Originally Posted by rjburns

Citi Prestige advertises 60% "more value" when redeeming Thank You points for travel on American Airlines. Well, I just tried to use my Thank You points to redeem on American Airlines and it's a BIG SCAM!! 60% more value compared to what? The "base price" price that they use isn't the same price you would pay if you just bought a ticket directly. Example: First class ticket on American Airlines from LAX to IAD. Price on American Airlines web site: $484.46 Price through Citibank Thank You rewards: $1,255.46 So, mark up the ticket 250% and then give you a 60% "more value" discount. Citibank's explanation: Their prices ARE higher than the prices you would pay if you bought directly from the airlines, but they have NO FEES!! I spent 30 minutes on the phone with the travel agency and we were not able to find a single ticket with the same price that you would pay if you just bought it directly from AA or Expedia or any other "non scam" travel agent.