If you have the Citi Premier card, you have access to a solid list of Citi Premier transfer partners.
These partnerships allow you to move your ThankYou Points to various airlines and hotels, often getting you more value than booking directly.
It’s a smart way to make your rewards go further, especially for travel. Let’s look at some of the best options available to you.
Key Takeaways
- The Citi Premier card lets you transfer ThankYou Points to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Transferring points can offer better value than booking travel directly through the Citi portal.
- American Airlines AAdvantage is frequently cited as a top transfer partner for its redemption options.
- Partners like Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles can provide good value for international flights.
- Remember that point transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed once completed.
1. American Airlines AAdvantage
When you’re looking to get the most out of your Citi Premier card, transferring your ThankYou Points to American Airlines AAdvantage is a really solid move. It’s not just about domestic flights either; American is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which opens up a ton of possibilities for international travel with their partners. Think about flying Japan Airlines first class or even Finnair’s unique business class seats – these kinds of premium redemptions used to be pretty hard to come by, but having American as a transfer partner makes them much more accessible.
What makes AAdvantage stand out is the availability of award seats. Compared to some other loyalty programs, you’ll often find better award availability at reasonable redemption rates. This means fewer headaches when you’re trying to book that dream trip.
Here’s a quick look at the transfer ratio:
| Program | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| Citi Premier to American Airlines AAdvantage | 1:1 |
Transferring points to AAdvantage can really stretch the value of your rewards, especially if you’re strategic about when and where you book. It’s definitely worth exploring the award charts and partner availability to find those sweet spots.
2. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is a fantastic option for your Citi Premier points, especially if you appreciate a touch of luxury in your travels. While Singapore Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, giving you access to book flights on carriers like United and Lufthansa, their own KrisFlyer program often provides unique redemption opportunities.
You can use your KrisFlyer miles for some truly special experiences, like snagging a seat on Singapore Airlines’ coveted Suites Class. This ultra-premium product is rarely available through partner programs, making a direct transfer to KrisFlyer your best bet. Imagine flying from New York to Frankfurt in ultimate comfort – it’s possible with KrisFlyer miles, though it does require a significant number of points.
Beyond their own premium cabins, KrisFlyer miles can also be used for flights on partner airlines. For instance, you can fly to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines for a relatively low number of miles, which can be a great value compared to using other programs’ points. It’s worth checking their award charts for these partner redemptions.
Here’s a quick look at how your points transfer:
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Minimum Transfer: 1,000 points
- Transfer Increment: 1,000 points
Keep an eye out for KrisFlyer’s ‘Spontaneous Escapes’ program. It offers discounted awards on select routes each month, which can be a smart way to use your miles if the featured destinations align with your travel plans.
3. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
When you’re looking to get the most out of your Citi Premier card, Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program is definitely worth a look. This is the loyalty program for Cathay Pacific, a well-regarded airline based in Hong Kong. You can transfer your Citi ThankYou Points to Asia Miles at a 1:1 ratio, which is pretty standard and quite good. This means every ThankYou Point you have becomes one Asia Mile.
Asia Miles can be a great way to book flights on Cathay Pacific itself, especially if you have your eye on their premium cabins. But where they really shine is with their Oneworld alliance partners. Think about booking flights on airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, or Iberia. For instance, you might find a one-way transatlantic flight on one of these partners for as few as 45,000 Asia Miles. That’s a solid deal when you consider the cash price of such a ticket.
Here’s a quick look at how the transfer works:
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1 (Citi ThankYou Points to Asia Miles)
- Minimum Transfer: 1,000 points
- Transfer Increment: 1,000 points
It’s important to remember that award availability can change, and sometimes booking partner awards requires a bit of searching. However, the potential value you can get from Asia Miles, especially for long-haul flights or premium cabin experiences, makes it a strong contender in your transfer options.
4. Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest is the loyalty program for Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi. While not part of a major airline alliance, Etihad does offer some interesting redemption possibilities, especially if you’re looking for a unique premium experience.
