Key Points

• Bilt Rent Day happens on the 1st of every month and offers 2-5x bonus points on specific categories.
• You can earn points on rent payments without transaction fees, plus stack bonuses through dining, fitness, and travel.
• Monthly promotions rotate between dining, fitness, travel, and double points offers throughout 2026.

Introduction

If you're paying rent without earning rewards, you're leaving serious value on the table. The Bilt Mastercard changed the game by letting you earn points on rent payments—without the transaction fees that usually come with credit card rent payments. But here's what makes this card even more valuable: Bilt Rent Day.

On the first day of every month, Bilt runs special promotions that can multiply your earning potential. We're talking double points on all purchases, bonus points at specific merchants, and limited-time offers that can help you rack up points fast. Let me walk you through exactly how Bilt Rent Day works and how to maximize it.

Quick Answer: What Is Bilt Rent Day?

Bilt Rent Day is a monthly promotion that occurs on the 1st of each month, offering Bilt Mastercard members enhanced earning opportunities. Promotions typically include 2-5x points on select categories, bonus points at partner merchants, and special limited-time offers. You must opt in through the Bilt app before the 1st of the month to participate.

Understanding Bilt Rent Day

What Makes It Special

Bilt Rent Day transforms your regular spending into accelerated earning opportunities. While the standard Bilt Mastercard earns 1x point per dollar on most purchases, Rent Day promotions can boost this to 2x, 3x, or even 5x points depending on the category and promotion.

The January 2026 promotion is particularly strong: double points on all purchases made on January 1st. That means 2x points per dollar on everything you buy that day, stacking on top of any category bonuses.

How Bilt Rent Day Works

Here's the process:

Before the 1st: Check the Bilt app around the 25th-28th of each month. Bilt announces the upcoming Rent Day promotion, and you'll need to opt in before the promotion starts.

On the 1st: Make your purchases using your Bilt Mastercard. The bonus points apply automatically to opted-in transactions.

Within 48 hours: Bonus points typically post to your account within a few days after the promotion ends.

Monthly Promotion Categories

Bilt rotates promotion categories monthly. Common themes include:

Dining bonuses: 5x points at restaurants and food deliveryFitness rewards: 3-5x points at gyms, studios, and wellness merchantsTravel multipliers: 2-3x points on flights, hotels, and ridesharesDouble points days: 2x on all purchases (like January 2025)Neighborhood bonuses: Extra points at local businesses in select cities

The specific offer changes monthly, which keeps things interesting but requires you to stay engaged with the app.

Maximizing Bilt Rent Day Value

Strategic Purchase Timing

Smart cardholders shift their spending to align with Rent Day promotions. If you know February offers 5x dining points, delay that expensive restaurant reservation until February 1st. Planning large purchases around favorable multipliers can earn you thousands of extra points annually.

For the January 2026 double points promotion, consider:

Prepaying subscriptions: Annual subscriptions earn 2x instead of the usual 1xStocking up on essentials: Groceries, household items, gas—anything you'd buy anywayGift cards: Strategic gift card purchases for future spendingTravel bookings: Flights or hotels you've been planning

Stacking Opportunities

Here's where it gets interesting. Some merchants fall into multiple bonus categories. During dining promotions, you might earn:

Base earning (1x) + Bilt Rent Day bonus (4x) + Bilt Dining Program bonus (up to 10x) = Potentially 15x points per dollar at participating restaurants.

The Bilt Dining Program connects to your card and awards bonus points when you dine at partner restaurants. Combined with Rent Day multipliers, this creates significant earning potential.

The Five-Transaction Requirement

One critical detail: You need to make at least five transactions per statement period for your rent payment to earn points. This is separate from Rent Day, but it's worth mentioning because strategic Rent Day spending helps you meet this requirement easily.

If you're close to five transactions and Rent Day offers a strong promotion, front-load your spending on the 1st to both hit the requirement and maximize bonus earnings.

Current Bilt Rent Day Promotions

January 2026: Double Points Everywhere

The January 1st, 2026 promotion offers 2x points on all purchases. This is one of the most straightforward and valuable Rent Day promotions because it applies to everything—no category restrictions, no merchant exclusions.

If you spend $1,000 on January 1st, you'll earn 2,000 points instead of the usual 1,000. That's an extra 1,000 points worth approximately $15-20 in travel value, depending on how you redeem.

How to Opt In

Open your Bilt app and navigate to the Rent Day section. You'll see the current month's promotion with an "Opt In" button. Tap it before January 1st. If you forget to opt in, you won't receive the bonus points—there's no retroactive enrollment.

Set a calendar reminder for the 25th of each month to check the next Rent Day promotion and opt in early.

Bilt Points Value and Redemption

Why Bilt Points Matter

Bilt points transfer to over 100 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility makes them one of the most valuable credit card currencies available. You can also redeem points for:

Travel: Book flights and hotels through the Bilt portalRent credits: Apply points toward future rent paymentsFitness classes: Redeem for ClassPass creditsArt and home goods: Purchase from curated collections

The transfer partner list includes premium options like United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage, Hyatt, and Air Canada Aeroplan. This means Rent Day bonus points can translate directly into flights and hotel stays.

Real Value Example

Let's say you earn 2,000 bonus points from the January 2026 Rent Day promotion. Transfer those to Hyatt, and you could book a Category 1 hotel night worth $100-150. Or transfer to United for a domestic one-way flight. The point is, these aren't throwaway rewards—they're legitimate travel value.

Comparing Bilt to Other Rent Payment Options

Traditional Rent Payment Methods

Most landlords accept checks or bank transfers, which earn zero rewards. Some accept credit cards but charge 2-3% transaction fees, which usually negates any rewards you'd earn.

