Key Points

• Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments without transaction fees, turning a dead expense into travel rewards.
• You can earn Bilt points through the app, dining, fitness, rideshares, and neighborhood spending without the credit card.
• Bilt points transfer to 100+ airline and hotel partners at 1:1, including American, United, Hyatt, and IHG.

Introduction

Let's be honest—rent is probably your biggest monthly expense, and it's money that just disappears. No points, no cash back, nothing. But here's something most renters don't know: you can turn that rent check into thousands of points for travel, and you don't even need a credit card to do it.

Bilt Rewards has changed the game for renters by creating the first loyalty program that rewards you for paying rent. Whether you're using the Bilt Mastercard or just the free app, you can earn valuable points that transfer to major airlines and hotels. Let me show you exactly how this works and whether it's worth your time.

Quick Answer

Bilt Rewards is a free loyalty program that lets you earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments without transaction fees. You can earn through their credit card, direct rent payments via the app, or by spending with partner brands. Points transfer 1:1 to over 100 airline and hotel partners, making them among the most flexible rewards available for renters.

What Is Bilt Rewards?

Bilt Rewards launched in 2021 as the first loyalty program designed specifically for renters. Here's what makes it unique: you earn points on rent payments without paying the typical 2-3% credit card processing fee that most landlords charge.

The program works through two main channels:

The Bilt Mastercard: A no annual fee credit card that earns 1x points on rent (up to 100,000 points per year), 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on everything else.

The Bilt Rewards App: A free app that lets you pay rent directly from your bank account and earn points, even without the credit card.

What sets Bilt apart is the transfer partners. Your points move to major airline programs like United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage, and hotel programs like World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. That's the same flexibility you get from premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

How to Earn Bilt Points Without the Credit Card

You don't need the Bilt Mastercard to start earning points. Here's how to earn through the free app and partner programs.

Paying Rent Through the Bilt App

The primary way to earn without the card is by linking your bank account to the Bilt app and paying rent directly.

Here's how it works:

1. Download the Bilt Rewards app
2. Verify your rental address
3. Link your bank account
4. Set up automatic rent payments

Earning rate: 1 point per dollar on rent, up to 100,000 points per year (that's $100,000 in annual rent). For most renters paying $2,000-$3,000 per month, that's 24,000-36,000 points annually.

The catch: Not all landlords are in the Bilt network yet. If yours isn't, you'll need the Bilt Mastercard to earn points on rent. The app shows you if your building participates before you sign up.

Bilt Dining Program

The Bilt Dining program lets you earn points at thousands of restaurants without using the Bilt credit card.

How to earn:

1. Link a non-Bilt credit or debit card to your Bilt account
2. Dine at participating restaurants
3. Pay with your linked card
4. Earn 3x points per dollar automatically

Participating restaurants include local spots and national chains. The app shows nearby options, and the selection keeps growing. I've found everything from neighborhood bistros to upscale dining in most major cities.

Bilt Fitness Partnerships

Connect your fitness memberships to earn points on workouts.

Current partnerships include:

• SoulCycle: Earn points per class
• Rumble: Points on boxing workouts
• Y7 Studio: Yoga class rewards
• Barry's: Bootcamp classes
• Pure Barre: Barre workout points

Link your accounts through the Bilt app, and points post automatically after each class. Rates vary by studio, but you're typically earning 1-2 points per dollar spent.

Lyft Integration

Every Lyft ride earns Bilt points when you link your accounts. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on all Lyft rides, including Lyft Shared, standard rides, and Lyft Lux.

The integration is automatic once connected—just book through the Lyft app as usual, and points appear in your Bilt account within a few days.

Neighborhood Spending

The "Bilt Neighborhood" feature lets you earn bonus points at local businesses near your home. These change monthly and include coffee shops, dry cleaners, grocery stores, and other everyday spots.

Check the app's map view to see participating businesses in your area. Pay with any linked card, and you'll earn the bonus points automatically. This is one of the most underused features, but it adds up quickly if you shop local regularly.

Maximizing Bilt Points: Strategic Earning

Let me show you how to stack these earning opportunities for maximum value.

The Monthly Rent Day Multiplier

On Rent Day (the first of each month), Bilt offers point multipliers on specific spending categories. These bonuses rotate but often include:

• 2x points on dining
• 2x points on travel bookings
• 5x points on select fitness partners
• Bonus points on partner brand purchases

Mark your calendar and concentrate your spending in these categories on the first of the month. If you're planning a big purchase or booking travel, waiting until Rent Day can double your earnings.

