Citi ThankYou Points Transfer Partners

Citi ThankYou Points offer access to a curated set of airline and hotel transfer partners that can deliver significant value when used strategically. Understanding which Citi transfer partners align with your travel goals—and how to execute transfers without common pitfalls—directly impacts how much value you extract from your points.

This guide outlines the decision framework, transfer mechanics, and practical steps for using Citi transfer partners effectively. You’ll learn which ThankYou Points are eligible to transfer, how to evaluate transfer bonuses, and the specific mistakes that waste points or lock you into suboptimal redemptions.

The focus is on actionable guidance: what to verify before transferring, how to calculate real value, and when transferring makes sense versus booking through the Citi travel portal or using points for other redemptions.

Helpful Tools

For current transfer ratios, partner programs, and transfer times across all major banks, refer to the Credit Card Transfer Partners table. To calculate cents per point value and model transfer bonus scenarios, use the Award Travel Calculators page, which includes the Cents Per Point (CPP) Calculator and Bank Points Transfer & Bonus Calculator.

Key Takeaways

• Citi transfer partners include 15 airline programs and 1 hotel program; most transfers are 1:1, but some partners offer lower ratios that reduce effective value
• Only ThankYou Points earned from premium cards (Strata Premier, Prestige) can transfer to partners; points from non-premium cards cannot transfer
• Transfer times range from instant to 7 days, depending on the partner; always transfer before booking award tickets to avoid losing availability
• Transfer bonuses can add 20-30% extra points, but real value depends on baseline redemption value—verify award availability first, then calculate total cents per point
• Common mistakes include transferring speculatively, ignoring partner surcharges, and failing to compare cash prices before committing points
• Use the step-by-step checklist: confirm award space, calculate CPP with any bonus, verify fees, then transfer only the exact points needed

Citi Transfer Partners: Overview

Citi ThankYou Points can be transferred to 15 airline loyalty programs and a few hotel programs as of 2026. The airline partners span major global alliances and regional carriers, providing routing options across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The hotel partners offer boutique and luxury properties primarily in Asia-Pacific markets.

Current Citi transfer partners include:

Most transfers occur at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Citi ThankYou Points become 1,000 airline miles or hotel points. A few partners use different ratios—verify current ratios in the Credit Card Transfer Partners table before initiating any transfer, as programs occasionally adjust terms.

Why transfer partners matter:

Transferring points to airline and hotel loyalty programs typically delivers higher value than redeeming ThankYou Points directly through the Citi travel portal. Portal redemptions generally yield 1.0 to 1.25 cents per point (CPP) depending on card type, while strategic partner transfers can produce 1.5 to 3+ CPP on premium cabin international flights or high-value hotel stays.

The tradeoff: transfers are irreversible. Once points are moved to a partner program, you cannot move them back to Citi or to another partner. This makes pre-transfer planning essential.

Eligibility Basics (Which Citi Points Can Transfer)

Not all Citi ThankYou Points are eligible to transfer to partners. Eligibility depends on the credit card that earned the points.

Cards that allow transfers to partners:

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants, but existing cardholders retain transfer privileges)

Points earned from these cards—or points pooled from other ThankYou-earning cards into an account holding one of these premium cards—can transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Cards that do NOT allow transfers:

• Citi Rewards+® Card
• Citi Double Cash® Card (when enrolled in ThankYou)
• Citi Custom Cash℠ Card (when enrolled in ThankYou)
• Other non-premium ThankYou-earning cards

Points earned on these cards can only be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked through the Citi portal. They cannot transfer to partners unless you also hold a Strata Premier or Prestige card and pool the points into that account.

Pooling mechanics:

Citi allows you to combine ThankYou Points from multiple cards into a single account, provided all cards are under the same name and Social Security Number. Once pooled into an account with a Strata Premier or Prestige card, all points in that account become eligible for partner transfers.

Practical implication:

If you earn points on a Citi Custom Cash card and want to transfer them to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, you must first pool those points into an account that also holds a Strata Premier or Prestige card. Without a premium card in your ThankYou portfolio, partner transfers are not possible.

Transfer Ratios and What They Mean in Practice

Most Citi transfer partners accept points at a 1:1 ratio. A minority use different ratios that effectively reduce the number of miles or points you receive.

Standard 1:1 partners (as of 2026):

Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Partners with non-1:1 ratios:

Verify current ratios in the Credit Card Transfer Partners table. Ratios can change; historical examples have included partners with 1:0.8 or similar adjustments.

What ratios mean for redemption value:

A 1:1 ratio simplifies the math. If a Singapore Airlines business class award costs 90,000 KrisFlyer miles, you transfer 90,000 ThankYou Points. If that ticket would cost $3,000 in cash, your CPP is $3,000 ÷ 90,000 = 3.33 CPP.

A non-1:1 ratio changes the denominator. If a partner uses a 1:0.8 ratio, transferring 10,000 ThankYou Points yields only 8,000 partner miles. To book the same 90,000-mile award, you’d need to transfer 112,500 ThankYou Points (90,000 ÷ 0.8). Your effective CPP drops: $3,000 ÷ 112,500 = 2.67 CPP.

