Best Cards for Earning Citi ThankYou Points

Citi ThankYou points are a flexible and powerful currency, letting you book flights, hotels, or transfer to partners like Singapore Airlines, JetBlue, and more. Whether you're planning a luxury trip or a quick domestic flight, Citi cards offer great value and versatility for your plans. Below are the best cards to earn Citi ThankYou points, ranked for their bonus offers and long-term benefits, so you can start building your point stash.

🏆 Best for Gas Stations

Annual Fee: $95

60,000Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual Fee: $0

20,000Bonus Points
Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Which Card is Right for You?

Citi ThankYou Points credit cards cater to a wide range of users, from the casual spender to the frequent traveler. If you’re all about maximizing travel rewards, the Citi Premier is a great fit, offering bonus points on popular categories like dining, travel, and supermarkets. For those who want a no-annual-fee card with solid rewards, the Citi Rewards+ and Custom Cash are fantastic options. Business owners should check out the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select for valuable rewards on everyday expenses. Whether you’re booking your next flight already or just looking to earn points on everyday spending, there’s a Citi ThankYou card that could be perfect for you.

Other Ways to Earn

Citi ThankYou Points cards give you plenty of opportunities to earn points, whether it’s through travel, groceries, gas, or dining. Citi’s rotating bonus categories and no-limit cash-back cards like Custom Cash ensure you’re earning even on the smallest of purchases. Pair multiple Citi cards to maximize your points, and don’t forget to take advantage of Citi’s partnerships with online shopping portals for even more earning potential.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Points can be transferred to valuable travel partners like Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Avianca


Citi Premier offers strong rewards on everyday spending categories like dining, groceries, and travel


You can combine points earned across multiple Citi ThankYou cards


Citi offers an easy-to-use booking portal for flights, hotels, and more, providing flexible redemption options

Cons

ThankYou points have lower redemption value when used for cashback or statement credits


Maximizing rewards requires juggling several Citi cards to take advantage of all earning categories


Citi cards don’t offer the same level of luxury travel perks as some competitors, like Amex or Chase

FAQs

Can I transfer Citi ThankYou Points to airline partners?

Yes, Citi has several airline partners, including Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Avianca. Transferring points to these airlines is a great way to maximize their value, especially for international flights.

Which Citi card is best for travel?

The Citi Strata Premier is one of the best travel-focused cards in the ThankYou Points lineup. It offers bonus points on travel, dining, gas, and supermarkets, and the points can be transferred to several airline partners.

Can I use Citi ThankYou Points for cash-back?

Yes, you can redeem ThankYou Points for cashback, but it’s not the most valuable option. The best use of your points is typically transferring them to travel partners or using them to book flights or hotels through the ThankYou Travel Center.

Does Citi offer a business ThankYou card?

Citi doesn’t have a dedicated business ThankYou Points card, but business owners should check out the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select card, which earns American Airlines miles and offers rewards on travel and everyday business purchases.

Do Citi ThankYou Points expire? 

Yes, but only if you close your account or fail to use or transfer your points within 60 days after closure.

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

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