What is the Citi ThankYou transfer devaluation?

Starting April 19, 2026, Citi is reducing transfer rates to two hotel partners. Choice Privileges drops from 1:2 to 1:1.5 (a 25% cut), and Preferred Hotels I Prefer drops from 1:4 to 1:2 (a 50% cut). All other Citi ThankYou transfer partners remain unchanged.

When do the new Citi ThankYou transfer rates take effect?

The new rates go live on April 19, 2026. Any transfers completed before that date will use the current, higher ratios. Citi is notifying cardholders by email.

Which Citi cards are affected by this devaluation?

All premium Citi ThankYou cards with an annual fee are affected. This includes the Citi Strata Premier, Citi Strata Elite, and co-branded cards that earn ThankYou Points with transfer access. Cards without an annual fee do not have transfer partner access.

Should I transfer Citi ThankYou Points to Choice Privileges before April 19?

Only if you have a specific Choice Hotels redemption planned. At the current 1:2 rate, Choice points offer about 1 to 1.4 cents per ThankYou point. After the cut, that drops below 1.1 cents — less than what airline partners offer.

Is transferring to I Prefer still worth it after the devaluation?

At the new 1:2 ratio, I Prefer points deliver roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per ThankYou point. That's acceptable for specific high-end stays, but the program lost its standout advantage. Airline partners now offer comparable or better value in most cases.

What are the best Citi ThankYou transfer partners now?

Airline partners remain the strongest options. American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club all transfer at 1:1 and regularly deliver 1.5 to 3+ cents per point in premium cabins.

Can I still transfer to Choice Privileges at 1:2 from another card?

Yes. Wells Fargo still transfers to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio. If you hold a Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, you can continue to get the higher rate after Citi's devaluation takes effect.

Are any other Citi ThankYou transfer partners changing?

No. As of March 2026, Citi has only announced rate reductions for Choice Privileges and Preferred Hotels I Prefer. All airline and other hotel transfer partners remain at their current rates.

Citi ThankYou | Milesopedia USA

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Best Citi ThankYou Rewards Credit Cards

Oct 1, 2025

Best Citi ThankYou Rewards Credit Cards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

75,000 Points

Apply Now

Terms Apply See rates & fees

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Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
12 points per dollar spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com
6 points per dollar spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
6 points per dollar spent at restaurants on Citi Nights℠ purchases, Friday and Saturday from 6 PM – 6 AM ET
3 points per dollar spent at Restaurants any other time
1.5 points per dollar spent on All Other Purchases
Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit
Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠
Up to $200 Annual Blacklane® Credit
Priority Pass™ Select membership
American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passes
Additionally, Up to $120 Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® Application Fee Credit

Annual Fee

Primary card $595
Additional card $75

Annual Income Required

Individual
Household

Conversion fees

0.00 %

Earning Rate

Groceries3Points
Gas3Points
Dining and Food delivery2Points

Value

Year 1
Year 2+

Best For

Transfer Partners

Citi ThankYou

Advantages

Annual Credit
VIP Lounges

Concierge
Wifi

Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name

Included

Amount

Duration

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old

Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old

Travel medical insurance 65+

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip Interruption Insurance

Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

Flight Delay Insurance

Delayed Baggage Insurance

Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance

Auto Rental Loss/Insurance

Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

Citi Strata℠ Card

30,000 Points

No Annual Fee
Points Back on Redemptions
ThankYou Point Round Up

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Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
5 points per dollar spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com
3 points per dollar spent at Supermarkets
3 points per dollar spent on Select Transit and at Gas & EV Charging Stations
3 points per dollar spent on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice including fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barbershops/hair salons or pet supply stores
2 points per dollar spent at Restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on All Other Purchases

Annual Fee

Primary card $0
Additional card

Annual Income Required

Individual
Household

Conversion fees

Earning Rate

Groceries3Points
Gas3Points
Dining and Food delivery2Points

Value

Year 1
Year 2+

Best For

Transfer Partners

Citi ThankYou

Advantages

Annual Credit
VIP Lounges

Concierge
Wifi

Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name

Included

Amount

Duration

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old

Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old

Travel medical insurance 65+

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip Interruption Insurance

Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

Flight Delay Insurance

Delayed Baggage Insurance

Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance

Auto Rental Loss/Insurance

Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

Citi Strata Premier^® Card

60,000 Points

Earn 3x Points on Airfare
Earn 3x Points on Hotels
Earn 3x Points at Restaurants

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Terms Apply See rates & fees

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Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 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

Annual Fee

Primary card $95
Additional card

Annual Income Required

Individual
Household

Conversion fees

Earning Rate

Groceries3Points
Gas3Points
Dining and Food delivery3Points

Value

Year 1
Year 2+

Best For

Advantages

Annual Credit
VIP Lounges

Concierge
Wifi

Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name

Included

Amount

Duration