Bilt Rewards: How the Program Works
Earn Bilt Points on rent, mortgage payments, dining and travel, plus a new Bilt Cash currency for more redemptions.
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Updated · 8 min read
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Update: Another change from Bilt
On Jan. 16, 2026, just two days after Bilt unveiled the company's new lineup of credit cards and the revised rules around earning rewards for housing payments, the company's founder and CEO announced modifications to those rules. In an email to Bit members and a post on Reddit, Ankur Jain said Bilt cardholders will have now two options for earning rewards on rent or mortgage payments:
- One option is the "Bilt Cash" system that was introduced with the rollout of the new cards. With this option, if you want to earn rewards on your housing payments, you'll need to cover a 3% processing fee. You can do that with "Bilt Cash," a rewards currency you earn on non-housing payments, or by paying cash out of pocket.
- The other option is a tiered rewards system, in which the number of points you earn on each dollar of your housing payment is tied to how much you use your Bilt credit card for other spending, relative to the size of your rent or mortgage payment. For example, if your non-housing spending equals 25% of your monthly housing spending, you earn 0.5 points per dollar on housing. If non-housing spending is 75%, the earning rate rises to 1 point per dollar. At 100%, you earn 1.25 points per dollar.
These latest modifications further complicate a rewards system that already had many Bilt members struggling to figure out their best path forward. The article below was completed before the Jan. 16 announcement. We will be updating this article as we learn more about the new rules.
The Bilt Rewards program famously lets you earn points by paying rent — and more recently, mortgages. But with its 2026 overhaul, those options have gotten less lucrative. In February, the loyalty program will go from one credit card to three, while also adding a new currency called Bilt Cash (which exists alongside its other currency, Bilt Points). Here’s everything you need to know about Bilt Rewards, including what’s new for 2026.
On this page
Bilt 2.0: What’s changing in 2026
Bilt completely revamped its offerings with three new credit cards, which will launch on Feb. 7, 2026.
The Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard is going away
As of Nov. 5, 2025, the Wells Fargo Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stopped accepting new applications. Existing cardholders can continue using their cards as normal through Feb. 6, 2026.
Between now and Jan. 30, 2026, they can select one of the new Bilt 2.0 cards to receive them in time for the card launches (more on those later). Those cards will be activated on Feb. 7, 2026.
After Feb. 6, 2026, you can still access statements and make payments on your Wells Fargo card balance by visiting wellsfargo.com or calling 1-833-404-2272. When you transition to a Bilt 2.0 card, you can transfer your balance from the Wells Fargo account. Your Wells Fargo account will be closed automatically if you choose that option.
If you keep the Wells Fargo account open, it will convert to a Wells Fargo Autograph® Card with a different card number. Note that the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card earns Wells Fargo Rewards points, not Bilt points.
The new Bilt card lineup is going live
Bilt announced three new credit cards with different annual fees, earning rates and benefits: the Bilt Blue Card ($0 annual fee), the Bilt Obsidian Card ($95 annual fee) and the Bilt Palladium Card ($495 annual fee). Current Bilt cardholders can preorder these cards starting Jan. 14, 2026.
All three Bilt cards will offer:
- Unlimited 1x points on rent and mortgage payments (when you pay a 3% fee, which can be covered with Bilt Cash; see below).
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Ability to earn across multiple homes.
- No annual cap on housing rewards.
The key difference is that the old Wells Fargo card had straightforward earning rates, while the new cards introduce a dual-currency system where you earn both Bilt points AND Bilt Cash simultaneously.
Bilt Cash launched
Bilt Cash is a new currency that launched in 2026, and it’s separate from Bilt points. It can be redeemed with merchants in Bilt’s network ($1 of Bilt Cash is equal to $1 of eligible Bilt network purchases) or it can be used to unlock points earnings on rent and mortgages. But in general, the former is a more valuable option.
Previously, you could pay your rent with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card and earn one Bilt point per $1 spent on rent payments, on up to 100,000 points per calendar year with no transaction fees. All you had to do was make five transactions per month on your card. But other than that, it was a straightforward way to pay rent and earn points.
