Oct 7, 2023, 1:25 pm
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.
Linksto 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.
(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
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.
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 Rent Free may also have been discontinued in 2024 or 2025.
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.
Bilt Mastercard
Sep 9, 2023 | 11:57 am
#331
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
My guess is one would expect fewer problems if the property used Bilt to manage rent payments.
Sep 9, 2023 | 3:23 pm
#332
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: 4,589
(Considering I’ve been salivating about simple no-cost points-etizing (like monetizing) my condo payments for about 25 years, I see Bilt as a game changer. As a relatively new product which might be of high interest to many members here, there should be comprehensive information about Bilt here. I’ve not seen much of the information below posted previously, and in appreciation of all those who were so gracious and helpful in answering my questions above, I hope it’s helpful.)
I’m now less UNimpressed and there wasn’t any salt
!
Bilt card arrived yesterday. Overall small box, placed in mailbox, no signature required, unique packaging with many dead trees. (No traditional piece of paper with card glued or taped and name/address/last 4-5 of account #, credit limit, etc.) I initially missed the “Activate Your Card” information (inside the slide out part of inner box, top right or lower photo). Metal card, weight ~16 grams (comparisons: AmEx biz plat 18.5 gm, AmEx Gold 15 gm, Chase Sapphire Reserve 13 gm, traditional plastic card 5 gm.)
Called customer service (before seeing printed “Activate…” information) to change closing date, unnecessary as my Bilt closing date serendipitously is my preferred closing date for all credit cards, about 27-28 days after my Bilt approval. I also asked the correct address to mail a payment prior to my first statement closing date as my intention is to meet the SUB minimum with estimated tax payments and even with $20-$40K credit limit I prefer not to have Wells Fargo report 25-50% utilization.
Within a couple of hours of delivery, received a text message and an email, both with “Your Bilt Mastercard has been delivered! As a thank you for being a Bilt Member, we’re excited to offer you 5X points on all of your eligible purchases (excluding rent) for the next 5 days starting Friday, September 08. Terms: This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points), per $1 spent on net purchases (purchases minus returns/credits), excluding purchases classified as Rent in the Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card Rewards Program. Terms and Conditions. The maximum bonus points you can earn with this offer is 50,000, regardless of how much you spend. You must make at least 5 transactions each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard to earn points.” (I see this as essentially a highly time limited SUB: 50K/$10K/5 days.)
As a first time Bilt and WF customer, creating and accessing accounts at Bilt website and mobile app and WF website and mobile app were all straightforward and relatively painless.
Card used last night at gas station and grocery stores, today at payUSAtax. WF website account info shows all charges pending, Bilt website already displays:
SHOPRITE FLYERTALKLAND 09/08/23 33 pts $6.99
GULF OIL 123456 09/08/23 41 pts $8.46
STOP SHOP 1234 09/08/23 37 pts $7.74
US TREASURY TAX PAYMEN NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
PAYUSATAX CONV. FEE NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
Waiting to confirm 5x for tax payments to finish SUB minimum spend, still have 6 days to go. I’m confused as to how Bilt calculates “5X points”, rounding off or up or down or before or after multiplying does not produce the numbers (above) that Bilt states. Regardless, I’m a reasonably happy camper. Thanks again to all those who were so helpful.
(Now if I could just learn a simple no-cost way to points-etize buying or leasing or lease buy-outing a car I’d be an exceptionally happy points-and-miles camper
.)
I’m now less UNimpressed and there wasn’t any salt
!Bilt card arrived yesterday. Overall small box, placed in mailbox, no signature required, unique packaging with many dead trees. (No traditional piece of paper with card glued or taped and name/address/last 4-5 of account #, credit limit, etc.) I initially missed the “Activate Your Card” information (inside the slide out part of inner box, top right or lower photo). Metal card, weight ~16 grams (comparisons: AmEx biz plat 18.5 gm, AmEx Gold 15 gm, Chase Sapphire Reserve 13 gm, traditional plastic card 5 gm.)
Called customer service (before seeing printed “Activate…” information) to change closing date, unnecessary as my Bilt closing date serendipitously is my preferred closing date for all credit cards, about 27-28 days after my Bilt approval. I also asked the correct address to mail a payment prior to my first statement closing date as my intention is to meet the SUB minimum with estimated tax payments and even with $20-$40K credit limit I prefer not to have Wells Fargo report 25-50% utilization.
Within a couple of hours of delivery, received a text message and an email, both with “Your Bilt Mastercard has been delivered! As a thank you for being a Bilt Member, we’re excited to offer you 5X points on all of your eligible purchases (excluding rent) for the next 5 days starting Friday, September 08. Terms: This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points), per $1 spent on net purchases (purchases minus returns/credits), excluding purchases classified as Rent in the Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card Rewards Program. Terms and Conditions. The maximum bonus points you can earn with this offer is 50,000, regardless of how much you spend. You must make at least 5 transactions each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard to earn points.” (I see this as essentially a highly time limited SUB: 50K/$10K/5 days.)
