The Bilt credit card has undergone significant changes, impacting how rewards are earned on housing payments. If you’re confused about the new system—especially if you previously used the older method—here’s a breakdown of how it works, designed for clarity and efficiency.
The Core Concept: Earning Rewards on Housing
Bilt allows members to earn points on rent, mortgage, and HOA fees without additional fees. The key is setting up your account correctly. You can earn:
- 1x points on eligible housing payments (variability may apply)
- Rewards on multiple properties if you have them
- Unlimited points, as long as you meet the credit or Bilt Cash requirements.
These points are valuable, being a transferable currency redeemable through various partners, including boosted rewards during Rent Day promotions. However, unlocking these rewards requires either substantial credit card spending or accumulating sufficient Bilt Cash.
Why Bilt Cash is the Better Option
For most users, Bilt Cash is the more efficient way to earn rewards on housing payments. Here’s why:
- Bilt credit cards offer 4% back in Bilt Cash on all spending, in addition to standard rewards.
- $3 in Bilt Cash equates to 100 Bilt points on your total housing payment (at a 1x rate).
- Bilt Cash expires annually, but $100 can roll over to the next year.
- You need enough Bilt Cash in your account at the time of payment.
To earn rewards, you’ll need to spend approximately 75% of your housing payment amount on your Bilt card. For example, $15,000 in spending earns $800 in Bilt Cash, enough to earn 20,000 points on a $20,000 housing payment.
Setting Up Your Account for Maximum Rewards (Step-by-Step)
The process is straightforward once you understand the requirements. Here’s how to set up your Bilt account:
- Log in to your Bilt account and navigate to the “Wallet” section.
- Check your Bilt Cash balance in the “Bilt Cash” section. Sign-up bonuses typically post upon card activation.
- Under “Spend your Bilt Cash,” choose “Bonus Points” and select “Unlock points on housing payments.” Click “Redeem.”
- You’ll see the maximum points you can earn based on your balance. Click “Make a Payment.”
- If you have an existing linked payment, ensure you toggle the switch to use Bilt Cash.
- For new payments, click “Pay a different bill,” enter the property address, and select your housing type (rent, mortgage, or HOA).
- Choose your payment method (online portal or check). The online portal will provide the necessary routing and account numbers.
Once your payment processes, points will credit to your account, provided you have sufficient Bilt Cash.
The Alternative: Housing-Only Rewards
Bilt also offers a housing-only rewards system where spending on the card determines your multiplier, up to 1.25x points. However, the Bilt Cash method is generally more lucrative, as excess cash can be redeemed in other ways.
The Bottom Line
Bilt offers a powerful way to earn rewards on housing payments. The most efficient method is to leverage Bilt Cash by meeting spending requirements and then activating rewards through the account settings. This system streamlines the process of maximizing your points earnings on a major monthly expense.
