ThankYou points sharing ends May 17: what Citi cardmembers need to know

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• What exactly is changing and when it takes effect
• Which cards and accounts are affected
• Why Citi may be making this change
• Actions cardmembers should take before the deadline
  • Transfer to airline and hotel partners
  • Alternative redemptions to consider
• How to move points: a step-by-step checklist
• Potential pitfalls and what to watch for
• If you relied on pooled points for planned travel
• How to get help from Citi and what to ask
• Longer-term planning after sharing ends

Citi will stop allowing cardmembers to share ThankYou Points between accounts on May 17, creating an urgent window for customers who rely on pooled balances. The change affects household pooling and informal transfers that let families combine rewards for larger redemptions. Cardholders should review accounts and move or spend points now to avoid losing flexible options.

What exactly is changing and when it takes effect

Citi has announced it will end the ability to transfer or share ThankYou Points between different thankyou.com accounts on May 17. After that date, points will remain tied to the individual account where they were earned.

• Sharing between cardholder accounts—such as sending points to a spouse or adult child—will no longer be allowed.
• Family pooling arrangements will be discontinued.
• Existing balances will not be removed, but the flexibility to combine balances will be lost.

Which cards and accounts are affected

The policy change applies to all accounts that earn Citi ThankYou Points. Typical cards include:

• Citi Premier
• Citi Prestige (where still active)
• Citi Diamond Preferred and other legacy ThankYou-earning products

If you hold co-branded cards that earn other programs, confirm whether those points are managed through ThankYou before taking action.

Why Citi may be making this change

Financial services alter rewards rules for many reasons. Possible drivers include:

• Regulatory or compliance considerations around moving rewards between holders.
• Reducing fraud risk tied to point transfers.
• Streamlining the loyalty ecosystem to focus on individual account value.

Whatever the reason, the immediate impact is a loss of an easy way to pool points for large redemptions.

Actions cardmembers should take before the deadline

If you rely on shared balances, act promptly. Here are practical steps:

1. Inventory your ThankYou balances across all accounts.
2. Decide which account will hold the points long-term.
3. Transfer points to travel partners where possible.
4. Redeem for gift cards or travel bookings that lock in value.
5. Contact Citi to confirm any pending transfers finish before May 17.

Transfer to airline and hotel partners

Many Citi cards let you move ThankYou Points to partner loyalty programs. Transfers can preserve or increase value when:

• Transferring to frequent flyer accounts for premium award seats.
• Moving to hotel programs with promotional rates.

Start transfers early—partner conversions can take time.

Alternative redemptions to consider

If partner transfers are not an option, consider these immediate uses:

• Booking travel directly through the Citi travel portal.
• Purchasing high-value gift cards.
• Paying with points for statement credits or cover charges.

How to move points: a step-by-step checklist

Follow these steps to minimize disruption and complete moves before the deadline.

1. Log in to each ThankYou account and record point totals.
2. Verify the email and name on partner loyalty accounts.
3. Initiate transfers to partners from the account with the highest balance.
4. Confirm transfer confirmation numbers and estimated completion times.
5. For redemptions, complete bookings and retain receipts.

Potential pitfalls and what to watch for

Certain complications can arise when you rush transfers.

• Partner transfer limits or minimums might block full movement.
• Pending transactions could reduce available points unexpectedly.
• Transfers that require matching names or IDs can fail if details differ.
• Some redemption options may carry lower effective value.

Double-check all account details before instructing any transfer.

If you relied on pooled points for planned travel

Families and small groups often combine points for premium awards. If that describes you, evaluate these options now:

• Shift points into a single person’s account who will book the reservation.
• Book award travel immediately using combined funds while transfers are still allowed.
• Consider splitting itineraries into smaller redemptions if pooling is no longer feasible.

How to get help from Citi and what to ask

Before May 17, reach out to Citi customer service if you’re uncertain. Useful questions include:

• Can pending point transfers still complete if initiated before May 17?
• Which redemption routes preserve the most value?
• Are there any exceptions for authorized users or linked household accounts?

Keep records of chats, call times, and confirmation numbers for any interactions.

Longer-term planning after sharing ends

Once sharing stops, adjust your loyalty strategy to maximize value.

• Designate one account per household for long-term point accumulation.
• Move points regularly to partner programs with higher upside.
• Track Citi’s program updates—policies can change again.

Proactive management will help you retain flexibility without pooling.