American Express will become the sole credit card issuer for Hilton at the start of 2018. Citi has already announced that their cardholders will be converting to their respective American Express counterparts and American Express is launching a new business card and premium card called Aspire. Citi ThankYou points have been able to be transferred to Hilton points at a rate of 1:1.5 (and up to 1:2 during bonus periods). Citi has announced that after December 13th, 2017 these transfers will no longer be possible. Citi will still have the following transfer partners:
| Emirates | EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | Malaysia Airlines Enrich |
| AirFrance-KLM Flying Blue | Etihad Guest | Qatar Airways Privilege Club |
| Asia Miles | Accor Hotels (1:0.5) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Qantas |
| JetBlue (1:0.8 rate, 0.5 with Preferred) | Sears SYWRP (1:12) | Jet Airways JetPrivilege |
| Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles | Avianca LifeMiles | Club Premier Aeromexico |
| Choice Hotels (1:2) | Leading Hotels of the World (5:1) |
You will still be able to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points at a rate of 1:1.5 and Diners Club points at 1,250:2,000. This isn’t a huge loss for Citi cardholders as Hilton points are generally considered much less valuable than Citi ThankYou points even at the bonus 1:2 rate. It’s still never nice to lose choice though and this leaves Citi without any hotel transfer partners.
View Comments (9)
@Heidi, probably to transfer them to me. I will put them to good use.
I have Citi TYP that are expiring. What is the best redemption to transfer
Virgin Atlantic can be good for domestic travel
What are your travel goals?
Wouldn't it be interesting if Citi made a run for Marriot/SPG.
I'd be very surprised, Citi looks like they have almost given up on rewards for now due to the competitive landscape.
it would be so interesting if they give up on AAdvantage whenever that contract expires. who gets the account? new cards? oh, the imagination runs wild
Most likely Barclaycard would as they also issue AA cards.
Very! In some ways, I doubt it given the Citi exec who said they weren't going after the premium customer (not necessarily the same thing as getting the Marriott/SPG account, but still shows they're not as willing to pay to gain customers).