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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.
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Old Oct 10, 2024 | 10:40 pm
  #1036  
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Originally Posted by gudugan
if you have Bilt Protect on it comes directly from checking account and skips your Bilt credit card balance completely. You get 1x points

you can pay with a different card but you will pay a 3% fee and earn some points. Not worth it to me
Thank you for the quick reply, now I can finally finish setting it up. No, definitely not worth the 3% to me, but I can see where it would be for someone chasing a certain balance for a bonus.

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Old Oct 11, 2024 | 6:12 am
  #1037  
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Originally Posted by notquiteaff
I think CapOne is another TAP transfer partner, but I don't have a CapOne card and am not really in the market for yet transferable currency program one at the moment. Does TAP have any good long haul sweetspots? I have only ever flown them shorthaul in Europe and used UA awards or credited to UA.

Accor = meh, I think.
We had scheduled a trip on TAP that we paid cash for (against all the rules of FT, I'm sure :P ) and then Covid hit so we had to cancel. Was like pulling teeth trying to get our money back even though most places were letting even non-refundable tickets get refunded. I found their customer service to be awful...though, it could have just been the person I dealt with.
I'm meh as well on Accor (the program) though we like some of their hotels.

The fact that they are still adding partners gives me a little (very little) hope that they will stay around for a while longer (meaning Bilt).
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Old Oct 11, 2024 | 7:28 am
  #1038  
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Originally Posted by tatterdema
I am going to send my info to the accounting clerk for our HOA for HOD payments. Am sending the routing and account number, I have all that and the bank name etc figured out. What I am not clear on, does it then come out of my regular everyday checking account with my regular bank, or can I choose to have it draw from charged to one of my credit cards?
Originally Posted by gudugan
if you have Bilt Protect on it comes directly from checking account and skips your Bilt credit card balance completely.
I may not be understanding the question correctly and Im not sure if the question refers to a Bilt Rewards Mastercard Credit Card account or only a Bilt rewards account (without Bilt Credit Card).

If the question is referring to the (as per WikiPost) Bilt Rent Account, which is a transaction bank account that can be used by you solely to make rent payments, the account and routing numbers for which are assigned upon approval for a Bilt Credit Card, then upon sending those account and routing numbers for payment of HOA fees via ACH pull, the charge for those fees will appear like any other charges on ones Bilt Credit Card activity and if 4 other transactions are made during the statement period will earn 1x Bilt points.

I believe Bilt Protect only applies to those who have a Bilt Rewards account WITHOUT an associated Bilt Rewards Credit Card or those who opened a Bilt Rewards account well BEFORE opening a Bilt Rewards Credit Card. I dont have either of those uncommon experiences, maybe someone(s) who does can confirm if my understanding is correct.
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Old Oct 11, 2024 | 7:36 am
  #1039  
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Originally Posted by Dr Jabadski
I may not be understanding the question correctly and Im not sure if the question refers to a Bilt Rewards Mastercard Credit Card account or only a Bilt rewards account (without Bilt Credit Card).

If the question is referring to the (as per WikiPost) Bilt Rent Account, which is a transaction bank account that can be used by you solely to make rent payments, the account and routing numbers for which are assigned upon approval for a Bilt Credit Card, then upon sending those account and routing numbers for payment of HOA fees via ACH pull, the charge for those fees will appear like any other charges on ones Bilt Credit Card activity and if 4 other transactions are made during the statement period will earn 1x Bilt points.

I believe Bilt Protect only applies to those who have a Bilt Rewards account WITHOUT an associated Bilt Rewards Credit Card or those who opened a Bilt Rewards account well BEFORE opening a Bilt Rewards Credit Card. I dont have either of those uncommon experiences, maybe someone(s) who does can confirm if my understanding is correct.
No, Bilt Protect just bypasses the Bilt Credit limit. E.g. if my Bilt credit limit is 5000 but my rent is 4500, I don't want my rent payment to eat up 90% of my credit limit every month, so it comes straight from my bank account instead without affecting my credit limit, and I still get points. While also having the card.
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Old Oct 11, 2024 | 9:00 am
  #1040  
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Originally Posted by fredc84
We had scheduled a trip on TAP that we paid cash for (against all the rules of FT, I'm sure :P ) and then Covid hit so we had to cancel. Was like pulling teeth trying to get our money back even though most places were letting even non-refundable tickets get refunded. I found their customer service to be awful...though, it could have just been the person I dealt with.
I'm meh as well on Accor (the program) though we like some of their hotels.

