Bilt Rewards has emerged as a notable player in the credit card and loyalty space, allowing users to earn rewards on housing payments – whether rent or mortgage. While the program has evolved, the potential for value remains high, particularly when leveraging Bilt points strategically. This guide breaks down the best ways to redeem these points, helping you extract maximum benefit.
The Bilt Rewards Ecosystem: A Quick Overview
The core of Bilt Rewards lies in its co-branded credit cards – the no-annual-fee Bilt Blue Card, the $95 Bilt Obsidian Card, and the $495 Bilt Palladium Card. These cards not only earn points directly but also generate Bilt Cash, which can be reinvested to amplify point accumulation.
The Bilt Palladium Card stands out as the most lucrative, despite its higher annual fee. It offers 2x points on all spending and a substantial 4% back in Bilt Cash. This cash can be applied towards earning additional points on housing payments – effectively boosting rewards on your largest monthly expense. The key is to spend strategically; roughly 75% of your housing cost on the card to maximize point earning potential.
Best Redemption Strategies for Bilt Points
Earning points is only half the battle. Here’s a ranked breakdown of how to redeem Bilt Rewards points, from highest to lowest value:
1. Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners (Highest Value)
Bilt boasts partnerships with 23 travel loyalty programs: 18 airlines and 5 hotels. Transfers are typically instant, making this the most flexible and rewarding option.
- Airline Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France-KLM, Alaska Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Southwest, Spirit, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
- Hotel Partners: Accor Live Limitless (ALL), Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt.
Transfer ratios are generally 1:1. Accor Live Limitless (ALL) offers a 3:2 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy provides a 1:1.25 ratio with bonus points on certain transfers.
2. Down Payment on a Home (Strong Value)
Bilt uniquely allows users to redeem points towards a home down payment at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. This is a solid redemption option for those planning a home purchase, yielding $150 for every 10,000 points redeemed. The process is straightforward: submit proof of purchase and specify the desired point redemption amount.
3. Bilt Travel Portal (Decent Value)
The Bilt Travel Portal offers 1.25 cents per point towards travel bookings (flights, hotels, car rentals, activities). While not the highest value, this provides a reliable redemption option when other opportunities are limited.
4. Shopping, Fitness, and Lifestyle (Lower Value)
Redemption options through Amazon (0.7 cents per point), select fitness classes (around 1.0 cent per point), and the Bilt Collection (also around 1.0 cent per point) should be avoided due to their significantly lower value.
5. Rent Payments (Worst Value)
Redeeming points towards rent yields only 0.55 cents per point, making it the least efficient use of your rewards. This option should be avoided entirely.
Strategic Redemption: Maximizing Your Points
To extract maximum value, avoid redemptions below 1 cent per point. Focus on transferring to airline and hotel partners for premium travel, leveraging transfer bonuses when available. Alaska Airlines and World of Hyatt stand out as particularly valuable partners, offering unique opportunities not found in other transferable point programs. Keep an eye on monthly Rent Day promotions, which can provide substantial bonus points.
Conclusion
Bilt Rewards offers a competitive transferable points currency with a robust partner network. By prioritizing strategic redemptions – particularly transfers to airline and hotel programs or a home down payment – you can ensure your points deliver significant value. The Bilt Palladium Card remains the most lucrative option for maximizing point accumulation, though careful spending and strategic redemption are key to unlocking the full potential of this program.
