Question
I've read the whole forum and the Citi website but still have a couple of questions.
I'm a big spender on my CCs, between $150K-500K per month. Right now, I use SPG AMEX and an AMEX plat.
I'm intrigued by the TY network's ability to get me flights on the day of my choice.
Here are my questions:
1. What's the cap on the amount of TY points I can earn per year?
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?
3. Am I crazy for not continuing my spending on SPG AMEX?
Thanks.
Answer
Most of the cards cap you at 100,000 points per year (200,000 for the Premier Pass cards, 100k purchase points and 100k flight points). I believe the Chairman card has no cap.
If you are honestly spending 150-300k a month you probably have quite a few SPG points, so putting your eggs in a couple baskets wouldn't hurt.
Answer
1. What's the cap on the amount of TY points I can earn per year?
Depends on the product. Some of the business cards have a 150,000 points/year
From the online T&Cs on the Premier Pass:
"100,000 per calendar year (eligible purchases appearing on your January – December billing statements), only 50,000 of which may be ThankYou Flight Points."
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?
Depends on what you want to earn - airline points or general merchandise points or cash back
3. Am I crazy for not continuing my spending on SPG AMEX?
The SPG AMEX does give 5,000 bonus miles for every 20,000 miles you transfer to airlines which is pretty good. But it depends on what you want to use the points for. Does your SPG have a cap?
Many of the airline cards have no cap if you are elite.
Answer
If you are honestly spending 150-300k a month you probably have quite a few SPG points, so putting your eggs in a couple baskets wouldn't hurt.
Right, but because of the SPG -> Airline transfers, my eggs are in a couple of baskets.
Basically, I'm asking if there is a card that does not have a cap on TY points. SPG doesn't have a cap.
There seem to be instances where TY points are very valuable, specifically last-minute travel and some other international itineraries. I would never use credit-card rewards for anything but travel awards.
Since I can accrue a lot of points quickly, not having a limit matters.
Answer
I've read the whole forum and the Citi website but still have a couple of questions.
I'm a big spender on my CCs, between $150K-500K per month. Right now, I use SPG AMEX and an AMEX plat.
I'm intrigued by the TY network's ability to get me flights on the day of my choice.
Here are my questions:
1. What's the cap on the amount of TY points I can earn per year?
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?
3. Am I crazy for not continuing my spending on SPG AMEX?
Thanks.
Each card has a different maximum point capacity. Frankly, your monthly spend exceeds the annual spending cap on all of the currently available Thank You cards. If you want to get a card just to earn 100,000 points or so a year (check the card terms for specifics), consider:
Citi Professional - 3 pts per $ on Restaurants, Gas, Rental Cars, and Office Supplies
Citi Premier Pass - If you fly consistently, you will earn effectively 2pts per $
The only unlimited Thank You card to my knowledge is the Citigroup Chairman Card. That card is not currently available. When the card is available, it is worth considering.
Answer
The Citi PremierPass® Card - Elite Level and CitiBusiness PremierPassSM Card are each limited to 200,000 points per year. While half of these points may be Flight Points, I read the terms to permit 200,000 Purchase Points if that is a better fit for your spending pattern...
The total number of ThankYou Purchase and ThankYou Flight Points (" ThankYou Points") that may be earned is 200,000 per calendar year (eligible purchases appearing on your January – December billing statements), only 100,000 of which may be ThankYou Flight Points. Unless otherwise specified, the calendar year limit will include any Thank You Select Spend, ThankYou Special / Bonus and ThankYou Flight Points you may be eligible to receive.
Answer
Each card has a different maximum point capacity. Frankly, your monthly spend exceeds the annual spending cap on all of the currently available Thank You cards. If you want to get a card just to earn 100,000 points or so a year (check the card terms for specifics), consider:
Citi Professional - 3 pts per $ on Restaurants, Gas, Rental Cars, and Office Supplies
Citi Premier Pass - If you fly consistently, you will earn effectively 2pts per $
The only unlimited Thank You card to my knowledge is the Citigroup Chairman Card. That card is not currently available. When the card is available, it is worth considering.
...couple more comments:
- SPG AMEX is a great card if you will use your points for hotel stays or flights
- If you want merchandise Citi Thankyou seems to have better redemption rates that Membership Rewards or Merrill+.