Transferring your Citi ThankYou Points to Etihad Guest is generally a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Citi ThankYou Points become 1,000 Etihad Guest miles. The minimum transfer amount is 1,000 miles, and they transfer in increments of 1,000.
Here’s a look at how Etihad Guest miles can be used:
- Short-Haul Flights: Etihad uses a distance-based award chart. For flights within a certain distance, you might find good value. For example, a partner flight under 500 miles could cost around 6,000 Etihad Guest points, though flying Etihad itself for the same distance might be slightly cheaper at 5,000 points.
- Premium Cabins: Etihad is known for its luxurious premium cabins. If you have your sights set on experiencing something like ‘The Residence’ – a three-room suite on their A380 aircraft – you’ll need to use Etihad Guest miles to upgrade a first-class ticket. This is a splurge, but it’s a way to use your miles for an unforgettable journey.
- Partner Redemptions: While Etihad isn’t in a big alliance, they do have partnerships. You can use your Etihad Guest miles to book flights on partner airlines, though the value can vary. It’s worth checking their partner award charts to see if any routes align with your travel plans.
When considering Etihad Guest, it’s important to remember that while the transfer ratio is favorable, the actual redemption value can depend heavily on the specific route and cabin class you choose. Always compare the cost in miles versus cash, and factor in any potential taxes and fees.
5. Qatar Airways Privilege Club
When you’re looking to fly with Qatar Airways, you’ll want to consider their Privilege Club program. This is where your Citi ThankYou Points can really go places, especially if you have your sights set on their renowned Qsuite business class. Qatar Airways is now part of the Oneworld Alliance, which opens up a lot of possibilities for travel.
One of the most interesting aspects of Privilege Club is that it uses Avios as its currency. This is the same currency used by British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair, meaning you can move your Avios between these programs. This flexibility allows you to hunt for the best redemption rates across different programs.
Here’s a look at how your Citi ThankYou Points transfer:
| Program | Transfer Ratio | Minimum Transfer | Transfer Increment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 | 1,000 | 500 |
A sweet spot for using your Avios is on one-way flights between New York and Doha, which can sometimes be booked for as little as 35,000 Avios in economy. It’s worth checking the award availability and pricing, as redemptions can vary. Remember that Qatar Airways often releases more award space to its own loyalty members than to partner programs, making Privilege Club a direct route to some of the best seats.
6. Flying Blue
Flying Blue is the loyalty program shared by Air France and KLM, both part of the SkyTeam alliance. This means your Citi ThankYou Points can get you flights not only on Air France and KLM but also on partners like Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. It’s a pretty good deal because you can often find discounted award flights through their monthly ‘Promo Rewards.’ These promos can knock a good chunk off the mileage cost for select routes, making your points go further.
When you transfer your Citi ThankYou Points to Flying Blue, the ratio is 1:1, meaning 1,000 ThankYou Points become 1,000 Flying Blue miles. The minimum transfer is 1,000 miles, and they transfer in increments of 1,000 miles.
One of the standout features of Flying Blue is the ability to include a free stopover in either Amsterdam or Paris on your award tickets. This is a fantastic way to see two cities for the price of one award flight. For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Europe and spend a few days in Paris before continuing on to your final destination.
Keep in mind that Flying Blue uses dynamic pricing, so award costs can change. They also sometimes add fuel surcharges, which can be a bit high on certain routes, especially in premium cabins. It’s always a good idea to compare the total cost in miles and cash before booking.
Here’s a quick look at typical redemption ranges:
- Economy flights from the U.S. to Europe: Starting around 15,000 miles one-way.
- Business class flights from the U.S. to Europe: Starting around 60,000 miles one-way.
- Economy flights to Hawaii: Starting around 35,000 miles round-trip.
While Flying Blue can sometimes have higher fees than other programs, the potential for discounted awards and the free stopover perk make it a strong contender for your Citi ThankYou Points.
7. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is another partner that can offer some interesting redemption opportunities for your Citi ThankYou Points. While Virgin Atlantic itself uses a dynamic pricing model for its own flights, which can sometimes lead to high point costs, the real value often lies in booking partner airlines.
You can get good value by using Virgin Points to book award flights on partner airlines like ANA and Delta. For instance, business class flights on ANA from the western U.S. to Japan can be booked for 105,000 miles round trip. Additionally, Delta flights to Europe (excluding the U.K.) are priced at 30,000 miles each way in economy or 47,500 miles each way in business class, and these often come without fuel surcharges.
Here’s a look at how Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points can be used:
- Booking Delta Flights: Since Delta no longer publishes a fixed award chart, using Virgin Atlantic points can sometimes be cheaper than using Delta SkyMiles directly for the same flight. It’s worth checking both programs.
- Premium Cabin Redemptions: Look for opportunities to book premium cabins on partner airlines. For example, business class on ANA can be a great use of your points.
- U.S. to London: You might find deals on Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class (business class) from the U.S. to London, with one-way redemptions sometimes costing under 30,000 miles from the East Coast or under 50,000 miles from the West Coast.
Keep in mind that booking flights on Virgin Atlantic itself can sometimes involve significant taxes and fees, especially for premium cabins originating from the U.K. It’s always a good idea to compare the total cost in points plus fees against the cash price of the ticket before booking.
8. JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue TrueBlue is another domestic airline that accepts transfers from Citi ThankYou points. It’s a straightforward program to use because the value of TrueBlue points stays pretty consistent, and you can book almost any JetBlue flight with them. While there aren’t many ‘sweet spots’ for outsized value, you can still save points by transferring your Citi ThankYou points to JetBlue instead of booking through the Citi portal.
It’s important to note that the transfer ratio can vary. For holders of the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Prestige® Card, or Prestige Elite status, the ratio is 1:1. However, for all other cardholders, the ratio is 1:0.7, meaning 1,000 ThankYou points only get you 700 TrueBlue points. Always check your specific card benefits before transferring.
JetBlue is the only U.S.-based airline partner for Citi ThankYou points. This makes it a convenient option if you frequently fly with them.
While JetBlue isn’t part of a major airline alliance, it does have partnerships with other airlines like Japan Airlines and Condor. There are also plans for a partnership with United Airlines, which could open up more redemption options in the future.
Here’s a quick look at the transfer details:
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1 (for specific cardholders), 1:0.7 (for others)
- Minimum Transfer: 1,000 points
- Transfer Increment: 1,000 points
9. Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is a hotel loyalty program that you might not think of right away, but it can actually be a pretty good option for your Citi ThankYou Points. Think about brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and Cambria – those are all part of the Choice Hotels family. It’s a solid program if you find yourself needing a place to stay in a lot of different cities, especially if you’re booking last minute or traveling during peak times.
When you transfer points from your Citi Premier card to Choice Privileges, you’re looking at a transfer ratio of 1:2. This means 1,000 ThankYou Points become 2,000 Choice Privileges Points. It’s a decent conversion rate, and it can really add up if you’re strategic about your redemptions.
Here’s a quick look at how the points can be used:
- Award Night Costs: Most award nights at Choice Hotels will run you between 8,000 and 35,000 points. The exact number of points needed can change based on the season, the day of the week, and how popular the location is.
- Value Proposition: Because of the 1:2 transfer ratio, you can get a good amount of value from your ThankYou Points, especially if you can find a redemption where the cash price of the room is quite high. It’s worth comparing the points cost against the cash cost before you book.
- Partnerships: Choice Privileges also has a connection with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. This can sometimes offer even more value, as these independent hotels often have fixed redemption rates for Choice members, provided there’s availability.
It’s always a good idea to check the Choice Privileges website to see the specific point requirements for any hotel you’re interested in. Sometimes, you can snag a great deal, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates.
10. Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards is another hotel loyalty program you can transfer your Citi ThankYou Points to. It covers a lot of ground, with brands like Super 8, Days Inn, and La Quinta under its umbrella, plus a huge number of vacation rentals through Vacasa.
The transfer ratio for Wyndham Rewards depends on which Citi card you have. If you hold the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card, you get a 1:1 transfer ratio. For other Citi cards, like the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card or Citi® Double Cash Card, the ratio is 5:4, meaning 1,000 Citi points become 800 Wyndham points. It’s important to note that this 1:1 ratio for the Premier card is set to change to 1:1 after September 20, 2025, becoming 1:0.7 for other cards.
Here’s a quick look at the transfer ratios:
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card / Citi Prestige® Card: 1,000 Citi Points = 1,000 Wyndham Points (until 9/20/2025)
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card / Citi Prestige® Card: 1,000 Citi Points = 1,250 Wyndham Points (after 9/20/2025)
- Other Citi Cards: 1,000 Citi Points = 875 Wyndham Points (until 9/20/2025)
- Other Citi Cards: 1,000 Citi Points = 700 Wyndham Points (after 9/20/2025)
Wyndham uses a fixed award chart for free nights, which is pretty straightforward. You’ll typically pay 7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points for a night, depending on the hotel. This fixed pricing can be a real advantage, especially if you find yourself needing a room in a popular spot or during peak times. It’s a good idea to compare the point cost for a night at a Wyndham property with what you might pay in cash, and also check how many points you’d need if you transferred to another partner. Sometimes, a little digging can uncover some great value.
Wyndham’s redemption structure is quite simple, with award nights costing a set amount of points. This predictability can be helpful when planning stays, especially if you’re aiming for a specific budget or looking to maximize your points.
Wrapping Up Your Citi Premier Transfer Strategy
So, you’ve seen how the Citi Premier card can open doors to some pretty good travel deals when you move your points. While it might not have as many domestic airline options as some other cards, the international partners and even some hotel choices can offer real value if you know where to look. It takes a little bit of planning to figure out the best transfer ratio for where you want to go, but putting in that effort can really pay off. Remember, once points are transferred, they can’t be moved back, so make sure you’re ready to book before you hit that transfer button. Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Citi ThankYou points and why should you transfer them?
Citi ThankYou points are like a special currency you earn with certain Citi credit cards. Moving these points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, called transfer partners, can often get you more value than using them directly. It’s like trading your points for a more valuable ticket or hotel stay.
Which Citi card do I need to transfer points?
To get the most out of transferring your points, you generally need a premium Citi card like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or the Citi Prestige® Card. While some basic cards let you earn points, these premium cards unlock the best transfer options and rates.
How do I transfer my Citi ThankYou points?
You can transfer your points through your online Citi account. Look for an option like ‘Points Transfer’ under the travel section. Make sure the name on your Citi account and the loyalty program account you’re transferring to are exactly the same.
Are there any fees for transferring points?
Generally, there are no fees charged by Citi for transferring your ThankYou points to their partners. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check the specific terms for any partner you choose, though fees are rare for this process.
Can I get my points back after transferring them?
No, once you transfer your Citi ThankYou points to an airline or hotel partner, the transfer is final. You cannot move them back to your ThankYou account. So, be sure you’ve picked the right partner and redemption before you confirm the transfer.
What is a 1:1 transfer ratio?
A 1:1 transfer ratio means that for every Citi ThankYou point you transfer, you get one mile or point in the partner program. For example, transferring 1,000 ThankYou points would give you 1,000 miles with that airline. Many partners offer this favorable rate.
Marc Smith is the founder of the Budget Geridibiase blog, where he uses his decade-plus experience as a financial consultant to simplify the world of finance, credit cards, and insurance. His mission is to translate complex topics into practical, accessible advice, empowering readers to make financial decisions with confidence and build a secure economic future.