Key Points

• Bilt 2.0 launched February 7, 2026, introducing three new credit cards and a completely revamped rent rewards structure where you now earn points based on your everyday spending.
• You can choose between two reward structures: earn 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases or use a tiered system that awards up to 1.25x points on rent based on your spending ratio.
• Rent payments are now processed via ACH from your linked bank account rather than charging your credit limit, with no transaction fee when using the no-fee structure.

Introduction

Paying rent with a credit card and earning rewards sounds impossible, right? For years, landlords either didn't accept cards or charged hefty processing fees that wiped out any rewards. That's exactly what makes the Bilt Mastercard revolutionary in the points and miles world. You can earn valuable points on what's likely your largest monthly expense without paying transaction fees.

But here's the catch: Bilt just underwent a massive transformation. The old Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard was retired on February 6, 2026, and Bilt 2.0 launched the next day with three new credit cards and a completely different rewards structure. If you're confused about how to actually set up rent payments and maximize your points, you're not alone. Let me walk you through exactly how the new system works.

Understanding Bilt 2.0's Major Changes

Before we get into the setup process, you need to understand what changed because it fundamentally affects how you'll earn points on rent.

What Changed on February 7, 2026

The transition from Wells Fargo's Bilt Mastercard to the new Cardless-issued Bilt 2.0 cards brought several major changes:

Rent payments are no longer charged to your credit card. Instead, they're immediately deducted from your linked bank account via ACH transfer, then you're awarded points. This means you no longer get an interest-free advance on your rent for a billing cycle.

You must "earn" your rent rewards through everyday spending. Gone are the days of making five small transactions per month and automatically earning 1x points on rent. Now, you need to spend money on the card throughout the month to unlock rent rewards.

You can now earn points on mortgages, not just rent. Bilt 2.0 allows you to earn rewards on mortgage payments regardless of your lender, opening up the program to homeowners.

There's no annual cap on housing payments. The old system capped rent rewards at $50,000 per year (100,000 points). That limit is gone, though you'll need to spend proportionally more to earn rewards on higher rent amounts.

The Two New Reward Structures

Bilt 2.0 gives you two options for structuring your rent rewards each month, and you can switch between them at any time:

Option 1: Bilt Cash SystemYou earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on all everyday purchases made with any Bilt 2.0 card. Then, you use that Bilt Cash to unlock points on your rent payment at a rate of $30 in Bilt Cash for every 1x point per $1 of rent.

For a $3,000 monthly rent payment, you'd need $90 in Bilt Cash to earn the full 3,000 points. To earn $90 in Bilt Cash, you'd need to spend $2,250 on the card that month ($2,250 × 4% = $90).

Option 2: Tiered Spending StructureThis newer option rewards you based on what percentage of your rent you spend in everyday purchases on the card each month. You don't earn Bilt Cash with this option but instead earn points on rent at different rates:

• Spend 25% of rent: Earn 0.5x points on rent
• Spend 50% of rent: Earn 0.75x points on rent
• Spend 75% of rent: Earn 1x points on rent
• Spend 100%+ of rent: Earn 1.25x points on rent

For that same $3,000 rent payment, spending $2,250 (75%) would earn you 3,000 points, while spending the full $3,000 would get you 3,750 points.

If you don't hit the 25% minimum with either option, you still earn 250 points per housing payment.

The Three Bilt 2.0 Credit Cards

Bilt's new lineup includes three cards at different price points. All three allow you to earn points on rent using either reward structure described above.

Bilt Blue Card (No Annual Fee)

This is the entry-level option and the closest replacement to the old Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard.

Earning Structure:

• 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases (if using Bilt Cash option)
• 1x Bilt Points on everyday purchases
• 3x points on dining
• 2x points on travel
• 5x points on Lyft (after linking accounts)

Welcome Offer: $100 bonus and 10,000 Bilt Points after spending $1,000 in the first three months (excluding rent and mortgage).

The Blue Card makes sense if you want to dip your toes into earning rent rewards without paying an annual fee. However, the 1x earning rate on most purchases is lower than many no-annual-fee competitors.

Bilt Obsidian Card ($95 Annual Fee)

The mid-tier card offers better benefits for frequent travelers.

Earning Structure:

• 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
• 1.5x Bilt Points on everyday purchases
• 5x points on dining
• 3x points on travel
• 5x points on Lyft

Additional Benefits:

• $100 annual travel credit
• $100 Bilt Cash annually

Welcome Offer: $150 bonus and 25,000 Bilt Points after spending $2,500 in the first three months.

The Obsidian Card is the sweet spot for many travelers. The higher earning rates and the two $100 credits effectively reduce the annual fee to break-even or better if you use them.