As a first time Bilt and WF customer, creating and accessing accounts at Bilt website and mobile app and WF website and mobile app were all straightforward and relatively painless.
Card used last night at gas station and grocery stores, today at payUSAtax. WF website account info shows all charges pending, Bilt website already displays:
SHOPRITE FLYERTALKLAND 09/08/23 33 pts $6.99
GULF OIL 123456 09/08/23 41 pts $8.46
STOP SHOP 1234 09/08/23 37 pts $7.74
US TREASURY TAX PAYMEN NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
PAYUSATAX CONV. FEE NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
Waiting to confirm 5x for tax payments to finish SUB minimum spend, still have 6 days to go. I’m confused as to how Bilt calculates “5X points”, rounding off or up or down or before or after multiplying does not produce the numbers (above) that Bilt states. Regardless, I’m a reasonably happy camper. Thanks again to all those who were so helpful.
(Now if I could just learn a simple no-cost way to points-etize buying or leasing or lease buy-outing a car I’d be an exceptionally happy points-and-miles camper
.)
Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Sep 9, 2023 at 11:13 pm Reason: clarification
Sep 10, 2023 | 9:01 am
#333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
Card used last night at gas station and grocery stores, today at payUSAtax. WF website account info shows all charges pending, Bilt website already displays:
SHOPRITE FLYERTALKLAND 09/08/23 33 pts $6.99
GULF OIL 123456 09/08/23 41 pts $8.46
STOP SHOP 1234 09/08/23 37 pts $7.74
US TREASURY TAX PAYMEN NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
PAYUSATAX CONV. FEE NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
Waiting to confirm 5x for tax payments to finish SUB minimum spend, still have 6 days to go. Im confused as to how Bilt calculates 5X points, rounding off or up or down or before or after multiplying does not produce the numbers (above) that Bilt states. Regardless, Im a reasonably happy camper. Thanks again to all those who were so helpful.
SHOPRITE FLYERTALKLAND 09/08/23 33 pts $6.99
GULF OIL 123456 09/08/23 41 pts $8.46
STOP SHOP 1234 09/08/23 37 pts $7.74
US TREASURY TAX PAYMEN NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
PAYUSATAX CONV. FEE NASHVILLE USA 09/09/23 PENDING (no $ or point info)
Waiting to confirm 5x for tax payments to finish SUB minimum spend, still have 6 days to go. Im confused as to how Bilt calculates 5X points, rounding off or up or down or before or after multiplying does not produce the numbers (above) that Bilt states. Regardless, Im a reasonably happy camper. Thanks again to all those who were so helpful.
For $6.99, you get 6 base points (they always just drop the cents). Then they also give you 4x bonus on it due to the initial 5x promo (you get 1x base and 4x bonus). So to add to the initial 6 points, you multiply out the $6.99 (they don't drop the cents yet) x 4 and get $27.96. They drop the cents and give you 27 points. Added to the 6 is 33.
$8.46 charge is 8 + (8.46 x 4 = 33.84 = 33 points) = 41 points.
$7.74 = 7 + (7.74 x 4 = 30.96 = 30 points) = 37 points.
At restaurants, for example, they drop the cents after the 3x multiplier, not before. Still annoys me, and my CSR has a slight advantage here, but at least they don't drop the cents before the multiplication.
I am a bit concerned that your tax payments aren't getting points possibly. That would be a big problem for me
Sep 10, 2023 | 10:09 am
#334
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: 4,589
“Unique” of course being a marked understatement .
Disappointing to me too 
, but rest your concern. BTW, excellent timing, I was about to post this addendum: Estimated payUSAtax payment (and convenience fee) still pending on WF account info, Bilt sent notification this morning that I’m Silver Status Tier, Bilt Rewards website and app show: “Dr Jabadski Bilt Member ID: 123456789 YOUR TIER Silver Good thru 2024-12-31 BILT POINTS 30,723”. Details indicate 5X credited for tax payment and convenience fee. Not sure of the significance of Silver status, unlikely that I’m in a “participating properties”, be interesting to see what “Interest earned on points” amounts to.
I’ll make a state estimated tax payment today, no news is good news, I’ll report back if it doesn’t earn 5X and if (for some reason IAW Murphy’s Law) when my statement closes & prints in 3 weeks the 5X disappears.
