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Apparently there’s been a hot topic in the miles and points world these last few weeks, and I haven’t even mentioned it. It’s Bilt Rewards and credit card. Let’s take a look.
What is Bilt?
Bilt is a rewards system that lets people earn points for paying rent. A few million rental properties are in the network. Bilt also has a credit card that earn points which you can transfer to a number of travel partners.
Why haven’t I mentioned Bilt before?
The Bilt Mastercard, as of this moment, does not have a sign-up bonus. Typically, on this blog I recommend credit cards with high sign-up bonuses to earn miles and points for travel.
Why is Bilt a controversial topic?
Apparently, the company invited several top bloggers to Richard Branson’s Moskito Island to discuss the product. Some bloggers did not disclose this right away (or did they?) and began promoting the product. A few bloggers and ex-bloggers work for Bilt. Drama ensued. You can read more about it in the comments of this post. I stay out of drama and I’m not taking sides.
Was I invited to Moskito Island?
Nope.
What are the pros of Bilt?
The best thing about the Bilt Rewards program are the transfer partners:
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Turkish Miles & Smiles
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- IHG Rewards
- World of Hyatt
It’s nice to have another transfer partner for AA and Hyatt. The Bilt Mastercard has no annual fee.
What are the cons of Bilt?
In order to earn points on the Bilt Mastercard, you must have a total of five transactions per month, including one transaction for paying rent. There is no sign-up bonus, so if your rent is not really high, you will accumulate points rather slowly.
Is Bilt in my affiliate network? Am I in a business relationship with Bilt right now?
As far as I can tell, Bilt Mastercard is not in my credit card affiliate network. I do not have a business relationship with Bilt, nor do I have the Bilt Mastercard.
Will I ever recommend the Bilt Mastercard?
If the card ever gets a sign-up bonus, sure, I’ll likely recommend the card. But for now, it’s not at the top of my list. In a few years, I may be helping my kids pay rent while at college. At that time, I will reconsider getting this card.
Readers, are any of you earning Bilt points?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VARIOUS CREDIT CARDS AND AVAILABLE SIGN-UP BONUSES
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
OMG. That blog post comment section is like the miles and points TMZ hahahahaha. I live in NYC and I rent so for me it does make sense to have the card. I did not apply yet but most likely I will. To be able to stash World of Hyatt points is always nice and like 2808 Heavy said I can ditch my Chase Sapphire. My rent is not as high as 4k a month (not even close) so I will not have to worry about the 50k limit. It would be nice to have a sign up bonus…..
@Tania It does sound like a good fit for you! Hopefully it will have a sign-up bonus at some point.
Just chiming in to say that of the 5 transactions that one must make every month, none of them have to be for rent. I have a mortgage and I do have the Bilt card. The card peaked my interest because I’m 5/24 so I’m not in line for any other Chase bonus for quite some time and I still want access to Hyatt and United (AA is a bonus) at 3x on dining without having to carry the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred.
Bilt earns 3x on dining and 2x on travel and for a no AF card, I can live with that. So again, my reason for having the card is that it does exactly what my Sapphire Reserve does without the AF and for that reason, I’ll keep the card.
@2808 thank you for clarifying! I’m glad that one of the payments doesn’t have to be rent. I hope the card gets a sign-up bonus at some point.
When you mentioned the B word I thought you meant Bonvoyed.
Does anyone understand why you can transfer Bilt points to AA, but Citi won’t allow it? The inability to transfer TYP to AA has always been a mystery to me. Especially after they temporarily allowed it last fall.