The fact that they are still adding partners gives me a little (very little) hope that they will stay around for a while longer (meaning Bilt).
I recall a number of horror studies about TAP refunds. I have stayed at a number of Accor brands and generally found them to be decent quality and consistent, but I dont need another hotel program, and from what I recall hearing, it seems to not be a very rewarding program. So for future Accor stays I would probably try to earn something in other programs with AA Hotels or more broadly RocketMiles.

Richard Kerr, in recently discussed podcast, mentioned that they had several new partners coming this fall. Hopefully (for Bilt loyalists, which I am not) this wasnt all.
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Old Oct 11, 2024 | 11:14 am
  #1041  
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Originally Posted by Smiley90
No, Bilt Protect just bypasses the Bilt Credit limit. E.g. if my Bilt credit limit is 5000 but my rent is 4500, I don't want my rent payment to eat up 90% of my credit limit every month, so it comes straight from my bank account instead without affecting my credit limit, and I still get points. While also having the card.
yes, this is what I have. Unfortunately my rent is more than my credit limit, but that's a different story...
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Old Oct 22, 2024 | 7:38 pm
  #1042  
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Question about Bilt Blade flight benefit

I am platinum level with Bilt effective early in 2024 with a question about the Blade helicopter flight benefit. I understand that the benefit is supposed to be one free Blade flight each year that I am have Platinum status. There is currently one free Blade flight showing in my Bilt rewards. My Platinum status expires 12/2025 and that is also the expiration of the one free Blade helicopter flight. Will I receive a second free flight (for a total of two flights) in January 2025 since I will be a Platinum member for all of 2025?
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Old Oct 24, 2024 | 4:31 am
  #1043  
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Originally Posted by entrada
I am platinum level with Bilt effective early in 2024 with a question about the Blade helicopter flight benefit. I understand that the benefit is supposed to be one free Blade flight each year that I am have Platinum status. There is currently one free Blade flight showing in my Bilt rewards. My Platinum status expires 12/2025 and that is also the expiration of the one free Blade helicopter flight. Will I receive a second free flight (for a total of two flights) in January 2025 since I will be a Platinum member for all of 2025?
Nope. Once for each time you earn Platinum. You earned it once, in 2024, so you get it once, so far.
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Old Oct 24, 2024 | 9:28 am
  #1044  
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Well, card was hacked/tried to use to buy Farm supplies in NC so had to call and have account closed and new account number issued etc. What is with this card?
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Old Oct 27, 2024 | 1:55 pm
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From my statement

Changes to the Guide to Benefits for Attune Mastercard, Bilt Mastercard, Choice Privileges
Mastercard, Choice Privileges Select Mastercard, One Key™ Mastercard, and One Key+™
Mastercard credit cards

Effective January 1, 2025

1. The Mastercard Airport Concierge™ section will be removed in its entirety. This benefit is still
available, and you can call 1-800-Mastercard (1-800-627-8372) for the latest benefit information.

2. In the Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services section, the following language has been modified:

In the first paragraph, the sentence “As a Mastercard cardholder, you have access to a lifestyle
manager that will help you plan your vacation — complimentary, at your convenience, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.” has been replaced with:

— “Asa Mastercard cardholder, you have access to a lifestyle concierge that will help you
plan your vacation — complimentary, at your convenience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

In the second paragraph, the sentence “*Travel and Lifestyle Services are provided by Ten
Lifestyle Group plc.” has been replaced with:

— “*Travel and Lifestyle Services are provided by a third party.”

