Redeeming Citi Thank You Points for Free Flights
Citibank’s ThankYou Points Network offers some of the best rewards. I currently own several Citibank credit cards (Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card and Citi mtvU Card) and I get ThankYou rewards points for using them to purchase ordinary everyday things. With my current Citibank credit card setup, I receive 6% back in the form of Purchase Rebates on grocery stores, drug stores, and gas. I also receive 5% back on restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, and book stores. 1 Purchase Rebate = 100 ThankYou Points. For every 1 mile I drive, I also receive the equivalent of 1 ThankYou Point. They all generate rewards points and contribute to the same pool of ThankYou Points. I have been saving for over a year and it’s time to put those points to good use. With the ThankYou Network you can exchange your points for things such as merchandise, electronics, gift cards, student loan credit, and even cash.
Great Exchange Rate for Travel Rewards
One of my favorite redemption choice is Thank You Point’s Variable and Fixed Flight Option. With the Variable Travel Option you can redeem your Thank You Points for the equivalent of whatever the value of the flight cost is. However, you’ll likely get the best deal by choosing the Fixed Flight Option. Below are the current point values needed for redemption (as of January 1, 2008, however since point levels are subject to change please contact a ThankYou Network Travel Specialist for the most current point pricing.
Coach:
| Flights | Starting Points | Ticket Value ($) |
| Continental US & Alaska and Canada | 20,000 | Up to $400 in value |
| Mexico and Central America | 45,000 | Up to $900 in value |
| Hawaii and Caribbean | 50,000 | Up to $1,000 in value |
| Europe | 60,000 | Up to $1,200 in value |
| Puerto Rico to US (48 States) | 40,000 | Up to $800 in value |
| Middle East and Africa | 80,000 | Up to $1,600 in value |
| Asia | 80,000 | Up to $1,600 in value |
| South America | 60,000 | Up to $1,200 in value |
| Australia and South Pacific | 100,000 | Up to $2,000 in value |
Business Class:
| Flights | Starting Points | Ticket Value ($) |
| Continental US & Alaska and Canada | 90,000 | Up to $2,700 in value |
| Mexico and Central America | 120,000 | Up to $3,600 in value |
| Hawaii and Caribbean | 140,000 | Up to $4,200 in value |
| Europe | 180,000 | Up to $5,400 in value |
| Puerto Rico to US (48 States) | n/a | n/a |
| Middle East and Africa | 200,000 | Up to $6,000 in value |
| Asia | 240,000 | Up to $7,200 in value |
| South America | 180,000 | Up to $5,400 in value |
| Australia and South Pacific | 180,000 | Up to $5,400 in value |
This is a much better deal than simply redeeming frequent flyer miles, because for only 20,000 Thank You Points, you can fly anywhere within the United States. I’ve been researching airfare prices to Asia, and with the Fixed Flight Option, I can fly there for a flat price of 80,000 Thank You Points. You’re probably wondering if there are lots of restrictions. According to them:
Fixed flight option reservations must originate in the 48 continental United States, unless otherwise specified. There are no seat limits, blackout dates, advance booking and Saturday night stay requirements.
Plus, you will also get to earn frequent flyer miles for your trip as well! With the flight price savings you’ll get by using the Fixed Flight Option, and combined with the additional savings you could get by using a cash back credit card to make the purchase, your total savings could be in excess of 12% easily. This would offer you a much better redemption rate than if you redeemed your points for something like gift cards or statement credit. If you’re interested, you can find more information about the Fixed Flight Option on their website. Eligible ThankYou members who would like to redeem for Fixed Flight Option airline tickets or cruise rewards should contact 1-800-THANKYOU (1-800-842-6596).
August 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
That looks alot better than compass banks reward program, with compass I need 100,000 points just to fly in the continental US.
August 27th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
If you are a frequent traveler (fly more than 7,500) miles a year, then the citi Premier Pass - Elite is the best card in the world. You get 1 point for every mile you fly. It has a $75 annual fee, but if since 100 points basically = $1 on the thankyou network, flying 7,500 miles pays for the card and anything over that is points in the bank. I’ve redeemed, in the past year an a half, 6 domestic tickets, which would have cost between $350 and $500 each. That was before they changed their point structure. It used to be that if you book a domestic flight with a saturday night stay, it would only cost you 25,000 points flat. Now it costs 20,000 flat for a ticket up to $400, and for every extra $50 in ticket cost it’s another 5,000 points. Still an amazing deal!
August 27th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Excellent point Tom. I’m personally not a frequent flyer (1-3 flights a year) so I did not consider the Citi Premier Pass…but if you fly frequently the Thank You points do add up fast with the Premier Pass due to purchases and mileage accumulation. Great deal also!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Can the balance transfer amount be eligible for Thank-you point conversion?
September 28th, 2008 at 4:59 am
One thing to note is your are responsible for taxes and fees and many airlines have those more than the fare these days. They only cover the fare part up to the max. amount for each tier based on what Expedia shows. What I have found is good is to use Orbitz to do the search for the flight which shows the taxes on the first page…then you will know which airline has the lowest taxes and fees (I find Delta and airfrance are the best) and then you can go to teh expedia site and pick that specific carrier after the listing comes up. It save time since expedia hides the tax/fee breakout til several screens in.