Citi ThankYou® Points Can Now Transfer to American Airlines – Here’s Why That’s Big News
Great news for travel rewards enthusiasts: Citi has officially added American Airlines as a transfer partner for its Strata Premier, Strata Elite, and Prestige credit cards. You can now transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to American Airlines at a 1:1 ratio—that’s 1 point = 1 AAdvantage® mile. Even better, transfers are reported to be instant, and pooled points from other ThankYou cards still qualify.
This is the first time in years that Citi ThankYou Points can be transferred to American Airlines—and it’s not a limited-time promotion like the one during the COVID era. This time, it’s here to stay (as far as we can tell).
Why This Matters: ThankYou Points Just Got a Major Boost
The Citi ThankYou program has always had solid partners, but it lacked a major U.S. airline until now. With American Airlines in the mix, Citi now rivals programs from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards in terms of versatility and domestic transfer options.
American Airlines miles are generally more valuable than Delta SkyMiles and arguably more useful than United MileagePlus miles, especially with AA’s award search tool offering one of the most robust flexible date calendars in the industry.
You Don’t Need a Premium Card to Transfer
One of the most exciting parts of this update is that the $95/year Citi Strata Premier card qualifies for AA transfers. You don’t need the high-fee Prestige or Strata Elite ($595/year) cards to take advantage of this powerful feature. That makes it more accessible to everyday travelers who want to optimize their spending.
Unlock Huge Value with AA Miles
Here are just a few examples of what you can get with AAdvantage miles:
- Domestic flights for as low as 7,500 miles
- Business class to Europe or South America starting at 57,500 miles
- Incredible partner redemptions on Qatar Airways, Etihad, and more
These kinds of redemptions are particularly valuable compared to fixed-rate or cashback points.
Citi’s Unique Edge in the Points Game
With American Airlines now in the fold, Citi ThankYou joins the elite tier of transferrable points programs. Don’t forget: Citi still offers unique transfer partners that Chase and Amex don’t have, including:
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles – Domestic United flights for as low as 7.5k miles
- Leaders Club – Luxury hotel stays at favorable redemption rates
- Accor, Wyndham, Preferred Hotels & Resorts – Diverse hotel options
- JetBlue, Lifemiles, Qantas, Singapore, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and more
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Citi ThankYou
This is a huge win for Citi cardholders. With the return of American Airlines as a transfer partner, Citi ThankYou Points are now far more competitive and valuable. Whether you hold the budget-friendly Strata Premier or the premium Strata Elite, your points just got a serious upgrade.
If you’re already sitting on a stash of ThankYou Points or thinking of applying for a new Citi card, now is a great time to explore your transfer and travel options.
Pro Tip: Pool your points across eligible Citi cards to maximize your rewards, then transfer to American Airlines for top-tier travel redemptions.
Want to get started? Applications for the Strata Premier and Strata Elite are now live—stay tuned for our full reviews and application links!