- You should consider a cashback card. I cannot imagine that you will spend that many miles in a year. The cashback reward rates are typically higher than the merchandise reward rates.
Answer
Hi,
Here is my 2 cent thought.
while Citi put a cap of each credit card, you can get around by open as many credit cards as you can and then consolidate your points in one TY account. One more good thing about open more than one account: you get to earn more sign up bonus points.
Trang:)
Answer
Hi,
Here is my 2 cent thought.
while Citi put a cap of each credit card, you can get around by open as many credit cards as you can and then consolidate your points in one TY account. One more good thing about open more than one account: you get to earn more sign up bonus points.
Trang:)
At the OP's minimum spend rate, he would be racking up 1.8MM points per year. PremierPass Elite would get you at most 200k/card. Citi generally has a cap of 3 personal cards (plus some number of business cards--not sure how many). But still, probably too much of a hassle to open that many cards.
But I'm definitely a big proponent of diversifying your point base (assume you have a lot of points). Always good to have options when redeeming points, and TY Point redemption for flights definitely gives you very different benefits than regular frequent flier programs.
Answer
I've read the whole forum and the Citi website but still have a couple of questions.
I'm a big spender on my CCs, between $150K-500K per month. Right now, I use SPG AMEX and an AMEX plat.
I'm intrigued by the TY network's ability to get me flights on the day of my choice.
Here are my questions:
1. What's the cap on the amount of TY points I can earn per year?
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?
3. Am I crazy for not continuing my spending on SPG AMEX?
Thanks.
I'm curious. Why are you not interested in taking at least some of your earnings as cash -- e.g. with the AMEX Blue Cash card? (1.5% cash back on non-EDP, 5% on EDP (after $6500 in YTD spending))
With such a massive potential to accumulate points/miles, I can imagine that they might pile up faster than you can spend them. That would argue for accumulating rewards as cash, which can be invested and produce further earnings.
Answer
There seem to be instances where TY points are very valuable, specifically last-minute travel .
Uh last minute??????
all ty fixed flight options are
14 day advance
saturday night stayover required.
Citi's choice of times.
Citi's choice of routing.
citi's choice of airline(s)
and you need to hop on one leg for 14 days.
A FOURTEEN DAY ADVANCE does not fufill your last-minute travel.
I'd stick primarily with *wood. On AA, DL.CO metal , as i'm sure you already know, can reedeem free from capacity control for double miles.
Also if you are use to Amex level customer service be prepared for a rude, very unexpected, tremendous drop off in the quality of service with Citi.
Answer
The OP post 1
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?I would never use credit-card rewards for anything but travel awards.
The OP Post 4
I would never use credit-card rewards for anything but travel awards.
????? I'm confused.
Answer
There seem to be instances where TY points are very valuable, specifically last-minute travel .
well,
Which route(s), time of year and class of service are you referring to??
If its coach to Vail, Co over Xmas/new years , that is an expensive tix.
but let's not confuse ultra peak season with last minute.
14 days is 14 days.
I have a suggestion.
Why not get a card and accure 200,000 ty points.- that's less than 2 weeks spending.
please share your various redemptions here for &*wood, M.R. & TY.
I like to know.
Answer
The OP post 1
2. What's the best card for earning points through spends on merchandise, not travel?I would never use credit-card rewards for anything but travel awards.
The OP Post 4
I would never use credit-card rewards for anything but travel awards.
????? I'm confused.
And I'm confused why you needed three posts there to make your point...
Anyway, there shouldn't be any confusion here. From the OP's first post, he's asking for the card which earns the most points when the purchases are merchandise, not travel-related expenses (restaurants, hotels, flights, etc.). In milepost #4, the OP states that he only uses credit card rewards for travel awards. Two completely separate topics.
Answer
Uh last minute??????
all ty fixed flight options are
14 day advanceThe unrestricted fixed flight option requires 14 day advance purchase?
Answer
The unrestricted fixed flight option requires 14 day advance purchase?