With the 2026 changes, housing payments are no longer truly fee-free.
Now, you’ll have to pay a transaction fee of 3% — which can be covered with Bilt Cash — to earn those points. In practice, that means that if your rent is $1,000, you’ll need to pay $30 in Bilt Cash to earn 1x points on your Bilt card. If your rent is $2,000, you’ll need to pay $60 in Bilt Cash. And so on. If you can get at least 3 cents of value out of each point, this structure can work. But for most people, it means that paying your rent and mortgages with your Bilt cards for the rewards no longer makes sense.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Bilt Cash expires on Dec. 31 of each calendar year, though Bilt allows you to roll over $100 onto the next year. On the other hand, Bilt points don’t expire. What the new Bilt cards offer
Bilt Blue Card: $0 annual fee
This is the no-annual-fee option designed as an entry point to the Bilt ecosystem.
Earning rates:
- 1x Bilt points plus 4% back in Bilt Cash on all purchases.
- 1x points on rent/mortgage (requires 3% fee, payable in Bilt Cash; more on that below).
Welcome bonus:
- $100 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
Card network: World Elite Mastercard.
Who it's for: People who want to start earning points on rent without an annual fee, or those who don't spend enough to justify a premium card. The 4% Bilt Cash earning is competitive for a no-annual-fee card, but the flat 1x point earning on non-housing spend is low compared to other cash-back cards.
Is it worth it? To maximize this card’s value, you'll need to actually use your Bilt Cash, either for credits in the Bilt network or to unlock points on housing payments. If you let Bilt Cash expire unused, you're essentially earning just 1x points everywhere, which is not great.
Bilt Obsidian Card: $95 annual fee
This is a category-bonus card that rewards spending in everyday categories.
Earning rates:
- 3x points on dining OR grocery (your choice, up to $25,000/year on groceries) + 4% Bilt Cash.
- 2x points on travel + 4% Bilt Cash.
- 1x points on everything else + 4% Bilt Cash.
- 1x points on rent/mortgage (requires Bilt Cash or 3% fee).
Category selection rules:
- You must choose whether you want your bonus category to be dining or grocery within 30 days of approval. If you don’t choose, the default is dining.
- You can then change your bonus category yearly, but only in January.
Additional benefits:
- $100 hotel credit through Bilt Travel portal (split into two $50 semiannual credits).
- There’s a two-night minimum stay required for the hotel credit to kick in.
Welcome bonus:
- $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
Card network: World Elite Mastercard.
Who it's for: People who can maximize the 3x category (that's people who spend a lot on groceries or dining) and will use the $100 hotel credit. Even if you choose groceries as your 3x category, that $25,000 annual cap is generous; that's up to $2,083 in category spending per month.
Value analysis: To break even on the $95 annual fee, you'd need to use the $100 hotel credit (assuming you'd book those hotels anyway). The 3x earnings in your chosen category is strong, though it’s not industry-leading and you may find better grocery or dining rewards credit cards out there. The real value comes from stacking the 4% Bilt Cash on top of those point earnings.
Bilt Palladium Card: $495 annual fee
Bilt's premium offering looks to compete with premium travel cards such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Earning rates:
- 2x points on all purchases + 4% Bilt Cash.
- 1x points on rent/mortgage (requires Bilt Cash or 3% fee).
Additional benefits:
- $400 hotel credit through Bilt Travel portal (split into two $200 semiannual credits).
- 2-night minimum stay required for hotel credit.
- $200 annual Bilt Cash credit (at account creation, then annually).
- Gold elite status with Bilt after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This is valid for the rest of the year it was earned and the following year.
Welcome bonus:
- 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
First year Bilt Cash: Palladium cardholders receive $500 total in year one ($300 welcome bonus plus $200 annual credit).
Card network: World Legend Mastercard (Bilt's only World Legend card, which comes with better Mastercard benefits than the other Bilt cards).
Who it's for: High spenders who want a flat-rate earning structure and who will use the travel credits and Priority Pass access.
