I’ve been in this game long enough to remember when Citi ThankYou points were the “ugly duckling” of transferable currencies. They lacked the glitz of Amex and the stability of Chase. In 2025, that narrative is dead. With the permanent addition of American Airlines as a 1:1 partner and the aggressive 1:2 transfer ratio to Choice Hotels, Citi has built a system that rewards the mathematically inclined traveler more than any other.
If you treat loyalty programs like software—looking for arbitrage opportunities rather than just “redeeming miles”—Citi is your best friend. But the system is unforgiving. Transfer to the wrong partner (like the devalued Emirates Skywards), and you torch 20% of your value instantly. Execute the right transfer (like the Choice Privileges sweet spots), and you can realize values exceeding 4.0 cents per point.
This isn’t a generic list of airlines. This is a tactical analysis of where to move your Citi points in December 2025 to maximize equity.
The “Holy Grail” Partners: Unmatched Value
These partners justify holding a Citi card entirely on their own. They offer redemption paths that either don’t exist elsewhere or offer math so compelling it’s hard to ignore.
1. American Airlines AAdvantage (1:1)
For years, this was a temporary tease. As of mid-2025, it’s permanent. Citi is the only major transferable point currency (Amex, Chase, Capital One) that transfers 1:1 to American Airlines. This is a massive competitive advantage because AA’s partner award chart remains one of the few fixed-value charts left in the industry.
The Math:
Flying Business Class from the U.S. to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL) costs 60,000 AA miles one-way. Cash fares for this route often exceed $5,500.
- Transfer: 60,000 Citi Points → 60,000 AA Miles.
- Value: $5,500 / 60,000 = 9.1 cents per point.
Pro Tip: AA allows you to hold award tickets for 5 days without paying. Find the space on AA.com, put it on hold, then transfer your Citi points. This eliminates the risk of “phantom availability” leaving you stranded with miles you can’t use.
2. Choice Privileges (1:2 Ratio)
Most travelers ignore Choice because they associate it with roadside motels. That is a rookie mistake. The 1:2 transfer ratio (1,000 Citi = 2,000 Choice) turns Citi points into a weapon for luxury travel, specifically through their partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
The Math:
The Choice Privileges award chart caps many Preferred Hotels properties at 35,000 to 55,000 points. Let’s look at a property like The Sherry-Netherland in NYC or a resort in the Nordics costing $400/night.
- Cost in Choice: 30,000 Points.
- Cost in Citi (1:2): 15,000 Points.
- Value: $400 / 15,000 = 2.6 cents per point.
The Strategic Airline Partners (Star Alliance & SkyTeam)
While AA covers Oneworld, you need reliable pipelines for the other two alliances. Citi has strong contenders here, though they require more finesse to use effectively.
3. Avianca LifeMiles (1:1)
LifeMiles is notoriously glitchy, with a website that feels like it’s from 2005. However, it is the best way to book Star Alliance flights (United, Lufthansa, SWISS) without paying hundreds in fuel surcharges. Citi transfers are instant, which is critical for sniping availability.
The Sweet Spot: United Airlines domestic flights. While United’s own dynamic pricing is unpredictable, LifeMiles often prices domestic US hops between 6,500 and 10,000 miles.
If you’re looking to mix carriers, check my guide on how to combine miles across programs to ensure you aren’t stranding points in the wrong account.
4. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)
Virgin is less of an airline program and more of a hedge fund for points. Their own flights have high taxes, but their partner charts are incredible. Specifically, booking Delta One suites to Europe (excluding UK) for 50,000 points is a staple strategy.
The Math:
Delta One JFK to Zurich costs ~300,000 SkyMiles if booked via Delta. Via Virgin, it’s 50,000 points + ~$60 taxes.
- Transfer: 50,000 Citi Points.
- Savings: You save 250,000 points compared to booking direct with Delta.
