23 FAQs About Citi ThankYou Points [Earning, Redeeming & More]

Citi ThankYou Points are one of the 5 major transferable points currencies on the market (the others being American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Capital One Miles) … and their value comes from their flexibility.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the top frequently asked questions about Citi ThankYou Points — the best ways to use them, where you can transfer them, how long points transfers take, and many more.

Let’s dive right in.

1. What Are Citi ThankYou Points?

Citi ThankYou Points is a reward program offered to eligible Citibank accounts and Citi credit card holders. The rewards are offered for various banking activities and purchases.

Participating cardholders can redeem the points for different options, such as hotels, flights, cruises, rental cars, and outdoor activities, just to name a few.

What’s most important to note is that the cards that allow you to earn ThankYou Points don’t offer the same value when redeeming your ThankYou Points. We’ll tell you more about this later. 

Bottom Line: Citi ThankYou Points is the major points currency from Citibank. Think of these like the Membership Rewards from American Express or the Chase Ultimate Rewards from Chase.

2. How Can I Earn Citi ThankYou Points?

To earn Citi ThankYou Points, you need to be a holder of a Citi credit card that’s part of the ThankYou Rewards program. Here’s a list of Citi credit cards that are eligible for the Citi ThankYou Points Rewards program:

There are additional cards — the Citi Prestige^® Card, Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card, Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card, AT&T Access Card From Citi, and Sears Mastercard^® with ThankYou^® Rewards — that are no longer available for new applicants.

The value of your ThankYou Points depends on the credit card in your possession. Certain cards unlock better capabilities for your points than other cards.

Having an eligible banking relationship with Citi can generate ThankYou Points, too. But as of July 2022, new Citibank checking accounts cannot be enrolled in the ThankYou Rewards program.

Hot Tip: No matter which card you have, you can redeem ThankYou Points for cruises, airfare, car rentals, and other travel-related things.

3. How Many ThankYou Points Can You Earn After the Minimum Spend?

Many Citi cards offer new cardholders a welcome for spending a certain amount within a specific period of time.

The following is a breakdown of the rewards cardholders earn after spending the minimum amount.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou^® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

70,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,120

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou^® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Rewards+^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Citi Rewards+^® Card

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.

20,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$320

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou^® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou^® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+^® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• No Annual Fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel^SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• No annual fee
• Multiple redemption options

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• No Annual Fee
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

The total number of ThankYou Points earned for the cards above will depend on your purchase or spending activities.

4. What Are the Earnings Rates for Eligible ThankYou Points Credit Cards?

The Citi ThankYou Rewards program is a reliable way of getting rewards for your spending activities. Here are the earnings offered per currently-available card:

5. Can I Buy Citi ThankYou Points?

Yes, you can purchase Citi ThankYou Points, but it’s rarely a good deal. Citi ThankYou Points cost 2.5 cents a piece, and are sold in 1,000-point increments … so you’re paying more than they’re worth.

That said, if you’re just shy of points for a particular redemption, purchasing points could make sense. So it’s nice to know you have the option to do so.

6. Can I Transfer My Citi ThankYou Points, and How Long Does It Take for the Transfer?

Yes, you can transfer your points to any of the program’s participating travel partners.

If you’re a Citi Stratus Premier card or Citi Prestige card (no longer open to new applicants) holder you can redeem your ThankYou Points when booking a flight.

Here are the Citi ThankYou transfer partners, along with the transfer times from Citi to each partner:

Bottom Line: Our personal favorites for redemption include Flying Blue (KLM-Air France), Etihad Guest, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic.

7. How Much Are Citi ThankYou Points Really Worth?

Smart travelers understand that Citi ThankYou Points are valuable and can be used in various ways for travel.

ThankYou Points are more valuable when you transfer them to airline partners, however, they can also provide good value when redeemed for travel via the Citi ThankYou portal.

Citi ThankYou cardholders can redeem points for flights through the Citi ThankYou travel portal for hotels, cruises, and airfare at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Bottom Line: Your best bet for value in your points (and the places you can use them) is with the Citi Strata Premier card.

8. What Are the Options for Redeeming My Citi ThankYou Points and How Can I Redeem Them via CitiTravel.com?

If you’re a cardholder of an eligible Citi ThankYou card, you’re eligible to redeem your points.

To redeem your ThankYou Points, do so via CitiTravel.com. Travelers can redeem their points for hotels, rental cars, cruises, flights, and other activities.

With Citi ThankYou Points are redeemed towards travel costs, you don’t have to deal with award charts or search for available dates because you’re essentially purchasing a ticket at cash cost.

This makes it the perfect reward scheme for last-minute travel or booking travel during peak times when airline availability might be limited.

