Last Updated: February 17, 2026 | Fact Checked by: James W.
Citi ThankYou Points Airline Transfer Partners 2026 List
Citi ThankYou Rewards is back on top.
For years, Citi lagged behind Chase and Amex. But with the 2025 launch of the Citi Strata card lineup and the massive return of American Airlines as a permanent partner, Citi is arguably the most valuable program for domestic US travelers in 2026.
However, Citi's program is technical. If you don't have a "Strata" or "Prestige" card, you might get hit with bad transfer ratios (1:0.8).
This guide covers the full 2026 partner list, the new transfer rules, and how to avoid the ratio trap.
The Master List: Citi Airline Partners (2026)
Crucial Rule: To get the 1:1 ratios listed below, you must hold a premium Citi card (Citi Strata Premier, Citi Strata Elite, or the legacy Citi Prestige). If you only have a Double Cash or Custom Cash, you must combine your points with a premium card first, or you may face a poor 1:0.8 ratio.
| Airline Partner | Alliance | Transfer Ratio | Est. Time | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Oneworld | 1:1 | Instant | Domestic US flights & Web Specials |
| Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) | SkyTeam | 1:1 | Instant | Promo rewards to Europe |
| Avianca (LifeMiles) | Star Alliance | 1:1 | Instant | United domestic flights (no fuel surcharges) |
| British Airways (Avios) | Oneworld | 1:1 | Instant | Short-haul flights from London/Miami |
| Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) | Oneworld | 1:1 | 24 Hours | Multi-carrier awards |
| Emirates (Skywards) | n/a | 1:1 | Instant | First Class showers (A380) |
| Etihad (Guest) | n/a | 1:1 | 24 Hours | American Airlines premium cabins |
| EVA Air (Infinity MileageLands) | Star Alliance | 1:1 | 48 Hours | Business Class to Taiwan/Asia |
| JetBlue (TrueBlue) | n/a | 1:1 | Instant | Domestic Mint Class (Business) |
| Qantas (Frequent Flyer) | Oneworld | 1:1 | 24 Hours | El Al flights to Israel |
| Qatar Airways (Privilege Club) | Oneworld | 1:1 | 24 Hours | Qsuites to Doha/Maldives |
| Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer) | Star Alliance | 1:1 | 24 Hours | Singapore Suites |
| Thai Airways (Royal Orchid) | Star Alliance | 1:1 | 24 Hours | Star Alliance awards |
| Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles) | Star Alliance | 1:1 | 24 Hours | Top Pick: Hawaii for 7.5k miles |
| Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) | SkyTeam | 1:1 | Instant | ANA First Class to Japan |
Hotel Partners
- Choice Privileges: 1:2 ratio (Transfer 1,000 Citi -> 2,000 Choice). Excellent for hotels in Europe/Japan.
- Accor Live Limitless: 2:1 ratio (Poor value).
- Wyndham Rewards: 1:1 ratio.
- Leading Hotels of the World: 5:1 ratio.
Note: Aeromexico is no longer a Citi transfer partner as of January 2026.
The "Strata" Rebranding: How to Earn Points
In 2025, Citi rebranded its premier lineup. To enable transfers, you need one of these "Anchor Cards":
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: (Formerly "Citi Premier"). The workhorse card. Earns 3x on Gas, Dining, Supermarkets, and Air Travel.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: The new luxury card. High annual fee but comes with travel credits and 4x earnings on travel.
- Citi Prestige®: (No longer open to new applicants, but still valid for transfers).
The "Cash Back" Strategy: You can earn points on no-fee cards like the Citi Double Cash® (2x on everything) or Citi Custom Cash® (5x on top category). Then, move those points to your Strata Premier account to make them transferable to airlines.
Best Ways to Maximize Citi Points
1. American Airlines (The Game Changer)
Now that AA is a permanent partner, Citi is the only major bank (besides Bilt) to offer this.
- Sweet Spot: "Web Specials" on AA can sometimes find you domestic flights for 6,000 miles or Europe for 20,000 miles.
2. Turkish Airlines to Hawaii
This remains the legendary sweet spot of the miles world.
- The Deal: Fly United Airlines from the US Mainland to Hawaii for just 7,500 Turkish Miles one-way.
- The Method: Search for United availability on United.com, then call or email Turkish Airlines to book using your Citi points.
3. Choice Hotels for Europe
While most hotel transfers are bad deals, Choice is an exception because of the 1:2 ratio.
- The Math: 15,000 Citi points becomes 30,000 Choice points.
- The Value: In cities like Stockholm or Tokyo, where hotels are expensive ($300+), using 15k Citi points for a night is incredible value.
Warning: Transfer Bonuses & Expiration
Citi has been very aggressive with transfer bonuses in 2025/2026.
- Recent Bonuses: We have seen 50% bonuses to Turkish and 30% to Virgin Atlantic.
- Strategy: Never transfer speculatively. Citi transfers are irreversible. If you move 50k points to Virgin and then change your mind, you cannot move them back.
Does Citi have a "Sharing" expiration rule? Yes. You can share points with any other Citi member (friend or family). BUT, the person receiving the points must use them within 90 days, or they expire. Do not share until you are ready to book!
Summary Checklist
To get the most out of your Citi ThankYou points:
- Get an Anchor Card: Ensure you have a Strata Premier or Strata Elite to unlock 1:1 transfers.
- Combine Points: Move points from your Double Cash/Custom Cash to your Strata card account.
- Check for Bonuses: Look for "Transfer Bonuses" in the portal (often 20-30%).
- Look at AA: Always check American Airlines awards first, now that they are a partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Citi transfer to American Airlines?
Yes! As of July 2025, American Airlines AAdvantage is a permanent 1:1 transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Rewards. This makes Citi one of the most valuable currencies for US flyers.
Do Citi ThankYou points expire?
Points earned from major credit cards like the Strata Premier do not expire as long as the account is open. However, points obtained via "Points Sharing" from another member expire strictly after 90 days.
What is the best use of Citi points?
For domestic flights, transferring to American Airlines or Turkish Airlines (for United flights) is best. For international luxury, transferring to Virgin Atlantic (for ANA First Class) or Singapore Airlines (for Suites) offers the highest value.
Disclaimer: Program terms and transfer ratios are subject to change. Always verify the current rate in your Citi portal before transferring.