Renting often feels like a necessary expense with no return, but that’s starting to change. The Bilt Rewards program is transforming the way renters think about paying rent, turning those monthly payments into something more valuable: rewards.
Whether it’s points for next month’s rent, discounts on travel, or even a contribution toward a future down payment on a home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how the program works, highlight the benefits it offers, and show you why the Bilt Mastercard could be a smart addition to your wallet.
What is Bilt Rewards, and How Does It Work?
Bilt Rewards is a loyalty program that transforms your rent payments into valuable points—without adding transaction fees. It’s free to join and doesn’t require a credit card, making it an option for nearly all renters.
Each time you pay rent through the Bilt platform, you rack up points that can be redeemed for rewards like travel, gym memberships, or even a portion of your future rent.
Want to earn even more?
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card lets you supercharge your rewards—up to 100,000 points annually on rent alone, plus bonuses for everyday purchases.
Even if your landlord doesn’t accept credit cards, Bilt makes it seamless. Pay through their app using the Bilt Mastercard, and they’ll handle the rest by sending your landlord a check or ACH transfer—all at no extra cost to you.
One unique feature is Bilt’s rent reporting service, available at participating Bilt Rewards Alliance properties. This feature reports your on-time rent payments to the three major credit bureaus, giving your credit score a boost. Since most landlords only report missed payments, this proactive reporting can help build a stronger credit profile.
Earning Points with the Bilt Mastercard
The Bilt Mastercard goes beyond being a rent payment tool—it’s a rewards powerhouse for your everyday spending. Here’s how you can earn points:
- 1X points on rent: Earn points for every dollar spent on rent (up to $100,000 annually) with no transaction fees.
- 3X points on dining: A must-have for anyone who enjoys eating out or ordering in.
- 2X points on travel: Save more on your next adventure by earning double points.
- 1X points on all other purchases: Every transaction counts, ensuring you’re always earning rewards.
There’s no cap on the points you can earn for non-rent spending, and with no annual or foreign transaction fees, it’s a cost-effective way to rack up rewards. Just ensure you make at least five transactions each billing cycle to start earning.
Bonus Opportunities for Renters
If you live in a Bilt Rewards Alliance property, the benefits don’t stop there:
- 250 bonus points automatically added for each rent payment.
- Additional rewards for signing or renewing leases or referring new tenants.
Extra Earning Potential
- Dining Rewards: Link other credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) to the Bilt dining program to earn bonus points at participating restaurants.
- Lyft Rides: Earn 5X points when you link your Lyft account to Bilt.
For renters mindful of managing their credit, the BiltProtect feature is a standout. Rent payments are debited directly from your linked bank account, preserving your credit line while still earning points.
How You Can Use Your Points
What makes Bilt Rewards truly stand out is the sheer variety of ways you can use your points. Here’s a detailed look at the options:
1. Travel Opportunities
Convert your points into unforgettable trips through Bilt’s extensive roster of travel partners. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to over 100 airline and hotel loyalty programs, including:
- Flying Blue (Air France and KLM)
- United Airlines
- Hyatt
- Cathay Pacific
- Virgin Atlantic
- British Airways
- Aer Lingus
- IHG Hotels
- Aeroplan (Air Canada)
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
For even more options, the Bilt Travel Portal lets you book flights, hotels, and activities at a consistent rate of 1.25 cents per point—with no blackout dates. Built-in tools like Point.me and Awayz in the app help you easily find availability with transfer partners.
2. Fitness and Wellness
Redeem your points to stay active and healthy. Use them for group fitness classes or memberships with partners like SoulCycle, Rumble Boxing, [solidcore], and Y7 Studio. Redemptions start at just 2,400 points, with each point valued at approximately 1 cent.
3. A Step Toward Homeownership
One of Bilt’s most unique features is the ability to apply your points toward a down payment on a home. By financing through Bilt, your points are worth up to 1.5 cents each, giving you a significant head start on buying your dream home.
4. Shopping and Merchandise
Explore the Bilt Collection for exclusive items like art, home décor, and apparel, starting at 2,500 points. If you have the Bilt Mastercard, you can also use your points to shop on Amazon—though this redemption option offers a lower value of 0.7 cents per point.
