Bilt Rewards: A Beginner’s Guide (2026)
If you pay rent or a mortgage, Bilt Rewards is worth understanding. It’s one of the few rewards programs that lets you earn transferable travel points on housing payments, one of the biggest expenses in most household budgets.
Those points can eventually become airline miles or hotel points, helping you book flights and hotel stays for less. With the Bilt Rewards program, you can also earn rewards on everyday spending, take advantage of monthly promotions and redeem points in several other ways.
But Bilt can be a slightly more complex program than most. There are three credit cards, two ways to earn rewards on housing, a second rewards currency called Bilt Cash, and a long list of airline and hotel transfer partners.
Here’s what beginners need to know, including how to earn Bilt Points, which card might make sense for you, and how to get the most value when it’s time to redeem them.
What is Bilt, and who is it for?
Bilt Rewards started with a simple, clever idea: a loyalty program that helps members earn rewards on rent, a new concept in the industry. The program has evolved over the years and has expanded to all housing payments, as well as earning points on dining, travel bookings, fitness classes, Walgreens purchases, rideshare, and more.
It’s helpful to understand two terms before going any further:
- Bilt Rewards: The loyalty program you join to earn and redeem rewards.
- Bilt Points: The transferable rewards currency you can use for airline miles, hotel points and other redemptions.
You can join Bilt for free without opening a Bilt credit card. However, having a Bilt card provides additional ways to earn rewards.
Bilt may be a good fit if you pay rent or a mortgage, want to earn flexible travel rewards and are willing to learn a few program rules. You don’t need to be an expert to get started, but understanding how the rewards work can make a big difference.
But if you’re brand new to the points and miles world, you might want to hold off on Bilt until you have a better grasp on how travel rewards work.
How do you earn Bilt Points?
There are several ways to earn Bilt Points, but housing payments are the feature that initially made the program stand out.
1. Earn rewards on rent or mortgage payments
Bilt lets members earn rewards on housing payments, including rent and eligible mortgage payments. The exact rewards you receive depend on how you use the program and, if you have a Bilt credit card, which housing-reward option you select. Additionally, it’s important to know that your landlord does not need to accept credit cards for this to work. You add your landlord or property manager inside the Bilt app, make the payment through Bilt, and Bilt passes the money along on your behalf.
Bilt credit card
If you have a Bilt card, you can pay eligible housing expenses through Bilt without a transaction fee and earn points on money you’re already spending every month. However, Bilt recently announced changes to how this works, so it’s important to understand what’s changing and when.
Under the new structure, in 2027, Bilt is simplifying its housing rewards program by making Housing-only rewards the default option and discontinuing the option to earn 4% Bilt Cash on all non-housing, everyday purchases. This means cardholders will automatically earn housing points based on their everyday spending. The new benefits take effect on your card anniversary in 2027 if you’re an existing cardholder.
If you are new to Bilt, you don’t need to worry about the changes, and instead, here’s how the housing points work: The more you spend on everyday purchases with your Bilt card relative to your monthly housing payment, the more points you earn on that payment.
- Spend at least 25% of your housing payment amount on everyday purchases to earn 0.5 points per dollar on housing.
- Spend at least 50% of your housing payment amount to earn 0.75 points per dollar.
- Spend at least 75% of your housing payment amount to earn 1 point per dollar.
- Spend the same amount as or more than your housing payment to earn 1.25 points per dollar.
If you don’t meet the minimum spending threshold, you’ll still earn 250 points on your housing payment through Bilt.
Let’s put real numbers on it. Say your everyday card spending puts you at 1x point per dollar on a $3,000 monthly housing payment. That’s 3,000 Bilt Points a month, or 36,000 Bilt Points over the course of the year (3,000 x 12 months).
What if you prefer earning Bilt Cash? Existing cardholders can opt out of the new benefits in their Bilt card settings before their first card anniversary to keep earning 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases. And even if you aren’t yet a Bilt cardmember, as long as you are approved by the end of 2026, you can still opt into the legacy earning rate. If you’re a beginner in the space, this might be too complicated, and you don’t need to worry! You can continue earning points on housing with the method described above.
Other credit card options
If you do not use a Bilt credit card, you’ll be charged a 3% transaction fee, which typically is not worth it. While it might make sense to meet a minimum spend on a new credit card welcome offer, the fee typically doesn’t outweigh the points earned. For rent payments with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards, you earn 1 point for every $1 spent through Bilt. But if paying with an American Express, you’ll only earn 1 point for every $2 spent through Bilt.
