Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Oct 7, 2023, 1:25 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Dr Jabadski
Bilt Rewards Mastercard WikiPost

(10/7/23 Original author (Dr Jabadski) note: As I posted here on 9/9/23 Considering Ive been salivating about simple no-cost points-etizing (like monetizing) my condo payments for about 25 years, I see Bilt as a game changer. I should have added almost a Holy Grail (a thing that is eagerly pursued or sought after). I successfully applied for a Bilt Mastercard 1 month ago thus Im far from an expert. Both before and after approval I posted multiple questions many times on this thread and several other FTers were highly gracious and informative. Thought a WikiPost might save some others a good deal of time, effort and aggravation, at least in not repeating my questions and searching for the answers. I certainly hope the experts will edit and update this WikiPost as necessary. Im also exercising Writer's Prerogative to officially coin the term pointsetize, like monetize convert into or express in the form of currency, to earn points from payments which otherwise would not earn points.)

Bilt Rewards Mastercard (Bilt MC) was first launched in mid-2021, in good part as a no fee way to charge and pointsetize rent payments. (Perhaps the only no fee way to pointsetize rent payments.) There are multiple reports of earning Bilt points for paying condominium monthly maintenance/common charges, sometimes even when the word condo or condominium is in the transaction description.

Bilt MC is a personal credit card, WF reports credit card information to the various credit bureaus and Bilt MC will count toward Chase 5/24.

This post and this post (both from 9/7/23) describe shutdown reports perhaps related to micro transactions, fluctuating rent payment amounts or multiple rent payments. This 10/11/23 post includes several references to Reddit user quotes about shutdowns and several Reddit Bilt quotes in response.

Links to Bilt Rewards Terms of Use and Evolve Bank & Trust (Bilt Technologies) Customer Account Agreement. The Terms state Bilt may make available to you a Bilt Rent Account (Account), which is a transaction bank account that can be used by you solely to make rent payments. The Agreement states: For the avoidance of doubt, the Account is a transaction bank account that can be used by you solely to make rent payments. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not an account that you may use to deposit or withdraw funds for any other purposes outside of rent payments.

Bilt MC is a metal card weighing ~16 grams (comparisons: AmEx biz plat 18.5 gm, AmEx Gold 15 gm, Chase Sapphire Reserve 13 gm, traditional plastic card 5 gm).

Bilt Mastercard is issued and managed by Wells Fargo. Bilt Rewards is a separate website and app (which contains some credit card information but not as much as WF website).

Most reports are of instant approvals, Wells Fargo reconsideration phone number and experiences are not well documented. Reported initial Credit Limits vary $4,000 - $30,000 with higher limits more commonly reported. This post (9/1/23) describes one instance of a Something went wrong message upon application and the steps toward approval several days later.

In March/April 2025 Bilt initiated a new and different process for paying rent and HOA fees which requires preauthorization and/or "auto-pre-authorization" within 5 days of payment. Rent payments can be made in multiple different ways. Bilt will provide a (bank) routing number and account number. ACH rent payments can be sent (deposited) by Bilt or withdrawn by a managing company.

Bilt MC is shipped via trackable no-signature-required First Class mail in a small (4.5 x 6.5) white box with unique packaging inside as pictured at the bottom of this post. As of Feb 2024 no reports of expedited shipping.

Reports on this thread starting in late November 2023 indicate this "quasi-SUB" may be offered randomly and/or only to some people, selection criteria unknown. This post may be the only report of being offered the quasi-SUB prior to Bilt Mastercard application, based on existing Bilt Rewards account. Bilt's quasi-SUB" is offered via an email and a text message notification the same day as card receipt informing of 5x/5 days/max 50K (email quoted verbatim in this post). (Quasi* due to very short duration in contrast to many traditional SUBs of 3 month duration.) Please note this quasi-SUB maxs out at $12,500 (not $10,000) and tax payments will count. No reports yet of returns and their effect on quasi-SUB. (* quasi- a combining form meaning resembling, having some, but not all of the features of, used in the formation of compound words: quasi-definition; quasi-monopoly; quasi-official; quasi-scientific.)

Newly earned Bilt points will display as pending until 5 transactions per statement cycle. After 5 transactions, points will post and become available shortly after a transaction, before statement date. The Bilt Rewards website has a transaction counter which disappears upon reaching 5.