Decision framework:

Always calculate effective CPP using the actual number of ThankYou Points you’ll transfer, not the number of miles required. Compare that CPP to:

• Cash ticket price ÷ points required
• Alternative redemption options (portal booking, other transfer partners, different routing)
• Your personal valuation floor (many travelers set a minimum threshold of 1.5 CPP for international economy, 2.0+ CPP for premium cabins)

If the effective CPP, after accounting for the transfer ratio and any fees, falls below your threshold, consider alternative strategies.

Transfer Times: What to Expect

Transfer times vary by partner. Most Citi transfer partners process transfers within minutes to 24 hours, but some take longer.

Typical transfer windows (verify current times in the Credit Card Transfer Partners table):

• Instant to a few hours: Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• 1-2 business days: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Avianca LifeMiles
• Up to 7 days: Some partners during high-volume periods or system maintenance

Critical timing rule:

Never transfer points until you have confirmed award availability. Award space can disappear in minutes, especially on popular routes or during transfer bonus promotions when demand spikes.

Recommended sequence:

1. Search for award availability on the partner airline or hotel program website or app
2. Confirm the exact points required, routing, dates, and any fees
3. Verify you have enough ThankYou Points (plus a small buffer for potential rate changes)
4. Initiate the transfer
5. Monitor the partner account for points to post
6. Book the award immediately once points appear

Common mistake:

Transferring points before confirming availability, only to discover the award space is unavailable or the routing doesn’t work. Transfers are irreversible—points stranded in a partner program with no immediate use represent opportunity cost and devaluation risk.

Best practice:

If a partner offers instant or same-day transfers, you can check availability, initiate a transfer, and book in a single session. For partners with 1-2-day transfer times, place a hold on the award if the program allows it, transfer points, and complete the booking once the points post. For partners with longer transfer times, only transfer if you’re confident the space will remain or if you have flexible travel dates.

Transfer Bonuses: How to Evaluate Real Value

Citi periodically offers transfer bonuses—typically 20% to 30% extra miles when you transfer to specific partners during promotional periods. A 25% bonus means transferring 10,000 ThankYou Points yields 12,500 partner miles.

How bonuses affect value:

Transfer bonuses reduce the effective number of ThankYou Points required for an award, which increases your CPP if the redemption value remains constant.

Example:

• Award cost: 70,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles for business class to Tokyo
• Cash price: $2,500
• Without bonus: Transfer 70,000 ThankYou Points → CPP = $2,500 ÷ 70,000 = 3.57 CPP
• With 25% bonus: Transfer 56,000 ThankYou Points (56,000 × 1.25 = 70,000 miles) → CPP = $2,500 ÷ 56,000 = 4.46 CPP

When bonuses don’t matter:

Transfer bonuses only add value if:

1. Award availability exists for your desired route and dates
2. The baseline redemption (without bonus) already delivers acceptable value
3. You were planning to transfer to that partner anyway

Avoid these bonus traps:

• Transferring to a partner you don’t need just because a bonus is available
• Booking a suboptimal routing or date to “take advantage” of a bonus when the baseline value is poor
• Ignoring high fuel surcharges or carrier-imposed fees that erode the bonus benefit

Practical evaluation steps:

1. Identify the award you want to book
2. Calculate CPP without the bonus
3. If baseline CPP meets your threshold, calculate CPP with the bonus
4. Compare total out-of-pocket costs (points + cash fees) to the cash ticket price
5. Confirm the bonus applies to your specific transfer (some bonuses exclude certain account types or have minimum transfer amounts)

Real-world scenario:

A 30% transfer bonus to Flying Blue might seem attractive, but if the award you want has €400 in fuel surcharges and the cash ticket costs $600, your all-in cost (points + cash) may exceed reasonable value even with the bonus. Always run the full travel rewards math.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Before You Transfer

Transferring without confirmed award availability

This is the most expensive mistake. Award space changes constantly. Always check the partner program’s award calendar, confirm the exact flights or hotels, and verify availability before transferring any points.

Ignoring fuel surcharges and carrier-imposed fees

Some Citi transfer partners—particularly British Airways (via partner bookings), Virgin Atlantic on certain routes, and Lufthansa Group airlines—add significant surcharges. A “free” Business Class award can cost $500-$1,000 in fees. Calculate total out-of-pocket cost (points valued at your CPP threshold + cash fees) and compare to the cash ticket price.

Transferring more points than needed

Transfer the exact number of points required, or slightly more if the partner program allows you to use excess miles for upgrades or future bookings. Orphaned points in a partner account face devaluation risk and may expire if the account remains inactive.

Failing to compare alternative partners

Multiple Citi transfer partners may offer awards on the same route (e.g., Singapore, Virgin Atlantic, and Flying Blue all access different SkyTeam or partner airlines). Compare award pricing, fees, and routing options across partners before committing.

Overlooking portal redemptions for low-value awards

For domestic economy flights or short-haul trips, booking through the Citi travel portal at 1.0-1.25 CPP may deliver similar or better value than transferring to a partner, especially when you factor in transfer time and potential fees. Run the comparison.

