TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt advisor and investor.
Persevering with to interrupt the mould of conventional rewards packages, Bilt Rewards has as soon as once more raised the bar and added a brand new function for renters. As a Bilt member, should you pay hire, now you can pay this expense with different bank cards other than the Bilt Mastercard® (see charges and costs). Subsequently, you possibly can double dip and earn Bilt Factors and the rewards supplied in your card. However, earlier than you begin swiping your bank card, there’s a catch.
Maintain studying to search out out extra about Bilt’s newest hire function and if it is price it.
Associated: Bilt Rewards program: Information to incomes factors on hire, switch bonuses, eating and extra
Earn Bilt factors: Now you can pay hire with any bank card
With no transaction charges on hire funds (see rates and fees), paying rent with the Bilt Mastercard is an easy way to earn transferable points. Renters can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent (up to 100,000 points annually) as long as at least five transactions are made on the card each billing cycle (see rewards and benefits).
Nonetheless, if you do not have the Bilt card, the rewards program now permits you to pay your hire with extra bank cards. In a press launch, Bilt introduced that Visa, Mastercard and Uncover cardholders will earn 1 Bilt level per greenback spent, along with the rewards your particular person card earns. For Amex cardholders, you will earn 1 Bilt level for each $2 spent, along with the rewards your card earns.
However there’s a disadvantage to utilizing a bank card other than the Bilt card — you’ll incur a 3% transaction price for third-party playing cards used on hire funds. So, with a 3% price, is it price it? Properly, it relies on which card you employ.
As an example your hire is $2,000, and also you resolve to pay it along with your Citi Double Money® Card (see charges and costs). Since you may be charged a 3% transaction price, you’ll pay $2,060 out of pocket and earn 2,000 Bilt factors. Moreover, because the Citi Double Money Card affords 2% money again on each buy (1% money again once you purchase, plus an extra 1% as you pay for these purchases), you’ll earn about $41 money again out of your card.
Bilt factors are price 2.05 cents apiece per our April 2025 valuations, so you will earn $40 of worth in Bilt factors and $41 money again out of your Citi card — for a complete of about $81 in worth on this situation. In the event you subtract the $60 price (from the three% transaction price), you will have gained about $21 in worth.
Each day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Whereas gaining an extra $20 in worth might not appear to be quite a bit, these factors are simple rewards you’ve got earned by merely paying hire.
Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that TPG’s valuation is predicated on transferring your Bilt factors to considered one of its 18 airline and lodge companions to maximise their worth. In the event you merely redeem your 2,000 Bilt factors for money again at 1 cent per level, you are solely getting a return of $20 in rewards. Subsequently, your Citi card rewards plus your Bilt factors are price a complete of $40. This could not be the best choice as you’d have paid $60 to earn $40 in worth.
So, it is necessary to notice what card you employ to pay your hire (Amex playing cards will solely provide you with a return of two Bilt factors per greenback spent) and just be sure you will maximize the worth you get out of your Bilt factors.
Incomes Bilt factors can unlock extra rewards
Other than transferring your factors to Bilt’s airline and lodge companions to e-book journey, you possibly can earn elite standing with Bilt by assembly the next level thresholds:
- Blue: Fundamental membership
- Silver: 50,000 Bilt factors
- Gold: 125,000 Bilt factors
- Platinum: 200,000 Bilt factors
As you unlock elite standing, you will earn entry to higher Hire Day promotions, reminiscent of bonus transfers. Most not too long ago, Bilt supplied an up-to-100% Avios transfer bonus and an up-to-100% bonus on Lyft redemptions.
Related: What is Bilt Rewards Rent Day?
Bottom line
Bilt is all about adding flexibility for its members. In March, the program announced a new rent payment platform, BillPay by Bilt, and teased the possibility of earning rewards on mortgage payments. With the latest addition from Bilt, the company is continuing to roll out new features and enhance its program to make it more user-friendly for those wanting to earn rewards with Bilt but not be tied to opening a credit card to use Bilt’s loyalty program.
See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here.
See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.
