Jan 19, 2024, 11:33 am
Last edit by: mia
To read previous discussion from 2012 - 2023 click HERE.
When do my Thank You points expire?
If you have multiple Citi cards ("sponsor accounts") generating points into a single TY account, those pooled points may have different expiration dates based upon the rules of the corresponding sponsor account. Points from some sponsor accounts never expire as long as the sponsor account is open, while others have an expiration date based on the date of earning. (For a comprehensive list of expiration rules, see the TYP T&C.)
To complicate matters further, points-earning activity from a sponsor account will often extend the validity of older points from that same sponsor account.
What happens when I cancel a credit card from which I have earned TY points?
Points previously earned from that sponsor account will expire after 60 days.
What happens when I downgrade a Prestige card or Premier card from which I've earned TY points?
A product change from one ThankYou earning card to another ThankYou earning card should keep the points from expiring.
What are the rules for sharing points from my account to another TY account?
If you share points with (that is, make an internal TY transfer to) another TY account, those points will expire 90 days after the transfer. Note that
For details, see ThankYou Point Sharing capped at 100,000 points per calendar year
When I redeem points (for travel, gift cards, etc.), which ones does Citi use up first?
Citi will use the points with the soonest expiration date, which may or may not be points from a canceled sponsor account.
How can I see my expiring points?
Follow these steps:
Why do I see a warning that points expire in 7 days after converting from Citi Preferred to Citi Rewards+?
Citi acknowledges this message can appear in error after converting from one ThankYou credit card to another type of ThankYou credit card. If your points actually expired they will adjust the point balance upon request. In at least one case, the expiration never occurred despite the message.
If you converted a ThankYou credit card to a non-ThankYou credit card, that may be a different issue, and it's possible points really will expire by the stated deadline.
The info about 24-month clocks vs product changes came from these web pages:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/produ...w-card-number/
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/07/pro...24-month-rule/
When do my Thank You points expire?
If you have multiple Citi cards ("sponsor accounts") generating points into a single TY account, those pooled points may have different expiration dates based upon the rules of the corresponding sponsor account. Points from some sponsor accounts never expire as long as the sponsor account is open, while others have an expiration date based on the date of earning. (For a comprehensive list of expiration rules, see the TYP T&C.)
To complicate matters further, points-earning activity from a sponsor account will often extend the validity of older points from that same sponsor account.
What happens when I cancel a credit card from which I have earned TY points?
Points previously earned from that sponsor account will expire after 60 days.
What happens when I downgrade a Prestige card or Premier card from which I've earned TY points?
A product change from one ThankYou earning card to another ThankYou earning card should keep the points from expiring.
What are the rules for sharing points from my account to another TY account?
If you share points with (that is, make an internal TY transfer to) another TY account, those points will expire 90 days after the transfer. Note that
- this is true regardless of whether you share to another TY user or to another TY account you hold (if you have multiple TY accounts);
- you may not share points that are expiring in less than 90 days; and
- you may not share more than 100K points (or receive more than 100K shared TY points) in any calendar year.
For details, see ThankYou Point Sharing capped at 100,000 points per calendar year
When I redeem points (for travel, gift cards, etc.), which ones does Citi use up first?
Citi will use the points with the soonest expiration date, which may or may not be points from a canceled sponsor account.
How can I see my expiring points?
Follow these steps:
- Log into your Thank You account (either directly or via citicards.com)
- From the My Account menu (top right of screen), select either "My Account Overview" or "My Points Summary"
- Look for a statement near the top of the screen such as "You do not have any points expiring within the next 60 days or less"
- Select "View all expiring points"
- Alternate: If logged in, you should be able to see the list at:https://www.thankyou.com/accountStatementExpiry.jspx
Why do I see a warning that points expire in 7 days after converting from Citi Preferred to Citi Rewards+?
Citi acknowledges this message can appear in error after converting from one ThankYou credit card to another type of ThankYou credit card. If your points actually expired they will adjust the point balance upon request. In at least one case, the expiration never occurred despite the message.