You can also redeem ThankYou Points by transferring them to a variety of airline and hotel partners which we’ll cover shortly.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that transferring points to a specific airline doesn’t limit you to that particular airline. You can also fly on other airlines that are a part of the same alliance.

For example, you can transfer miles to Cathay Pacific and redeem them on American Airlines, or transfer to Thai Airways and redeem them on South African.

There’s at least 1 transfer partner in each of the major alliances, which essentially allows you to use any major airline worldwide as part of these transfer partners.

To purchase a revenue flight ticket or hotel stay, the Citi ThankYou travel portal functions pretty much like any other online travel agency web portal. You can book hotels, cruises, flights, and rental cars all in one place.

To redeem your Citi ThankYou Points, follow these steps:

1. Go to CitiTravel.com.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Click on the Travel tab and select hotels, cars, cruises, or flights.

9. How Can I Book Flights via CitiTravel.com?

Booking a flight through the Citi ThankYou travel portal is simple.

Just follow these steps:

1. Log in to the CitiTravel.com.
2. Select the Travel tab.
3. Click on Flights.
4. You’ll then be redirected to the ThankYou portal flight booking system.
5. Enter your destination, departure city, travel dates, and number of passengers (adults and children).
6. Click Search Flights.

You’ll note that the results are listed from the least expensive to the most expensive. On the right side of the display screen, you can view the price of each flight and the Citi ThankYou Points needed to book it.

To book your flight, click Select. The platform will give you an option to use your Citi ThankYou Points to pay for your flight. You can also pay with a combination of cash and points.

To complete your purchase, click Add to Itinerary. Once you’ve typed in your personal details, your transaction will be complete.

10. How Can I Book Hotels via CitiTravel.com?

Booking a hotel is easy. Simply follow these steps:

1. Click on the Travel tab.
2. Select Hotels.
3. Enter your booking dates and the number of guests (adults and children).
4. Click Search Hotels.

The web platform has a filter function that allows you to filter the results by amenities, price, and rating. From the results, you can also view discounts and special offers.

Once you find the hotel you want, click Choose Room.

When it comes to payment, you can choose to pay for the room with ThankYou Points or a combination of points and cash.

After selecting a room, the platform will redirect you to a checkout screen. Here, add your personal details and complete checkout.

Hot Tip: It’s important to always check the cancellation policy before booking. If it’s a nonrefundable reservation, you won’t be able to get your points back.

11. How Can I Book Rental Cars via CitiTravel.com?

Along with flights and hotel rooms, you can also book rental cars through the Citi ThankYou travel portal.

Here’s how:

1. Click on the Travel tab.
2. Select Cars.
3. Enter your information, including pickup and drop-off locations, driver’s age, dates, and times.
4. Click Search Cars.

When the results are returned, they’ll be listed from the least expensive to the most expensive. The platform has a filter function that allows you to filter the results using the following options: car types, car options, and rental company.

Click Apply filters and a new set of results is displayed. To book a car, click Book this car, customize the payment options, add your personal details, and complete the checkout process by following the prompts.

12. Can I Book Cruises via CitiTravel.com?

Unlike flights, rental cars, and hotels, the CitiTravel.com doesn’t allow you to book cruises online. But, it does give you an opportunity to browse different cruise deals.

To get started, click Cruise from the travel tab and begin browsing available deals.

The screen will even display featured cruise offers at the bottom. To refine your search, you can specify a cruise line or a destination.

Click on View Cruise Details to learn more about the cruise. If you find an offer that’s a good fit, call Citi to book the cruise.

13. How Can I Book Outdoor Activities via CitiTravel.com?

Not only can you book hotels, rental cars, and flights through the CitiTravel.com, but you can also book outdoor activities and local sightseeing.

To find an activity that fits your style and budget:

1. Click Activities.
2. Enter your details such as destination, arrival date, and departure date.
3. Click Search Activities.

Your search results will list all of the available activities within your specified date range.

When you select an activity that interests you, you’ll be given the name of the activity, category, and price in cash or Citi ThankYou Points. Book the activity, and if you have any questions about booking or travel, contact the support team at Citi.

14. How Can I Track How Many ThankYou Points I’ve Earned?

Citi ThankYou Points can be used to supplement for cash when booking flights, rental cars, hotels, cruises, and outdoor activities. As such, you need to understand how to track how many points you’ve earned. Citi has created an easy-to-use ThankYou Points platform where you can do just that.

To track your points, simply log in to your Citi account using your credentials. On the right side of the display screen, you should see a panel. The panel lists all your Citi cards plus points earned for each card. To get a summary of your points, click Points Summary.

15. When Will My Citi ThankYou Points Expire?

Your ThankYou Points expire 60 days after the closing of your account (if you close it). Failure to use them by then means you forfeit your points.

Keep in mind that any account activity maintains your points and account. As long as your card is open and active, your points won’t expire. If you transfer them to an airline, you’re then under the policies of that particular airline, however.