Bilt points for linking partner programs (100 points each) and for adding a credit card to Bilt Wallet (100 points each for first 3) post immediately. Original author received 500 point bonus for first rent payment.

Bilt Rewards points are transferable at 1:1 usually within a few minutes to multiple different airline and hotel programs.

Theres discussion of the long term viability of Bilt with some of those posts linked at the bottom of this post after BREAK.

Bilt Status Tiers: Blue - anyone enrolled in Bilt Rewards with under 25,000 points, Silver - 25,000 points earned, Gold - 50,000 points earned, Platinum - 100,000 points earned. Tier status earned at any point in a year remains active through the end of the following year. Earn Interest on Points (Silver, Gold, Platinum Tiers) is minimal, discussed on this post and this post.

Bilt Points Quest Trivia was discontinued as of July 2024. Bilt Points Quest Trivia on the first of each month offers up to 250 points for correctly answering, within 10 seconds, 6 (out of 15-20) questions. Must get first 5 questions (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 points) correct to see the 6th bonus 100 point question. Theres often a Reddit thread with the Q & A. (Point Quest - October 2023 Answers) The lower half of this post has comments from a highly experienced test taker regarding memory, recall and studying for Points Quest Trivia.

Bilt Rent Free may also have been discontinued in 2024 or 2025. Bilt also has various RentFree games, available a few days prior to and/or on the 1st of the month, different people get different games. Could be a Family Feud style question with enough time to Google answers or a Where's Wally? (Bilt Brick) type of game or something else. Successful completion enters to be one of 3 people for whom Bilt pays their monthly rent (up to $2500).

List of Bilts Rent Day promotions going back to October 2022 at the bottom of the page here: DEALSPOINTS.

June 2024: Bottom of this post describes one persons experience paying a significant assessment (and earning points) with Bilt MC, at this time (only 3 weeks later) no report of clawback or shutdown (based on using Bilt to pay rent more than once a month and/or for something other than rent/condo fees).

June 2024: Bottom of this post contains Bilt quotes regarding Bilt BiltProtect.

June 2024: Important post (and link) stating that WF is losing money every month on Bilt.
Print Wikipost

Bilt Mastercard

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 7, 2023 | 4:05 pm
  #286  
2M
50 Countries Visited
100 Nights
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold 1.2MM (BIS), AA LT Plat (SUBs, BD/Bask), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 4,618
Approximate timeframe between application and approval, are any instant? Approximate timeframe between approval and receipt of card?

With a Bilt approval, can one choose their own Bilt statement closing date (or payment due date)?

Originally Posted by josephstern
(re monthly condo payments)…-Very, very likely. I do HOA. No problems….
Originally Posted by Smiley90
Condo fee payments do count as a possible once per month ACH charge. I've used it the last 3 months and have had no issues…..
As I wrote, my automatic ACH transfer each month appears as “AbcdeStone Condo Rent”, when I initiate the payment the payee (and presumably my potential Bilt payee) is “AbcdeStone Condominium”. Is the word “condominium” (or “condo”) a likely reason for Bilt to decline either sending monthly payments or earning points?

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by notquiteaff
… comfort of your couch?
Who you calling a couch potato ?
notquiteaff likes this.

Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Aug 7, 2023 at 4:11 pm Reason: clarification
Dr Jabadski is offline  
Old Aug 7, 2023 | 7:52 pm
  #287  
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,667
Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
Approximate timeframe between application and approval, are any instant? Approximate timeframe between approval and receipt of card?
I applied for the card on Friday 8/4 with instant approval. Haven't gotten the physical card yet.
Dr Jabadski likes this.
LETTERBOY is offline  
Old Aug 7, 2023 | 10:29 pm
  #288  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,137
Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
Approximate timeframe between application and approval, are any instant? Approximate timeframe between approval and receipt of card?

With a Bilt approval, can one choose their own Bilt statement closing date (or payment due date)?

As I wrote, my automatic ACH transfer each month appears as AbcdeStone Condo Rent, when I initiate the payment the payee (and presumably my potential Bilt payee) is AbcdeStone Condominium. Is the word condominium (or condo) a likely reason for Bilt to decline either sending monthly payments or earning points?

Thanks again.

