mia discovered a new limitation on sharing Citi ThankYou points, moving them from one person’s account to another. (HT: IADisGr8)

The total number of points a member can share is 100,000 Points in a given calendar year and the total number of points a member can receive from other members is 100,000 Points in a given calendar year.

This is not a limit on combining points in your own different accounts. It’s a limit on transferring points to other people — something that Citi is already much more generous with than American Express Membership Rewards (which only allows points transfers to authorized users on your card accounts) and Chase (which limits you to transferring points in a personal accounts to a partner).

You can transfer Citibank points to anyone you wish although once transferred they expire after 90 days if not used.

There remains no limit to the number of points you can transfer out to your frequent flyer accounts, except that as before:

1. No more than 500,000 points per transfer

2. You can only transfer once per day to each of Qantas and Virgin Atlantic (other programs there’s no limit).

And there remains no fee for transfers, just like with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to US frequent flyer programs incurs a fee to recover the 7.5% excise tax.

Citi Points Transfer Directly to Qatar’s Frequent Flyer Program

ThankYou Rewards transfer partners are:

• Air France-KLM
  
• Asia Miles
  
• Etihad Airways Guest
  
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
  
• Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
  
• Hilton HHonors
  
• Malaysia Airlines Enrich
  
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
  
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
  
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
  
• Virgin America Elevate
  
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Etihad Guest Points Can Be Redeemed for A380 First Apartments

Of course you need a Citi Prestige Card, Citi ThankYou Premier, or Chairmans card to be able to transfer points to loyalty programs. Bank account-earned points and less premium Citi cards don’t allow points transfers to airline programs or Hilton HHonors.

The ability to transfer points to anyone you wish though, even limited to 100,000 points per year, remains an underappreciated benefit that’s not matched by other card issuers.