Citi ThankYou Points offer flexibility through various redemption options, including transfers to airline partners. Understanding their expiration policy is important for maximizing their value.
Citi ThankYou Points Expiration Policy
Similar to other major bank rewards programs, Citi ThankYou Points generally do not expire as long as you maintain an active ThankYou Points-earning credit card account.
- You need at least one open Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Points (e.g., Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Rewards+® Card) for your points to remain valid.
- Points earned across different eligible Citi cards are typically pooled into a single ThankYou account.
As long as an eligible card account remains open and in good standing, your points are safe from expiration due to inactivity or the passage of time.
Why You Could Lose Citi Points
Misusing your account
Fraud, abuse, or suspicious activity can lead to an immediate loss of your points. Examples include buying or selling points, repeatedly opening Citi credit cards just for bonuses, or using your account in a way Citi considers abusive.
Closing your card
If you close your Citi credit card, you’ll have 90 days to redeem your points. After that, they’re gone.
Converting your card
Switching your account to a Citi card that doesn’t earn ThankYou points also triggers a 90-day clock. Use your rewards before the deadline or you’ll lose them.
Inactivity closures
If Citi closes or converts your account due to inactivity, the same rule applies: you’ll have 90 days to redeem your points.
Loss of points upon death
Unless an executor notifies Citi within one year of the account holder’s death, the points are forfeited. With proper documentation, they may be redeemed for cash.
Temporary suspensions
Late or missed payments can lead to a temporary suspension of your ThankYou account. You won’t be able to use your points until the account is current. Once you’re caught up, you can request reinstatement.
How to Keep Your Citi Points
The best way to protect your points is to keep your account open and in good standing. Pay on time, follow the rules, and make sure your card stays active.
If you downgrade, pick a card that still participates in ThankYou Rewards. Eligible cards include:
- Citi Custom Cash® Card (no annual fee)
- Citi Double Cash® Card (no annual fee)**
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Citi Rewards+® Card (no annual fee)**
- Citi Prestige® (closed to new applicants)
- Citi ThankYou® Preferred (closed to new applicants)
- AT&T Access Card and Access More (no longer available to new applicants)
Note: Some cards only transfer to a limited number of partners at reduced ratios (e.g., Choice, JetBlue, Wyndham).
Ways to Redeem Citi Points
If you’re planning to close a card or just want to be proactive, here are your redemption options:
- Cash back: Statement credits, direct deposit, or checks.
- Gift cards: From brands like Apple, Target, Starbucks, Sephora, and Uber.
- Shop with points: Use at Amazon, Best Buy, PayPal, Shell, or Walgreens.
- Cover recent purchases: Apply points toward eligible charges on your account.
- Book travel: Many Citi cards let you use points for flights, hotels, and car rentals through CitiTravel.
- Donate to charity: Partners include No Kid Hungry, Susan G. Komen, and World Central Kitchen.
- Transfer to travel partners: Airlines like Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic, plus hotels like Hyatt and Accor.
- Share with others: Citi lets most cardholders share points with another ThankYou member. Shared points must be used within 90 days.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Transfer Partners
You can get significantly more value from your Citi ThankYou Rewards points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners instead of redeeming them for cash or gift cards. The best transfer ratios are reserved for cardholders of the Citi Strata Elite℠, Citi Strata Premier℠, or Citi Prestige® cards, as well as the AT&T Access More card (with some exceptions). Other Citi ThankYou cardholders receive reduced transfer ratios.
Transfer Partners and Ratios
Here’s a breakdown of the Citi ThankYou Rewards travel partners:
| Program | Ratio (Strata Elite / Premier / Prestige / AT&T Access More*) | Ratio (Other Cards) |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico Rewards | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Accor Live Limitless | 1:0.5 | 1:0.35 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | 1:1 (not for AT&T Access More) | Not available |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Cathay Pacific Cathay | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Choice Privileges | 1:2 | 1:1.4 |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:0.8 | 1:0.56 |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| I Prefer Hotel Rewards | 1:4 | 1:2.8 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Leaders Club (LHW) | 1:0.2 | 1:0.14 |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Thai Royal Orchid Plus | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club / Virgin Red | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | 1:0.7 |
*AAdvantage transfers are not available for AT&T Access More cardholders.
Combining Points
All Citi ThankYou Rewards points can be combined into a single account, either online or by phone. If you pool points into a Strata Elite, Strata Premier, or Prestige account, you’ll unlock the best possible transfer ratios across all partners.
Redemption Ideas
With so many options, it’s worth being strategic about where you transfer your points. Some of the best uses include:
- Booking discounted premium cabin flights with Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.
- Transferring to Choice Privileges for hotel stays starting at 6,000 points per night.
- Using Avianca LifeMiles to book United Airlines flights without fuel surcharges.
- Redeeming with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for Delta-operated flights.
- Booking budget-friendly stays with Wyndham Rewards for as little as 7,500 points per night.
- Taking advantage of Air France-KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards.
- Transferring to American Airlines AAdvantage to access its well-known award sweet spots.
With strong airline and hotel partnerships, Citi ThankYou Rewards provides plenty of flexibility. Cardholders with the right Citi cards can maximize value by accessing 1:1 transfer ratios, while even reduced ratios can make sense for the right redemption.
Official Policy
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always consult the official Citi ThankYou Rewards program rules:
- Citi ThankYou Rewards FAQs (Official FAQs addressing points expiration and other program details).
Summary
Citi ThankYou Rewards can be valuable, but only if you protect them. Keep your account open, pay on time, and use or transfer your points if you’re planning to close a card. If you’re unsure how to get the most value, transferring to travel partners often provides the best bang for your buck.
Disclaimer: Program rules can change. Always refer to the official Citi documentation for current policies. This guide is for informational purposes only.