If you converted a ThankYou credit card to a non-ThankYou credit card, that may be a different issue, and it's possible points really will expire by the stated deadline.
The info about 24-month clocks vs product changes came from these web pages:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/produ...w-card-number/
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/07/pro...24-month-rule/
Citi ThankYou points - cancel, downgrade & expiration considerations
Jan 5, 2024, 11:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
Citi ThankYou points - cancel, downgrade & expiration considerations
Just realized Custom Cash doesn't allow to share points with other members.. before product changing AT&T to a 2nd Custom Cash, can anyone confirm if Double Cash or Rewards+ allows for Points Sharing?
Alternatively I'm wondering if I can combine my other Custom Cash card with AT&T over the phone (it doesn't allow online)
Alternatively I'm wondering if I can combine my other Custom Cash card with AT&T over the phone (it doesn't allow online)
Jan 18, 2024, 12:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Prestige cancellation question?
I have the Citi Prestige, the Premier, and the Double Cash cards. The AF is now due on the Prestige ($495) and I'm not getting any real value from that card so I think I will cancel.
Is there a way to ensure none of the TY points earned through Prestige spend will expire after I close the card without transferring them to a airline program (my primary use of TY points)?
Is there a way to ensure none of the TY points earned through Prestige spend will expire after I close the card without transferring them to a airline program (my primary use of TY points)?
Jan 18, 2024, 12:27 pm
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,964
There is one way. Do not cancel. Instead downgrade to another TY card, such as Rewards+.
Jan 18, 2024, 12:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,848
I'm currently holding the Citi Premier what Free option do I have to downgrade to? there use to be Preferred (Free version) is that still available to downgrade to?
Last edited by RedElmo; Jan 18, 2024 at 12:41 pm Reason: Corrected Citi Premier
Jan 18, 2024, 12:37 pm
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,964
Jan 18, 2024, 12:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,848
Jan 18, 2024, 12:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Jan 18, 2024, 12:55 pm
#8
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,964
Preferred is discontinued, but you could ask if it is still available as a downgrade option. I believe you can also downgrade to Custom Cash (despite the name, this is a native Thank You card.)
Double Cash should work, but because it originated as a cashback card, and was transformed into a Thank You card in a two-step process, I would not be 100% confident that the system would preserve the points balance.
Double Cash should work, but because it originated as a cashback card, and was transformed into a Thank You card in a two-step process, I would not be 100% confident that the system would preserve the points balance.
Jan 19, 2024, 11:43 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: SEA
Posts: 19
The equivalent to Preferred would be the Rewards+.
I did not lose my TYP points when downgrading from Premier to CC.
Jan 22, 2024, 8:09 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Data point: Downgrade from Prestige to Custom Cash card phone call took about two minutes. Citi rep confirmed the conversion to Custom Cash would retain the points earned via Prestige.
Also, the agent commented that as long as I requested the conversion within 37 days (odd, I know?) that the annual fee would be credited back to the account. As always, YMMV!
Also, the agent commented that as long as I requested the conversion within 37 days (odd, I know?) that the annual fee would be credited back to the account. As always, YMMV!
Jan 22, 2024, 8:24 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: SEA
Posts: 19
Data point: Downgrade from Prestige to Custom Cash card phone call took about two minutes. Citi rep confirmed the conversion to Custom Cash would retain the points earned via Prestige.
Also, the agent commented that as long as I requested the conversion within 37 days (odd, I know?) that the annual fee would be credited back to the account. As always, YMMV!
Also, the agent commented that as long as I requested the conversion within 37 days (odd, I know?) that the annual fee would be credited back to the account. As always, YMMV!
Also, if you have any TYP cards pooled/linked together previously, they'll be eventually converted to that respective card in ThankYou Rewards.
Jan 23, 2024, 10:52 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
Thank you for all the great information here.
I have 2+ citi card
Is my understanding correct?
I have 2+ citi card
- If I downgrade my Premier into Custom cash, I would be safe with the my points.
