We’re looking at two credit cards that stand out in their own lanes: the Bilt Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Each one has carved out its space, with Bilt built around helping renters get more out of monthly payments, and Sapphire Preferred designed with frequent travelers in mind.
Still, they share some overlap. Both offer rewards, perks, and value that appeal to people who want more from their spending. We’re going to break down how each card works, where they shine, and how they stack up side by side. By the end, you’ll have a better grip on which one fits your lifestyle—or whether holding both might give you the most mileage.
Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | No intro bonus offered currently | Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months |
| Top Reward Categories | – 5x points on Bilt Neighborhood Dining – 5x on Lyft (with linked Bilt + Lyft accounts) – 3x on dining outside the Bilt network – 2x on travel and Walgreens – 1x on rent (up to 100,000 points/year) – 1x on all other spending Must make 5 purchases each month to earn points | – 5x on Lyft (through Sept. 2027) – 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ – 3x on dining, select streaming, online groceries (excludes Walmart, Target, wholesale clubs) – 2x on other travel purchases – 1x on everything else |
| Rent Rewards | Earn 1 point per $1 on rent with no extra fees (up to 100k points/year) | Rent payments not eligible for bonus points |
| Monthly Bonuses | Double points on the 1st of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 points) | None |
| Travel Perks | – No foreign transaction fees – Built-in travel protections | – $50 annual hotel credit via Chase Travel℠ – No foreign transaction fees – Strong travel insurance coverage |
| Partner Perks | – Monthly Lyft credits – Access to exclusive Rent Day offers | – Complimentary DashPass (until Dec. 31, 2027) – Bonus points on account anniversary |
| Who It’s For | Renters looking to earn rewards on payments they already make and stack value on everyday categories | Travelers who want a big intro bonus, flexible points, and strong perks with a mid-range fee |
Where the Big Bonus Is Hiding
If you’re comparing the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred, the welcome offer makes a huge difference. And it’s not even close.
When you open a Chase Sapphire Preferred and spend $5,000 in the first three months, you unlock 100,000 bonus points. Based on April 2025 valuations from The Points Guy, those points are worth around $2,050 when used for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. That’s enough to cover round-trip international flights, multiple hotel nights, or a big chunk of your next vacation.
The Bilt Mastercard does not include any sign-up bonus. There’s no upfront reward for opening the card. For people who value immediate returns, this can be a downside. Even TPG’s credit cards editor, Olivia Mittak, said she’s put off applying for Bilt for this very reason.
If a welcome offer matters to you, this is an easy call. The Chase Sapphire Preferred easily comes out ahead with one of the most valuable bonuses on the market.
Perks That Go Beyond Points
Both the Bilt Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Preferred come packed with perks, but they cater to different needs. Here’s how the benefits stack up when we look closely.
| Benefit Type | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Standout Feature | Earn points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points/year) with no extra transaction fees | $50 hotel credit per year for bookings through Chase Travel |
| Special Monthly Perks | “Rent Day” bonuses on the 1st of every month, with rotating extras like limited-time Hilton Gold status, cruise offers, and transfer bonuses | None specific to a recurring monthly promo |
| Travel Protections | – Auto rental collision damage waiver – Trip cancellation and interruption protection – Trip delay reimbursement | – Auto rental collision damage waiver – Trip cancellation and interruption insurance – Trip delay reimbursement – Lost luggage reimbursement – Baggage delay insurance – Travel and emergency assistance |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None |
| Loyalty Program Access | Bilt Rewards transfers to partners like American Airlines, Hyatt, and more | Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to over a dozen airline and hotel partners |
| Anniversary Bonus | None | 10% points bonus based on how much you spent in the previous year |
| Delivery Perks | None | Free DashPass membership through Dec. 31, 2027, great for frequent food delivery users |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 |
Both Bilt Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Bring Strong Value, But In Different Ways
The Bilt Mastercard stands out as one of the best credit cards for renters, rewarding payments that usually don’t earn anything. If you rent in a major city, this feature alone could stack up serious points over time. Rent Day promotions add an extra layer of value, especially if you like experimenting with travel and lifestyle perks.
The Sapphire Preferred builds on its travel focus. That $50 hotel credit offsets over half the annual fee on its own, and the added protections while traveling give peace of mind. Olivia from TPG swears by the DashPass benefit, saying it saves her money every week when ordering dinner.
So when we compare the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred in terms of benefits, Sapphire takes a narrow lead with more coverage and extras. But if rent is your biggest monthly expense, Bilt still makes a strong case.
Who Helps You Rack Up Points Faster?
When you’re choosing between the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred, one of the biggest questions is how many points you’ll actually earn from your day-to-day spending. Both cards reward common purchases, but the way they handle bonus categories makes a difference depending on how you spend.
Let’s break it down.
| Purchase Category | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3x on most restaurants 5x at Bilt Neighborhood Dining spots Up to 6x on Rent Day (1st of the month) | 3x on dining, including takeout and delivery |
| Lyft Rides | 5x when accounts are linked 10x on Rent Day | 5x through Sept. 2027 |
| Travel | 2x on travel bookings 4x on Rent Day (Includes purchases at Walgreens) | 5x on travel through Chase Travel℠ 2x on all other travel |
| Groceries & Streaming | Not included | 3x on online grocery orders (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs) 3x on select streaming platforms |
| Rent Payments | 1x on rent (up to 100,000 points/year) | No points on rent |
| Other Purchases | 1x normally 2x on Rent Day (excluding rent) | 1x on all other purchases |
| Monthly Bonus | Double points on the 1st of every month (excluding rent) Bonus capped at 1,000 extra points | No monthly multiplier |
The Bilt Mastercard gives you the rare chance to earn rewards on rent, a payment category most cards ignore. And when Rent Day hits every month, your points potential doubles. If you ride Lyft or eat out often, that can add up quickly. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to use the card at least five times per billing cycle to unlock point earning.
