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 Feb 12, 2024 | 9:47 pm
  #616  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
As others have mentioned, Wells Fargo is such a garbage bank. Got my physical card on Saturday, clock starts ticking on the 5x welcome offer. Made an online payment right then and there to zero out my outstanding balance so I could spend to the max of the credit limit, but the payment didn't reset my available credit on Saturday like it might with other banks. And then it didn't reset on Sunday. And then it didn't reset on Monday. Tick tock, hope I can take advantage of the Bilt welcome offer! Can't say its an especially welcoming first experience with this card, which is unfortunate because the card itself seems great, but their bank is handicapping their growth with its uselessness.
Dr Jabadski likes this.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 7:17 am
  #617  
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: 18,127
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
As others have mentioned, Wells Fargo is such a garbage bank. Got my physical card on Saturday, clock starts ticking on the 5x welcome offer. Made an online payment right then and there to zero out my outstanding balance so I could spend to the max of the credit limit, but the payment didn't reset my available credit on Saturday like it might with other banks. And then it didn't reset on Sunday. And then it didn't reset on Monday. Tick tock, hope I can take advantage of the Bilt welcome offer! Can't say its an especially welcoming first experience with this card, which is unfortunate because the card itself seems great, but their bank is handicapping their growth with its uselessness.
Did you make the payment from your bank or from the Bilt portal?
Smiley90 is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 9:13 am
  #618  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
Originally Posted by Smiley90
Did you make the payment from your bank or from the Bilt portal?
From the Wells Fargo Bilt dashboard.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 11:31 am
  #619  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
As others have mentioned, Wells Fargo is such a garbage bank. Got my physical card on Saturday, clock starts ticking on the 5x welcome offer. Made an online payment right then and there to zero out my outstanding balance so I could spend to the max of the credit limit, but the payment didn't reset my available credit on Saturday like it might with other banks. And then it didn't reset on Sunday. And then it didn't reset on Monday. Tick tock, hope I can take advantage of the Bilt welcome offer! Can't say its an especially welcoming first experience with this card, which is unfortunate because the card itself seems great, but their bank is handicapping their growth with its uselessness.
Update: available credit still hasn't reset. I likely won't be able to take advantage of the welcome offer. Even though the payment posted and all, Wells Fargo informs me that I won't be able to spend on the card until next Monday, and that I should take it up with Bilt if I have a problem. Bilt says tough luck. What an unsalvageable waste of a 5/24 slot.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 11:43 am
  #620  
mia
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
10 Countries Visited
20 Nights
2M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,864
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
....unsalvageable waste of a 5/24 slot.
Surely you did not apply for the card just to earn the 5 day bonus, which some cardholders do not receive?
LETTERBOY likes this.
mia is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 11:49 am
  #621  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
Originally Posted by mia
Surely you did not apply for the card just to earn the 5 day bonus, which some cardholders do not receive?
That's what tipped the scale vs other card products that I could have burned the slot on, and I had an offer in the app so I knew I was targeted. Can't imagine that anyone could possibly see that analysis as an unreasonable one.
Dr Jabadski likes this.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 12:05 pm
  #622  
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: 4,589
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
...Can't imagine that anyone could possibly see that analysis as an unreasonable one.
Absolutely reasonable to apply for a card just for the SUB (even a 5 day quasi SUB) which is often far and away the major determinant of the choice of a credit card application. Granted with Bilts unique ability to pointsetize rent and condo payments, Bilts quasi SUB might be less of a factor but its still a SUB and its all about the SUB (for many people).
Majuki and LowValueCustomer like this.
Dr Jabadski is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 12:26 pm
  #623  
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: 18,127
Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
Absolutely reasonable to apply for a card just for the SUB (even a 5 day quasi SUB) which is often far and away the major determinant of the choice of a credit card application. Granted with Bilts unique ability to pointsetize rent and condo payments, Bilts quasi SUB might be less of a factor but its still a SUB and its all about the SUB (for many people).
mia's caveat here was "the SUB isn't guaranteed", but the poster had indication it was happening.

That said, the SUB can't have been completely unused - presumably even without resetting the limit, you spent up to the limit at least ONCE, so there's some use of the SUB?
LowValueCustomer likes this.
Smiley90 is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 12:37 pm
  #624  
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: 4,589
Originally Posted by Smiley90
... caveat here was "the SUB isn't guaranteed",...
Might be correct but the (implied) caveat might also have been 5 day and/or 4/1 SUB ratio. All 3 of those factors (not everyone, short duration, low point to $ ratio) independently differentiate Bilts quasi SUB from more traditional SUBs.
Dr Jabadski is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 12:55 pm
  #625  
mia
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
10 Countries Visited
20 Nights
2M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,864
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
....offer in the app so I knew I was targeted.
Do we have previous reports that there is a way to know in advance if targeted for the credit card new account bonus?
mia is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 1:19 pm
  #626  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
Originally Posted by Smiley90
That said, the SUB can't have been completely unused - presumably even without resetting the limit, you spent up to the limit at least ONCE, so there's some use of the SUB?
Yeah; issue is that I did nearly all of that spend on the virtual card prior to receiving the physical one & the 5x email. Won't count toward the SUB.

