We got a really nice toaster. It was fun looking through the catalog and getting stuff for "free." But we only get Thank You points for our checking account. Our credit cards are all cash back/miles.

Thanks all. I didn't realize you could do statement credits or hotel gift cards -- need to look more closely. To the PP most types of points don't expire, but those earned on banking with citi do expire at least for my account.

I didn't know they expired? Gift cards seem the best use of points. I've run the math for iPads, toys, etc and the gift cards are a better deal--but not amazon or statement credit.

i tend to purchase items i normally wouldnt. I've done a custom redemption for a Coach gift card about a decade ago and purchased a purse I really wanted. Recently, I redeemed for an Amazon certificate and purchased a Clarisonic Pro. FYI, this coincided with a deal Citi had for Amazon, so I received $100 credit for every 10,000 points. I've also done Macy's gift cards to buy several pairs of sandals for the summer.

I have an AMEX Blue and have been underwhelmed with the options. Maybe I should switch to Blue cash.

Get capitalone quick silver 1.5 cash back. Cash is king and probably won't expire, a Yellen Fed notwithstanding.

I always get retail gift cards. Home Depot, Gymboree, Gap/Banana Republic. I was super excited about linking it to my Amazon account, but I found your points don't get you as much on Amazon (for example enough points to get you a $100 gift card will only get you about $60 credit on Amazon.)

I also just started using an AmEx Blue Cash Preferred card, which gives you straight cash back, and gives you back 6% on groceries. I think this'll be a much better deal than Citi points.

Anonymous wrote:I know this is frivolous, but we always spend it on a hotel we would otherwise never spend the money on. Just got back from the Ritz.

I have done this, bought Ritz gift cards. I always use them for travel rewards. You can book a stay and apply whatever points you have and pay cash for the balance.

Anonymous wrote:
You can link it to your Amazon account and buy just about anything!

This is what I do. And I usually just save it up and use it for Christmas presents.

I know this is frivolous, but we always spend it on a hotel we would otherwise never spend the money on. Just got back from the Ritz.

You can do a statement credit. That's what I do.

Anonymous wrote:Home depot gift cards

+1

Home depot gift cards

You can link it to your Amazon account and buy just about anything!

Do they have an option where you can get cash? or account credits?
Sorry -- I only have Capital One and they have an option where I can put it towards account credit.

Just realized I have several thousand Citi thank you points expiring in the next few weeks? If you use that program, what do you typically get? I don't have any impending travel so I can't use on airlines and hotels. I tend to always do retail store gift cards but this time it's too many for Starbucks or Walmart.

What are your go tos when you redeem points?