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Program Comparison

Chase Ultimate Rewards vs Citi ThankYou Points

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

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi

None
Alliance
None
points
Currency
points
1-5x points per $1 depending on card and category. Requires Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred for transfer access
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 UR-earning card is open. 30 days to use or transfer points after closing your last UR card
Expiration
Points do not expire while an active ThankYou-earning card is open. Points expire 60 days after account cancellation
United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways Avios, Air France FlyingBlue, Singapore KrisFlyer, Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards
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
Flexible travelers who want to transfer points to multiple airline and hotel partners
Best For
Travelers who want American Airlines as a transfer partner alongside premium international carriers

Choose Chase Ultimate Rewards if you...

Flexible travelers who want to transfer points to multiple airline and hotel partners. Chase's transferable points currency with 13 transfer partners (10 airlines, 3 hotels) at 1:1 ratios, earned through Sapphire, Ink, and Freedom cards.

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, Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points?

It depends on your travel patterns. Chase Ultimate Rewards is best for flexible travelers who want to transfer points to multiple airline and hotel 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 Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points miles expire?

Chase Ultimate Rewards: Points do not expire while at least one UR-earning card is open. 30 days to use or transfer points after closing your last UR card. 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 Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points?

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

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