Bilt Mastercard®
Is the Fee Worth It?
Based on $1,500/mo average spend
Great value — no annual fee. You'd earn ~$369/yr on typical spending.
Bilt Mastercard®
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 21.24%-29.99% variable
- Rewards: 1X on rent (no fee), 3X dining, 2X travel, 1X everything else. Double points on Rent Day (1st of each month).
- Bonus: No traditional welcome bonus. Earn double points on all purchases on the 1st of every month (Rent Day).
- Best For: Renters who want to earn transferable points on rent payments with no transaction fees
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)
Overview
The Bilt Mastercard is the only credit card that lets you earn points on rent payments with absolutely no transaction fees. For the roughly 44 million American renter households, this fills a gap that no other card addresses. You earn 1X Bilt Points on rent, 3X on dining, 2X on travel, and 1X on all other purchases. On the 1st of every month, designated as Rent Day, all earning rates double and Bilt runs special promotions and challenges for bonus points.
Bilt Rewards points are among the most flexible in the industry. They transfer 1:1 to major airline and hotel partners including World of Hyatt, American Airlines AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, and several others. At premium transfer valuations, Bilt Points can be worth 1.5 to 2 cents each, making the rent-earning proposition exceptionally valuable. You can also use points toward a future home down payment through Bilt's real estate partnerships.
The card has no annual fee, which is remarkable given its transfer partner lineup. The main requirement is that you must make at least five transactions per statement period to earn points. There is no welcome bonus, but the ongoing value from rent alone makes this a standout. If you pay $2,000 per month in rent, that is 24,000 Bilt Points per year (before Rent Day bonuses) worth $360 to $480 when transferred strategically.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: 21.24%-29.99% variable
- Balance Transfer APR: N/A
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: None
Note: Variable APR of 21.24%-29.99% based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. No penalty APR.
Benefits Overview
Rent Rewards
- Earn 1X Bilt Points on rent with no transaction fees
- Works with any landlord or property management company
- Points on rent count toward loyalty program status
- Bilt handles the payment process directly to your landlord
- No need to change how your landlord receives payment
Everyday Earning
- 3X points on dining worldwide
- 2X points on travel including flights, hotels, and rideshares
- 1X points on all other purchases
- Double points on all categories on Rent Day (1st of each month)
- Minimum 5 transactions per statement to earn points
Transfer Partners
- 1:1 transfers to World of Hyatt, American Airlines, United MileagePlus
- Additional partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Miles&Smiles, and more
- Use points toward a future home down payment
- Points never expire as long as account is open
- Instant transfer to most partners
Rewards & Points
- 3X points on dining worldwide
- 2X points on travel purchases
- 1X points on rent payments (no fee)
- 1X points on all other purchases
- 2X all categories on Rent Day (1st of the month)
Bilt Points transfer 1:1 to a strong roster of airline and hotel partners. Points can also be used toward a home down payment or redeemed for fitness classes, art, and home decor through Bilt's lifestyle partners. You must make at least 5 transactions per statement to earn points that period.
Welcome Bonus
The Bilt Mastercard does not offer a traditional sign-up bonus. Instead, the card provides ongoing value through Rent Day promotions on the 1st of each month, where all earning rates double and exclusive challenges unlock additional bonus points. Over time, the cumulative value of rent points and Rent Day bonuses often exceeds what a one-time sign-up bonus would deliver.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rent Payment Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- Renters who want to earn rewards on their largest monthly expense with zero fees
- Points enthusiasts who value transferable points to premium travel partners like Hyatt and United
- Frequent diners who want 3X on all restaurant spending
- Future homebuyers who want to use points toward a down payment
Not Good For
- Homeowners who do not pay rent and miss the card's biggest value proposition
- Low-transaction users who may not hit 5 transactions per month to activate points
- Cash back seekers who prefer simple cash back over transfer partner complexity
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Only card that earns points on rent with no transaction fees
- Strong 1:1 transfer partners including Hyatt, AA, and United
- No annual fee despite premium transfer partner lineup
- 3X on dining is competitive with the best dining cards
- 2X on travel covers a wide range of purchases
- Rent Day doubles all earning rates on the 1st of each month
- Points can be used toward a home down payment
- No penalty APR
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points never expire while the account is open
Cons
- No traditional welcome bonus
- Must make 5 transactions per statement to earn any points
- 1X on rent is modest compared to other category earning rates
- Rent Day bonuses require active participation in challenges
- Not all landlords are familiar with Bilt's payment system
- No introductory 0% APR offer
- Points value depends on transfer partner knowledge
- Limited redemption value if you do not use transfer partners
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Welcome bonus + 3X dining/2X travel | $95 | 3X/2X/1X | Good+ |
| Citi Strata Premier™ | 3X flights, hotels, restaurants, groceries | $95 | 3X/1X | Good+ |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card | 3X on restaurants, travel, gas, transit | $0 | 3X/1X | Good+ |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Earned | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $24,000 | 1X | 24,000 pts | $360-$480 |
| Dining | $6,000 | 3X | 18,000 pts | $270-$360 |
| Travel | $4,000 | 2X | 8,000 pts | $120-$160 |
| Everything Else | $10,000 | 1X | 10,000 pts | $150-$200 |
Values assume 1.5-2.0 cents per point when transferred to Hyatt or airline partners. Rent Day bonuses can add 10%-20% more points annually. Total annual value of $900-$1,200 is realistic for a renter spending $44,000 per year.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You pay rent and want to earn rewards on it with no fees
- You value transfer partners like Hyatt, American Airlines, and United
- You dine out frequently and want strong dining rewards
- You want a no-annual-fee card with premium transfer partners
- You are saving for a home and want to use points toward a down payment
- You are willing to make at least 5 transactions per month
- You enjoy maximizing Rent Day bonuses on the 1st of each month
You Should Skip It If...
- You own your home and do not pay rent
- You prefer a large upfront welcome bonus
- You want simple cash back instead of transfer points
- You rarely make 5 transactions per month
- You do not want to learn about transfer partners to maximize value
- You need a 0% introductory APR for a large purchase
Apply Now
Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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