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Program Comparison

Amex Membership Rewards vs Citi ThankYou Points

A detailed comparison of Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points to help you decide which loyalty program is the best fit for your travel needs.

Amex Membership Rewards

American Express

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi

None
Alliance
None
points
Currency
points
1-5x points per $1 depending on card and category. Earned through Platinum, Gold, and Green cards
Earn Rate
1-5x points per $1 depending on card and category. Full partner access requires Strata Premier or Strata Elite card
1.8¢ per point
Avg Value
1.5¢ per point
None
Elite Tiers
None
Points do not expire while at least one MR-earning card is open
Expiration
Points do not expire while an active ThankYou-earning card is open. Points expire 60 days after account cancellation
Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, British Airways Avios, Air France FlyingBlue, Singapore KrisFlyer, Cathay Asia Miles, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Avianca LifeMiles, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia Plus, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges
Transfer Partners
American AAdvantage, Air France FlyingBlue, Singapore KrisFlyer, Cathay Asia Miles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Avianca LifeMiles, Etihad Guest, EVA Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Thai Airways, Wyndham Rewards, Choice Privileges, Accor Live Limitless
Travelers wanting the widest range of airline and hotel transfer partners
Best For
Travelers who want American Airlines as a transfer partner alongside premium international carriers

Choose Amex Membership Rewards if you...

Travelers wanting the widest range of airline and hotel transfer partners. American Express's transferable points currency with 21 transfer partners (18 airlines, 3 hotels), the widest selection of any credit card program.

Choose Citi ThankYou Points if you...

Travelers who want American Airlines as a transfer partner alongside premium international carriers. Citibank's transferable points currency with 19 transfer partners including American Airlines (re-added July 2025), earned through Strata Premier and Strata Elite cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points?

It depends on your travel patterns. Amex Membership Rewards is best for travelers wanting the widest range of airline and hotel transfer partners. Citi ThankYou Points is best for travelers who want american airlines as a transfer partner alongside premium international carriers. Consider your home airport, preferred destinations, and how often you travel when choosing.

Do Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points miles expire?

Amex Membership Rewards: Points do not expire while at least one MR-earning card is open. Citi ThankYou Points: Points do not expire while an active ThankYou-earning card is open. Points expire 60 days after account cancellation.

Can I transfer points between Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points?

While you can't transfer directly between Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points, they share transfer partners through credit card programs, which can serve as a bridge.

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