If you’re interested in booking flights within the United States and have Citi ThankYou® Points, there are more options than you might have considered. Let’s start with some background.

ThankYou Points are flexible currency earned through the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program. Like other flexible rewards programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards, the primary benefit of Citi ThankYou Rewards is that there are many ways to use points. 

You can redeem for cash back, statement credits, purchases at select retailers and gift card purchases.

Citi ThankYou Rewards is an excellent (and often underrated) credit card rewards program. While it’s not as popular as other programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, the Citi ThankYou Rewards program has some hidden gems.

Among many points and miles enthusiasts, the Citi ThankYou Rewards program is known as the home of the Citi trifecta, a low-cost credit card strategy that involves the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card.

ThankYou® Points are the currency of the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, which is one of the major flexible rewards programs in the United States. With the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, cardholders can use points in several ways, such as redeeming for cash back or statement credits, making purchases at select retailers, buying gift cards, booking travel through Citi Travel℠ or transferring points to partner loyalty programs.

The primary way to earn ThankYou® Points is through welcome bonuses and spending on select Citi credit cards.

Editor's note: In late October 2024, Finnair dramatically increased award prices for flights within the continental U.S. and Canada. Economy award rates increased from 11,000 Avios to 16,500 Avios, and first-class rates increased from 30,000 Avios to 40,000 Avios. This article references the rates in effect when the article was written and published, but current rates are 16,500 Avios for economy and 40,000 Avios for first.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our points and miles don’t align with flights we want to book.

The Citi ThankYou® Rewards program allows eligible bank or credit card customers to earn ThankYou Points—a flexible rewards currency—on purchases made with certain Citi credit cards. Although the Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards programs both offer more cards that earn their respective currencies, Citi ThankYou Points are still valuable and easy to earn. 

You can earn Citi ThankYou Points by opening new credit cards to earn their welcome bonuses and paying for everyday purchases with an eligible credit card.

LifeMiles is a frequent flyer program of Avianca, Colombia’s biggest and oldest airline. Avianca is one of the Star Alliance member airlines so when you earn or redeem LifeMiles, you have access to the biggest airline alliance in the world and its extensive networks. Theoretically, you can get anywhere in the world with LifeMiles. 

The program has lots of fans, but it’s not the easiest to use. Airlines don’t grant all of their partners the same access to award space, and LifeMiles’ website also leaves a lot to be desired.

I’ve been a huge fan of card combinations that can really sweep you off your feet at the ability to rapidly earn tons of points without chasing a bonus. Combos like the Citi Premier® Card (Note from the editor: Citi Premier® Card is no longer available to new applicants) and the Citi® Double Cash Card, or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

For the past few years, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been my absolute go to combo.

Similar to Disney’s “Big Hero 6” film, Turkish Miles&Smiles is easily one of the most underrated loyalty programs out there.

Citi ThankYou Points are almost an afterthought for many points and miles collectors. However, if you are ignoring ThankYou Points, you are doing yourself a disservice.

In a little bit of a shocking move, Citi has announced a new limited time ThankYou Points transfer partner - American AAdvantage.

Starting July 18, 2021 and running through November 13, 2021, if you have either the Citi Premier Card (Note from the editor: Citi Premier® Card is no longer available to new applicants) or the Citi Prestige Card, you can transfer ThankYou Points 1:1 to American AAdvantage miles. If you have the Citi Preferred or the Citi Rewards+ cards, you can transfer the points 2:1.