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The Ultimate Guide to Citi ThankYou Points (2024)
Want to maximize your credit card rewards? Understanding Citi ThankYou® Points could be your ticket to valuable travel perks and cash back rewards. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about earning and redeeming these versatile rewards points.
What Are Citi ThankYou Points?
Citi ThankYou® Points are the rewards currency earned through eligible Citi credit cards. These points offer remarkable flexibility, allowing cardholders to redeem for travel bookings, cash back, gift cards, and even transfers to airline and hotel partners. While the program might seem complex at first, understanding its nuances can help you extract maximum value from your rewards.
How to Earn Citi ThankYou Points
There are several ways to accumulate ThankYou Points, with earning rates varying by card:
Through Credit Card Spending
- Citi Double Cash® Credit Card: Earn 2% on purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
- Citi Custom Cash® Card: 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category (up to $500 per billing cycle)
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: 10x points on hotels and car rentals through CitiTravel.com, and 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels
- Citi Rewards+® Card: 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations (up to $6,000 annually), and round-up feature on all purchases to the nearest 10 points
Through Sign-up Bonuses
Most Citi cards offer attractive welcome bonuses. For example, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card currently offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Best Ways to Redeem Citi ThankYou Points
Travel Redemptions
- Transfer to Airline Partners
- JetBlue TrueBlue (domestic option)
- Multiple international carriers
- Transfer ratios typically 1:1
- Best for maximizing point value
- Book Through Citi Travel Portal
- Fixed value of 1 cent per point
- No blackout dates
- Includes hotels, flights, car rentals
- Booking.com partnership for wider hotel selection
Other Redemption Options
- Gift Cards: Generally 1 cent per point
- Cash Back: 0.5 cents per point
- Statement Credits: Value varies by card
- Shopping: Through partners like Amazon (usually lower value)
- Charity Donations: Starting at 1,000 points
Best Cards for Earning ThankYou Points
Premium Options
- Annual fee: $95
- Best for: Travelers and dining enthusiasts
- Key benefit: Transfer points to partners
- Annual fee: $495
- Best for: Luxury travelers
- Key benefit: 5x points on dining and air travel
No-Annual-Fee Options
- 5% back in top spending category
- Flexible rewards structure
- Great for everyday spending
- Round-up feature on all purchases
- 10% points back on redemptions
- Perfect for small purchases
Advanced Tips for Maximizing Value
- Sweet Spots
- Transfer to JetBlue for domestic flights
- Use international airline partners for premium cabins
- Book during transfer bonus promotions
- Combining Cards
- Pair Citi Double Cash® for base earnings
- Add Citi Custom Cash℠ for category bonuses
- Use Citi Strata Premier℠ for transfer partners
Consider Using Kudos
Looking to maximize your credit card rewards even further? Consider downloading Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you optimize your credit card rewards when shopping online. With Kudos, you can:
- Get personalized card recommendations for each purchase
- Access rewards from over 15,000 stores
- Multiply your rewards up to 5x during Flash Boost events
- Discover new cards that match your spending habits
Currently, Kudos is offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
Citi ThankYou Points offer substantial value, especially for travelers who can utilize transfer partners. While cash redemptions provide flexibility, the best value typically comes from travel rewards and transfer partners. Consider your spending habits and redemption preferences when choosing a Citi card, and use tools like Kudos to maximize your earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum redemption for Citi ThankYou Points?
Minimum redemptions vary by redemption type, starting at 1,000 points for some options.
Do Citi ThankYou Points expire?
Points typically don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Can I combine points from different Citi cards?
Yes, points can be combined from different eligible Citi cards under the same account.
What's the best way to redeem ThankYou Points?
Transfer to travel partners typically offers the highest value, especially for premium cabin flights.
Can I transfer points to someone else?
Yes, you can share points with other ThankYou members, though there may be restrictions and expiration terms.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
