Using the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions) to pay your rent offers distinct advantages. Not only can you earn bonus Bilt Points without incurring transaction fees, but you also have the flexibility to redeem these rewards for travel—with a 1:1 point transfer ratio—future rent, fitness classes, and even toward a house down payment. Plus, with a $0 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it’s even more appealing. Dive into this Bilt Credit Card review to learn what credit score you’ll need for Bilt approval, and if Bilt does a credit check. Plus, uncover the potential rewards and learn how to optimize your monthly spending.
Jump directly to Bilt’s website: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions)
The Bilt Credit Card Review
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard®, issued by Wells Fargo, is a unique metal credit card as it’s the first credit card to not charge transaction fees on rent payments. It’s been possible to use a credit card with rent payments, but the processing fees (typically 3%) usually outweigh and cost more than the rewards.
The Bilt card also earns bonus points on travel and dining, which helps you achieve a higher Bilt Rewards status level. However, you must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. Read more about the Rewards and Benefits to learn more.
You have several point redemption options, including rent payments and 1:1 transfers to travel partners.
Setting Up Your Bilt Rent Account
Tenants in over 2 million properties can pay rent directly from their Bilt Card. Some of the alliance communities include AvalonBay, Blackrock, and Camden Property Trust.
Additionally, your landlord doesn’t need to belong to the Bilt Rewards Alliance for you to earn rent payment rewards without transaction fees. Cardholders can schedule payments through the Bilt mobile app or website, which then mails a check.
It’s very convenient that Bilt allows out-of-network tenants to earn points on rent by making e-Check or ACH payments through their Bilt account. It’s an easy way to pay in the way that you prefer. Venmo, Paypal, or your property’s online payment portal are all some options you can use. You can learn more about the process of setting up your Bilt rent account here.
Earning Bilt Rewards
Your purchases earn up to 3 Bilt Rewards points per $1 on purchases:
- 3x on dining
- 2x on travel
- 1x on rent payments through the Bilt app or website (up to 100,000 points per calendar year)
- 1x on other purchases
However, you must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. Read more about the Rewards and Benefits to learn more.
Rent is the biggest single monthly expense for many households. Being able to earn points makes it possible to earn more points on your daily spending and accumulate enough points for a nice reward flight each calendar year.
However, not being able to earn bonus points on other core expenses like groceries or gasoline is possibly the most significant drawback.
Learn more: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions)
Bilt Signup Bonus
Unfortunately, there isn’t a Bilt Credit Card signup bonus. However, there are some online reports indicating that select users receive targeted bonuses.
Related: The Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
Bilt Point Redemption Options
You can redeem your Bilt Points to save on travel, leisure, and living expenses. Let’s look at these options in the Bilt credit card review.
Rent and Down Payment
Here’s a unique redemption option for a credit card. If you prefer to use your points towards next month’s rent payment, you can! Alternatively, you can save your points and use them towards a down payment on a home! This is the first rewards program of its kind that allows this capability.
You can apply your Bilt points as part of your monthly rental payment. If you’re saving up to buy a house, the points can go towards your down payment with participating lenders.
The redemption value for this option can make each point worth up to 1.5 cents for down payments but only 0.55 cents for rent.
Learn more: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions)
Bilt Travel Credits
One of two travel options is redeeming your points through the Bilt Travel Portal for flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities. When using the Bilt Travel Portal, points are worth 1.25 cents per point. For example, 10,000 points are worth $125 in credits (similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card but without the $95 annual fee).
This is the most valuable redemption option for most cardholders.
1:1 Point Transfers with Bilt Rewards
There are currently over a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners. You will need to transfer at least 2,000 points. The transfer ratio is 1:1. Here are the available transfer partners:
- Accor Live Limitless
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Alaska Airlines
- Avianca Lifemiles
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- Hilton Honors
- Iberia
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- TAP Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- World of Hyatt
This is one of the best travel credit cards as it’s easy to redeem or transfer Bilt Points for maximum value.
Shopping
The Bilt Points value can be 1 cent when buying curated art, decor, and apparel items from the Bilt Collection.
Amazon
- Bilt Members can enroll in Shop with Points here
- Shop for items on Amazon.com
- Select Bilt Points as the payment method
- Add the amount of points you’d like to redeem to cover all or part of your purchase
- Review your final total, and continue through checkout
Note that Amazon.com shopping credits are worth 0.7 cents each.
Fitness
You can redeem your points for fitness classes at:
- Pure Barre
- BFT
- CycleBar
- YogaSix
- CorePower Yoga
- Barry’s
Each point can be worth 1 cent.
Lyft
Bilt Members can use their Bilt Points to pay for their Lyft rides. They must link their Bilt and Lyft accounts and set Lyft as their active loyalty partner to earn 2x additional points on Lyft rideshares. Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions) cardholders earn an additional 3x Bilt Points per $1 spent on Lyft when paying with their Bilt Card. Read more about the Rewards and Benefits to learn more.
To pay with points for Lyft rides, members must open the Lyft app, ensure their Bilt and Lyft accounts are linked, and look for the ‘Points’ button when booking their next ride.
Learn more: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions)
BiltProtect
With BiltProtect, you can pay rent without using your available credit line. When you submit rent payments with BiltProtect turned on, a debit will be initiated from your linked bank account and money will be transferred to pay your rent through the Bilt Mastercard network, while also providing points on rent payments without using your available credit line. A BiltProtect ACH transaction is not a credit card transaction and will not affect your Bilt Mastercard account.
Bilt Card Fees
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee with the Bilt credit card (See Rates & Fees).
You will pay a fee for late payments (up to $40) and interest on balances or cash advances.
What is a Bilt Credit Card?
In conclusion of this Bilt credit card review, consider the Bilt Credit Card if you can pay rent and make at least 5 transactions each statement period to earn Bilt points. Booking through the Bilt Travel Portal can also be an excellent option to redeem Bilt Points if you want the elevated 1.25 CPP redemption rate when using the Bilt Travel Portal and 1:1 point transfers with a $0-annual-fee rewards credit card (See Rates & Fees).
You may decide to stick with a different card if you want additional bonus categories or the ability to redeem your points for a cash statement credit. Despite the few negatives, the Bilt Mastercard is a top contender for travel purchases and daily spending.
Learn more: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (See terms and conditions)
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