Combining Multiple Earning Channels

Here's a real example of how to maximize monthly earnings:

Monthly rent: $2,500 = 2,500 pointsDining spend (3x): $400 = 1,200 pointsFitness classes (5 classes): ~200 pointsLyft rides: $100 = 100 pointsNeighborhood bonuses: ~150 points

Total monthly earning: 4,150 points

That's about 50,000 points per year without the credit card, enough for several domestic flights or hotel stays when transferred to partners.

Transfer Partner Sweet Spots

Bilt points become valuable when you transfer them strategically. Here are the best uses:

For domestic flights:

• Transfer to American AAdvantage for short-haul flights (starting at 7,500 points each way)
• United MileagePlus for West Coast to East Coast routes (starting at 12,500 points)

For international travel:

• Transfer to World of Hyatt for luxury hotel stays (Category 1 hotels start at 5,000 points per night)
• Air Canada Aeroplan for Star Alliance flights to Europe (starting at 60,000 points round-trip in economy)

For maximum value:

• Virgin Atlantic for Delta One Suites to Europe (50,000 points one-way in business class)
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles for business class to Asia

The key is matching your points to your travel goals before transferring. Unlike Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt transfers are instant but irreversible.

Bilt Mastercard: When You Need the Card

While you can earn plenty of points without it, the Bilt Mastercard makes sense in specific situations.

When the Card Is Worth Getting

Your landlord isn't in the Bilt network: If you can't pay rent through the app, you need the card to earn points on rent.

You want rent protection insurance: The card includes rent protection that covers your rent payment if you lose your job. This kicks in after 60 days of unemployment and covers up to $2,500 per month for six months.

You're building credit: As a no annual fee travel credit card, it's one of the better options for building credit history while earning flexible points.

You spend heavily on dining: The 3x points on dining matches or beats many restaurant-focused cards, and the points are more versatile than cash back.

When to Skip the Card

Your landlord is already in the network: Just use the free app to pay rent and earn points without another card in your wallet.

You have better dining cards: If you already have the American Express Gold Card (4x on dining) or Capital One Savor (3% cash back), the Bilt card doesn't add much value for restaurant spending.

You rarely transfer points: If you prefer cash back or don't want to deal with airline programs, the 1x earning rate on most purchases is mediocre compared to a flat 2% cash back card.

Card Benefits Beyond Points

The Bilt Mastercard includes some perks worth noting:

• No annual fee (rare for a travel rewards card)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim with $25 deductible)
• Lyft Pink membership (normally $199/year) after spending $15,000 annually
• Elite-status qualifying nights at select Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG properties

The cell phone protection alone saves you $10-15 per month compared to carrier insurance, making it a solid everyday card even if you're not maximizing the rent earning.

Bilt Points: Redemption Options and Value

Let's talk about what your points are actually worth and how to use them strategically.

Transfer Partners: The Best Value

Bilt has over 100 transfer partners, including most major airlines and several hotel programs. Here are the most valuable:

Airlines:

• American Airlines AAdvantage (1:1)
• United MileagePlus (1:1)
• Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (1:1)
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)

Hotels:

• World of Hyatt (1:1)
• IHG One Rewards (1:1)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)

Transfers are instant and irreversible, so search for award availability first before moving points.

Typical Point Values

Based on average redemptions:

• Domestic economy flights: 1-1.5 cents per point
• International economy flights: 1.5-2 cents per point
• Business class flights: 2-5 cents per point
• Hotel stays: 0.8-1.5 cents per point
• Rent payments: 0.5-0.75 cents per point (more on this below)

The sweet spot is transferring to airline partners for premium cabin flights. A business class seat to Europe might cost $3,000 cash but only 60,000-80,000 points transferred to the right partner.

Using Points for Rent

Here's the catch: you can use Bilt points to pay rent, but the value is terrible. Points are worth roughly $0.55 each when used for rent payments, which means you're taking a 45% loss compared to transferring to partners.

Example math:

• 25,000 points = $137.50 toward rent
• 25,000 points = $375-500 in flights when transferred

Only use points for rent in a genuine emergency. The feature exists as a safety net, not an optimal redemption strategy.

Bilt Rewards Collection

Bilt occasionally offers curated redemption options through their "Collection" feature, including:

• Exclusive fitness class packages
• Home goods and furniture
• Art and design pieces
• Unique experiences

Values vary wildly. Some Collection items offer fair value (around 1 cent per point), while others are marked up significantly. Compare carefully against cash prices before redeeming.

Strategic Considerations: Is Bilt Worth It?

Let me break down who should prioritize Bilt and who can skip it.

Bilt Makes Sense If You:

Pay significant monthly rent: If you're paying $2,000+ per month, that's 24,000+ points annually just for an expense you're already paying. At 1.5 cents per point transferred value, that's $360 in travel value per year.

Already transfer points to partners: If you're comfortable with programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt points work the same way. The learning curve is minimal.