- I read that if I first combined the points from my Premier into other Thank you points account, it will be safe there. No expiration.
- but then if I completely close the Premier (at this point with 0 points), citi system will somehow CATCH me doing that and then I will lose those Premier points even though they already were transferred/merged into another Thank you points account.
Is my understanding correct?
Jan 23, 2024, 11:11 am
#13
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,964
Welcome to Flyertalk
This is correct, but it's not that they will "catch" you, but rather than their system always tracks the original source of all the points in our accounts. The ONLY way to prevent points from expiring is to downgrade rather than close an account which has a points balance.
Note that if you do not have a Premier or Prestige card you cannot Transfer points to airline or hotel programs (with one unfavorable exception). If you are not planning to Transfer, why do you want to accumulate points rather than cashing out before closing?
Note also that Custom Cash has one limitation, it is excluded from the Point Sharing feature. Read more here to decide if this matters to you: ThankYou Point Sharing capped at 100,000 points per calendar year.
Note that if you do not have a Premier or Prestige card you cannot Transfer points to airline or hotel programs (with one unfavorable exception). If you are not planning to Transfer, why do you want to accumulate points rather than cashing out before closing?
Note also that Custom Cash has one limitation, it is excluded from the Point Sharing feature. Read more here to decide if this matters to you: ThankYou Point Sharing capped at 100,000 points per calendar year.
Feb 6, 2024, 11:37 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 225
Forfeited TY points
Hi, I just found a good international business class flight, and wanted to transfer some TY points. To my chagrin, I had some 230k fewer TY points than I had recalled. Not finding anything when trying to search for the history, I called Citi. Turns out I had had a Prestige card for several years, which was the primary source of those TY points (I have other TY points from my Premier and Double Cash cards. I downgraded it to Rewards+ in 2020, but (unwisely?) put zero spend on it. Citi sent me a notice last summer abruptly canceling this card. I’m rather certain nothing was said about my TY points, or I absolutely would have done something to preserve or transfer them. I’ve had a Double Cash for 30 years (upgraded from a prior card), and a TY Premier card continuously for at least 7 years (although probably irrelevant, also a Costco and an AA card). Never been late on a payment, although much of my spend has gravitated elsewhere. So, the rep told me nothing can be done, but as a goodwill gesture, he kindly offered me 5k TY points. Not satisfied, I asked for his recommendation. He then volunteered he could connect me to an “account specialist” and I agreed. After going through the entire process, he volunteered that he’d ask his “other department” if they would consider reopening that Rewards+ account. If successful, I could reinstate the Rewards+ card, then petition them to reinstate my TY points. No promises, but he seemed to offer some hope. I expect a letter in the next 7-10 days. Any thoughts? Tia.
Feb 6, 2024, 3:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 592
My annual feel is coming up soon, and I put most of my spend into the Chase ecosystem recently - so I likely will downgrade to a no annual fee option. I had a couple of questions.
I was thinking citi rewards + bc they have the 10 point minimum per purchase and I buy a lot of $1 coffee's at my work cafeteria - figure that nice 10x bonus is nice - albeit on small spend.
I don't have many TY points as I just made a redemption, my question is, if I downgrade, the few points I have will transfer with the new card (just now not worth as much) - if when I am then eligible again for a Citi Premier SUB, if I apply and get approved, will the TY points I earned with the rewards+ then be able to go back with any (merged) with the citi premier points and elgible for the higher value/more transfer partners?
thanks!
I was thinking citi rewards + bc they have the 10 point minimum per purchase and I buy a lot of $1 coffee's at my work cafeteria - figure that nice 10x bonus is nice - albeit on small spend.
I don't have many TY points as I just made a redemption, my question is, if I downgrade, the few points I have will transfer with the new card (just now not worth as much) - if when I am then eligible again for a Citi Premier SUB, if I apply and get approved, will the TY points I earned with the rewards+ then be able to go back with any (merged) with the citi premier points and elgible for the higher value/more transfer partners?
thanks!