Bilt cardholders have a limited time to decide how they want to proceed with their existing Bilt Mastercard®: the final deadline to select a new card from the Bilt 2.0 portfolio is February 1st. If you haven’t yet chosen, now is the time to act.
Understanding the Transition
Bilt recently rolled out three new card options (Palladium, Obsidian, and Blue) through a partnership with Cardless. This means you can upgrade to a new Bilt 2.0 card without a hard inquiry on your credit report, and your existing card number will be preserved. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay will automatically update when you make your selection.
The key benefit is the tiered rewards system for rent or mortgage payments, as well as a new rewards currency. You don’t need to understand every detail right now, but you do need to make a choice soon.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
If you don’t take action by February 1st, your Bilt Mastercard will be automatically converted to the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card. While this card has no annual fee, you won’t receive a welcome bonus. Alternatively, you can close your Bilt/Wells Fargo account entirely, retaining access to the Bilt Rewards ecosystem without a physical card.
Choosing the Right Card For You
Bilt now offers three distinct options:
- The Bilt Palladium Card: Earns 2 points per dollar spent on everyday purchases.
- The Bilt Obsidian Card: Earns 3 points per dollar on groceries (up to $25,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar).
- The Bilt Blue Card: Earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases.
All three cards allow you to earn points on rent or mortgage payments, but the exact rate depends on your chosen rewards structure. The good news? You can switch between the tiered system and Bilt Cash each month.
Bilt Rewards points are highly valuable, currently estimated at 2.2 cents per point, and are transferrable to major airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Should You Keep the Wells Fargo Autograph?
If you’re unsure about Bilt 2.0, opting for the Wells Fargo Autograph is a solid backup. It won the TPG award for No-Annual-Fee Credit Card of the Year and offers access to useful transfer partners such as British Airways Club, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Plus, it allows for small point transfers – ideal for topping off your balance.
The Autograph card is a practical option for those wanting to avoid a hard credit check while retaining access to valuable rewards.
Bottom Line
The February 1st deadline is firm: choose a Bilt 2.0 card, the Wells Fargo Autograph, or close your account. Keeping a Bilt card in your wallet guarantees continued access to one of the most rewarding loyalty programs available.
