Updated for Rent Day 12/1. Bilt Rewards has recently unveiled “Bilt 2.0,” introducing three new credit card options that promise rewards for both mortgage and rent payments. Applications are not yet available, with further details expected in January 2026. If you possess the current card from Wells Fargo, it will continue to function as normal until February 6th, 2026.
On December 1st, Bilt is offering a transfer bonus to British Airways* Avios of between 50% and 100%. (*This also applies to Aer Lingus and Iberia Avios.) Avios can provide good value in various scenarios, making this transfer bonus an excellent opportunity to maximize your Bilt points, especially if you have a specific redemption in mind.
If you haven’t linked your Rakuten account to Bilt yet, you should consider doing so for an easy smaller bonus. Look for the option within the app.
Rent Day also brings 2X double points, meaning you can earn 6X on dining, 4X on travel, and 2X on other purchases (excluding rent). Note that there is a cap of 1,000 bonus points. To be eligible for points, you must make a minimum of five purchases (of any amount) each statement period.
Current Bilt members can still rack up points simply by paying their monthly rent to any landlord with zero transaction fees, which remains its key feature.
Full review on the previous card:
The refreshed Bilt Mastercard is an innovative credit card that provides rewards on rent payments to any landlord. Bilt acts as a rent payment platform, sending checks or ACH transfers to your landlord, ensuring they face no hassle. The card is issued by Wells Fargo and includes various bonus categories and points redemption options similar to many rewards credit cards. Here are the key features:
- Earn up to 1X points on rent payments with no transaction fee, accumulating up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
- 3X points on dining.
- 2X points on travel including hotels, rental cars, and cruises when booked directly through airlines, hotels, and car rental companies.
- 1X points on all other purchases.
- Points are accrued when you make five transactions that post each statement period.
- Rent payments at Bilt Alliance properties can be automatically reported to the three major credit bureaus (Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™).
- No annual fee.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits such as cell phone insurance and purchase protection.
This means you could spend up to $100,000 annually (or $8,333 monthly) on rent and still earn the full 1X points per dollar on rent payments. There is a requirement to make at least five transactions each month, ensuring that users engage with the card beyond just using it for rent.
Bilt has teamed up with property owners of over 2 million apartment units to form the Bilt Rewards Alliance. To check if your residence qualifies, simply enter your address in the Bilt app.
Bilt also provides Double Points on “Rent Day,” which falls on the 1st of every month. On this day, you can earn 6X on dining, 4X on travel, and 2X on other purchases (excluding rent). Additionally, there may be other promotional offers on this day.
Bilt Rewards Points Redemption Options
Travel partners. Bilt Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to several hotel and airline partners. Additionally, you can receive 100 bonus points for every loyalty program linked to Bilt.
- Alaska Airlines Atmos (Hawaiian)
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- United Airlines
- FlyingBlue (Air France/KLM)
- Miles & Smiles (Turkish Airlines)
- Emirates Skywards
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Aer Lingus Aer Club
- Turkish Miles & Smiles
- Iberia Plus
- TAP Air Portugal
- World of Hyatt
- IHG One
- Accor ALL
For the average U.S. traveler, Hyatt hotel points, Alaska, and United miles are potentially the most beneficial. I adopt a conservative valuation of points and miles due to their complexities and the risk of devaluation, estimating their value at about 1 cent each, although I aim to exceed this in practice.
Considering a Home Downpayment? Bilt states that your points can be redeemed at a value of 1.5 cents each for use towards a home downpayment. While this might be somewhat complicated to execute, it’s worth noting—accumulating 100,000 points could equate to $1,500 through this method.
Shop with Points at Amazon. You can link your Bilt Rewards points to Amazon for purchases, redeeming at a rate of 0.70 cents per point.
Rent. Bilt allows you to convert points towards your next rent payment at a rate of 0.55 cents per point. This is relatively low when compared to mileage or Hyatt redemption options, limiting cash-out possibilities.
Statement credit. Points can also be converted to provide a statement credit on your credit card at a rate of 0.55 cents per point.
Additional redemption alternatives include fitness classes and tangible items such as “limited-edition” home decor or art available in the “Bilt Collection” catalog. Personally, I prefer enhancing my Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan balances.
Can it potentially help your credit score? When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, your on-time payment activities can be reported automatically to the three major credit bureaus. Furthermore, by using the optional “BiltProtect” feature, your rent payments will be withdrawn immediately from a linked bank account, preventing decreases in your credit limit and ideally avoiding increases in credit card debt due to rent payments.
How can I pay my landlord or property manager if they don’t accept credit cards due to transaction fees? Bilt provides a bank ACH routing number and account number for you to execute an ACH transfer, or they may send a paper check on your behalf. A pre-authorization step must be completed in the Bilt app before March 2025, after which new routing and account numbers will be provided. Payments are not made directly with the credit card, and neither you nor your landlord incur any credit card transaction fees.
1. Pre-authorize your payment in the Bilt app (prior to paying rent)
Each month, pre-authorize your rent payment in the Bilt app, up to five (5) days before the due date.
Select your rent amount and preferred payment method.
You can use your Bilt Mastercard® for regular rewards and waived fees, or
Use any other credit/debit card to earn both Bilt Points AND your card’s rewards.
For first-time users: You will receive your BillPay by Bilt routing and account numbers, which should be added to your property’s payment portal, replacing your previous Rent Rewards account details.
Optionally, you can enable auto-authorization under ‘Rent Payment Options’ by selecting the desired day of the month and payment amount you want authorized automatically each month.
Free cell phone protection. When you pay your monthly cell phone bill using your Bilt Mastercard, you qualify for coverage of up to $800 (with a $25 deductible) against damage or loss. For comprehensive coverage details, visit wellsfargo.com/biltbenefits. To file a claim, contact 1-800-316-8051 or visit mycardbenefits.assurant.com.
Final thoughts. The Bilt Mastercard presents a one-of-a-kind rewards structure specifically developed for all renters, regardless of landlord. If your monthly rent is $2,000, earning 1X rewards translates to 24,000 points annually, equating to 24,000 Alaska Atmos (Hawaiian), United miles, or Hyatt points—with no extra transaction fees and no annual credit card fee. You might benefit even more during a “Rent Day” promotion on the first of the month. This is definitely worth considering if you have to pay rent.