However, Bilt has partnered with a few credit cards where you’ll earn bonus points, making the fee potentially worthwhile.
- For rent payments made with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card or the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card, you earn 3x points for every $1 spent through Bilt.
- For rent payments made with a United MileagePlus Chase card, you earn 2 points for every $1 spent through Bilt.
2. Earn points on everyday spending
Bilt also has several ways to earn rewards through everyday purchases and participating businesses, mostly through the Bilt Neighborhood program.
Some opportunities include:
- Dining: Earn additional points at participating restaurants.
- Walgreens: Earn points on eligible purchases and certain prescription refills.
- Fitness: Earn rewards through participating fitness studios and classes.
- Lyft: Earn additional points on eligible rides when you link your accounts.
- Travel: Earn additional points on eligible flights and hotel bookings through the Bilt Travel Portal.
- Rakuten shopping: Rakuten is a shopping rewards site that pays you back when you start your online shopping through its links, and you can route those rewards to Bilt. Those with Bilt status earn more points, making the partnership more worthwhile. Without status, another flexible program like American Express Membership Rewards® may earn you more.
Some of these opportunities allow you to link an existing credit card and earn Bilt Points on top of the rewards your card normally provides. Others require you to book or pay through Bilt.
You don’t need to change all your spending habits to benefit. Start with the participating businesses and services you already use, and take advantage of bonus opportunities when they make sense.
The Bilt credit cards
Bilt offers three credit cards: Bilt Blue Card, Bilt Obsidian Card and Bilt Palladium Card. Each has different annual fees, earning rates and benefits.
One thing to know before you compare them: you can only be the primary cardholder on one Bilt card at a time. You’re also eligible for just one Bilt card welcome bonus, ever. If you’ve already had a Bilt card under the new lineup, you won’t qualify for another welcome bonus, so it pays to choose carefully. (You can still be an authorized user on someone else’s Bilt card, but welcome bonuses go only to the primary cardholder.) Bilt may offer some existing cardholders a separate bonus to upgrade to a higher-tier card, but these offers aren’t available to everyone.
Bilt Blue Card
The Bilt Blue Card has a $0 annual fee (see rates and fees), which makes it the lowest-commitment way to get into the program. It earns 1X points on everyday spending and unlocks the ability to earn points on your rent and mortgage. If you want to test-drive Bilt, this is the natural place to start.
Best for: Beginners and anyone who wants a no-annual-fee card with access to Bilt’s housing-reward program.
Bilt Obsidian Card
The Bilt Obsidian Card carries a $95 annual fee (see rates & fees) and earns 3X points in your selected dining or grocery category (up to $25,000/year, then 1X point), 2X points on travel and 1X points on other everyday purchases. It also includes a $100 annual Bilt hotel credit, distributed semi-annually (as a statement credit), with qualifying booking requirements. One honest note on that credit: It requires a two-night minimum stay to use, so treat it as a “use it or lose it” perk you have to plan around, not automatic money in your pocket. Note: In 2027, the $100 annual Bilt hotel credit is being transitioned to $100 in Bilt Cash, giving you more flexibility on how you redeem your rewards.
Best for: People who spend heavily on dining or groceries and can use the hotel credit to offset the annual fee. If you would not use those, the Bilt Blue Card is the safer pick.
Bilt Palladium Card
The Bilt Palladium Card has a $495 annual fee (see rates & fees), which puts it firmly in ultra-premium territory. It earns 2X points on everyday spending and includes premium travel benefits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, $400 in Bilt Travel hotel credits and $200 in annual Bilt Cash. As with the Obsidian card, the hotel credits require two-night stays and are awarded semi-annually as a statement credit, so they reward people who travel regularly and will track them. Note: In 2027, instead of $400 in Bilt Travel hotel credits and $200 in Bilt Cash, you’ll receive $600 in Bilt Cash, again giving members more flexibility.
We understand the hesitation around a fee this size. The honest math is simple: this card only makes sense if you will genuinely use the travel credits and the lounge access. If you travel a few times a year and would not touch those perks, the fee will outrun the value. There is no shame in choosing a smaller card.
Best for: Frequent travelers who will use the card’s benefits enough to justify its substantial annual fee.
Not for: Occasional travelers or anyone who would not use the premium perks.