., but rest your concern. BTW, excellent timing, I was about to post this addendum: Estimated payUSAtax payment (and convenience fee) still pending on WF account info, Bilt sent notification this morning that I’m Silver Status Tier, Bilt Rewards website and app show: “Dr Jabadski Bilt Member ID: 123456789 YOUR TIER Silver Good thru 2024-12-31 BILT POINTS 30,723”. Details indicate 5X credited for tax payment and convenience fee. Not sure of the significance of Silver status, unlikely that I’m in a “participating properties”, be interesting to see what “Interest earned on points” amounts to.I’ll make a state estimated tax payment today, no news is good news, I’ll report back if it doesn’t earn 5X and if (for some reason IAW Murphy’s Law) when my statement closes & prints in 3 weeks the 5X disappears.
Sep 10, 2023 | 7:39 pm
#335
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Kettle Class
Posts: 1,051
The interest is miniscule; the one plus of Silver status is that points transfers to partners can be made in 1,000-point increments vs. the Blue tier.
Sep 11, 2023 | 4:44 am
#336
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/SNA
Programs: AA, AF
Posts: 2,006
It's already documented in this thread that tax payments qualify for bonus points (including the startup bonus). Keep in mind that the 5x offer is maximized with $12.5K in spend, not $10K.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Sep 11, 2023 at 4:49 am Reason: correction
Sep 11, 2023 | 5:45 am
#337
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: 4,589
Excellent point, thank you. Is that based on actual experience or based on interpretation of the offer wording (which might be unclear)?
The email states As a thank you for being a Bilt Member, were excited to offer you 5X points on all of your eligible purchases (excluding rent) for the next 5 days starting Friday, September 081. Thats 5X on meals, online purchases, trips, gas, and much more. Up to 50,000 points. (no differentiation of points)
Footnote 1 states This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points), per $1 spent on net purchases The maximum bonus points you can earn with this offer is 50,000, regardless of how much you spend. (differentiation of rewards and base and bonus points)
The text message is more vague (than the email) and includes an obvious link to Terms & Conditions which are identical to the footnote.
Without actual experience(s), its subject to interpretation of which $12,500 (vice $10,000) is probably correct. Thanks again.
The email states As a thank you for being a Bilt Member, were excited to offer you 5X points on all of your eligible purchases (excluding rent) for the next 5 days starting Friday, September 081. Thats 5X on meals, online purchases, trips, gas, and much more. Up to 50,000 points. (no differentiation of points)
Footnote 1 states This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points), per $1 spent on net purchases The maximum bonus points you can earn with this offer is 50,000, regardless of how much you spend. (differentiation of rewards and base and bonus points)
The text message is more vague (than the email) and includes an obvious link to Terms & Conditions which are identical to the footnote.
Without actual experience(s), its subject to interpretation of which $12,500 (vice $10,000) is probably correct. Thanks again.
Sep 11, 2023 | 8:01 am
#338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
Sep 11, 2023 | 9:01 am
#339
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: 4,589
Thank you. I just made another NYS tax payment, just a few hours after the first NYS payment this morning.BREAK
It appears that Bilt points can be transferred immediately upon posted earning, within 1-2 days of credit card transaction(s), in contrast to Chase UR (upon statement closing) and AmEx (earned points ~ 24 hours after balance payment, SUBs/retention offers upon posting several days after transaction).
Seems also that Bilt partner programs can only be linked and points can only be transferred via the mobile app and not the full website. Is that correct? (Snip screenshot below from full desktop PC website.)
It appears that Bilt points can be transferred immediately upon posted earning, within 1-2 days of credit card transaction(s), in contrast to Chase UR (upon statement closing) and AmEx (earned points ~ 24 hours after balance payment, SUBs/retention offers upon posting several days after transaction).
Seems also that Bilt partner programs can only be linked and points can only be transferred via the mobile app and not the full website. Is that correct? (Snip screenshot below from full desktop PC website.)
Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Sep 11, 2023 at 10:05 am Reason: clarification
Sep 11, 2023 | 9:23 am
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
Thank you. I just made another NYS tax payment, just a few hours after the first NYS payment this morning.BREAK
It appears that Bilt points can be transferred immediately upon posted earning, within 1-2 days of credit card transaction(s), in contrast to Chase UR (upon statement closing) and AmEx (earned points ~ 24 hours after balance payment, SUBs/retention offers upon posting several days after transaction).
Seems also that Bilt partner programs can only be linked and points can only be transferred via the mobile app and not the full website. Is that correct?
It appears that Bilt points can be transferred immediately upon posted earning, within 1-2 days of credit card transaction(s), in contrast to Chase UR (upon statement closing) and AmEx (earned points ~ 24 hours after balance payment, SUBs/retention offers upon posting several days after transaction).
