Best UR and TYP transfer options

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sungchiahao

Level 2 Member
Hello All,

I have 72,000 TYP and 52,000 UR points earned by Citi Premier and CSP. Both are coming due for AF. I've tried getting retention to offset the AF with no success. I will try again in April at the 12th month mark for both cards. I've put minimal spending spending on those cards so I don't like my retention chances. If no retention offers, I plan to change both cards to no AF cards (Citi DoubleCash/Citi Dividend/Freedom)

I like some feedback on how to transfer the points. Possible upcoming flights would be US to Asia (for example PHX to TPE), US West to Hawaii. Here are my thoughts on the good transfer options for my situation
  1. Transfer TYP and UR both to Singapore KrisFlyer: KrisFlyer is the only common program between the UR and TYP. I could see myself booking the suite class on their trans-pacific routes.
  2. TYP -> Asia Miles: Distance based award chart. Useful for short flights in Asia and Europe
  3. UR -> United: Already have the United Explorer card and it looks like a very confusing but rewarding award program once you learn what you are doing.
  4. UR-> Korean Air: Only because of the 25K US - Hawaii RT Award. 50K would take 2 ppl RT
  5. UR-> British Airways: Also 25K US West - Hawaii RT. But cannot build any stopovers
Are there any other programs I should consider? How would you rate my transfer options?
 
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jleey98

Level 2 Member
One suggestion, at last for your URs... you can downgrade your Sapphire to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and apply for an Ink card (annual fee waived first year) and keep your points alive for one year without transferring them out. I don't know if you're willing to do so but that is what I would do.

Virgin Atlantic is also a common program between the two and Citi has a 25% bonus for Virgin Atlantic right now. I believe that a roundtrip first class ticket to Japan (from New York) on ANA would cost 140,000 miles and taxes (ANA is eliminating fuel surcharges due to the low cost of fuel). I would call Virgin Atlantic for a quote on that before transferring. You can also use their miles to fly Virgin Australia with no fuel surcharges.
 
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knick1959

Level 2 Member
jleey98 said:
One suggestion, at last for your URs... you can downgrade your Sapphire to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and apply for an Ink card (annual fee waived first year) and keep your points alive for one year without transferring them out. I don't know if you're willing to do so but that is what I would do.
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The risk there is being denied for the INK. I would try to get that before downgrading the Sapphire, as otherwise your points can get stuck as cash back only.
 
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Benqzh

Level 2 Member
Option of INK is risky.
I have a thought, but I am not sure it would work or not. Change CSP to freedom and keep the UR. After one year, if you need miles, just change Freedom to CSP, transfer points and go back to Freedom immediately to avoid AF.
BTW, is it possible to transfer TYP to airlines without prestige?
 
J

Josh F

Level 2 Member
Charity Forum Mod
Benqzh said:
Option of INK is risky.
I have a thought, but I am not sure it would work or not. Change CSP to freedom and keep the UR. After one year, if you need miles, just change Freedom to CSP, transfer points and go back to Freedom immediately to avoid AF.
BTW, is it possible to transfer TYP to airlines without prestige?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure you cannot PC from Freedom to CSP, you'd need to apply.
 
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dukerau

Level 2 Member
Josh F said:
I'm pretty sure you cannot PC from Freedom to CSP, you'd need to apply.
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My understanding is that you can PC among any/all personal UR-earning cards (Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred). Recently did a Sapphire -> Freedom Unlimited, so I know that works. And in the past I've done Sapphire Preferred -> Freedom (I'm sure many have).
 
J

Josh F

Level 2 Member
Charity Forum Mod
dukerau said:
My understanding is that you can PC among any/all personal UR-earning cards (Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred). Recently did a Sapphire -> Freedom Unlimited, so I know that works. And in the past I've done Sapphire Preferred -> Freedom (I'm sure many have).
Click to expand...

I didn't think you could go from a no annual fee to an annual fee card
 
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Benqzh

Level 2 Member
You can do the PC, while the only limitation is the credit line. CSP has a min of $5000. So if your CL of freedom is above that, you can do PC directly; otherwise you need to apply to increase the CL first.
 
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