The Bilt Mastercard stands out from other credit cards for one big reason: it lets cardholders pay rent and earn credit card rewards, without any transaction fees (up to 100,000 points a year). While most third-party rent payment services charge around 3%, Bilt changes the game by making rent payments simple and rewarding. Here's what makes the Bilt Card a unique choice for renters and travelers alike, and how it can help unlock free travel.
The Rent Payment Perk
Paying rent is often one of the largest monthly expenses, and with most credit cards, you can’t earn rewards on it—unless you use third-party services. However, those services typically tack on a transaction fee of around 3%. For a rent of $2,000 a month, that's an extra $60 in fees. The Bilt Card allows rent payments with no transaction fees (up to 100,000 points per year), making it possible to earn rewards on every payment you make.
Even if your landlord only accepts checks, you can use the Bilt app to send them a check while still earning points. The card isn't just for renters, either—Bilt offers access to a vast network of two million properties nationwide, meaning anyone can earn points just by paying their rent through their Bilt account.
Other Ways to Earn
While rent is the biggest draw, the Bilt Card also offers plenty of ways to earn points on other purchases. Cardholders earn:
3 points per dollar on dining
2 points per dollar on travel
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. See terms and conditions.
To sweeten the deal, Bilt runs “Rent Day” promotions on the 1st of every month. This could include extra bonus points, increased transfer bonuses, or even special offers like free hotel upgrades. Rent Day adds a fun and rewarding element to being a Bilt Card owner, and it’s open to anyone with a Bilt account—not just Mastercard holders.
Bonus: Bilt Protect
One standout feature of the Bilt Card is Bilt Protect. This feature lets cardholders pay rent without impacting their credit utilization, which can help maintain or even improve your credit score. Instead of using your available credit to pay rent, Bilt pulls the funds directly from your bank account, preventing a spike in your credit utilization.
Travel Rewards Made Simple
Now, let’s talk about the fun part: redeeming those hard-earned points. You can use your Bilt points for travel, including booking through the Bilt Travel portal for a 25% bonus on your points. However, the best way to make your points go further is by transferring them to one of Bilt's hotel or airline partners.
Transfer points to World of Hyatt and book stays at resorts like the Hyatt in Jamaica for as little as 25,000 points per night.
Use points for flights with Virgin Atlantic or Emirates, with some tickets going for as low as 10,000 points.
Let’s say your rent is around the national average of $1,700 a month. By using the Bilt Card for rent, you could earn over 20,000 points annually—enough for a free flight to Europe. On top of that, look out for occasional promotions like 100% transfer bonuses that can make your points go even further. These promos are rare, but they’re worth the wait and help make the Bilt Card even more powerful for travel.
No Welcome Offer? No Problem
One downside of the Bilt Card is the lack of a traditional welcome offer. However, the card's everyday earning potential more than makes up for it. For example, the 3 points per dollar on dining rivals other premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card—but with no annual fee. Some users even report receiving 5 points per dollar during the first few days of signing up, but these offers seem to be targeted and vary.
Plus, there's a referral program where each successful sign-up earns 2,500 points, and referring five people can net you an additional 10,000 points.
Extra Perks and Benefits
Beyond the points, the Bilt Card comes with several valuable perks:
$5 Lyft credit each month after taking three rides.
3-month DoorDash DashPass membership for free deliveries.
Purchase protections, trip cancellation and delay insurance, and auto rental damage waivers.
These benefits are typically reserved for high-fee premium cards, but the Bilt Card offers them without any annual fee.
The Bottom Line
For renters, the Bilt Card is a no-brainer. Even if you're not a renter, the card's range of benefits—from earning points on dining and travel to fun Rent Day promotions—makes it a great addition to any wallet. Whether you're saving for a free flight to Europe or looking to score some hotel perks, this card has plenty to offer. Plus, it's only getting better as Bilt continues to expand its features and promotions. If you’re ready to get in on the action, keep an eye out for those special Rent Day bonuses and start building up those points. Travel for nearly free? Yes, please!
