Citi Improves Transfer Ratio for This Traveler-Favorite Airline (NOT a Temporary Bonus!)

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Recently Chase added JetBlue as a 1:1 airline transfer partner.  JetBlue was already a partner of AMEX Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou, and now there’s another boost for JetBlue flyers.

Citi let us know this morning they’re increasing their JetBlue transfer ratio for folks who have the Citi ThankYou® Premier Card, Citi Prestige (not open to new applicants), and Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card.  This isn’t a transfer bonus, but rather a long-term change.

It’s often good news for travelers when a bank, airline, or hotel chain improves their benefits.  A little friendly competition can mean better deals for everyone!

Here’s what to know about these changes.

Citi ThankYou Points Improved Transfer Ratio to JetBlue

Until now, the transfer ratio from Citi ThankYou points from the Citi ThankYou Premier and Citi Prestige was 5:4.  And for Citi ThankYou Preferred cardholders, it was only 2:1.

Starting September 13, 2018, Citi will increase the transfer ratio as follows:

• Citi ThankYou Premier:  1:1 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 1,000 JetBlue points)
• Citi Prestige:   1:1 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 1,000 JetBlue points)
• Citi ThankYou Preferred:  5:4 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 800 JetBlue points)

While we’ve seen transfer bonuses to JetBlue in the past that have effectively increased the ratio to 1:1, it’s nice to see this as a permanent change!

Keep in mind, JetBlue points have a relatively fixed value, because the price of an award flight is tied to the cash price of the ticket.  On average, JetBlue points are worth ~1.4 cents a piece.  So you’ll often get better value from your Citi ThankYou points by transferring them to other partners, like Singapore Airlines.

Want More Citi ThankYou Points?

Apply Here:   Citi ThankYou Premier

Our Review:   This 60,000-Point Offer Can Get You an Easy $750 in Travel (or Much More When You Transfer to Airlines)

Now’s a great time to consider boosting your Citi ThankYou points balance, because the Citi ThankYou Premier is offering its highest welcome bonus ever!

With the Citi ThankYou Premier, you’ll earn 60,000 Citi ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

That’s worth an easy $750 when you redeem your points for flights through the Citi ThankYou travel portal (1.25 cents per point).  And potentially more when you transfer points to airline partners like JetBlue.  Here’s our step-by-step guide on booking travel through the Citi ThankYou portal.

This is also an excellent card for spending, especially if you travel and dine out a lot.  You’ll earn:

• 3 Citi ThankYou points per $1 spent on travel including gas stations (also including airfare, hotels, car rental agencies, parking, tolls, and much more)
• 2 Citi ThankYou points per $1 spent at restaurants and on select entertainment (like amusement parks, museums, sporting events, movies, and more)
• 1 Citi ThankYou point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Check out our full review of the Citi ThankYou Premier.

Bottom Line

Starting September 13, 2018, Citi will increase the transfer ratio from ThankYou points to JetBlue.  The new ratio depends on the card you have:

• Citi ThankYou Premier:  1:1 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 1,000 JetBlue points)
• Citi Prestige:   1:1 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 1,000 JetBlue points)
• Citi ThankYou Preferred:  5:4 ratio (1,000 Citi ThankYou Points = 800 JetBlue points)

This is good news for folks who collect Citi ThankYou points and like flying JetBlue (who doesn’t like free WiFi, in-flight entertainment, and Cheez-Its?) 😉

Was this a response to Chase adding JetBlue as a 1:1 transfer partner?  Maybe.  Either way, it’s a nice little improvement!

Are you more likely to consider transferring Citi ThankYou points to JetBlue given the better ratio?