Value analysis: The math on this card is interesting. You're paying $495 but getting $400 hotel credit, $200 Bilt Cash and Priority Pass. If you use all the credits, you're already ahead. What’s also nice is that the flat 2X earning is competitive against other similar cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Plus, with this you're also earning 4% Bilt Cash on everything.
But if you won't use the hotel credits or Priority Pass, you may be better off with a different premium card.
How to earn Bilt points
To start earning Bilt points, you'll need to sign up for a free Bilt Rewards account through the Bilt app or website.
Spend money on your Bilt card
Earnings rates vary by card. You’ll get 1x to 3x points per dollar spent, depending on the card and bonus categories. You also have the option of using Bilt Cash to cover the 3% fee to unlock uncapped 1x point earnings on your rent or mortgage payments — but in most cases, that’s not the most valuable use of Bilt Cash.
How the cards compare
Annual fee
- $0
- $95
- $495
Rewards on rent/mortgage payments
Up to 1x points.
Up to 1x points.
Up to 1x points.
Rewards on other spending
- 1x points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases.
- 3x points on your choice of dining or grocery + 4% back in Bilt Cash (on up to $25K in spending per year in the grocery category). Your choice category may be changed once a year.
- 2x points on travel + 4% back in Bilt Cash.
- 1x points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases.
- 2x points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases.
Welcome offer
$100 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
$200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
Anniversary bonus
None.
None.
Annual $200 Bilt Cash credit.
Additional perks
- Multiple transfer partners.
- Multiple transfer partners.
- $100 Bilt Travel portal hotel credit, split semi-annually, per calendar year. (Minimum two-night stay required.)
- Multiple transfer partners.
- $400 Bilt Travel portal hotel credit, split semi-annually, per calendar year. (Minimum two-night stay required.)
- Priority Pass airport lounge access. (Two guests allowed on every visit.)
Authorized user fee
$0.
$50.
$95.
APR
The ongoing APR is 26.74%-34.74% Variable APR
The ongoing APR is 26.74%-34.74% Variable APR
The ongoing APR is 26.74%-34.74% Variable APR
Foreign transaction fee
- $0
- $0
- $0
Dine or Shop with Bilt Neighborhood Partners
Bilt partners with more than 45,000 businesses, including restaurants and fitness studios to offer bonus rewards when you pay with your Bilt card — or even a non-Bilt card linked to your Bilt account.
You can find Bilt’s partners in the Neighborhood tab in the Bilt app or website. Offers vary by exact business, but you may find the ability to earn 3x Bilt points at your local pizza joint, or perhaps 100 Bilt points when you refill a prescription at an eligible pharmacy.
Purchase a home through eXp Realty
Bilt lets you earn 1 Bilt point for every $2 spent on the total closing price of your home when you make a house purchase through an eXp Realty agent. You can find qualifying homes through the Buy a Home tab on Bilt’s app or website. You can also simply connect with any eXp agent and mention that you’re using them to earn Bilt points. Points will be distributed 30 days after closing on your home.
Book a Lyft ride
Bilt members can earn 2 points per $1 spent with Lyft when you link your Lyft and Bilt accounts through the Bilt app.
Should you pay your rent or mortgage to earn points with Bilt?
Generally, it doesn’t make sense to pay your rent or mortgage with Bilt to earn 1x points on housing payments with your Bilt credit card — unless you’re able to redeem your points for more than 3 cents apiece, which is hard to do, even with the most valuable transfer partners. NerdWallet values Bilt points at 1.8 cents each.
Even if you have enough Bilt Cash to cover the 3% transaction fee, you’d likely be better off redeeming that Bilt Cash at a dollar-for-dollar value within the Bilt network on purchases like:
- Lyft rides.
- Hotel bookings through Bilt.
- Fitness class bookings.
- Mobile dining orders.
- Bilt Collection merchandise.
- GoPuff deliveries.