Transferring during peak demand without a backup plan

Transfer bonuses and holiday periods create award booking frenzies. If you transfer and find no availability, you’re stuck. Have alternative dates, routes, or partners in mind before initiating the transfer.

Step-by-Step Transfer Checklist (Decision + Execution)

Use this checklist every time you consider transferring Citi ThankYou Points to a partner.

Step 1: Confirm award availability

• Log into the partner airline or hotel loyalty program
• Search for award space on your desired dates and route
• Verify the exact points required, cabin class, and any restrictions
• Screenshot or note the award details (flight numbers, dates, points cost)

Step 2: Calculate baseline value

• Find the cash price for the same ticket or hotel stay
• Divide cash price by points required: CPP = Cash Price ÷ Points
• Compare CPP to your personal threshold (e.g., 1.5 CPP minimum for economy, 2.0+ for premium cabins)
• If baseline CPP is below threshold, stop—consider alternative redemptions

Step 3: Check for transfer bonuses

• Review current Citi transfer bonus offers (check Citi ThankYou portal or Award Travel Hub updates)
• If a bonus applies, recalculate: Adjusted Points = Points Required ÷ (1 + Bonus Percentage)
• Recalculate CPP with adjusted points: Bonus CPP = Cash Price ÷ Adjusted Points

Step 4: Verify fees and surcharges

• Proceed to the partner booking page (do not complete booking yet)
• Note all taxes, fuel surcharges, and carrier-imposed fees
• Add fees to your cost calculation: Total Cost = (Points × Your CPP Valuation) + Cash Fees
• Compare Total Cost to cash ticket price—if Total Cost is higher or only marginally lower, reconsider

Step 5: Compare alternatives

• Check Citi travel portal redemption rate for the same ticket
• Explore other Citi transfer partners for the same route
• Consider alternative dates or nearby airports if availability is limited

Step 6: Execute the transfer

• Log into Citi ThankYou Rewards portal
• Navigate to the “Transfer Points” section
• Select the partner program
• Enter your partner loyalty program account number (verify accuracy—incorrect numbers can delay or lose points)
• Enter the exact number of points to transfer
• Confirm transfer and note the confirmation number

Step 7: Monitor and book

• Check the partner loyalty account for points to post (refresh every few hours for partners with longer transfer times)
• Once points appear, log into the partner program immediately
• Complete the award booking
• Save booking confirmation and set calendar reminders for any required follow-up (seat selection, meal preferences, reconfirmation)

Step 8: Document for future reference

• Record the redemption in a spreadsheet: date, partner, points transferred, cash value, CPP achieved
• Track this data to refine your personal valuation and identify which partners consistently deliver the best value for your travel patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Citi ThankYou Points to another person’s airline account?

No. Citi requires the name on the ThankYou account to match the name on the partner loyalty program account. You cannot transfer points to a family member’s or friend’s frequent flyer account.

How long do transferred points stay in the partner program?

This depends on the partner’s expiration policy. Most airline programs require account activity (earning or redeeming miles) every 12-24 months to keep miles from expiring. Hotel programs vary. Check each partner’s terms before transferring, and plan to use the points within a reasonable timeframe.

Can I reverse a transfer if I change my mind?

No. All Citi ThankYou Points transfers to partners are final and irreversible. Once points leave your ThankYou account, you cannot move them back or transfer them to a different partner.

Do transfer bonuses apply automatically?

Yes, if a transfer bonus is active for a specific partner during the promotional period. The bonus miles post to your partner account along with the base transfer. Verify the bonus is active before transferring by checking the Citi ThankYou portal or promotional terms.

What happens if I enter the wrong frequent flyer number?

Points may be delayed or lost. Contact Citi ThankYou customer service immediately if you realize an error. Resolution can take weeks and is not guaranteed. Always double-check account numbers before confirming a transfer.

Are there fees to transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners?

Citi does not charge a fee to transfer points to airline or hotel partners. However, some partners may charge fees when you book awards (fuel surcharges, close-in booking fees, phone booking fees). Review partner program fee schedules separately.

Conclusion

Citi transfer partners offer a powerful mechanism to convert ThankYou Points into high-value award flights and hotel stays – when used with discipline and accurate planning. The key is confirming award availability before transferring, calculating real cents per point value, including all fees, and avoiding speculative transfers that strand points in programs you may not use.

Next steps:

1. Review the Credit Card Transfer Partners table to confirm current Citi transfer ratios and processing times
2. Use the Award Travel Calculators to model redemption scenarios and compare transfer bonus offers
3. Identify one or two Citi transfer partners aligned with your most frequent routes or aspirational trips
4. Search for award availability on those partners before your next planned trip
5. Apply the step-by-step checklist to execute your first strategic transfer with confidence

Maximizing Citi ThankYou Points requires treating transfers as irreversible decisions backed by confirmed availability and verified value calculations. Follow the decision framework, avoid common mistakes, and your points will consistently deliver meaningful travel savings.

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