I got the Bilt Credit Card in February of 2024 — back when you could put almost any big expense on it, including taxes, and earn double points on Rent Day (up to $10,000 of spend).
As someone who doesn’t pay rent, that flexibility made it surprisingly valuable. I’d stack payments like taxes, insurance and utilities on the 1st of the month to earn 2X transferable points on non-bonus spend categories.
Then Bilt capped Rent Day spending at $1,000 and removed tax payments from eligibility. That change made the card less useful, but since it’s a no-annual-fee card, I kept it open — and I’m glad I did. As premium travel cards raised annual fees and trimmed perks, I have started using my Bilt Card more often again.
How I Use the Bilt Card Now
These days, it’s my go-to for dining, earning 3X points per dollar, and for Rent Day, where I still put about $1,000 a month in recurring expenses like utilities and health insurance to earn 2X transferable points.
Those points transfer 1:1 to partners like Hyatt, which I value highly, and Alaska Airlines, which offers great short-haul redemptions.
I don’t use it for travel purchases — my Venture X covers that with stronger travel protections — but for a no-fee card, Bilt stands out. It offers meaningful earning potential, high-value transfer partners, and growing perks, including the promise of mortgage rewards.
It’s not my main travel card, but it’s earned a solid spot in my wallet — and for homeowners who still want transferable points, it’s one of the few no-fee options worth keeping.
If you’re still figuring out which travel card is right for you, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Travel Rewards Credit Card for a full rundown of the best starter options.
Bilt Card Overview
| Annual fee | $0 per year |
| Rent payments | 1X points on rent (up to 100k points/year) |
| Neighborhood Dining partners | 5X+ points on Bilt Dining partners |
| Other dining | 3X points on other dining purchases |
| Lyft rides | 5X points on Lyft rides (linked) |
| Travel bookings | 2X points on travel booked directly or via Bilt portal |
| Monthly usage requirement | Use the card 5 times per statement period to earn points |
The Value of Bilt Points
Bilt Rewards stands out among credit card programs thanks to two key features: promotions that can significantly boost your points’ value and an unrivaled lineup of travel partners.
While they vary from month to month, past promotions have featured incredible transfer bonuses to airline and hotel partners.
Some notable examples include the following:
- February 2023: 100% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Airlines.
- May 2023: 100% transfer bonus to Flying Blue (Air France/KLM).
- August 2023: Up to 150% transfer bonus to Virgin Red.
- November 2023: Up to 150% transfer bonus to Emirates Skywards.
- February 2024: Up to 150% transfer bonus to Aeroplan.
- May 2025: Up to 100% transfer bonus to British Airways Executive Club (Avios).
Let’s say you spend $100 on non-bonus category purchases on Rent Day. This would earn you 200 Bilt points. If you transfer those points to an airline partner during a 150% bonus promotion, your 200 points become 500 points (200 x 2.5).
This means you’ve effectively earned 5 points per dollar in a loyalty program on your original $100 purchase, which is an exceptional earning rate for a no-annual-fee credit card.
Of course, transfer bonuses are only valuable if they’re for programs you use. Fortunately, Bilt has what I consider to be the most valuable list of transfer partners in the space.
The current list includes:
- AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Alaska Airlines
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates Skywards
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles
- United Mileage Plus
- World of Hyatt
Transfer partners that stand out on the list to me are:
- Aeroplan. This is Air Canada’s loyalty program, which allows you to book flights on Air Canada and its partner airlines, including United Airlines, Lufthansa and many others. It’s an excellent option for international travel.
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Alaska Airlines miles are highly valuable but notoriously hard to earn. Bilt is the only credit card rewards program that transfers to Alaska.
- World of Hyatt. This is the loyalty program of Hyatt Hotels, which includes brands like Park Hyatt, Andaz and Thompson Hotels. Hyatt allows you to book these high-end properties for as low as 21,000 points per night when cash rates can exceed $1,000 per night.
- Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles. This is the loyalty program of Turkish Airlines, which has a unique way of pricing award flights based on the distance you fly. For example, you can use Turkish Airlines miles to fly from anywhere in the mainland United States to Hawaii for just 10,000 miles one-way.
Previously, I could use the Bilt Card for my largest expenses, such as taxes, to reach higher status levels and unlock better transfer bonuses.
Bilt Rewards status is earned based on the total Bilt Points accumulated:
- Blue: Anyone enrolled in Bilt Rewards with under 50,000 Bilt Points earned.
- Silver: 50,000 Bilt Points earned.
- Gold: 125,000 Bilt Points earned.
- Platinum: 200,000 Bilt Points earned.
For instance, the Aeroplan transfer bonus structure was as follows:
- Blue: 75% transfer bonus.
- Silver: 100% transfer bonus.
- Gold: 125% transfer bonus.
- Platinum: 150% transfer bonus.
I could achieve the highest possible transfer bonuses by spending my way to Gold or Platinum status with Bilt.
However, with the past changes, my desire to spend significantly on the card has been reduced. This limits my ability to reach higher status levels and, consequently, to access those high transfer bonuses. However, the fact that I can transfer to Hyatt is still worth it for me.
Who This Card Makes Sense For
- Renters earning rewards on monthly payments. Paying rent with Bilt turns a major expense into valuable rewards. A $4,000 rent payment each month earns 48,000 points per year, enough for a first-class international flight or several hotel nights.
- Homeowners or travelers who want transferable points. Even without rent, earning 3X points on dining makes it one of the best no-fee cards for flexible travel rewards.
- People who understand transfer programs. Those familiar with Hyatt, Alaska Airlines, or Aeroplan can get far more value than simple cash back cards offer.
- Hyatt loyalists. From high-end Park Hyatts to solid mid-tier properties, Hyatt offers strong redemptions.
- Anyone cutting back on annual fees. The Bilt Card earns at the same 3X dining rate as premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($895 fee).
Who It Doesn’t Make Sense For
- People who prefer simple cash-back cards. Bilt’s value depends on transferring points. The cash-out options are weak, typically worth less than one cent per point. Flat-rate cash-back cards can return closer to two or even three percent on all purchases.
- Anyone who doesn’t want to manage another card. You must make at least five transactions per month to earn rewards. If you already juggle multiple cards, this adds one more habit to track.
- Cardholders without consistent spending on Rent Day. The 2X bonus applies only on the first of the month. If you don’t have flexible expenses like utilities, insurance, or subscriptions you can time for that day, you’ll miss out on extra points.
- People not aiming for higher Bilt status tiers. The biggest transfer bonuses go to members with higher spend levels. If you don’t plan to put enough purchases on the card to reach those tiers, you’ll earn smaller bonuses during promotions.
Verdict: Why I’m Still Holding Onto It
The reason I still keep the Bilt Card in my wallet is simple: it consistently delivers value without costing me anything to hold. It earns points I actually use and helps me maintain flexibility in my rewards strategy.
I tend to redeem most of my Bilt points for Hyatt stays — their award rates offer some of the best value in the hotel world. In fact, my 2024 points‑and‑miles recap shows how we used them for trips to Miraval Austin, Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Park Hyatt Paris‑Vendôme, yielding exceptional value.
I also appreciate how quickly Bilt points post. They usually appear within a few days of a purchase, which makes it easy to top off a balance.
These days, I use Bilt mainly for dining and on Rent Day, when I charge recurring expenses like utilities and insurance. It’s one of the few no-fee cards that still offers strong transfer partners and meaningful earning potential.
I’d like to see the Rent Day cap raised and tax payments return, but even with those limits, Bilt stands out as a no-annual-fee card that genuinely adds value. For travelers who want flexible, high-value rewards without juggling more annual fees, it’s one of the best options available.
You can learn more or apply directly on the Bilt website.
Have questions or comments? Let me know in the comments section below.