Here are some cases where paying your rent or mortgage with Bilt to earn points makes sense, mathematically, despite the 3% fee:
You want to earn a sign-up bonus on a non-Bilt card. If you're working toward a welcome bonus on another credit card and need to meet minimum spending requirements, paying rent through Bilt with that card could make sense — despite the 3% fee. When you pay rent with a non-Bilt credit card, you can earn 1 point per $2 spent. That's not enough to offset the fee, but if it helps you meet a spending requirement for a sign-up bonus, the payoff could be worth it.
You’re planning to get more than 3 cents out of each Bilt point. In rare cases, you might be able to extract more than 3 cents per point from Bilt by using the most valuable transfer partners to jump on high-value redemptions. Deals like these are most common with first or business class airfares on international flights, or with high-end hotel stays. If you have the flexibility to book deals like this consistently, paying the 3% fee with Bilt Cash (or your own cash) to earn 1x points on housing payments could be worthwhile.
You plan to take advantage of transfer bonuses: Occasionally, transfer bonuses pop up that can make Bilt points even more valuable when transferred to that airline or hotel loyalty partner. These are rare, but if one appears, then it also makes Bilt points more valuable (and earning points through rent or mortgage payments more attractive).
Bilt elite status
The Bilt Rewards elite status program provides benefits like increased transfer bonuses to travel partners on Rent Day. Elite status can be earned in two ways — through the total number of points earned throughout the year (including from rent and mortgage payments) — or through eligible total spend on a Bilt credit card and within the Bilt ecosystem with any linked card (excluding rent and mortgage payments). Points earned from referrals, surveys or campaign bonus points do not count toward elite status qualification.
The status tiers, qualification requirements and benefits of each tier include:
| Status tier | How to qualify? | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Enroll in Bilt Rewards. |
|
| Silver | Earn 50,000 Bilt points or spend $10,000 in the Bilt ecosystem (excluding rent or mortgage payments). | All Blue level benefits, plus:
|
| Gold | Earn 125,000 Bilt points or spend $25,000 in the Bilt ecosystem (excluding rent or mortgage payments). | All Silver level benefits, plus:
|
| Platinum | Earn 200,000 Bilt points or spend $50,000 in the Bilt ecosystem (excluding rent or mortgage payments). | All Gold level benefits, plus:
|
Palladium perk: The Palladium card offers a shortcut to Gold status when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Gold status is valid for the rest of the year earned plus the following year.
The best ways to redeem Bilt points
Most people will redeem their Bilt Cash so they don’t have to pay transaction fees on their rent or mortgage payments. Bilt points, though, offer much more in the way of redemptions, particularly if you’re interested in Bilt’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
Transfer Bilt points to hotel and airline loyalty programs
Bilt points are generally most valuable when transferred to its list of more than 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Complete list of Bilt transfer partners
- British Airways Club (Avios).
Of the transfer partners, some are more valuable than others. Here are some of the best Bilt transfer partners:
| Transfer partner | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 1.8 cents. |
| Alaska Airlines | 1.2 cents. |
| Southwest Airlines | 1.3 cents. |
| British Airways Avios | 1.2 cents. |
| United MileagePlus | 1.2 cents. |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1.1 cents. |
» Learn more: The guide to Bilt transfer partners
Use the Bilt Travel portal
Your Bilt points are worth 1.25 cents each when you use them to book flights, stays and other travel through Bilt’s travel portal. That means 10,000 points are worth $125; an OK value, but not as good as you can get with transfer partners. For example, NerdWallet values World of Hyatt points at 1.8 cents each, or 44% higher than the value you’ll get from using Bilt’s travel portal.
Redeem for a home down payment
Bilt lets you redeem points towards a home down payment at an outstanding value of 1.5 cents per point (where 10,000 points equals $150). That’s not as good as you’ll find with some travel partners, but down payments require paying a lump sum of cash, so exchanging points to preserve cash could be a great value. You’ll need to submit lease or home purchase verification before you can redeem points.
Other OK ways to redeem Bilt points
Besides transferring points to partners, Bilt offers many other ways to redeem points, including for gift cards, Amazon purchases, Lyft rides and fitness classes. These typically don’t make for great redemptions in terms of maximizing value, but they can make sense particularly if you don’t intend to travel any time soon.
All information about the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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