Bilt Rewards Alliance – Does Your Property Qualify?
Through the Bilt Rewards Alliance, over two million rental homes across the U.S. have joined forces with Bilt to offer residents unique ways to earn more than just points for paying rent.
If your building is part of the alliance, you can earn bonus points for things like signing a new lease, renewing an existing one, or even referring tenants to your property.
Finding out if your property qualifies is quick and easy. Simply enter your address in the Bilt app. If your building is a participant, you’ll receive confirmation, unlocking access to all the perks of the program.
Some of the Top Real Estate Partners Include:
- SL Green Realty Corp.
- Cushman & Wakefield
- LeFrak
- Morgan Properties
- Starwood Capital Group
- GID-Windsor Communities
- Applied Management
- Highmark Residential
- The Moinian Group
- LivCor
- Camden Property Trust
- AvalonBay Communities
- American Landmark
- Berkshire Residential
- Blackstone
- Brookfield Properties
- Lennar Multifamily
- Trammell Crow Residential
- Related Companies
- Veritas Investments
- BH Management
Why Elite Status Matters
Joining Bilt Rewards places you in the Blue tier to start, but the program is designed to reward loyalty with increasingly valuable perks as you climb the ladder. With four levels—Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—every step up brings new advantages that enhance your rewards experience.
How It Works:
- Blue: Everyone begins here with less than 50,000 points.
- Silver: Earn 50,000 points to advance to this tier.
- Gold: Collect 125,000 points to reach Gold status.
- Platinum: Hit 200,000 points, and you’ve made it to the top.
Your tier status isn’t fleeting—it lasts through the end of the following calendar year or longer, depending on when you qualify.
Elite members get access to benefits that go beyond the basics. For instance, your unused points can actually earn interest, so your balance grows even when you’re not actively spending. Plus, you’ll receive bonus points for milestones like signing or renewing a lease, letting you earn more for routine renter activities.
The higher you climb, the more rewarding the program becomes. Each tier accelerates your ability to save for free rent, an unforgettable trip, or even a down payment on your future home.
Exclusive Benefits of the Bilt Mastercard
Paying rent with a credit card and skipping transaction fees is almost unheard of, yet the Bilt Mastercard delivers exactly that. While most landlords either don’t allow credit card payments or tack on hefty processing fees—often around 3%—Bilt offers a workaround. If your landlord doesn’t accept credit cards, you can still pay through the Bilt app with your Bilt Mastercard.
They’ll handle it for you, sending either a check or an ACH transfer, so you earn points on rent payments without extra hassle or cost.
Exclusive Perks from the World Elite Mastercard Program
As part of the World Elite Mastercard tier, the Bilt Mastercard is packed with premium features:
- Cell Phone Protection: Covers up to $800 per claim annually for damage or theft, as long as your phone bill is paid with the card (a $25 deductible applies).
- Travel Coverage: Includes trip delay reimbursement, cancellation/interruption protection, and primary car rental collision insurance.
- Purchase Protection: Safeguards eligible purchases for 90 days against damage or theft.
- Merchant Discounts: Access exclusive deals with popular brands like Lyft, DoorDash, and ShopRunner.
- Luxury Hotel Privileges: Unlock benefits at over 3,000 hotels, such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and property credits, through the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts program.
- 24/7 Concierge Services: A personal assistant at your disposal anytime, anywhere.
Using a credit card for rent payments might raise concerns about reaching your credit limit or running into debt. That’s where BiltProtect steps in. This feature links your card to your bank account, ensuring rent payments are debited directly from your funds. This way, your credit line remains untouched, while you still collect rewards points.
The Bilt Mastercard doesn’t come with a welcome bonus, unlike many rewards cards. However, for renters seeking to maximize their everyday spending, the unique benefits and features of this card make it an excellent choice.
Conclusion
The Bilt Rewards program transforms the way you view rent payments, turning a routine expense into an opportunity for rewards.
Coupled with the Bilt Mastercard, you unlock even greater benefits, including fee-free rent payments, flexible point redemptions, and valuable protections—all with no annual fee.
For renters who want to maximize their spending, build credit, and enjoy exclusive perks, Bilt Rewards is not just a program—it’s a smarter way to live.
