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
Aug 21, 2024 | 1:02 pm
#976
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,072
As I said, I don't pay rent (or HOA fees) so getting the credit card would not impact any earnings beyond the credit card. Maybe Bilt has a ton of members who, like me, don't actually rent. Also, there are probably a ton of "conservative" renters who don't want another credit card. If you visit personal finance forums, you will find plenty of people who have one or at most two cards and zero interest in getting more.
I agree that if I was a renter, I would have been more inclined to get a Bilt Mastercard, too. But if we igore the (unpredictable) rent day transfer bonuses, the earnings of the card didn't really beat other cards in my fleet (say, my CSR), so without a guaranteed SUB I was never convinced that getting the card was worthwhile for me.
I agree that if I was a renter, I would have been more inclined to get a Bilt Mastercard, too. But if we igore the (unpredictable) rent day transfer bonuses, the earnings of the card didn't really beat other cards in my fleet (say, my CSR), so without a guaranteed SUB I was never convinced that getting the card was worthwhile for me.
There is no SUB. The category bonuses (dining, travel) are mediocre compared to other cards. The double bonus on rent day is competitive, but I have several other cards that do not limit everyday spend bonus to 12 days and instead offer 2/$1 on everyday spend 24/7/365.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said for BILT is that points transfer to AS, so maybe the card is useful if that is your ultimate goal (as the BofA AS card is even weaker for everyday spend). But otherwise I see no reason to waste a 5/24 slot on this card (already did that way too may times, e.g. JCB Marukai, CNB Crystal, X1).
Or am I missing something??
Aug 21, 2024 | 3:14 pm
#977
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,682
Yes, I am at a loss to understand the appeal of this card for non-renters.
There is no SUB. The category bonuses (dining, travel) are mediocre compared to other cards. The double bonus on rent day is competitive, but I have several other cards that do not limit everyday spend bonus to 12 days and instead offer 2/$1 on everyday spend 24/7/365.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said for BILT is that points transfer to AS, so maybe the card is useful if that is your ultimate goal (as the BofA AS card is even weaker for everyday spend). But otherwise I see no reason to waste a 5/24 slot on this card (already did that way too may times, e.g. JCB Marukai, CNB Crystal, X1).
Or am I missing something??
There is no SUB. The category bonuses (dining, travel) are mediocre compared to other cards. The double bonus on rent day is competitive, but I have several other cards that do not limit everyday spend bonus to 12 days and instead offer 2/$1 on everyday spend 24/7/365.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said for BILT is that points transfer to AS, so maybe the card is useful if that is your ultimate goal (as the BofA AS card is even weaker for everyday spend). But otherwise I see no reason to waste a 5/24 slot on this card (already did that way too may times, e.g. JCB Marukai, CNB Crystal, X1).
Or am I missing something??
If you have another way to get 2x on otherwise non-bonused categories, I'm all ears.
It's also a decent all-around card for people who don't want to pay an annual fee, eat out some, and travel internationally some.
Aug 21, 2024 | 3:32 pm
#978
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
For Hyatt people, AFAIK, this card is the only way to get 2x on spend like tax payments (I know, gone 10/1), insurance payments, medical bills, etc. So for the last few years, it's been great for non-renters who stay at Hyatts.
If you have another way to get 2x on otherwise non-bonused categories, I'm all ears.
If you have another way to get 2x on otherwise non-bonused categories, I'm all ears.
Aug 21, 2024 | 3:49 pm
#979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,072
For Hyatt people, AFAIK, this card is the only way to get 2x on spend like tax payments (I know, gone 10/1), insurance payments, medical bills, etc. So for the last few years, it's been great for non-renters who stay at Hyatts.
If you have another way to get 2x on otherwise non-bonused categories, I'm all ears.
It's also a decent all-around card for people who don't want to pay an annual fee, eat out some, and travel internationally some.
If you have another way to get 2x on otherwise non-bonused categories, I'm all ears.
It's also a decent all-around card for people who don't want to pay an annual fee, eat out some, and travel internationally some.
There are several 2x/$1 spend cards including Cap1 Venture, Cap1 Spark Miles, Citi Double Cash, Amex Blue+ Unfortunately the best Chase cards only offer 1.5/$1 so not as good if your ultimate destination is Hyatt.
Aug 21, 2024 | 8:09 pm
#980
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 552
Yes, I am at a loss to understand the appeal of this card for non-renters.
There is no SUB. The category bonuses (dining, travel) are mediocre compared to other cards. The double bonus on rent day is competitive, but I have several other cards that do not limit everyday spend bonus to 12 days and instead offer 2/$1 on everyday spend 24/7/365.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said for BILT is that points transfer to AS, so maybe the card is useful if that is your ultimate goal (as the BofA AS card is even weaker for everyday spend). But otherwise I see no reason to waste a 5/24 slot on this card (already did that way too may times, e.g. JCB Marukai, CNB Crystal, X1).
