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
#751
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
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?
I didn't realize you could apply through the WF website.
#752




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
). Post #332 on this thread has detailed card shipment information and images of shipping box. Participants on this thread are very helpful.
Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Apr 28, 2024 at 9:49 am Reason: link added
#753
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Well just for info point. Got approved on a Wed night. Card shipped out USPS from Omaha on Friday and received in large Calif metro area on Monday.
I also received an email after I registered that I was going to get 5X points on all purchases except rent and any variation of money transferring, cash equivalents, etc. for five days from receipt of the email so assume I have till April 27, for up to $10,000 spend.
I buy something online, then get a Wells Fargo fraud alert to call and I call and the transaction was approved. Why alert me...
#754
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
Well just for info point. Got approved on a Wed night. Card shipped out USPS from Omaha on Friday and received in large Calif metro area on Monday.
I also received an email after I registered that I was going to get 5X points on all purchases except rent and any variation of money transferring, cash equivalents, etc. for five days from receipt of the email so assume I have till April 27, for up to $10,000 spend.
Wed 4/17 (night) applied and approved
Fri 4/19 card shipped
Mon 4/22 card received
I don’t quite understand what you mean by “I registered” - perhaps when you received the card and confirmed that to WF? Other people seemed to indicate in the past that Bilt is tracking the shipment and that delivery triggers the email - which would still match your timeline.
Thanks!
#755
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
The 5x is really on $12,500 worth of spend . . .
#756

Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
HOA
I am considering this card, but like others I want to be sure I can use it outside of actual rent payments as I do not rent. However, I do have sizable condo fees. They are assessed biannually.
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
#757




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 topic and questions for a first post
!
Good thinking, for some people the #1 concern.
Not a “workaround” in the traditional sense of the word. Many here and on other forums report earning Bilt points for HOA fees paid via Bilt ACH without any other contortions. (I was a skeptic until I first earned Bilt points for my condo HOA fees 6 months ago, no effort beyond Bilt application, providing property management company with new ACH routing & account numbers, 4-5 other small transactions each month, paying credit card bill; I’m now a grateful believer and sometimes non-paid Wiki-authoring cheerleading shill
.)
Size (in this situation
) does not seem to matter, few (if any) reports of rent (or HOA) payments not earning Bilt points due to size.
Few, if any, reports regarding biannual rent/HOA payments. In all likelihood if your property management company did a monthly ACH withdrawal from your Bilt Rent Account (quasi bank account, see Wiki) you would earn Bilt points. Biannual withdrawal might be a first, please let us know how it goes.
.)
) does not seem to matter, few (if any) reports of rent (or HOA) payments not earning Bilt points due to size.Few, if any, reports regarding biannual rent/HOA payments. In all likelihood if your property management company did a monthly ACH withdrawal from your Bilt Rent Account (quasi bank account, see Wiki) you would earn Bilt points. Biannual withdrawal might be a first, please let us know how it goes.
#758
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
I am considering this card, but like others I want to be sure I can use it outside of actual rent payments as I do not rent. However, I do have sizable condo fees. They are assessed biannually.
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
Having the payment be twice a year IS weird and different though, so that might complicate things... can you pay them monthly instead?
#759

Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
I have a call into someone in reference to possibly making monthly payments. But also have a large assessment that will be requested in the next week (separate from HOA dues) that I also was hoping to find a way to get point benefits and I doubt theres any way to divide that. Im thinking, unless I can find a way to divide these in a more consistent fashion throughout the year, it would be too big a gamble too apply for this card. Thank you all for your input. Great information in this thread in reference to BILT.
#760
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
I've been wondering if they've grandfathered many of us in on HOA/condo fees and that they maybe don't allow it for new accounts.
When I started mine, the chat had an autoreply that said it was OK. Now it's the reverse.
When I started mine, the chat had an autoreply that said it was OK. Now it's the reverse.
#761
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
"We allow one payment using the Rent Rewards Account each month and the Rent Rewards Account can only be used for rent payments in an online portal when paying with a credit card or debit card other than the Bilt Mastercard. If you're using the Bilt Mastercard, potential charges billed by landlords can include Rent, Security Deposit, Electric / Gas Bill, HOA Fees, Application Fee, College Living (not tuition), Internet, etc. Please note that if you submit more than one payment per month and/or for charges Bilt's team classifies as non-rent, your payment may be rejected."
https://www.reddit.com/r/biltrewards...mklv/hoa_dues/
#762




