What Airlines Do Citi Points Transfer To?

Citi ThankYou Rewards points offer a flexible way to redeem for travel. Transferring these points to various airline loyalty programs is one of the most effective ways to use them, often unlocking greater value for flights compared to other redemption options.

Understanding Transferable Citi Points

Citi ThankYou points are earned through various Citi credit cards, but not all offer the same transfer capabilities or ratios. Premium cards, such as the Citi Strata Elite and Citi Strata Premier, provide access to the full suite of airline transfer partners and generally allow points to be transferred at a 1:1 ratio.

Other Citi cards, including the Citi Double Cash, Citi Custom Cash, and the Citi Strata Card, also earn ThankYou points. While these cards earn points efficiently, their transfer ratios to airline partners may be less favorable, often at a 1:0.7 ratio. It is possible to combine points from these non-premium cards into a premium card account to benefit from better transfer ratios and access to all partners.

Citi ThankYou Rewards Airline Partners

Citi ThankYou Rewards partners with a diverse group of airline loyalty programs, allowing travelers to access a wide network of flights across various alliances. Most of these partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio for points from premium Citi cards, meaning 1,000 ThankYou points convert to 1,000 airline miles. Transfers generally must be made in increments of 1,000 points.

Key partners include:
American Airlines AAdvantage: Transfers at a 1:1 ratio for premium cardholders and 1:0.7 for other cards. As a Oneworld alliance member, AAdvantage miles can be used for flights on American Airlines and its alliance partners.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Part of the SkyTeam alliance, transfers at 1:1, offering access to its extensive European and international routes.
Avianca LifeMiles: A Star Alliance member, provides a 1:1 transfer option, useful for flights on United Airlines and other Star Alliance carriers.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: A Oneworld partner, transfers at 1:1.
Etihad Guest: A non-alliance airline, transfers at 1:1.
Emirates Skywards: Transfers at a 5:4 ratio (1:0.8 for premium cards).
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: A Star Alliance member, transfers at 1:1.
JetBlue TrueBlue: A domestic U.S. airline, transfers at 1:1 for premium cards, with a 1:0.7 ratio for non-premium cards.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: A Oneworld airline, transfers at 1:1.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: A Oneworld member and Avios partner, transfers at 1:1.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: A Star Alliance leader, transfers at 1:1.
Thai Royal Orchid Plus: A Star Alliance airline, transfers at 1:1.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: A Star Alliance member, transfers at 1:1.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Partners with SkyTeam airlines, transfers at 1:1.
This wide array of partners allows for diverse redemption opportunities across all major airline alliances.

Steps to Transfer Citi Points

Transferring Citi ThankYou points to an airline partner is a straightforward online process. Log into your Citi ThankYou Rewards account on thankyou.com. Navigate to the “More Ways to Redeem” section, then select “Points Transfer.” This option may also be found under the “Travel” dropdown.

On the points transfer page, select the specific airline loyalty program and enter your loyalty program account number. Specify the number of ThankYou points you want to transfer, ensuring it is in 1,000-point increments. It is important to confirm that the name on your Citi account precisely matches the name on your airline loyalty program account, as any discrepancies can delay or prevent the transfer. After reviewing all the details, confirm the transaction to initiate the transfer.

Once a transfer is initiated, it is generally irreversible. While some transfers, such as to American Airlines, Air France-KLM, or Virgin Atlantic, are often instant, others may take longer. Transfers to Singapore Airlines or Turkish Airlines typically process within the same day. However, transfers to partners like EVA Air, Qatar Airways, or Thai Airways can take several days, sometimes up to seven days or more.

Strategies for Using Transferred Points

Maximizing the value of your transferred Citi points involves careful planning and understanding of airline loyalty programs. Always confirm award availability with the airline directly before initiating any points transfer. Since transfers are irreversible, ensuring your desired flight is available prevents points from being stranded in a specific loyalty program.

Once transferred, points are subject to the rules of the airline’s loyalty program, including their award charts and redemption policies. Researching “sweet spots” within an airline’s award chart can yield exceptional value, such as using Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles for domestic United Airlines flights or leveraging Qatar Airways Privilege Club for Qsuite business class redemptions. Flexibility with travel dates can significantly increase your chances of finding desirable award availability, especially for premium cabins.

While it is possible to book travel directly through the Citi travel portal, transferring points to airline partners often provides significantly greater value, particularly for international and premium cabin flights. Be aware of potential taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges that some airlines may levy on award tickets, as these can vary widely between programs. Occasionally, Citi may offer transfer bonuses to specific airline partners, which can further amplify the value of your ThankYou points.