alliance partners like Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, or Avianca.

What's the minimum transfer amount?

Most partners require a minimum transfer of 1,000 ThankYou Points, and transfers must be in increments of 1,000.

Can I transfer points to someone else's loyalty account?

No, you can only transfer to loyalty accounts in your own name. The names must match exactly.

Do transferred points expire?

This varies by program. Most airline miles remain active with account activity, but always check the specific program's rules. For example, United miles never expire, while Avianca LifeMiles expire after 24 months of inactivity. Check each program's terms and conditions for specific expiration policies.

Can I reverse a transfer if I made a mistake?

Unfortunately, no. All transfers are final and cannot be reversed. This is why it's crucial to double-check everything before confirming.

Which transfer offers the best value?

It depends on your travel goals, but premium cabin international flights typically offer 2-5 cents per point in value. Turkish Airlines to Europe and Virgin Atlantic for Delta flights consistently provide excellent value.

How often does Citi offer transfer bonuses?

Transfer bonuses appear several times per year, typically ranging from 10-30%. They're most common for partners like Avianca, Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic.

Can I pool points from multiple Citi cards?

Yes! If you have multiple Citi cards earning ThankYou Points, they automatically pool into one account. This is one of Citi's best features.

Do I lose transfer access if I downgrade my card?

If you downgrade from a premium card to a basic card, you'll lose access to most transfer partners. Consider your redemption plans carefully before downgrading. To monitor how credit card changes affect your credit score, services like Credit Karma offer free credit monitoring and advice.

Are Citi ThankYou Points worth keeping long-term?

Points don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, programs can devalue without notice, so I recommend having a redemption plan rather than hoarding points indefinitely. For protecting your travel investments, consider comprehensive coverage from Visitors Coverage for international trips.

Should I wait for a transfer bonus?

If you have flexible travel dates and aren't booking a specific award, waiting for a bonus can increase your value by 20-30%. Set up alerts and be ready to act when bonuses appear.

How do I know if an award ticket is a good deal?

Compare the points required to the cash price. If you're getting at least 1.5 cents per point in value (preferably 2+ cents), it's generally a good redemption. For premium cabins, aim for 3-5 cents per point or more. Use the Lyft app for ground transportation to airports to save on expensive taxi fares—and if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lyft benefits, you'll earn additional rewards.

The Bottom Line

Citi ThankYou Points might not get as much attention as Chase or Amex points, but they offer incredible value through unique transfer partners. With access to Turkish Airlines for cheap Europe flights, EVA Air for premium Asia travel, Qatar Airways for their legendary Qsuites, and now American Airlines for extensive domestic coverage, you have options that make this program increasingly competitive.

The key to success? Plan ahead, stay flexible with your dates, and always confirm availability before transferring. Whether you're booking your first award flight or you're a seasoned points pro, these 19 transfer partners give you the flexibility to travel the world in style.

Remember, the best redemption is the one that gets you where you want to go. Start by identifying your travel goals, then use this guide to find the perfect transfer partner for your journey. With strategic transfers and a bit of planning, your Citi ThankYou Points can take you much further than you might think.

Happy travels, and may your points unlock incredible adventures!

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