Bilt Rewards vs. The Competition: Is a Dedicated Rent Credit Card Worth It?
For a long time, the "holy grail" of personal finance was finding a way to earn rewards on rent without losing all the gains to processing fees. Most landlords charge roughly 2.9% to 3% for credit card payments, which effectively cancels out the 1% or 2% cash back you might earn.
Enter Bilt Rewards, the first ecosystem designed specifically to tackle this problem. But with new competitors emerging and Bilt itself evolving into a tiered card system in 2026, many renters are asking: Is a dedicated rent card actually the best move, or should you stick to high-value general rewards cards?
The Heavyweight: Bilt World Elite Mastercard
Bilt changed the game by offering a way to pay rent with zero transaction fees while earning points. Even if your landlord only accepts checks or ACH transfers, Bilt provides a "routing and account number" in their app. You pay with the card, Bilt sends the money, and you get the points.
Key Advantages:
0% Transaction Fees: This is the primary "selling point." You save hundreds of dollars a year in fees compared to using a standard card.
High-Value Transfer Partners: Bilt points are incredibly flexible, transferring 1:1 to premium partners like Hyatt, United, and Alaska Airlines.
Rent Day Perks: On the 1st of every month, your point-earning rates double on non-rent categories (e.g., 6x on dining), and they often feature massive transfer bonuses.
Credit Building: Bilt can report your on-time rent payments to the major credit bureaus, helping you build your score.
The "Catch":
To earn points in any given month, you must make at least 5 transactions with the card. If you only use it for rent and nothing else, you won’t earn your rewards.
The Challenger: General Rewards Cards + Third-Party Services
If you don't want a dedicated rent card, your other option is using a high-rewards card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold) through a service like Plastiq or Melio.
When This Wins:
Chasing Sign-Up Bonuses (SUBs): If you are trying to hit a $4,000 spending requirement to earn 60,000 or 80,000 points, the 2.9% fee is a small price to pay. The bonus value far outweighs the fee.
Higher Daily Earn Rates: Many general cards offer better points on "everything else" (1.5x or 2x) compared to Bilt’s 1x on non-category spend.
Simplified Wallet: If you prefer to stick to one ecosystem (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards), you might prefer paying the fee to keep all your points in one place.
When This Loses:
For everyday, month-to-month use, the math almost never works. If your rent is $2,000, a 3% fee is $60. To break even, your points would need to be worth at least 3 cents each—which is very difficult to achieve consistently.
Comparison: Bilt vs. The Field
| Feature | Bilt Mastercard | Standard Rewards Card |
| Rent Transaction Fee | $0 | 2.5% – 3% |
| Annual Fee | $0 (New tiers coming 2026) | $0 – $695 |
| Rent Rewards | 1x Points (Up to 100k/yr) | Varies (usually 1x) |
| Transfer Partners | Excellent (Hyatt, United, etc.) | Varies by Issuer |
| Monthly Requirement | 5 Transactions required | None |
Looking Ahead: Bilt 2.0 and the 2026 Shift
The landscape is shifting. In early 2026, Bilt is expanding its lineup to include three distinct cards. While a no-fee option will remain, new premium tiers (with $95 and $495 annual fees) are expected to offer even higher rewards and new features, such as earning points on mortgage payments.
This change suggests that Bilt is moving from a "niche renter tool" to a full-service financial platform. If you are a homeowner or a renter looking for luxury travel perks, the 2026 updates might make Bilt more competitive with high-end cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Bilt if: You are a long-term renter who wants to earn "free" travel every year without paying extra fees. It is currently the only way to make rent a profitable expense for your wallet.
Choose a General Rewards Card if: You are a "churner" who frequently opens new cards for sign-up bonuses. Using rent to hit those high-spend requirements is a fast-track to massive points hauls.
Choose Neither if: You struggle to pay your balance in full every month. The interest rates on any credit card will instantly wipe out the value of the points you earn.