I am newish to Citi. For travel rewards purposes, I've generally focused on our relationships with Amex and Cap One. I picked up the Citi DC last year, and now the Custom Cash (just this weekend - don't even have it yet), with the intent of expanding our cash back portfolio.
Now I keep coming across articles about converting DC cash to TYR points, pooling them with Custom Cash points, and also getting a Citi Rewards or Citi Premier card to have the option of using the Double/Custom rewards for travel (mainly, the ability to transfer the points to travel partners at a rate that makes them more valuable than 1 point = 1 cent). I'd love thoughts on this topic.
- First, do you think it's worth bothering?
- Second, is combining them with Rewards/Premier necessary to have that option? I don't understand Citi very well.
- Third, if yes to both of the above, any recommendations on best approach for the additional Citi card? Meaning - should I get the Rewards vs. Premier? Should I apply now or wait and do it later (in light of recent new account, etc.)?
- Fourth, any other thoughts?
I converted my well-aged no AF Citi AA card to Custom Cash because the points earning seems more interesting this way. Eventually I will likely get the $95 AF card ( can't keep the names straight ) and harvest a bonus, do some transfers. If one has the no-AF card, seems logical to me to build up some points for later.
@dragontears wrote:The big issue you didn't address (but was alluded to by others) is do you have enough spend to support multiple point systems?
That's a good question. Yes - that's also why I expanded into adding cash back cards in the first place. I felt like we were crushing it with travel rewards and wanted to mix it up a bit by giving some spend to those cards. What I love about this (potentially, at least) is still having the option to take it as cash back, or to also use it for rewards. I know I also have that option with the Amex Schwab. But (and not to tangent too much here), the recent conversion devaluation makes that slightly less attractive.
@simplynoir wrote:
@dragontears wrote:The big issue you didn't address (but was alluded to by others) is do you have enough spend to support multiple point systems?
This was my thought as well. OP mentions first getting the Custom Cash for their cashback earnings but wants to switch over to travel rewards now if I'm understanding correctly. Assuming so that leaves a few cards they have in limbo if they want to do this. Some make their money back in perks related to the card like the AMEX Platinum and Delta Reserve but other will be left out in the cold with this strategy. Maybe if they use the SUB as a jump start I can see this in the short term but long term that's a lot to ask especially if they plan to keep both cashback and travel points earnings going forward
Thanks, @simplynoir. I addressed this in replying directly to @dragontears, but suffice it to say that I'm pushing enough spend through these that I'm genuinely not worried about leaving any of my kids cards out in the snow. 
@Loquat wrote:
OP, if you want the best of both worlds (with Citi) you're going to need the Citi Premier card as that's the only way to have the ability to transfer to partners at 1:1 AND the ability to cash out at 1cpp without a $25 threshold.
The only other card that offers this ability is the Citi Prestige that has been removed for new applicants and I don't believe that one can product change to it either.
@Loquat Interesting. So if I picked up the Premier at some point, I'd be able to combine all three TYP accounts into one and merge the balances?