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
Apr 1, 2024 | 11:11 pm
#736
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,958
Relatively new card holder and thought it was time to take care of the 2x Rent day for non-bonused charges. First charge fine, second charge declined. Received a text about both if I recognized the charges, texted Y. Still declined on second charge again, called and talked to fraud department, still declined. Waited a few hours, tried again, declined, called again, still not happening. Never experienced such a ridiculous experience.
Apr 2, 2024 | 6:50 am
#737
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
That thought process never entered my mind, Ive been playing the points and miles game for about 40 years, far too long for such naivete.
Different stokes for different folks. I did the Rent Free game as soon as it was available, about 5-6 days ago. I barely and vaguely remembered the rules; some people would get free rent, a bunch more would get some points. Today, when I logged in to check my results, it was a relatively lengthy process which involved watching a video as they rehashed the 3 questions and indicated how many bongo (game) points I earned for each question. For a fleeting moment slight spatial disorientation led me to think I was earning 7000 or 9000 Bilt Rewards points until I saw #52,932, better luck next time.
To me, thats a pretty good definition of deceit and/or bait and switch. Bilt could just as easily have stated each persons rank without disclosing the number of bongo points. My relative rank was significant for determining free rent or Bilt points, my number of bongo points was of less significance than the amount of lint in my navel (belly button)
.
Different stokes for different folks. I did the Rent Free game as soon as it was available, about 5-6 days ago. I barely and vaguely remembered the rules; some people would get free rent, a bunch more would get some points. Today, when I logged in to check my results, it was a relatively lengthy process which involved watching a video as they rehashed the 3 questions and indicated how many bongo (game) points I earned for each question. For a fleeting moment slight spatial disorientation led me to think I was earning 7000 or 9000 Bilt Rewards points until I saw #52,932, better luck next time.
To me, thats a pretty good definition of deceit and/or bait and switch. Bilt could just as easily have stated each persons rank without disclosing the number of bongo points. My relative rank was significant for determining free rent or Bilt points, my number of bongo points was of less significance than the amount of lint in my navel (belly button)
.
Apr 2, 2024 | 10:20 pm
#738
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Silver, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, AF plat
Posts: 998
I've noticed this behavior with Bilt, and it is frustrating. I'm not saying that it's intentional, but there should be ways to override any declines due to fraud alerts, especially after calling in with a notification. I don't have any data points about large purchases other than on Rent Day, but I'm not inclined to be the data point.
Apr 3, 2024 | 7:43 am
#739
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
Suggest we agree to disagree 
. It’s unclear as to how something can be very clearly NEVER said 
. Certainly something can be clearly stated but almost everything that is never said is by definition unclear .
Already did. Of course, as with most disorientation, fleeting or spatial or otherwise, that “fleeting moment (of) slight spatial disorientation” was a direct result of conflicting neural inputs, in this case Bilt’s less than clear description of the game .
. It’s unclear as to how something can be very clearly NEVER said . Certainly something can be clearly stated but almost everything that is never said is by definition unclear .Already did
. Of course, as with most disorientation, fleeting or spatial or otherwise, that “fleeting moment (of) slight spatial disorientation” was a direct result of conflicting neural inputs, in this case Bilt’s less than clear description of the game .
Apr 3, 2024 | 8:27 am
#740
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,680
Yes, ridiculous, never could clear this so I could complete that charge, did a few others online with different merchants, no issues. Wondering about next time if I want to do the same if I call ahead, maybe no issues....doubt it. Never experienced so many issues with a CC issuer, I charge quite a number of high amount(though is $10K really a high amount anymore). i think it just may be Bilt trying to prevent 10K spend on rent days, making it difficult. I'd like to earn Bilt points but not with not bonused spend unless rent, guess we will see what happens....FYI Wells Fargo reached out by email that they were looking into the the problem, doubt will matter but I have a business and personal customer so will report back
I suppose Bilt could lean on WF to be extra careful with potentially fraudulent charges, but I'd bet that WF just does the same thing, across all credit lines, and the affinity program has nothing at all to do with it.