Bilt Palladium Card ($495 Annual Fee)

This is Bilt's premium offering with the strongest benefits package.

Earning Structure:

• 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
• 2x Bilt Points on everyday purchases
• 5x points on dining
• 3x points on travel
• 5x points on Lyft

Additional Benefits:

• Priority Pass airport lounge membership
• $400 in annual hotel credits ($200 semi-annually)
• $200 Bilt Cash annually

Welcome Offer: $300 bonus and 50,000 Bilt Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

The Palladium Card competes with premium cards like the Amex Platinum. The $400 hotel credit plus $200 Bilt Cash effectively reduces the annual fee to just under $100 if you maximize these benefits.

How to Set Up Rent Payments with Bilt 2.0

Now let's get into the practical steps for actually setting up your rent payments and earning points.

Step 1: Apply for a Bilt 2.0 Credit Card

Visit Bilt's website and choose which of the three cards fits your needs. You'll need:

• Good to excellent credit (generally 670+ FICO score)
• A valid U.S. address
• Steady income
• An active bank account for ACH payments

The application takes about 10 minutes, and you'll typically receive an instant decision. Once approved, your physical card arrives within 7-10 business days, but you can add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay immediately and start using it.

Step 2: Download the Bilt App and Create Your Account

The Bilt Rewards app (available on iOS and Android) is where you'll manage everything related to rent payments, points tracking, and redemptions.

After downloading the app:

1. Create your account using the same email you used for your credit card application
2. Verify your email address
3. Complete your profile information
4. Link your Bilt credit card to your account

The app interface is straightforward, with tabs for Pay Rent, Account Overview, Points Balance, and Rewards Catalog.

Step 3: Link Your Bank Account for Rent Payments

This is the crucial step that many people miss. Since rent payments are now processed via ACH rather than charging your credit card, you need to connect a bank account.

In the Bilt app:

1. Navigate to Settings → Payment Methods
2. Select "Add Bank Account"
3. Use Plaid to securely connect your checking account (Plaid supports over 10,000 U.S. financial institutions)
4. Verify the micro-deposits that Bilt sends to your account (usually takes 1-2 business days)

Make sure you have sufficient funds in this account on your rent due date each month, as Bilt will automatically deduct your rent payment via ACH.

Step 4: Add Your Landlord Information

Bilt offers multiple ways to pay rent depending on your living situation.

Option A: You live in Bilt's property network (4+ million units)

If your property is part of Bilt's alliance, you're in luck. You can pay directly through your resident portal, and the integration is seamless.

1. In the Bilt app, select "Set Up Rent Payment"
2. Search for your property by name or address
3. Confirm your unit number and lease details
4. Authorize Bilt to send payments on your behalf

Your payments will appear in your resident portal automatically, and you'll earn points with no transaction fees.

Option B: You live outside Bilt's network (BillPay option)

For renters whose landlords aren't in the Bilt alliance, you'll use BillPay to send payments via check or ACH.

1. Select "Pay Rent with BillPay"
2. Enter your landlord's name and mailing address (for check delivery)
3. OR enter their bank account information (for ACH transfer)
4. Add your rent amount and due date
5. Set up recurring payments (recommended)

Important timing note: If your landlord prefers physical checks, schedule your payment 5-7 business days before your due date to account for mail delivery. ACH transfers typically process within 2-3 business days.

Step 5: Choose Your Reward Structure

Before your first rent payment, decide which earning structure works best for you. You can access this in Settings → Rent Rewards Preferences.

Choose the Bilt Cash option if:

• You want flexibility in how much you spend each month
• You value having multiple redemption options for Bilt Cash
• You might not consistently hit the 75% spending threshold
• You want to use Bilt Cash for other perks like status boosts or Rent Day bonuses

Choose the Tiered Spending option if:

• You plan to put most of your spending on the Bilt card anyway
• You want a simpler earning structure without tracking a second currency
• You can realistically spend 75-100% of your rent amount each month
• You want the potential for 1.25x points when spending exceeds your rent

Remember, you can switch between these options at any time, and the change takes effect the following month.

Step 6: Schedule Your First Payment

Once everything is set up, schedule your rent payment at least 3-5 business days before your due date.

1. Navigate to "Pay Rent" in the app
2. Confirm your rent amount for this month
3. Select your payment date
4. Review that your linked bank account has sufficient funds
5. Confirm the payment

After confirming, you'll receive an email confirmation, and your landlord will be notified that payment is on the way.

Step 7: Meet Your Spending Requirements

Here's the crucial part that determines whether you actually earn points on rent: you need to use your Bilt card throughout the month for everyday purchases.

If you're using the Bilt Cash structure: Track your Bilt Cash balance in the app. For every $1 you spend, you're earning $0.04 in Bilt Cash. Calculate how much you need to spend to earn enough Bilt Cash for your rent reward.

