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One of the most popular transferable points currencies is the Citi ThankYou program. Citi ThankYou points can be used in many ways. You can transfer them to Citi's airline partners (my favorite use), or redeem them towards travel costs.
There is confusion about whether Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to other people. This post will explain how to transfer Citi ThankYou points to other ThankYou accounts and to other frequent flyer accounts.
Citi ThankYou points can be earned by which credit cards
To start, some background information about which cards earn ThankYou Points (to distinguish this from Citi cards that earn American AAdvantage points, etc. Here's a link:
Five cards are worth earning ThankYou Points
Can you transfer Citi ThankYou Points to other people?
Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards have different policies regarding the transfer of points to other members.
Citi is the most generous bank in terms of its policy. Citi allows you to transfer ThankYou points from any ThankYou member to your Citi ThankYou account. You don't need to share the same address or be an authorized user. With a ThankYou account you can transfer your points to anyone, provided that they aren't selling or trading your points.
However, there are certain restrictions that you should be aware of:
Maximum 100,000 ThankYou points can be transferred to another member of ThankYou per calendar year. This limit is not for one person, but it is for all members.
(This limit applies to all members, and not just to one person) Each ThankYou member may receive no more than 100,000 ThankYou points per year
The 90-day expiry of shared points is for the member to whom they were transferred. This means that the member who received them will only have 90 days to redeem them. When the member redeems points, the points that expire soonest will be taken first
So the member to whom you have transferred points will only have a short time to redeem them. The points that expire soonest will be automatically pulled first. Shared points recipients can't share the same points with other members
Citi Rewards+ Card gives 10% back on your first 100,000 points each year. Sharing points with other members would not be eligible for these points.
Surprisingly, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points earned indirectly on the Citi Double cash Card to other people
Please note that the policy of shared points expiring after closing an account is different from the 60-day policy.
What is the cost of transferring Citi ThankYou points?
Yes, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points to other people within the limit. Transferring points to Citi ThankYou is free!
How can you transfer Citi ThankYou Points to another member?
Transferring ThankYou points to another member of your family is easy. Log in to your ThankYou account and click on More ways to redeem and Points sharing.
Typically, you will then need to confirm your identity by receiving an identification code via text or phone.
Next page will explain how it works.
It will also show how many points have been transferred so far in the year and how many you can transfer.
You can share as many points as your heart desires (and you don't even have to transfer one thousand points at a time).
You will need the name of the recipient and their account number (either a ThankYou or credit card number) to transfer funds.
The process is fast and the points should be transferred immediately.
Can you transfer Citi ThankYou Points to another frequent flyer account?
Transfer Citi ThankYou points can be made between ThankYou accounts, but you cannot transfer ThankYou points to another frequent flyer account.
Unfortunately, this is not possible as ThankYou points can only be transferred to an account under the name of the cardmember. You will see your name already filled out when you transfer points to another person. All you have to do is enter your frequent flyer number.
You can transfer ThankYou points to someone else's frequent flyer account by first transferring points to their ThankYou account. Then they can convert the points for a partner program.
Transferring Citi ThankYou points cannot be done to another frequent flyer account.
Can you transfer Citi ThankYou Points to another person?
Citi ThankYou is my favorite policy regarding the transferability any of the major points currencies. It is amazing to be able to transfer 100,000 points annually to other Citi ThankYou members.
Is it a good idea to use this feature when you have the opportunity?
Transferring points to another person would enable them to transfer points into a frequent flyer program and thus have enough points to redeem.
Transferring points to a friend, family member or friend who isn't sure what to do with them, can make sense if you are closing your Citi ThankYou card.
Transferring points to friends who have the Citi Premier Card and Citi Rewards+ Card could be a way to transfer points to frequent flyer programs.
Sharing points can make sense in certain situations
Bottom line
The Citi ThankYou system for sharing and transferring points has its pros and cons.
You can share 100K Citi ThankYou Points with any ThankYou member even if you are not related. However, they expire after 90 Days.
You can't transfer Citi ThankYou points into another frequent flyer account.
Citi Double Cash Card is my favorite credit card, and I have accumulated quite a few ThankYou Points. These points are best transferred to ThankYou airline partners. Transferring to other members is a good option for people who are closing an account or have a lower balance.
What was your experience with transferring Citi ThankYou points? What do you think about Citi's policy?