Or am I missing something??
There is no SUB. The category bonuses (dining, travel) are mediocre compared to other cards. The double bonus on rent day is competitive, but I have several other cards that do not limit everyday spend bonus to 12 days and instead offer 2/$1 on everyday spend 24/7/365.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said for BILT is that points transfer to AS, so maybe the card is useful if that is your ultimate goal (as the BofA AS card is even weaker for everyday spend). But otherwise I see no reason to waste a 5/24 slot on this card (already did that way too may times, e.g. JCB Marukai, CNB Crystal, X1).
Or am I missing something??
Aug 21, 2024 | 9:35 pm
#981
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,667
Aug 21, 2024 | 10:02 pm
#982
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,864
Aug 21, 2024 | 10:16 pm
#983
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
Of course, as with everything in this (points and miles) game; different strokes for different folks, one person’s meat is another person’s poison and it all depends (on several different factors).
(Geez, I feel like a professional athlete: so many clichs, so little time
.)
Aug 22, 2024 | 5:40 am
#984
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 18,127
That exact more effort, along with occasional lost/counterfeit/used GCs, is a dealbreaker for some or many people. Not as bad as MS which requires a visit to Walmart Customer Service, for which I personally would rather gouge out my own eyeballs with a hot fire poker, but for some/many people that juice isnt worth the squeeze.
Of course, as with everything in this (points and miles) game; different strokes for different folks, one persons meat is another persons poison and it all depends (on several different factors).
(Geez, I feel like a professional athlete: so many clichs, so little time.)
Of course, as with everything in this (points and miles) game; different strokes for different folks, one persons meat is another persons poison and it all depends (on several different factors).
(Geez, I feel like a professional athlete: so many clichs, so little time
.)
Aug 22, 2024 | 6:17 am
#985
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,667
Have only had the card for about a year, so haven't redeemed any points yet (I don't usually make speculative transfers). When the time comes, will likely transfer the points to either BA, VS, AF/KLM, or maybe AC.
Aug 22, 2024 | 10:31 am
#986
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
That exact more effort, along with occasional lost/counterfeit/used GCs, is a dealbreaker for some or many people. Not as bad as MS which requires a visit to Walmart Customer Service, for which I personally would rather gouge out my own eyeballs with a hot fire poker, but for some/many people that juice isnt worth the squeeze.
And yes, there are times when I think I should just get a 2% cashback card and simplify my life. But that thought quickly vanishes when I sit in that comfy J seat on the way to Europe
But the 2% card is the right choice for many people who aren't interested in investing a lot of time in this hobby.
Aug 22, 2024 | 11:14 am
#987
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
That being said, all of my miles and points earning today comes from optimizing my spend based on category bonuses for each card in my (now mostly digital) wallet, Bilt offers an easy way to get points for rent (or HOA fees). While it would be possible to go the Chase Ink route, the cost of the Visa/MC gift cards plus the $2.95 flat fee that the payment processor for our HOA's management company levies would not make the spread worth it.
If it works for your use case, and you're able to swing 5x for all of your spend, that's fantastic. In my case, Bilt allowed me to go from earning 0x to 1x on my HOA fees and a zero effort 2x on Rent Day for purchases that I can time.
Aug 22, 2024 | 2:25 pm
#988
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,072
As noted above, the question now (for those of us who don't currently hold the card) is whether it is worth wasting a 5/24 slot on this card especially now that the rent day bonus is capped at $1k in spend. The 5x bonus discussion on the Chase card is irrelevant, and I'm not going to spend $1k dining on the first of the month. So it really boils down to an extra 1000 points on everyday spend - which I already get elsewhere 24/7/365 (no special timing needed).
Aug 22, 2024 | 2:47 pm
#989
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
One consideration I have now is the uncertainty of Bilt's viability. It would be unfortunate for Bilt to go bust and having Wells Fargo product change everyone to one of their in house cards without any sign up bonus.
Aug 22, 2024 | 7:45 pm
#990
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 main “pros” were/are:
- The prospect of ending the intense annoyance of a significant (approximately 10% of my annual credit card charges) monthly payment being non-pointsetized*.
- Once I decided it would be a one-time application (not churned), I viewed it as taking (not wasting) a 5/lifetime slot (not a 5/24 slot). It only counts toward 5/24 for 2 years and this game is a marathon, not a sprint.
Much as I think Bilt’s business model is not sustainable, I do think it will last for at least another few years. With any luck, Bilt will motivate competitors, maybe Chase or AmEx, to start a similar process (to pointsetize rent and HOA payments).
* (From the WikiPost) “I’m 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.”)