Example: $2,000 rent × $30 Bilt Cash per $1,000 of rent = $60 Bilt Cash needed. $60 ÷ 0.04 = $1,500 in spending required.

If you're using the tiered structure: Simply track your spending total for the month. Aim for at least 75% of your rent amount to earn 1x points, or 100% to earn 1.25x points.

Use your Bilt card strategically in the 3x and 5x bonus categories to maximize your overall points earned while meeting your spending requirement.

Maximizing Your Bilt Rent Rewards

Now that you know how to set everything up, let's talk strategy for getting the most value.

Smart Spending Strategies

Focus on bonus categories. Bilt cards earn 3-5x points on dining and travel (depending on which card you have). If you have $2,250 in spending to hit for your $3,000 rent, prioritize putting dining and travel on your Bilt card while using other cards for lower categories.

Time large purchases strategically. If you have a big expense coming up, time it to fall within a month when you need to hit your rent spending threshold. This ensures you're killing two birds with one stone.

Don't forget the 5x Lyft bonus. After linking your Lyft and Bilt accounts, you earn 5x points on Lyft rides. If you use rideshare regularly, this can help you reach your spending requirement faster while earning more points.

Use Rent Day to your advantage. On the first of every month, Bilt offers special Rent Day promotions, including double points on non-rent spending (up to 1,000 bonus points), transfer bonuses to airline partners, neighborhood dining experiences, and chances to win free rent. Make purchases on Rent Day when possible to accelerate your points earning.

When Bilt Makes Sense vs. Other Cards

Let's be realistic about when paying rent with Bilt actually makes financial sense.

Bilt is excellent if:

• You can realistically spend 75%+ of your rent on the card each month without changing your normal spending patterns
• You rent (not own) and want to earn rewards on this "dead" expense
• You value transferable points that can be moved to airline and hotel partners
• You live in a Bilt alliance property with seamless payment integration

Bilt might not be worth it if:

• You'd need to drastically shift spending from better-earning cards just to hit the threshold
• You have very low rent and the 250-point minimum doesn't justify the effort
• You prefer pure cash back over transferable points
• You don't want the hassle of tracking monthly spending requirements

Let's run the numbers on a real example. Say you pay $2,500 in rent monthly and choose the tiered structure:

• You need to spend $1,875 (75%) on the Bilt Blue card to earn 2,500 points
• Those 2,500 points on rent are worth about $37.50 in travel value (at 1.5 cents per point)
• Your $1,875 in spending earns 1x points at minimum (1,875 points), worth about $28 in value
• Total monthly value: ~$65.50

Now compare that to using a 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash for all that spending instead:

• $1,875 × 2% = $37.50 cash back
• You'd miss out on $28 in value by not earning points on rent

Bilt comes out ahead here, but only if you were planning to spend that $1,875 anyway. If you're forcing spending just to earn rent rewards, the value proposition breaks down quickly.

Pairing Bilt with Other Credit Cards

Most people shouldn't use Bilt as their primary card for everything. Instead, pair it strategically with other cards.

Best companion cards for Bilt:

For everyday spending: Use a 2% flat-rate card like the Citi Double Cash for categories where Bilt only earns 1-1.5x points. Once you hit your monthly spending threshold for rent rewards, switch to the better-earning card.

For dining: If you have the Bilt Blue card (3x dining), consider whether cards like the American Express Gold Card (4x dining) provide better value after you've met your rent spending requirement.

For travel: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2-5x points on travel and has valuable transfer partners that overlap with Bilt's, giving you more flexibility in redemptions.

The key is to use Bilt strategically to earn points on rent while still maximizing your earning rates on other purchases.

Understanding Bilt Points and Redemptions

Earning points on rent is only valuable if you can redeem them well. Bilt points offer several redemption options, but not all provide equal value.

Best Redemption Options

Transfer to airline and hotel partners (1.5-2+ cents per point value)

Bilt points transfer at 1:1 to a growing list of partners, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, IHG Hotels, World of Hyatt, and more. Southwest was just added as a partner in 2025.

This is typically your best redemption option. For example, transferring 30,000 Bilt points to Hyatt and booking a Category 4 property worth $400 per night gives you 1.33 cents per point in value.

Bilt Travel Portal (1-1.5 cents per point)

You can book flights, hotels, and rental cars directly through Bilt's travel portal. Points are generally worth 1-1.5 cents each here, which isn't bad but falls short of transfer partner value.

Rent credits (1 cent per point)

Use 1,000 points to reduce your rent by $10. While this provides a straightforward 1 cent per point value, you're usually better off transferring to partners for travel or using other redemption options.