What is Bilt Cash?
Bilt Cash is a second rewards currency, separate from Bilt Points, and can be used for eligible benefits within the Bilt ecosystem.
Some ways to use your Bilt Cash include:
- Unlocking points on housing payments.
- Eligible hotel credits through the Bilt Travel Portal.
- Monthly rideshare credits and other partner benefits.
- Certain experiences and travel-related purchases.
- Unlock higher Rent Day rewards.
- Unlock higher earning rates on your Bilt credit card.
Bilt Cash expires 12 months from when it’s earned.
Rent Day: a monthly opportunity to earn more
On the 1st of each month, Bilt runs a 24-hour promotion called “Rent Day.” Despite the name, it actually has nothing to do with paying rent. Instead, Bilt cardholders earn double points on everyday (non-rent) purchases when using their Bilt card, up to 1,000 points.
Additionally, Bilt often runs extra promotions during Rent Day, such as increased transfer bonus offers. This will help stretch your Bilt Points even further when you move them to an airline or hotel partner. Typically, the bonus offers depend on your status within the Bilt program. The higher your Bilt status, the better the transfer bonus.
One important rule: Don’t transfer points simply because a transfer bonus is available. Make sure you have a redemption in mind, understand the partner’s award pricing, and confirm availability before moving your points. Once you transfer your Bilt Points, they can’t be transferred back.
How to redeem Bilt Points for travel
This is the heart of the program. Earning points is only half the equation, while the real value comes from using them wisely.
Bilt offers several redemption options, but transferring points to airline and hotel loyalty programs is often the best way to maximize their value.
1. Transfer points to airline and hotel partners
Bilt lets members transfer points to a range of airline and hotel loyalty programs. Most transfers use a 1-to-1 ratio, meaning 10,000 Bilt Points become 10,000 partner points or miles. Some partners have different ratios, and the ratio for World of Hyatt is changing in 2027 to a 4-to-3 ratio.
This flexibility is useful because you don’t have to commit to one airline or hotel chain when you earn Bilt Points. You can keep them in your Bilt account until you find a redemption that makes sense. And you’ll often get far more value than you would get redeeming points for cash-like options.
If transfer partners are new to you, the short version is this: instead of locking your points into one airline or hotel, you keep them flexible and only move them when you find an award worth booking. An award is a seat or a hotel room the program lets you pay for with points instead of cash. More details in our Beginner’s Guide: Transfer Partners 101.
To see this in action, here’s a real-life example from a Travel Freely team member who booked a two-night Hyatt stay. They transferred 70,000 Bilt Points to World of Hyatt to stay during peak ski season at the Grand Hyatt Vail, a hotel that would have otherwise cost $1,500 in cash for the two nights. And when using Hyatt points, resort fees are waived for all members, so the total cost is $0 out of pocket.
You do not have to memorize every Bilt partner to get started. Below is the full list for reference.
Hotel transfer partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt | 1 to 1 | Often the best value of any partner; great for free nights and suite upgrades. Award nights skip resort fees. |
| IHG | 1 to 1 | Award prices vary; can offer good value, especially with a fourth-night-free benefit on some IHG cards. |
| Hilton | 1 to 1 | Usually a weaker value since Hilton points are easy to earn elsewhere; transfer only for a specific need. |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1 to 1 | If you transfer 20,000 points, you'll receive a 5,000 point bonus |
| Wyndham | 1 to 1 | Can be a sleeper deal; some properties let you book multi-room suites for the price of a standard room. |
| Accor | 3 to 2 | The one partner that is not 1 to 1. Points are used toward the hotel bill; best for European stays. |
Airline transfer partners
| Airline Program | Network | Why it might matter to you |
|---|---|---|
| Air France KLM Flying Blue | SkyTeam | Frequent monthly promo deals; can book Delta and other SkyTeam flights. Strong for US to Europe. |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance | No fuel surcharges; books a wide range of Star Alliance airlines. |
| United MileagePlus | Star Alliance | Free award changes and cancellations, and never charges fuel surcharges. |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Star Alliance | Reasonable prices and no fuel surcharges; can be great for premium-cabin awards. |
| Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles | Star Alliance | Home to several standout sweet spots, including low-cost flights within the US and to Hawaii. |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | SkyTeam partner | Known for a handful of excellent sweet-spot awards. |
| British Airways Avios | Oneworld | Good for short flights; Avios move freely between BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, and Finnair. |
