As someone who loves to travel, I’m always on the lookout for ways to earn more points and miles through my everyday spending. By doing this, I manage to accumulate over a million points every year, which allows me to enjoy free flights, hotel stays, upgrades, lounge access, elite status, and more. Collecting these points has saved me a ton of money over the years and has enabled me to travel more frequently than I would have otherwise.
One challenge I’ve faced is finding ways to earn points for my rent, which has traditionally been a tough expense to tackle in terms of earning rewards. In the past, people resorted to temporary offers that waived credit card fees or went through complex processes to pay rent with their cards just to earn points. However, these methods were inconsistent and short-lived, leaving many potential points unclaimed.
But now, there’s a game-changer on the scene: the Bilt Mastercard®. With this card, you can earn points on your rent (up to 100,000 Bilt Points per year) without incurring any transaction fees. It’s revolutionized the way we can earn rewards on our rent payments.
What exactly is Bilt? It’s a credit card that allows you to earn points not only on your rent but also on everyday purchases. You can then use these points in various ways, from booking travel directly to transferring them to travel partners or exploring other redemption options. There are two primary ways to earn Bilt points: renting a property within the Bilt Alliance network or using the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®.
When you sign up for a Bilt Mastercard® (which is issued by Wells Fargo and comes with no annual fee), you can easily set up your monthly rental payments through the Bilt app or website. Bilt creates a unique bank account linked to your credit card specifically for rent payments, ensuring your rent is paid via e-check rather than directly with your credit card. This method helps bypass credit card processing fees. You still need to link your personal bank account to pay off your card each month.
If your rental property only accepts checks, don’t worry. You can still pay with your Bilt card through the Bilt Rewards app, and Bilt will handle sending the check for you. Setting up the process takes just about five minutes, and you’ll start earning points on your rent (capped at 100,000 points annually). It’s a convenient way to make sure you’re not missing out on any points.
Once your account is active, you’ll earn one point for every dollar spent using the Bilt credit card on rent payments, up to 100,000 points per calendar year. Apart from rent, you’ll also earn two points per dollar on travel (directly with airlines, hotels, etc.), three points per dollar on dining, and up to five points per dollar on Lyft rides. Other purchases earn you one point per dollar.
One of the standout features of the Bilt card is its flexibility in redeeming points. You can transfer points 1:1 to various travel partners, including major airlines and hotel chains. This ability to transfer points to airlines like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as well as hotel chains like Hyatt, sets this card apart from others in the market.
When it comes to using your Bilt points, the app integrates with platforms like Point.me for finding award flights and Awayz for locating award hotel stays. This integration makes it easy to find the best ways to utilize your points for travel. Additionally, you can also redeem points for fitness classes or items in the Bilt Collection.
The Bilt Rewards program offers Milestone Rewards and Elite Status based on your total spending and points earned throughout the year. These benefits include various perks such as interest on points balances, priority access, transfer bonuses, and even a home ownership concierge at higher status tiers.
Overall, the Bilt card is ideal for individuals looking to earn points on their rent payments without transaction fees. It’s a great option for travelers and food enthusiasts, offering bonus points on travel and dining expenses. However, it’s important to note that maintaining a balance on this card may not be advisable due to high interest rates. Additionally, applicants should have good to excellent credit to qualify for this card.
In conclusion, the Bilt Mastercard® presents a valuable opportunity to earn points on a significant monthly expense like rent. With no annual fee and straightforward setup, it’s a low-risk, high-reward option for those seeking to boost their points and miles balances. If you’re a renter looking to maximize your rewards potential, the Bilt card could be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.