Apr 10, 2024 | 1:02 pm
#741
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
My partner just received an email that she's suspected of having committed Fraud and her Bilt account is closed and all points forfeited.
My partner doesn't have a Bilt card or membership.
My card still works. and I barely use it, just HOA fees + small purchases.
-shrug-
My partner doesn't have a Bilt card or membership.
My card still works. and I barely use it, just HOA fees + small purchases.
-shrug-
Apr 10, 2024 | 1:08 pm
#742
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 34
Bad email
Yeah. Got the same email. I reached out. They sent it in error. Then i got the official mass email and 250 points. Ok.
Apr 10, 2024 | 1:21 pm
#743
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
Apr 10, 2024 | 1:26 pm
#744
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
Saw this on reddit:
"
From Bilt: Erroneous Account Closure Notice
From Official Bilt: Erroneous Account Closure Notice
Hey everyone, Kerr here from Bilt. We had a bad email filter set that sent out an erroneous account closure notice to many of you. Our sincere apologies for the scare. You will shortly receive a "DISREGARD" subject line email that tells you to ignore the first notice. If you got the email you will receive 250 points in your account for the scare. Sorry for the scare, your accounts are all in good standing.
​
Well....except the two of you that WERE suppose to get the email."
https://www.reddit.com/r/biltrewards/s/inTnQIcVgT
Haha. Looks like if you panic-transferred you can reach out to them, they might be able to reverse/intercept.
"
From Bilt: Erroneous Account Closure Notice
From Official Bilt: Erroneous Account Closure Notice
Hey everyone, Kerr here from Bilt. We had a bad email filter set that sent out an erroneous account closure notice to many of you. Our sincere apologies for the scare. You will shortly receive a "DISREGARD" subject line email that tells you to ignore the first notice. If you got the email you will receive 250 points in your account for the scare. Sorry for the scare, your accounts are all in good standing.
​
Well....except the two of you that WERE suppose to get the email."
https://www.reddit.com/r/biltrewards/s/inTnQIcVgT
Haha. Looks like if you panic-transferred you can reach out to them, they might be able to reverse/intercept.
Apr 10, 2024 | 3:18 pm
#745
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL DM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,803
Does she live in a Bilt Alliance building? Reports in the Reddit thread that some people who do, and had never opened a Bilt account, received the email. The property management companies must be sharing data with Bilt.
Apr 10, 2024 | 4:14 pm
#746
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
We used to! That must be it, property management definitely had both of our e-mails.
Apr 10, 2024 | 5:58 pm
#747
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriot (via SPG) Lifetime Gold
Posts: 662
I also got the fraud e-mail...sort of took my by surprise since I didn't even remember I had a Bilt account. I only joined because there was some sort of Hyatt promo last year (which I've already forgotten the details of). I got the "never mind" e-mail about an hour later. That said, I think this spurs me to close my Bilt account anyway since I don't really use it.
Apr 10, 2024 | 7:31 pm
#748
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 34
Hi there,
Please disregard the previous email you received regarding loyalty program misconduct. This was sent in error, and your account is currently in good standing. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and have added 250 points to your account as a courtesy. As always, please reach out with any questions.
Bilt Rewards Support
Please disregard the previous email you received regarding loyalty program misconduct. This was sent in error, and your account is currently in good standing. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and have added 250 points to your account as a courtesy. As always, please reach out with any questions.
Bilt Rewards Support
Apr 11, 2024 | 8:54 am
#749
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 21,476
Apr 16, 2024 | 10:59 pm
#750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Good info on the web for this card. I'm thinking getting this card. Haven't opened a new CC in so long and my credit score is well above 800 so should be fine from approval perspective.
Might as well get points for my rent since my landlord is covering the ACH gouging that AppFolio is doing to renters (ridic). And annual fee is $0.
How long does it take to get the card from online approval? Any difference applying through Bilt vs Wells Fargo website?
Might as well get points for my rent since my landlord is covering the ACH gouging that AppFolio is doing to renters (ridic). And annual fee is $0.
How long does it take to get the card from online approval? Any difference applying through Bilt vs Wells Fargo website?