If you hold a Citi Strata Premier card or Citi Prestige card, you can transfer the ThankYou Points you earned from your eligible banking activities to another individual. The Citi ThankYou Rewards program allows you to transfer up to 100,000 points every calendar year. ThankYou Points transferred from another person are eligible for 90 days and will expire if not used within that period.

Hot Tip: What you need to know is that ThankYou Points earned cannot expire as long as you have the card active. To avoid paying an annual fee, downgrade your card instead of closing your account.

16. Should I Redeem My Citi ThankYou Points for Shopping?

Citi cardholders can use their ThankYou Points for shopping. The program partners with several retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and 1-800-Flowers, among others. Citi also has its own online shopping platform where you can redeem your ThankYou Points for goods.

While this opportunity is made available to customers, redeeming points for shopping lowers the value of your points.

Instead of the 1 cent per point that’s rewarded when booking flights, cruises, hotels, and rental cars, shopping rewards are much less than 1 cent per point.

If you don’t want to spend your points on travel, you still have a shopping option. Redeeming your points for gift cards can give you the same value as purchasing travel. Instead of purchasing goods from a retailer, simply buy a gift card and you’ll receive a 1 cent per point value.

Bottom Line: It’s NOT recommended you redeem points for shopping, as this has a low redemption value for your points.

17. Can I Redeem My Citi ThankYou Points for Cash?

Yes, you can. Citi allows its cardholders under the ThankYou Points Rewards program to redeem their points in exchange for cash.

ThankYou Points are worth 1 cent each when you redeem them for a statement credit.

If you’re not interested in redeeming your Citi ThankYou Points through transfer partners, where you can often get higher value, then redeeming for cash-back can be a great option.

18. Is the Citi ThankYou Points Rewards Program Different From Other Reward Programs?

Yes, it is.

The ThankYou Rewards program has different transfer partners than the 4 other main transfer programs — American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Capital One Miles.

Each of these programs is unique in its own right, though Citi ThankYou is certainly considered one of the major rewards programs.

19. Are There Fees Charged When Transferring Citi ThankYou Points?

No, there are no fees associated with the transfer of ThankYou Points to participating partner programs. With the Citi ThankYou Rewards program, you can transfer all your points even when you plan to shut down your account. Basically, the program offers value to all customers.

Bottom Line: There are no fees when you transfer Citi ThankYou Points to travel partners.

20. Is It Possible To Transfer My Citi ThankYou Points to Another Person’s Airline or Hotel Account Directly?

No, Citi does not allow ThankYou Points to be transferred directly to another airline loyalty account. To do this, share the points with that person, and then they can transfer them from there to their airline loyalty program of choice.

For you to transfer your ThankYou Points to a loyalty program, the name on the accounts must match.

21. Can I Combine 2 Citi ThankYou Points Accounts?

No, Citi does not allow ThankYou Points holders to combine 2 or more ThankYou Points accounts (such as with 2 friends). However, you can share the points using a points transfer.

If you hold multiple Citi cards, the points will be pooled into 1 account, so there really shouldn’t be too much of a reason for you to want to combine 2 Citi ThankYou accounts.

22. How Long Does It Take for ThankYou Points To Post in My Account?

It depends on the billing cycle. ThankYou Points earned from new purchases are reflected in your account on the next points summary. For your bonus points, this takes 1 to 2 billing cycles, which is approximately 30 to 60 days.

23. Can I Use My ThankYou Points at Amazon.com?

Yes, you can. If you have an eligible Citi credit card participating in the ThankYou Rewards program, you can use your ThankYou Points when shopping at Amazon.com.

As an eligible participant of Citi’s ThankYou Rewards program, you’re automatically enrolled in Shop with Points.

To get started, link your Citi credit card to your Amazon.com account. You can also register by linking your Amazon account and ThankYou Points account. Once you have linked the accounts, you can begin making purchases with points.

A word of caution: Redeeming your ThankYou Points for shopping is not a good idea. Why? Instead of redeeming 1.25 cents to 1.6 cents per point, you’ll redeem 0.5 cents per point.

For a better deal, redeem your ThankYou Points for gift cards at participating retailers, or, better yet, transfer them to airline partners.

Final Thoughts

Citi ThankYou Points are one of the more valuable transferable currencies in the credit card market, with many different transfer opportunities available.

If you’re looking for an all-around good points-earning option, a Citi ThankYou card is definitely worth a spot in your wallet for sure.

If you have any questions about your Citi ThankYou Points account or your credit card specifics, contact the ThankYou Service Center at 800-THANK-YOU (800-842-6596), and the representatives there would be glad to assist you.

The information regarding the AT&T Access Card From Citi and Sears Mastercard^® with ThankYou^® Rewards was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.