Originally Posted by mia
Do we have previous reports that there is a way to know in advance if targeted for the credit card new account bonus?
Dunno but probably showed for me since I've had a Bilt account for several months with a decent amount of activity: linked a bunch of transfer partners, have had a good bit of Lyft activity, and actually made a few transfers to top off loyalty accounts when I was a couple grand short of a redemption. Appeared in the app under a header along the lines of "ways to earn more points" with scrollable tiles, one of which had the Bilt card with a "get 5x for first 5 days" tag.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 1:53 pm
  #627  
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: 4,589
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
… nearly all of that spend on the virtual card prior to receiving the physical one & the 5x email. …. I've had a Bilt account for several months … in the app … had the Bilt card with a "get 5x for first 5 days" tag.
That explains the confusion/misunderstandings. There aren’t many published statistics as to the number of Bilt accounts without a Bilt MC, I suspect that percentage is small. This is also perhaps the first reference to Bilt “virtual card”.

Forbes: “All members who live in properties in the Bilt Rewards Alliance are eligible to earn Bilt Rewards on their monthly rent. Members of Bilt Rewards without the Bilt World Elite Mastercard can earn up to 250 Bilt Rewards each month. Cardholders can earn up to 100,000 Bilt Rewards each year. You must use the card five times each statement period to earn points (rewards & benefits).”

Reddit: “Is there a purpose to biltrewards without the card?”

Originally Posted by Smiley90
Did you make the payment from your bank or from the Bilt portal?
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
From the Wells Fargo Bilt dashboard.
Perhaps the teaching point is that it might be more expedient to send an ACH payment than having the CC issuer pull the payment? IME, sent payments can be scheduled as little as 12-18 hours in advance compared to pulled payments which invariably take 1-2 days longer.
LowValueCustomer likes this.
Dr Jabadski is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 2:02 pm
  #628  
All eyes on you!
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,017
Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
That explains the confusion/misunderstandings. There aren’t many published statistics as to the number of Bilt accounts without a Bilt MC, I suspect that percentage is small. This is also perhaps the first reference to Bilt “virtual card”.
Yeah, I just opened the Bilt account as quick way to top off loyalty balances (especially where you can't transfer from other bank currencies, like AA, or where I'm regularly tapped out like UR-->Hyatt).

Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
Perhaps the teaching point is that it might be more expedient to send an ACH payment than having the CC issuer pull the payment? IME, sent payments can be scheduled as little as 12-18 hours in advance compared to pulled payments which invariably take 1-2 days longer.
Is this possible with a card payment? I don't have a WF depository account if that matters.

ETA: Also, the WF dashboard shows that the payment posted; it's not pending. The "last payment received" date is the date of that payment and in the correct amount. The available credit just hasn't updated.
LowValueCustomer is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 2:24 pm
  #629  
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: 4,589
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
... Is this possible with a card payment? I don't have a WF depository account if that matters....
I’m not a banker and only have experience with Bill Pay from 1 or 2 bank accounts. IME, I can input a Bill Pay ACH payment on my (non WF) bank’s website or app until about 7 or 8pm EST, have the payment processed overnight and appear as “received” by Chase in the morning and “posted” (balance decreases and available credit increases) that afternoon. AmEx seems to take several more hours for “receipt” and a little longer for posting.

I’ve only had Chase “pull” a payment (from non Chase bank) once or twice, when I forgot and it was the payment due date. Figured if I initiated the payment on Chase’s website they would see it as occurring on the due date. Took 1-2 days longer for the payment to fully process and my bank account balance to decrease.
LowValueCustomer likes this.
Dr Jabadski is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 4:16 pm
  #630  
mia
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
10 Countries Visited
20 Nights
2M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,864
Originally Posted by LowValueCustomer
.... the payment posted; it's not pending. The "last payment received" date is the date of that payment and in the correct amount. The available credit just hasn't updated.
Not all issuers allow cardholders to "cycle" a credit limit in the way that you expected. Part of this is an anti-fraud safeguard. The first payment(s) from new customers may not immediately increase available credit, because they have not yet verified that the cardholder is authorized to use the bank account that made the payment.
mnmag and LETTERBOY like this.
mia 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.