The Citi ThankYou program, which is one of the major transferable points currencies, has just introduced its latest transfer bonus. This has the potential to represent a great deal.
In this post:
Citi offering 25% Flying Blue transfer bonus
Through Saturday, June 17, 2023, you can receive a 25% bonus when you transfer Citi ThankYou points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
This promotion is being offered on Citi’s end (in the United States), and is hard coded into the transfer ratio, meaning you should see the bonus at the time that you make the transfer. You can take advantage of this offer an unlimited number of times. Transfers from Citi to Flying Blue are generally instant.
There are several great cards earning Citi ThankYou points, including the Citi Premier® Card (review), and it’s easy to combine points between the cards.
Should you transfer Citi points to Flying Blue?
Nowadays Flying Blue has dynamic and roughly distance based award pricing. I get quite a bit of value through the program, thanks to the reasonable award pricing for travel on Air France and KLM.
On top of that, Air France and KLM make more award seats available to members of the Flying Blue program than to members of partner programs. So even when Flying Blue’s pricing isn’t the best, there are situations where it could make sense to book through Flying Blue (though with all of the Delta SkyMiles devaluations we’ve seen, typically you will find the best pricing through Flying Blue).
There’s always value in having a stash of Flying Blue miles if you think you’ll be traveling transatlantic in the coming months. I redeem through Flying Blue every year (usually multiple times per year), and consistently get great value.
The only other consideration here is that all major transferable points currencies partner with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, so it’s always worth thinking about which program you’d rather transfer points from. We do see transfer bonuses from all the major currencies with some frequency.
Bottom line
Through June 17, 2023, you can receive a 25% bonus when you transfer Citi ThankYou points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
I’m always conflicted when it comes to transferring points during transfer bonuses. On the one hand, a lot of the value from transferrable points comes from the flexibility you have of being able to transfer them to any program once you actually have a specific redemption in mind. That’s the best way to protect yourself from devaluations.
At the same time, you’re going to get the most value if you can transfer points while there’s also a bonus, since your points can be stretched a lot further.
Do you plan on transferring Citi points to Flying Blue with a 25% bonus?
I have found this to be genuinely valuable. First, Air France actually does have significant transatlantic business class availability, if you're flexible about which US gateway to use. Second, it's sometimes even better than 70K each way, which is great these days. Third, if you line up the Double Cash card and the Prestige card, it's 2X points for all spending. Fourth, Air France's business class is usually very solid -- not the 8-across you...
I have found this to be genuinely valuable. First, Air France actually does have significant transatlantic business class availability, if you're flexible about which US gateway to use. Second, it's sometimes even better than 70K each way, which is great these days. Third, if you line up the Double Cash card and the Prestige card, it's 2X points for all spending. Fourth, Air France's business class is usually very solid -- not the 8-across you get from BA and others.
Also, how else are you going to get to French Guiana?
Wait for 100% bonus? They just offered that with Bilt a couple of weeks ago.
I'd only transfer if I either had a firm purpose, or if I had a bunch of miles expiring soon that I could extend with the transfer.
I checked. My miles will expire mid 2024 and I've already booked my flights for this year, so I'll wait for another bonus.
If I were in a different situation I'd absolutely transfer points though.
This is great for those who want to snag AF trans-Atlantic biz awards at the 70k redemption rate.
Oh boy, a million point one way award is only 800k now, where do I sign up?
@TProphet I think you're thinking about Delta...FlyingBlue isn't nearly as crazy, though with dynamic pricing it's not the deal it once was (but what is?)