Seems also that Bilt partner programs can only be linked and points can only be transferred via the mobile app and not the full website. Is that correct?
Sep 12, 2023 | 5:14 pm
#341
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: 4,589
Curious as to other peoples strategy vis--vis Bilt Rewards. Im a little concerned due to newness and an arguably unsustainable business model. As a hedge, Im thinking of speculative (no planned redemption) transfer of all my Bilt points to a program that has withstood the test of time and for which I have regular redemptions and other earnings.
Bilt has no annual fee and an arguably generous quasi-SUB and arguably generous rewards (points earning). Bilt pays rent at no cost and awards points, apparently eating the costs of mailing checks and administering ACH payments. Seems that WF gets swipe fees and interest from those carrying a balance.
How is Bilt making money? Kickbacks from WF? Does Bilt make money when they send a rent check or ACH and then post the charge to the WF MC? Something else? Thank you.
Thanks again for the clarification(s) and reminder(s).
Now confirmed based on 5 days experience with new Bilt MC.
WF Bilt MC received 5 days ago, current balance (partially pending) = $12,770 ($12,500 estimated tax payments + $250 accompanying convenience fees + $20 three small grocery/gas charges).
Current Bilt Rewards balance = 63,370 (12,500 base points + 12,500 x 4 bonus points from introductory 5 day offer + 250 + 20 base points from fees/grocery/gas charges + 600 from linking 6 programs, not necessarily in that exact order).
Thanks again to all those who provided such valuable information about Bilt Rewards and Bilt MC. 60K points transferred to an airline is approximately a biz class award to the UK or Europe or (an excellent example for me) almost 2 free nights at Grand Hyatt Vail in the middle of ski season at $700 - $1100 each. For me it almost makes up for no recent AmEx NLL offers.
Bilt has no annual fee and an arguably generous quasi-SUB and arguably generous rewards (points earning). Bilt pays rent at no cost and awards points, apparently eating the costs of mailing checks and administering ACH payments. Seems that WF gets swipe fees and interest from those carrying a balance.
How is Bilt making money? Kickbacks from WF? Does Bilt make money when they send a rent check or ACH and then post the charge to the WF MC? Something else? Thank you.
Thanks again for the clarification(s) and reminder(s).
Now confirmed based on 5 days experience with new Bilt MC.
WF Bilt MC received 5 days ago, current balance (partially pending) = $12,770 ($12,500 estimated tax payments + $250 accompanying convenience fees + $20 three small grocery/gas charges).
Current Bilt Rewards balance = 63,370 (12,500 base points + 12,500 x 4 bonus points from introductory 5 day offer + 250 + 20 base points from fees/grocery/gas charges + 600 from linking 6 programs, not necessarily in that exact order).
Thanks again to all those who provided such valuable information about Bilt Rewards and Bilt MC. 60K points transferred to an airline is approximately a biz class award to the UK or Europe or (an excellent example for me) almost 2 free nights at Grand Hyatt Vail in the middle of ski season at $700 - $1100 each. For me it almost makes up for no recent AmEx NLL offers.
Sep 12, 2023 | 5:49 pm
#342
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/SNA
Programs: AA, AF
Posts: 2,006
Curious as to other peoples strategy vis--vis Bilt Rewards. Im a little concerned due to newness and an arguably unsustainable business model. As a hedge, Im thinking of speculative (no planned redemption) transfer of all my Bilt points to a program that has withstood the test of time and for which I have regular redemptions and other earnings.
Sep 12, 2023 | 7:22 pm
#343
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL DM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,803
Take a look at the trajectory of Cardless, and to a lesser extent comparison wise, Petal, in the fintech card space.
Sep 12, 2023 | 7:53 pm
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
When I started, I transferred to Hyatt anytime I had over 1,000 points. But now that I've seen some of the possible transfer bonuses, I'm letting my points sit. But there is definitely a risk.
Sep 12, 2023 | 10:34 pm
#345
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: 4,589
That was my plan, which Im now reevaluating (particularly for my quasi-SUB Bilt points) after reading your comment and researching this reply.
Thanks for the heads up. I found the quotes below which might be of interest to those who have now been following Bilt.
(View From the Wing 8/1/23) Theyve run 100% transfer bonuses in the past to IHG, Hawaiian, and Air France. This transfer bonus is up to 150% (to Virgin), and no one other than Bilt has ever run a 100% transfer bonus to a 1:1 transfer partner before. (In 2008 Delta accidentally ran a 150% bonus on partner activity, which included Membership Rewards transfers, but then shut that down quickly though they did honor it.)
(The Points Guy 6/14/23) Bilt Rewards has historically offered some of the best transfer bonuses we've seen during Rent Day (the first of every month). This includes a 100% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and HawaiianMiles.