| Iberia Avios | Oneworld | Low award prices on its own flights and a reasonable cancellation fee. |
| Aer Lingus Avios | Oneworld | Sometimes has lower fuel surcharges than other Avios programs. |
| Qatar Privilege Club Avios | Oneworld | Reasonable prices on Qatar's own flights; can also book JetBlue. |
| Finnair Plus | Oneworld | Part of the Avios family; pricing can be better or worse depending on the route. |
| Alaska Atmos Rewards | Oneworld | Allows free stopovers on one-way awards and easy changes and cancellations. |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Oneworld | A solid option for booking American Airlines and other partners by distance. |
| Japan Airlines Mileage Bank | Oneworld | Distance-based pricing that can be a great deal on certain partner flights. |
| Emirates Skywards | Independent | Best for flying Emirates itself, though fuel surcharges can be steep. |
| Etihad Guest | Independent | Can offer good value on short but pricey flights. |
| TAP Air Portugal | Star Alliance | Useful for flights between the US and Europe. |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | Independent | Fully refundable award flights; great for flexible domestic travel and family trips. |
Note: Bilt also transfers to Amtrak Guest Rewards, Amtrak’s loyalty program. Transfers are 2:1, so 10,000 Bilt Points becomes 5,000 Amtrak points (about $130 in train fare). It’s a handy option if you ride Amtrak, though airline and hotel partners usually stretch your points further.
2. Book through the Bilt Travel Portal
If you don’t want to search for award availability or transfer points to another loyalty program, booking through Bilt’s travel portal can be a simpler option.
Eligible travel bookings can offer a redemption value of around 1.25 cents per point, subject to the current program terms. At that rate, 10,000 Bilt Points would cover $125 in eligible travel costs.
This can be convenient when you find a good cash fare or hotel rate but can’t find an award booking that works. Just compare the portal’s price with the price available directly from the airline or hotel before redeeming to ensure you’re getting the best option.
3. Use points toward other expenses
Bilt also offers redemption options outside traditional travel, including certain homeownership-related uses and other eligible purchases, but they may offer less value than transferring points to an airline or hotel partner.
Bilt Points usually go furthest when you transfer them to a travel partner for flights or hotels. You don’t need to calculate anything or hunt for the perfect redemption. Just lean toward transferring to a travel partner when you’re ready to book, and you’ll be in good shape.
A few redemption options offer especially poor value, and we’d suggest skipping them: Amazon and gift card purchases, Lyft rides, and statement credits.
What is Bilt elite status?
Bilt has an elite status program with four tiers. Status is a level you reach by using the program more, and it unlocks a few extras. You do not need to chase it to benefit from Bilt, but higher status unlocks better Rent Day transfer bonuses, lower transfer minimums, a small amount of bonus points on your balance, and access to a luxury hotel booking platform at the top tiers. Here is the simplified picture.
| Tier | How you reach it | What it unlocks (plain English) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Automatic when you enroll (under 50,000 points) | Entry level; access to the program and Rent Day. |
| Silver | 50,000 points earned in a year, or $10K in qualifying non-rent spend | A small amount of bonus points on your balance, better Rent Day offers, and lower transfer minimums. |
| Gold | 125,000 points earned, or $25K in qualifying non-rent spend | Everything in Silver, plus access to Bilt's luxury hotel booking platform and earlier Rent Day booking windows. |
| Platinum | 200,000 points earned, or $50K in qualifying non-rent spend | Everything above, plus top-tier perks including an option for airline elite status through a partner. |
For most beginners, status is something that happens naturally as you use the program, not a goal to organize your spending around.
The bottom line: is Bilt right for you?
Bilt is one of the few ways to earn flexible travel points on rent and mortgage, and its transfer partners make those points genuinely valuable. If you pay for housing every month, pay your balances in full, and like the idea of flexible points, Bilt deserves a look, and the Bilt Blue Card is a low-risk way to try it.
If you are brand new to points and miles and just want the simplest first step, a flexible starter card is usually an easier on-ramp before you layer Bilt on top (see How to Get Started with Free Travel and Rewards Cards 101). Either way, the free Travel Freely app keeps your cards, bonuses, and annual fee dates in one place, and it only takes about 10 minutes a month. Sign up for free here.
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Note: This article was inspired by Frequent Miler – any content used with permission.