There is no "unrestricted" Fixed Flight Option:
Fixed flight option Travel Rewards have limited availability and are restricted airline tickets only. Fixed flight option reservations only must be made at least 14 days prior to travel, require a Saturday night stay and must originate in the 48 continental United States, unless otherwise specified.
https://www.thankyounetwork.com/faq.jspx
Answer
There is no "unrestricted" Fixed Flight Option:
Fixed flight option Travel Rewards have limited availability and are restricted airline tickets only. Fixed flight option reservations only must be made at least 14 days prior to travel, require a Saturday night stay and must originate in the 48 continental United States, unless otherwise specified.
https://www.thankyounetwork.com/faq.jspxMy understanding is that there is still an unrestricted flight option (why else would they bother calling it restricted if there wasn't?), it's just not listed on that page, I'm not sure if it's on the website at all, their website is kind of crappy like that.
Answer
The unrestricted alternative is the Variable Priced option in which you can purchase a ticket by redeeming points in lieu of cash on the basis of $0.01 per point.
ThankYou Members have options to redeem for travel:
Our online travel booking tool is powered by Expedia® and allows you to travel when you want, how you want and on an airline you want. There are no limits on seat availability, advance purchase rules, limited airline choices, blackout dates or minimum point requirements.
The online booking tool is available for our variable priced option. Go to www.thankyounetwork.com to plan your trip. Choose an airline schedule, hotel or vacation package you want, and the number of points needed will vary based on the regular price. ... Unlike many other travel reward programs, there are no limits on the number of reward seats or rooms available – if there is availability on the flight or at the hotel you want, you’ll get it. There’s no need to book in advance, or stay over a Saturday night.
Answer
They definitely used to have unrestricted fixed-point options. The brochure I have from them says 50k for domestic US, 180k to Europe, etc.
If you read their FAQ now:
https://www.thankyounetwork.com/faq.jspx
(click on the subject that says "Travel Rewards"), they basically state that the choices are variable point rewards or restricted fixed point rewards. Probably changed this when they changed from Global Impact to Expedia.
Answer
Uh last minute??????
all ty fixed flight options are
14 day advance
saturday night stayover required.
Citi's choice of times.
Citi's choice of routing.
citi's choice of airline(s)
and you need to hop on one leg for 14 days.
A FOURTEEN DAY ADVANCE does not fufill your last-minute travel.
I'd stick primarily with *wood. On AA, DL.CO metal , as i'm sure you already know, can reedeem free from capacity control for double miles.
Also if you are use to Amex level customer service be prepared for a rude, very unexpected, tremendous drop off in the quality of service with Citi.
Thanks for this.
To the OP:
Im in a similar situation (dont care to discuss my exact spending patterns, sorry) and my strategy has changed from SPG Amex to Citi PP. I am planning to maximize it and move on back to SPG AMEX.
I think you have my same problem, a TON of SPG points and not enough time to redeem. I had used the Citi AA card until I got to 2mm which gives you Lifetime Platinum status, but I am already EXP so it does not give you a boost in perks (not sure your status with AA) but at least I got something to show for. Did you consider spending a couple of million bucks on the citi AA and get Lifetime Plat?
Once I maximize the Citi Premier Pass $100K spend, I plan to Spend $50k on the Delta AMEX Plat (dont have it yet) as you get 20,000 MQM. Again same strategy as the CITI AA, im moving my flying to Delta so to get Million Miler (lifetime status). Delta, unlike AA, ONLY counts MQM for Lifetime status and they have a feature with their card that if you spend $50K they will give you a 20kMQM bonus (which is good for Lifetime status) the balance to reach to MillionMiler (lifetime status) I plan on flying it.
Answer
Uh last minute??????
all ty fixed flight options are
14 day advance
saturday night stayover required.
Citi's choice of times.
Citi's choice of routing.
citi's choice of airline(s)
and you need to hop on one leg for 14 days.
A FOURTEEN DAY ADVANCE does not fufill your last-minute travel.
I'd stick primarily with *wood. On AA, DL.CO metal , as i'm sure you already know, can reedeem free from capacity control for double miles.
Also if you are use to Amex level customer service be prepared for a rude, very unexpected, tremendous drop off in the quality of service with Citi.
From Citi's FAQ:
"2. What travel options do ThankYou Members have for Travel Rewards?
ThankYou Members have options to redeem for travel:
Our online travel booking tool is powered by Expedia® and allows you to travel when you want, how you want and on an airline you want. There are no limits on seat availability, advance purchase rules, limited airline choices, blackout dates or minimum point requirements."