Who you calling a couch potato ?
No. My condo fees are paid to Mediate Management, and that as far as I'm concerned could be anything - but Bilt somehow appears to know that it's my HOA fees and it works. As long as you only do one transaction a month, you shouldn't run into any issues.
Dr Jabadski likes this.
Smiley90 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2023 | 9:38 am
  #289  
dw
30 Countries Visited
1M
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL DM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,817
Originally Posted by Smiley90
No. My condo fees are paid to Mediate Management, and that as far as I'm concerned could be anything - but Bilt somehow appears to know that it's my HOA fees and it works. As long as you only do one transaction a month, you shouldn't run into any issues.
How can you tell that Bilt knows its for HOA?
dw is online now  
Old Aug 8, 2023 | 10:19 am
  #290  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,691
Mine has the word "Homeowners" in it and it seems to be fine, albeit not a huge number.

My wife does one for our water bill that can only be paid via ACH, and it has "water" in it and it's also fine.
josephstern is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2023 | 8:54 pm
  #291  
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,667
Originally Posted by LETTERBOY
I applied for the card on Friday 8/4 with instant approval. Haven't gotten the physical card yet.
Card arrived today (8/10), 6 days after approval.
LETTERBOY is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2023 | 9:59 pm
  #292  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX, TPE
Programs: CI, JL
Posts: 3,455
Originally Posted by Smiley90
Condo fee payments do count as a possible once per month ACH charge. I've used it the last 3 months and have had no issues.

The Bilt card isn't issued by Chase, so not sure why you're worried there. It's issued by Wells Fargo.
Does this imply you are only allowed 1 charges per month? Rent or HOA?

Are you not allowed to have multiple charges?
coolfish1103 is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2023 | 10:20 pm
  #293  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,691
Originally Posted by coolfish1103
Does this imply you are only allowed 1 charges per month? Rent or HOA?

Are you not allowed to have multiple charges?
I'm pretty sure that that's their rule now. Some in the past had made multiple payments work and may have that ability grandfathered in, but I believe any new account gets one ACH payment in the specific categories to be counted as points-generating.
josephstern is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2023 | 9:34 am
  #294  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/SNA
Programs: AA, AF
Posts: 2,006
Originally Posted by coolfish1103
Does this imply you are only allowed 1 charges per month? Rent or HOA?

Are you not allowed to have multiple charges?
Originally Posted by josephstern
I'm pretty sure that that's their rule now.
T&Cs have specified only one rent payment as long as I can remember. Anything more/different that slips through is a bonus.
coolfish1103 likes this.
NYC Flyer is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2023 | 10:18 am
  #295  
20 Nights
40 Countries Visited
2M
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New York
Programs: Navy A-4 Skyhawk, B727 FE/FO, S80 FO, B757/767 FO, B737 CA
Posts: 1,416
For the bonus on the first 5 days after account opening, does every type of charge count? (ie. estimated tax payments)
fredc84 is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2023 | 10:30 am
  #296  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/SNA
Programs: AA, AF
Posts: 2,006
Originally Posted by fredc84
For the bonus on the first 5 days after account opening, does every type of charge count? (ie. estimated tax payments)
Estimated taxes worked for me.
fredc84 likes this.
NYC Flyer is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2023 | 10:33 am
  #297  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,691
Originally Posted by NYC Flyer
Estimated taxes worked for me.
Same for me.
fredc84 likes this.
josephstern is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2023 | 10:42 am
  #298  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,137
Originally Posted by NYC Flyer
T&Cs have specified only one rent payment as long as I can remember. Anything more/different that slips through is a bonus.
Yes it's always been that way. The idea is that you don't pay multiple rents at the same time... You either rent a place and play rent, or you own a place and pay HOA fees. Similarly you also can't add phone bills, but if it's the only bill you put on Bilt, it might just slip through.
coolfish1103 likes this.
Smiley90 is offline  
Old Aug 23, 2023 | 9:29 pm
  #299  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX, TPE
Programs: CI, JL
Posts: 3,455
Originally Posted by NYC Flyer
T&Cs have specified only one rent payment as long as I can remember. Anything more/different that slips through is a bonus.
I guess if I want to do more than 1 I would just have to pay multiple months in advance? ...or they would catch it since it's not the same house?
coolfish1103 is offline  
Old Aug 24, 2023 | 9:09 am
  #300  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,137
Originally Posted by coolfish1103
I guess if I want to do more than 1 I would just have to pay multiple months in advance? ...or they would catch it since it's not the same house?
Do you have a partner who could apply for another card and pay the second fee with that? Seems easier than breaking T&C's.
josephstern likes this.
Smiley90 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.