Question
Hello All,
After doing some reading, it seems to me that Citi ThankYou points may be a good deal for redeeming international flights IF you use their "fixed-rate" travel.
Problem is, I called Citi to ask about this "fixed-rate" travel and they did not answer my questions in a satisfactory manner.
I asked for a documentation with all the terms & conditions + restrictions but was told no such documentation exist.
The only restriction they told me was that I need to call at least 14 days before my travel. And if I don't meet "other restrictions" I need to pay more.
I asked what are the other restrictions and would "paying more" mean pay more with points or credit card or need to purchase the "variable-rate" ticket? But I could not get an answer to these questions.
This forum seems to have more competent and intelligent people so I would appreciate if you could give me more details of this Citi fixed rate program.
I am specifically looking to travel from continental USA to Australia/South Pacific (100K points!).
I would like to know what restrictions I need to satisfy?
Citi's FAQ says I can buy points but is there any limit on how many points I can buy? (And how much does it cost?)
Any helpful pointers/advice/past experiences will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Answer
I don't think anyone here knows the actual restrictions imposed by Citi on fixed rate redemptions, but the general experience here has been that Citi will always purchase the cheapest-priced ticket (as displayed by Expedia) as long as you meet the 14-day advance purchase requirement (though you may have little control over the carrier and the schedule).
Details about purchasing points is covered explicitly in the TYN FAQs (look under "Transferring and Purchasing Points").
Answer
Thanks for the reply.
I found out that to purchase points, it is $25 for 1000 points and a limit of 30K per year.
Answer
This is how it works....
14 day advance purchase AND a saturday night stay for the "fixed rate" rewards.
YOU must be flexible....in other words, they will get you to Australia for 100k points but on the cheapest ticket/carrier....it all depends on the schedule available...best to call often and when you like the routing...get it...you should also earn FFP miles for this...
now there is a theory floating around whether you should wait till the last possible minute to buy the ticket so that you might be able to get a booking code that will let you upgrade with miles....but I have not heard of any sucessful redemptions...
GOOD LUCK !!!!
Answer
But you can do Fixed Rate redemptions for Business Class, right?
Answer
Fixed Flight redemptions include business class, but bear in mind Expedia will choose the least expensive fare for your city pair and dates without regard to carrier, routing or times.
Answer
But you can do Fixed Rate redemptions for Business Class, right?
yes....but it all depends on your loyalty....I have no loyalty to any single airline....that is why I have typ ....I get J tickets....and I earn miles on a FFP and I get all the J benefits....
PERFECT !!!!!!
To increase the chances of getting the route you want with the carrier, book early..