Bilt solves this by partnering directly with property management companies and landlords. When you pay rent through Bilt, you earn points without fees in most cases. Even if your landlord isn't a Bilt partner, you can still earn points on rent—though there may be limitations.

Bilt vs. Other Rewards Cards

On non-rent purchases, how does Bilt compare to other best travel credit cards?

For everyday spending outside Rent Day, Bilt earns 1x everywhere, which is modest. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earn 2-5x on travel and dining. However, Bilt's rent earning capability and monthly Rent Day promotions create unique value.

The strategic play: Use Bilt for rent and Rent Day promotions, then use category bonus cards for everything else. This maximizes your overall earning across all spending categories.

Common Bilt Rent Day Mistakes

Missing the Opt-In Window

This is the most common error. The promotion only works if you opt in beforehand. Set that recurring monthly reminder—it takes 10 seconds and could be worth hundreds of points.

Forgetting the Five-Transaction Rule

Your rent payment only earns points if you make five total transactions that statement period. If you only use Bilt for rent, you're earning nothing. Make it a habit to put at least five purchases on the card monthly, even small ones.

Not Planning Large Purchases

If you know you need to buy a $500 appliance, new luggage, or book travel, check the upcoming Rent Day promotion first. Waiting a few days to align with a strong multiplier could earn you significant bonus points.

Ignoring Transfer Partners

Redeeming Bilt points for cash back or statement credits gives you about 0.5-0.6 cents per point. Transferring to airline or hotel partners can yield 1.5-2+ cents per point. Always check transfer options before redeeming for lower-value options.

Who Should Use Bilt Rent Day

Ideal Candidates

Renters paying $1,000+ monthly: You're earning 1,000+ points on rent alone, which compounds with Rent Day bonusesStrategic spenders: You can shift purchases to align with promotionsTravel enthusiasts: You'll use the transfer partners for maximum valuePoints collectors: You value flexible currencies with multiple redemption paths

Who Might Skip It

Homeowners: No rent means you lose the card's primary value propositionSimple cashback preferrers: If you want straightforward 2% cash back on everything, cards like the Citi Double Cash are easierLow spenders: If you rarely hit five transactions monthly, you won't earn on rent

How to Apply for the Bilt Mastercard

The Bilt Mastercard has no annual fee, which removes the typical barrier to entry for premium rewards cards. The approval process is straightforward, though you'll need decent credit—most approvals occur with scores above 670.

Apply for the Bilt Mastercard to start earning points on rent and accessing monthly Rent Day promotions. The welcome bonus typically offers bonus points after meeting a minimum spending requirement, adding immediate value on top of the rent earning capability.

After approval, download the Bilt app and connect your rental payment information. You can pay rent directly through the app, and Bilt handles the payment to your landlord or property manager.

Advanced Bilt Rent Day Strategies

The Prepayment Play

Some Rent Day promotions are so valuable that prepaying certain services makes sense. During dining bonuses, buying restaurant gift cards for future use locks in the multiplier. During travel bonuses, booking trips you've already planned captures extra points.

This requires capital and planning, but the return can justify it for high spenders.

Combining Bilt with Other Programs

Bilt Dining Program partnerships overlap with Rent Day bonuses in powerful ways. Register your card with Bilt Dining, then earn restaurant bonus points on top of Rent Day multipliers.

Similarly, using Bilt for travel bookings during travel-bonus Rent Days can stack with airline shopping portals for triple-dipping opportunities.

Annual Value Calculation

Let's run real numbers. Assume you:

Pay $2,000 monthly rent = 24,000 points annuallyMake 5 purchases monthly averaging $500 total = 6,000 points annuallyParticipate in 6 strong Rent Day promotions averaging 500 bonus points each = 3,000 points annually

Total: 33,000 Bilt points per year, worth $500-650 in travel value depending on redemptions. That's from rent you'd pay anyway, plus modest additional spending.

FAQ

How do I know what the next Bilt Rent Day promotion will be?

Bilt announces the next month's promotion around the 25th-28th in the app. There's no public calendar of future promotions—they reveal them monthly. Check the app regularly or enable push notifications to stay informed.

Can I use Bilt Rent Day bonuses for rent payments?

No, rent payments don't qualify for Rent Day bonus points. The promotions apply to regular purchases made on the 1st of the month. Your rent earning is separate from Rent Day promotions.

What happens if I forget to opt in?

Unfortunately, you miss that month's promotion. There's no retroactive opt-in or exception process. Set a monthly reminder to check the app before the 1st.

Do Rent Day points expire?

Bilt points don't expire as long as your account remains active and in good standing. However, inactive accounts may result in point forfeiture, so make sure you're using the card regularly.

Can I combine multiple Rent Day promotions in one day?

No, each Rent Day features a single promotion. However, you can stack Rent Day bonuses with other Bilt programs like Bilt Dining for compounded earning on qualifying purchases.

Conclusion

Bilt Rent Day transforms a no-annual-fee card into a powerful rewards tool through strategic monthly promotions. By opting in before the 1st, timing large purchases around favorable multipliers, and leveraging transfer partners for redemptions, you can extract serious value from spending you're doing anyway.

The January 2026 double points promotion exemplifies why staying engaged with Bilt matters. Set that monthly reminder, plan your purchases, and watch the points accumulate. Between earning on rent and capitalizing on Rent Day bonuses, Bilt offers a unique value proposition in the crowded credit card space.

Get the Bilt Mastercard and start earning points on rent while accessing monthly Rent Day promotions that multiply your rewards potential.

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