For a deeper dive into maximizing this specific partner, read The 5 Best Ways to Use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points.
The Specialized “Niche” Partners
These partners aren’t for everyday use, but they solve specific problems better than anyone else.
5. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (1:1)
Turkish used to be the undisputed king of domestic value. While they have devalued slightly, they still offer incredible pricing for flights to Hawaii and business class to Europe (45k miles one-way). The catch? Their customer service is virtually non-existent. You must find availability online before transferring; do not expect phone support to help you.
Curious about the product? Check out our Turkish Airlines Business Class Review to see if the soft product justifies the hassle.
6. Leading Hotels of the World (5:1 Ratio)
This ratio scares people away. “Why would I transfer 1,000 points and only get 200?” Because LHW points are incredibly dense in value.
The Math:
LHW points are worth approximately 8.0 cents each. A room at the Ritz Paris might cost $2,000 or ~25,000 LHW points.
- LHW Points Needed: 25,000.
- Citi Points Needed (5:1): 125,000.
- CPM Calculation: $2,000 / 125,000 = 1.6 cents per point.
While 1.6 cents isn’t “JAL Business Class” value (9.0+ cents), it is significantly better than the 1.0 cent you get through the travel portal. Use this for ultra-luxury properties where cash prices are astronomical.
The “Do Not Transfer” List (2025 Updates)
Efficiency is about avoiding mistakes. In late 2025, the following transfers are mathematically poor decisions:
- Emirates Skywards: Devalued to a 5:4 ratio (1,000 Citi = 800 Miles). Unless you are topping up for a First Class shower suite, avoid this. The taxes are high ($800+), and the transfer penalty hurts.
- JetBlue TrueBlue: The ratio is 1:1, but JetBlue points are revenue-based, fixed at roughly 1.3 cents. You can never get “outsized” value here. Pay cash for JetBlue; save points for international business.
- Accor Live Limitless: Similar to JetBlue, Accor uses a fixed value system (2,000 points = €40). With a 2:1 transfer ratio, the math is mediocre (approx 1.08 cents per Citi point).
Step-by-Step: How to execute a Transfer
Don’t fumble at the finish line. Transfers are irreversible. Once your points leave Citi, they cannot come back.
- Find Availability First: Never transfer “speculatively.” Use tools like Point.me to confirm the seat exists.
- Log into Citi: Go to ThankYou.com, not the banking site. Navigate to “More Ways to Redeem” > “Points Transfer.”
- Link Accounts: The name on your airline account MUST match your Citi card exactly. “Jonathan” vs “Jon” will cause a rejection.
- Initiate Transfer: Most transfers (Avianca, Virgin, AA) are instant. Singapore Airlines and Turkish can take 24 hours.
- Book Immediately: As soon as the points hit, finalize the booking.
FAQ: Citi Transfer Partners
How long do Citi transfers take in 2025?
Most Citi transfers are now instant. American Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic typically process within minutes. However, transfers to Singapore KrisFlyer and Turkish Miles&Smiles can still take 12–24 hours. Always factor this delay into your booking strategy.
Can I transfer Citi points to another person?
Yes, but with limits. You can “share” up to 100,000 points per year with another Citi ThankYou member. However, these shared points expire after 90 days. You cannot transfer directly from your Citi account to someone else’s airline account (the names must match).
What is the expiration for Aeromexico transfers?
The partnership between Citi and Aeromexico Rewards is scheduled to end on January 25, 2026. If you are planning a trip using SkyTeam space via Aeromexico, you must execute your transfers before this cutoff date. For more on maximizing this before it’s gone, see our guide on Aeromexico redemption strategies.
Is the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) transfer worth it?
Yes, but only for high-cash-value stays. The 5:1 ratio looks bad, but because LHW points are worth ~8 cents each, you are effectively getting ~1.6 cents per Citi point. This is a solid floor value for luxury hotel stays, though it rarely beats high-end business class flight redemptions.