Dine out frequently: The 3x points on dining through the Bilt Dining program (without needing the card) adds real value if you eat out several times per month.

Live in a major city: Bilt's neighborhood partners, fitness integrations, and dining network are concentrated in larger metros. Rural and suburban users will find fewer earning opportunities.

Skip Bilt If You:

Own your home: The primary value proposition is earning on rent. Homeowners can't earn on mortgage payments, making Bilt's core benefit irrelevant.

Prefer cash back simplicity: If you'd rather have 2% cash back than deal with transfer partners and award charts, Bilt adds unnecessary complexity. A simple cash back card serves you better.

Rarely travel: Bilt points shine when transferred to travel partners. If you take one domestic trip per year, the effort of managing another loyalty program probably isn't worth it.

Already maximizing premium cards: If you're deep into Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, Bilt becomes another program to track without adding substantial new value.

Common Questions About Bilt Rewards

Do Bilt points expire?

Bilt points don't expire as long as you earn or redeem at least one point every 12 months. This is more generous than many hotel loyalty programs that require activity every 6-24 months.

Can I combine Bilt points with other programs?

No, you can't pool Bilt points with Chase, Amex, or other transferable points programs. However, once you transfer Bilt points to an airline or hotel partner, they combine with points you've earned directly or transferred from other sources.

How long do transfers take?

Bilt transfers are instant to all partners. This is faster than Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers (which can take 1-3 days) and much faster than Marriott Bonvoy transfers (3-5 days).

Does Bilt report to credit bureaus?

Yes, both the Bilt Mastercard and the Bilt app's rent reporting feature report to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. On-time rent payments can help build your credit score, though rent reporting is typically less impactful than credit card usage.

What's the minimum transfer amount?

Most airline partners require a minimum transfer of 1,000 points, though some accept as few as 500. Hotel partners generally have lower minimums (250-500 points). Check the Bilt app for specific partner requirements.

Can I transfer Bilt points to someone else?

No, Bilt doesn't allow point transfers between member accounts. This is standard across most loyalty programs to prevent point selling and fraud.

Real Example: Turning Rent into a Trip

Let me show you how this works in practice with real numbers.

Scenario: Sarah pays $2,800/month rent in Seattle

12-month earnings:

• Rent (via app): 33,600 points
• Monthly dining: 400 points × 12 = 4,800 points
• Lyft rides: 100 points × 12 = 1,200 points
• Fitness classes: 200 points × 12 = 2,400 points

Total earned: 42,000 Bilt points

Redemption strategy:

Sarah wants to visit Hawaii. She transfers 30,000 points to American AAdvantage and books a round-trip Seattle to Maui flight (15,000 miles each way). The same flight costs $450 in cash, giving her 1.5 cents per point in value—$675 worth of flights from rent she was paying anyway.

She keeps 12,000 points for a future transfer to Hyatt, which is enough for two nights at a Category 2 property in Maui during off-peak dates.

Out-of-pocket for the Hawaii trip: $0 in flights, plus hotel points that were essentially free. She only pays for meals and activities.

This is the power of earning on an expense that previously generated nothing.

Getting Started with Bilt Rewards

Ready to start earning? Here's your action plan.

If You Don't Have the Bilt Mastercard

1. Download the Bilt Rewards app (iOS or Android)
2. Create your account and verify your rental address
3. Check if your landlord is in the Bilt network
4. If yes, link your bank account and set up rent payments
5. Link your existing credit/debit cards for dining rewards
6. Connect fitness and Lyft accounts for bonus earning

If You're Getting the Bilt Mastercard

1. Apply for the Bilt Mastercard
2. Download the app and link your card once approved
3. Set up automatic rent payments for the 1st of each month
4. Verify your landlord accepts Mastercard (or use the Bilt Alliance feature)
5. Link additional cards for dining and other bonus categories
6. Mark Rent Day (the 1st) on your calendar for bonus multipliers

Key Settings to Configure

In the Bilt app settings:

• Turn on payment reminders for the 1st
• Enable Rent Day notifications
• Link all eligible payment methods
• Set your home address for neighborhood partner alerts
• Connect fitness apps and Lyft account

The Bottom Line

Bilt Rewards has created something genuinely new in the points world: a way to earn valuable, transferable points on rent without fees or hassle. If you're paying significant rent each month, you're leaving thousands of points on the table by not participating.

The beauty of Bilt is the flexibility. You can start with just the free app and earn on rent, dining, and everyday spending. If it makes sense later, add the credit card for rent protection and broader earning. Either way, you're turning a dead expense into travel rewards that transfer 1:1 to major airline programs and hotel partners.

For renters who already understand points and miles strategies, Bilt is a no-brainer addition to your earning toolkit. For those new to travel rewards, it's one of the gentlest ways to start—because you're already paying rent anyway.

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