In the third paragraph, the sentence “**Mastercard Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee: If you book
a qualifying ‘prepaid hotel rate’ or ‘pay at local hotel rate’ hotel stay through the Mastercard
Travel and Lifestyle Services program either online or through an authorized program agent
using your Mastercard and then find the same hotel room type, in the same hotel, for the same
dates, the same number of children and adults, at a lower price online, before taxes and fees,
we'll refund you the difference.” has been replaced with:

— “**Mastercard Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee: If you book a qualifying ‘prepaid’ rate or
‘postpaid’ rate hotel stay through the Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services program
either online or through an authorized program agent using your Mastercard and then
find the same hotel room type, in the same hotel, for the same dates, the same number
of children and adults, at a lower price online, before taxes and fees, we'll refund you
the difference.”

In the fourth paragraph, the sentence “***Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee: The Mastercard
Travel and Lifestyle Services Hotel Stay Guarantee is simple — if you book your three-star
or higher hotel stay through the Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services program and
you encounter problems with the hotel, contact Ten Lifestyle Group plc, the designated
travel agent for the Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services program at Toll-free (US)
1-855-802-1387 during your stay and a Ten lifestyle manager will attempt to make it right for
the remainder of your stay by working directly with the hotel to try to resolve your issue or will
make efforts to find you comparable accommodations.” has been replaced with:

“*** Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee: The Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services Hotel
Stay Guarantee is simple — if you book your three-star or higher hotel stay through the
Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services program and you encounter problems with the
hotel, contact Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services Toll-free (US) 1-855-802-1387
during your stay and a lifestyle concierge will attempt to make it right for the remainder of
your stay by working directly with the hotel to try to resolve your issue or will make efforts
to find you comparable accommodations.”

As of the above effective dates, your updated Guide to Benefits can be located at:

wellsfargo.com/attunebenefits for Attune Mastercard;
wellsfargo.com/biltbenefits for Bilt Mastercard;
wellsfargo.com/choicebenefits for Choice Privileges Mastercard;
wellsfargo.com/choiceselectbenefits for Choice Privileges Select Mastercard;
wellsfargo.com/onekeybenefits for One Key™ Mastercard;
wellsfargo.com/onekeyplusbenefits for One Key+™ Mastercard.

You can also call the number on the back of your card to request a paper copy of the updated terms.
We accept relay calls, including 711.



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Old Oct 27, 2024 | 2:48 pm
  #1046  
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Originally Posted by tattikat2
Well, card was hacked/tried to use to buy Farm supplies in NC so had to call and have account closed and new account number issued etc. What is with this card?
iirc its not a bilt issue, its a Wells Fargo issue. I think it was something that the card numbers and cvc numbers arnt random and can easily be guessed or something to that effect.
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Old Oct 28, 2024 | 7:23 am
  #1047  
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Originally Posted by FlyerAVL
iirc its not a bilt issue, its a Wells Fargo issue. I think it was something that the card numbers and cvc numbers arnt random and can easily be guessed or something to that effect.
I actually do think that was Bilt's fault. They wanted to be able to present a number immediately upon approval so customers could use these online right away and add them to their digital wallets. But the algorithm they used was either hacked or guessed or something and people seem to be able to replicate some part of it. Wells Fargo clearly has much, much more experience producing card numbers.
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Old Oct 28, 2024 | 5:33 pm
  #1048  
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From today’s Bilt rent day email:

How to make the most of your points this month:

  • You can now redeem your Bilt Points with two new travel partners - TAP Air Portugal and Accor (which can be used for stays at Fairmont, Raffles, SLS, Mondrian, and more!).
  • Enjoy a 50% transfer bonus when transferring points to British Airways Avios this Rent Day.
  • Upgrade your holiday gatherings by redeeming points on our home collection collab with Martha Stewart, which includes her new signature cookbook (her 100th book!). To celebrate this milestone, 15 lucky Bilt Members who purchase the book will receive a signed copy.

50% bonus to BA isn’t bad, but I don’t have enough points to allow for a transfer, and I still have a ton of BA points.

What is Bilt’s core target audience going to think about the Martha Stewart promotion?
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Old Oct 28, 2024 | 7:07 pm
  #1049  
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I got 100% in my email (Platinum).
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Old Oct 29, 2024 | 9:28 am
  #1050  
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Originally Posted by josephstern
I got 100% in my email (Platinum).
I am a Bilt Dirt member, so I guess its a 50% minimum.
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