Sep 11, 2013, 7:42 am
Last edit by: SpammersAreScum
Prestige cardholders: the current value of points is $0.016 if redeemed for flights on American Airlines, or $0.0133 on other airlines.
The redemption value on all airlines changes to $0.0125, on July 23, 2017. This is the same value as Citi Premier and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Discussion is in this thread:
Citi Prestige benefit and reward changes
If the TYP portal is not showing the lowest fares you've identified on Google, an OTA, or the airline directly -- call Citi TYP and then ask to get Connexions on the line. Doesn't cost extra to do book that way....but will take longer and manual bookings will NOT show up in your TYP MyTrips tab.
TYP portal pricing should be verified for every flight, it cannot be trusted to show the lowest fare. Also scroll over all the way, since some carriers are not on the main screen, and may have lower fares/points than their preferred carriers.
The redemption value on all airlines changes to $0.0125, on July 23, 2017. This is the same value as Citi Premier and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Discussion is in this thread:
Citi Prestige benefit and reward changes
If the TYP portal is not showing the lowest fares you've identified on Google, an OTA, or the airline directly -- call Citi TYP and then ask to get Connexions on the line. Doesn't cost extra to do book that way....but will take longer and manual bookings will NOT show up in your TYP MyTrips tab.
TYP portal pricing should be verified for every flight, it cannot be trusted to show the lowest fare. Also scroll over all the way, since some carriers are not on the main screen, and may have lower fares/points than their preferred carriers.
TYP flight redemption: Prestige $0.0133 - $0.016/pt until 7/2017, Premier $0.0125/pt.
Jul 3, 2017, 11:50 am
#556
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
I am so confused by the terms and conditions of using ThankYou points. If I book a refundable AA ticket, how does a refund work? Do I get my ThankYou points back or the value of the ThankYou points? Is it at 1.6 cents each? Or do I go to AA to get a voucher for the amount of the ticket? Also, if it is a fully flexible (Y) ticket, do I need to pay to make changes? I wanted to book with my ThankYou points in order to earn more miles but if the ticket is no longer refundable I am not sure it is worth it.
Jul 3, 2017, 8:06 pm
#557
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,788
Any reason that the portal can't book certain flights that are far in the future, but they're bookable on AA.com?
Looking to book a flight for next May (and burn my remaining TYP before 1.6 goes away and can't pull anything up on the portal.
Looking to book a flight for next May (and burn my remaining TYP before 1.6 goes away and can't pull anything up on the portal.
Jul 3, 2017, 10:02 pm
#558
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 207
As long as those flights show up on aa.com, you can call Citi, and book those flights over the phone. They will price out accordingly (1.6c/pt for AA).
Jul 10, 2017, 4:16 pm
#560
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
Refund / repurchase of 1.6x AA ticket
I would like to make one last purchase of leisure flight tickets on AA before July 23, have not yet finalized travel plans.
Has anyone been successful using TY points to buy refundable tickets on AA, being able to use it to purchase other tickets on AA, or simply obtain a cash refund? If yes, what is the process?
Has anyone been successful using TY points to buy refundable tickets on AA, being able to use it to purchase other tickets on AA, or simply obtain a cash refund? If yes, what is the process?
Jul 14, 2017, 11:53 am
#561
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,565
I would like to make one last purchase of leisure flight tickets on AA before July 23, have not yet finalized travel plans.
Has anyone been successful using TY points to buy refundable tickets on AA, being able to use it to purchase other tickets on AA, or simply obtain a cash refund? If yes, what is the process?
Has anyone been successful using TY points to buy refundable tickets on AA, being able to use it to purchase other tickets on AA, or simply obtain a cash refund? If yes, what is the process?
Wholly changing to other tickets may be possible. I did this with TYP when the program was very new...changed transcon J (I think) to some other type of ticket. No recent experience with it.
Jul 16, 2017, 5:22 am
#562
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CHS
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Yes. You can call Citi, and ask the Thank You travel agent to help you book the flights, even if the flights are not showing up on the Thank You portal.
You will need to provide the relevant flights info (e.g. date, flight numbers, etc.). They will then confirm the cash cost, and translate that into TY points cost (1.3c/pt or 1.6c/pt depending on the card you hold).
You will need to provide the relevant flights info (e.g. date, flight numbers, etc.). They will then confirm the cash cost, and translate that into TY points cost (1.3c/pt or 1.6c/pt depending on the card you hold).
There are specific hotels I'd like to stay at. If they are not offered on the website, I assume they are not available with TYPs. It would be great to be able to book them with a phone call.
Jul 16, 2017, 4:07 pm
#563
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
You should be able to call the concierge to book any hotel that has a website you can point them at. The downside is you'll only get 1.25x for your points.
Jul 16, 2017, 9:25 pm
#564
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CHS
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Jul 17, 2017, 8:04 pm
#565
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CHS
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,142
"ThankYou Rewards Help
How do I use Points Concierge?
Log on to www.thankyou.com and complete a simple three-step form or call the ThankYou® Service Center and describe your desired reward. If we can find and price what you are looking for, the Points Expert will let you know how many ThankYou Points will be needed to redeem for almost any reward you desire. Please allow two to five business days for the Points Expert to respond to your request. Certain restrictions apply."
Do Ultimate Rewards and Membership Rewards offer a similar service, making hotel rewards available? Beyond what is displayed online.
Almost 10 years of playing this game and I still have a lot to learn.
Jul 21, 2017, 4:23 am
#566
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP, Alaska MVP Gold 75k, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 24
Refund Experience
Just so everyone is aware - I recently processed a refund on a non-refundable ticket booked entirely with TY points. The process was simple:
1. Called Connexions and requested a refund
2. They verified the fare change / cancellation policies ($115 cancellation with CM Y fare)
3. I was refunded the equivalent of the original fare minus the cancellation penalty through TY points
4. The refund took a couple days to process, but the points were back into my account within ~3-4 days
Overall, it was a very straightforward process and no different than processing a cancellation with the airline itself -- with the exception that you are receiving TY points in return.
I'm assuming that a refundable ticket would be processed in the exact same manner without any cancellation fees.
1. Called Connexions and requested a refund
2. They verified the fare change / cancellation policies ($115 cancellation with CM Y fare)
3. I was refunded the equivalent of the original fare minus the cancellation penalty through TY points
4. The refund took a couple days to process, but the points were back into my account within ~3-4 days
Overall, it was a very straightforward process and no different than processing a cancellation with the airline itself -- with the exception that you are receiving TY points in return.
I'm assuming that a refundable ticket would be processed in the exact same manner without any cancellation fees.
Jul 22, 2017, 11:57 am
#567
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
Is the TY portal down for anyone else? Funny that it conveniently seems to be on the last day before devaluation. Citi's IT really sucks - yet another reason this card is easy to drop!
Jul 22, 2017, 11:36 pm
#568
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA Exp, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 54
Same issue here, called and was told it was completely down. I'll make sure I get the 1.6 when it is back up.
Jul 24, 2017, 12:19 pm
#569
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Jul 24, 2017, 2:37 pm
#570
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG, AA, BA, CO, UA, US, B6, DL, Amex MR, HH
Posts: 1,009
Good luck trying to get them to honor it. I had the same experience on 7/22, and called up today. Had to talk to a supervisor who (after an hour on the phone) 'put in a request' to have the difference in Thank You points credited, but could not book the flight at the old rate. We'll see if it actually gets granted - there was no reference number or anything, just that I'd get a 'call back' with the result in 3-5 business days. I'm actually thinking she was just trying to get me off the phone....we'll see what actually happens.