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
My HOA fees are assessed monthly, and there is a $2.95 fee to pull an ACH payment. This means that there are two transactions if I have my property management company pull the payment. I like to prepay the HOA assessment to amortize the ACH fee across multiple months, and Bilt hasn't had an issue with this so far. (I've done 3 such payments.)
#763


Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 413
I am considering this card, but like others I want to be sure I can use it outside of actual rent payments as I do not rent. However, I do have sizable condo fees. They are assessed biannually.
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
I am not sure if they can be broken down monthly and I will inquire. But if I did have to pay them twice a year if Im able to do so via ACH transfer with these qualify? Or would they be flagged because they would only be twice a year and sizable? I am aware I would have to make additional transactions per month to earn the points. I just dont want to waste a credit card slot for one that may not work for me.
Via the chat and a direct call, I was told HOA fees do not qualify, but there seems to be a workaround with the ACH transfer(?)
I, too, don't have a rent payment. I have 2 main reasons for keeping and using the Bilt card -
- it's my only way of getting 2x points on a transferrable currency that transfers to Hyatt (albeit only on the first of the month, and on up to $10K spend - I can plan these expenses)
- they have had some great transfer bonuses
#764




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
My HOA fees are assessed monthly, and there is a $2.95 fee to pull an ACH payment. This means that there are two transactions if I have my property management company pull the payment. I like to prepay the HOA assessment to amortize the ACH fee across multiple months, and Bilt hasn't had an issue with this so far. (I've done 3 such payments.)
Please educate, do you send a Bilt ACH payment via the Bilt website or app OR via WF website or app? Anything unique about doing it via Bilt? Ever try it for anything other than rent/HOA fees? Ever try it more than once a month? Thank you.
Have these payments been initiated by your property management company withdrawing an ACH payment from Bilt/WF OR by having Bilt/WF send an ACH payment. If the latter, perhaps you would be kind enough to reply to the questions above (in this post). Thank you.
#765




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
My apologies if I’m incorrectly reading between the lines, this post infers (to me) that you’ve “pushed” (sent) ACH payments (3 times) via Bilt. I’m familiar with having my HOA fees paid via Bilt by having my property management company “pull” (withdraw) an ACH payment from Bilt/WF each month, just as they used to do from a traditional checking account, originally initiated by providing the property management company with my Bilt Rent Account routing and account numbers. I’m completely unfamiliar with how to push/send an ACH payment from my Bilt Rent Account. (I’m also familiar with more traditional bank website/app Bill Pay functions whereby ACH payments can be scheduled to be sent to any of many different “biller”s which have been entered to one’s account.)
Please educate, do you send a Bilt ACH payment via the Bilt website or app OR via WF website or app? Anything unique about doing it via Bilt? Ever try it for anything other than rent/HOA fees? Ever try it more than once a month? Thank you.
Please educate, do you send a Bilt ACH payment via the Bilt website or app OR via WF website or app? Anything unique about doing it via Bilt? Ever try it for anything other than rent/HOA fees? Ever try it more than once a month? Thank you.
As for the last two questions, the answer is yes, by accident. One of my utilities requires that account holders designate a checking account as the default payment method in order to receive discounts. However, one can make a manual payment with a credit card without any fees. I therefore have the Bilt ACH account as the placeholder account but manually initiate a credit card payment each month to bring my balance to $0. In January, I mistakenly submitted a payment using the ACH account information from Bilt, and I was concerned because I had already done my HOA 6-month prepayment (plus the $2.95 ACH fee as a separate transaction) earlier in the billing cycle. However, all 3 transactions posted successfully, and I received 1x points for all 3 transactions.
I don't know if there is a threshold of ACH transactions, such as 12 per year, or other manual review. However, I wouldn't be surprised if there was additional scrutiny of transactions that use the ACH account that Bilt provides. I'll report back if there are any issues with continuing the 6-month cadence paying my HOA fees.