Pay down student loans (1 cent per point)

Bilt added this option in 2025, allowing redemptions toward student loans serviced by major providers like Nelnet, MOHELA, Sallie Mae, Aidvantage, and Navient. Again, 1 cent per point is acceptable but not optimal.

Fitness memberships (varies)

Redeem points toward gym memberships, boutique fitness classes, and wellness programs. Value varies but typically lands around 1 cent per point.

Redemptions to Avoid

Merchandise and gift cards (0.5-0.8 cents per point): These redemptions rarely make sense. You're leaving significant value on the table compared to transfers.

Statement credits (1 cent per point): Like rent credits, this locks you into exactly 1 cent per point when you could do better.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

"My bank account won't link"

If Plaid isn't recognizing your bank, try these steps:

1. Use your bank's official name, not a nickname
2. Ensure your bank is supported by Plaid (check Plaid's website)
3. Verify you have online banking enabled
4. Try linking from a desktop browser instead of mobile
5. Contact Bilt support if problems persist

"My rent payment failed"

Common causes include:

• Insufficient funds in linked bank account
• Bank rejected the ACH transfer (contact your bank)
• Incorrect landlord information
• Payment scheduled outside of processing windows

Always schedule rent payments at least 3-5 business days before your due date to account for processing time and potential issues.

"I didn't earn points on my rent"

Check these requirements:

• Did you meet your monthly spending threshold (25% minimum)?
• If using Bilt Cash, did you have enough in your account when rent processed?
• Did your rent payment actually process successfully?
• Are you looking at the correct statement period?

Points typically post within 2-3 business days after your rent payment clears.

"I'm not hitting my spending threshold"

Strategies to increase spending without forcing it:

• Pay utility bills with your Bilt card
• Use it for recurring subscriptions (streaming services, memberships)
• Prepay for things you know you'll need (gift cards to stores you frequent)
• Split shared expenses with roommates and have them Venmo you back
• Time larger purchases (electronics, furniture) for months when you need the boost

Remember, the goal isn't to spend money just to earn rent points. If you can't naturally hit the threshold, Bilt might not be the right strategy for you.

FAQ

Can I use Bilt if I have roommates who split rent?

Yes, but only one person can earn points on a single rent payment. If you split rent 50/50 with a roommate, you could each set up Bilt to pay your individual portion, but you'll each need to meet the spending requirements based on your rent amount, not the total rent. Some roommates coordinate to alternate who uses Bilt each month to share the benefits.

What happens if I move or my rent amount changes?

You can update your rent amount in the Bilt app at any time. Go to Settings → Rent Payment Details and adjust accordingly. If you move, you'll need to update your landlord information or search for your new property in Bilt's network. Your spending threshold will adjust based on your new rent amount.

Do rent payments count toward credit card welcome bonuses?

No. Bilt specifically excludes rent and mortgage payments from counting toward minimum spending requirements for welcome bonuses on all three Bilt 2.0 cards. Only your everyday purchases count.

Can I earn points on mortgage payments?

Yes, one of the big changes with Bilt 2.0 is that homeowners can now earn points on mortgage payments regardless of their lender. The same spending requirements apply based on your monthly mortgage amount. Set this up in the app under "Pay Mortgage" instead of "Pay Rent."

What if I want to cancel my Bilt card?

You can cancel at any time by calling Bilt customer service at 1-855-505-2458. However, before canceling, make sure to redeem any Bilt Cash in your account as it will be forfeited. Your Bilt points remain in your account and don't expire as long as you have any earning or redemption activity every 12 months.

Should I use the Bilt Cash or tiered earning structure?

Most people find the tiered structure simpler to understand and manage. If you're planning to spend around 75-100% of your rent on the card anyway, the tiered system is usually better because you don't have to track a second currency (Bilt Cash) and you can earn up to 1.25x points. However, if you want flexibility month-to-month or plan to use Bilt Cash for other perks, that option gives you more control.

Conclusion

Paying rent with the Bilt card and actually earning valuable points is now more complex than it was before Bilt 2.0 launched, but it's still one of the only ways to earn rewards on your largest monthly expense. The key is understanding the two reward structures, choosing the right Bilt card for your spending level, and strategically using the card throughout the month to hit your spending threshold.

For most renters paying $1,500-$3,000 monthly, the Bilt Blue card (no annual fee) with the tiered earning structure makes the most sense. Aim to spend at least 75% of your rent amount on the card each month, focus on bonus categories like dining and travel, and transfer your points to airline and hotel partners for maximum value.

Ready to start earning points on rent? Apply for the Bilt Mastercard and set up your first payment following the steps outlined above. Within a few months, you'll have earned enough points for a free flight or hotel stay, all from an expense you were paying anyway.

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