The Sapphire Preferred spreads its rewards more broadly across different lifestyle categories. You’ll get consistent value from online groceries, streaming, and all kinds of travel. If you travel often and prefer a simpler system without monthly bonus limits, Sapphire Preferred delivers well.
So who wins this round? If you’re a renter and love maximizing promotions, the Bilt Mastercard edges out here with its Rent Day boosts and rent rewards. But if your focus is steady travel and dining value with no limits or monthly conditions, Sapphire Preferred holds its ground.
Where Your Points Take You
When we look at how you can use the points you earn, the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred comparison gets more interesting. Both cards go beyond just flights and hotels, offering a range of ways to cash in your rewards. But the value you get depends on how you redeem them.
Here’s how each card lets you use your points:
| Redemption Option | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Use points to book flights, hotels, and more through the Bilt Travel Portal at 1.25 cents per point | Use points in the Chase Travel Portal at 1.25 cents per point |
| Transfer to Travel Partners | Transfer to programs like American Airlines, Hyatt, and others for top-tier redemption value | Transfer to 14+ airline and hotel partners, including United, Southwest, and World of Hyatt |
| Rent Payments | Apply points toward monthly rent, capped at your full monthly rent amount | Not available |
| Down Payment on Home | Apply points toward a future home purchase through Bilt’s program | Not available |
| Merchandise & Amazon | Redeem through Amazon or shop the Bilt Collection | Redeem through Amazon or the Chase shopping portal |
| Gift Cards & Statement Credits | Not a primary focus, lower value | Available, usually at 1 cent per point |
| Unique Extras | Redeem points for fitness classes or curated lifestyle items through the Bilt app | Redeem points for Chase Experiences and exclusive offers via Ultimate Rewards |
The best value for both cards comes from travel. If you’re planning trips, booking through the respective portals gets you 25% more value than basic redemptions like gift cards or cash back. But Bilt adds a twist that other cards don’t offer: you can actually use your points to pay your rent or even save them for a home down payment. That puts real, practical value into everyday life.
Chase gives you a broader mix of traditional redemption options, plus a wide lineup of travel partners and experiences. If you’re focused on flexibility and want to turn your points into flights, hotel nights, or premium perks, Sapphire Preferred has strong appeal.
So when it comes to how you redeem credit card points, both cards are solid, but the edge depends on your lifestyle. Want to turn points into rent or future home equity? Bilt gives you something different. Prefer to stretch your points into top-tier travel with a wide mix of partner programs? Sapphire Preferred keeps it flexible.
Which Card Gives You Better Transfer Power?
When it comes to moving your points to travel partners, both the Bilt Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Preferred let you do that. This is where real value starts to show up, especially if you’re trying to book award flights or hotel stays with minimal cash out of pocket.
Here’s how the transfer options break down:
| Category | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Total Transfer Partners | 18 partners | 14 partners |
| Shared Transfer Partners | – Air Canada Aeroplan – Air France-KLM Flying Blue – British Airways Executive Club – Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – World of Hyatt | – Air Canada Aeroplan – Air France-KLM Flying Blue – British Airways Executive Club – Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – World of Hyatt |
| Exclusive Partners | – Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan – Avianca LifeMiles – Turkish Miles&Smiles | – Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – Southwest Rapid Rewards – JetBlue TrueBlue |
| Transfer Ratio | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Best Uses | High-value redemptions with Hyatt or international carriers like Turkish or Avianca | Strong flexibility with U.S.-based airlines like Southwest and JetBlue, plus top global carriers |
| Real User Example | Augusta Stone from TPG used 9,000 Bilt points to top off her Hyatt account for a Miami hotel, and another 19,000 to cover most of an American Airlines award ticket | Chase users regularly transfer points to United, Southwest, and Hyatt for domestic and international travel |
While both cards offer 1:1 transfer rates and valuable options, the difference is in who they partner with. The Bilt Mastercard connects with a few lesser-known but high-value programs like Turkish Airlines and Avianca, which can unlock great deals if you’re flexible with travel plans.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred leans toward broader airline coverage within the U.S. and includes big names like Southwest and JetBlue that Bilt doesn’t offer.
If you’re planning international trips with niche carriers or want to take advantage of frequent flyer sweet spots, Bilt might give you more range. If your travel tends to stay domestic or you’re looking for more mainstream airline redemptions, Chase offers more familiar options.
So when comparing credit card point transfer partners between the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred, the best choice depends on where you’re heading and how much flexibility you want in booking that trip.
So Which Credit Card Should You Go With?
If you’re deciding between the Bilt Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred, both cards offer serious value. Each has strong earning categories, valuable transfer partners, and travel-friendly perks.
We’d lean toward the Bilt Mastercard if you’re renting and spend a good chunk of your budget on dining. Being able to earn rewards on rent is something you won’t find with most credit cards, and those Rent Day bonuses can add extra momentum every month.
If you’re someone who travels often or wants to take full advantage of Chase’s lineup of partners like Southwest, United, and JetBlue, the Sapphire Preferred is a great match. The $50 hotel credit and anniversary point bonus add value that can easily offset the annual fee.
You don’t have to stick with just one. In fact, carrying both the Bilt Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Preferred can give you broader access to transfer partners and a more complete mix of bonus categories. You’ll be able to earn on rent, dining, travel, groceries, and more—all while keeping fees low since only one card charges an annual fee.
Before you apply, take a moment to map out your spending habits and travel goals. The right pick comes down to how you live and where you want your points to take you. Whether you choose one or go for both, you’ll be adding a card with real earning power to your wallet.