Definitely misleading as it follows with:
"The online booking tool is available for our variable priced option. Go to www.thankyounetwork.com to plan your trip. Choose an airline schedule, hotel or vacation package you want, and the number of points needed will vary based on the regular price. Since there’s no minimum point requirement, you can rest assured you won’t be using any more of your points than necessary. For example, if the flight you want is inexpensive, you might only have to use 18,000 or 20,000 points, because the number of points needed for redemption is based on the fare. Unlike many other travel reward programs, there are no limits on the number of reward seats or rooms available – if there is availability on the flight or at the hotel you want, you’ll get it. There’s no need to book in advance, or stay over a Saturday night.
If you are an eligible Citi® cardmember, you can also take advantage of our fixed flight option by calling a ThankYou Network Travel Specialist, toll-free. You will always get a ticket on the date you want to travel - if a seat is available. Just book 14 days in advance and stay over a Saturday night. Currently, for this option it takes only 25,000 points for flights in the continental U.S. and Alaska – for any destination, at any time of year. Flights to Hawaii are available for 40,000 points, and Europe for 60,000. And there are no blackout dates. So if you have the luxury of planning ahead, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of our fixed flight option.
In addition, if the travel reward you want is not available from one of these options, you can ask one of our Wish Specialists to find it for you using our Your Wish Fulfilled feature."
Answer
Definitely misleading...
In what sense were you misled? There are two options Fixed and Variable. One is restricted, the other is not.
djl
Answer
In what sense were you misled? There are two options Fixed and Variable. One is restricted, the other is not.
djl
"allows you to travel when you want, how you want and on an airline you want. There are no limits on seat availability, advance purchase rules, limited airline choices, blackout dates or minimum point requirements."
the above is not true. But didnt realize that its the "unrestricted" portion of it. (from what i read its when you purchase @ 1cent/point... correct?
Answer
"allows you to travel when you want, how you want and on an airline you want. There are no limits on seat availability, advance purchase rules, limited airline choices, blackout dates or minimum point requirements."
the above is not true. But didnt realize that its the "unrestricted" portion of it. (from what i read its when you purchase @ 1cent/point... correct?
The bolded statement is almost true when Thank You points are redeemed in lieu of money at the rate of $0.01 per point. The quibble would be that "on an airline you want" should read "on any airline available through Expedia".
Still, I don't see anything misleading because the terms of each redemption option are clearly explained. Please mention if there is any remaining confusion.
Answer
Did you consider spending a couple of million bucks on the citi AA and get Lifetime Plat?
AA also give credit for transfers so I would put the charges on Amex SPG then transfer at 1:1.25. There's some kind of max though, not sure if it's per day or per year. Worth investigating.
Answer
1)One of the "downside" of this card that ive read is the CS, how bad really is it? Is it Indian based?
2)Im assuming that as soon as you have a Purchase Point (PP) and a Flight Point (FP) you immediately match it to TYN points?
3)What is a Select Spending Point? I understand how to get them, via drugstores, groceries etc. etc. But the website doesnt explain what their worth is and if they are ultimately PPs or on a category of their own.
On another note: mia, aggafe, writetorich (and the rest), users of Citi PP/TYN have been invaluable resrouces and appreciate your input as without it I could not even come close in considering this card.
Answer
1) Don't know- I just got my card.
2) Purchase points become TY points at the end of each statement cycle. Flight points are held until you have earned the corresponding amount of purchase pts. Once you have, the flight pts bcome TY pts. The best part, in my mind, is that they don't have to be on the same cycle- you can spend $10,000 now then fly 10,000 miles over the next 8 months and those flight pts will transfer directly into TY points.
3) Select spending just refers to the bonus purchase pts you get at those places. They are treated the same as regular purchase pts. Instead of 1 pt at the gas station, you get 2.
Answer
you can spend $10,000 now then fly 10,000 miles over the next 8 months and those flight pts will transfer directly into TY points.
Remember that Flight Points are earned by purchasing airline tickets and "you" do not need to be the passenger. If you travel with a companion or children and charge all tickets to one PriorityPass card you will accumulate Flight Points more quickly than if you think only in terms of your personal flying.
Bear in mind also the Flight Points match points, not dollars. When you spend at a supermarket, pharmacy, gas station, parking or public transport and earn 1 Purchase Point plus 1 Select Spend Point you will match 2 Flight Points and receive 4 redeemable Thank You Points.