Bilt Rewards Review: Is the Only No-Fee Rent Credit Card Worth It?
For the longest time, paying rent with a credit card was a financial "no-go." The math simply didn't work: why pay a 3% processing fee to earn 1.5% back in rewards? You were essentially paying your landlord extra for the "privilege" of using your card.
Then came Bilt Rewards.
By creating a system that bypasses transaction fees, Bilt transformed the largest monthly expense for millions of Americans into a massive points-earning engine. But as we move into a new era of credit products, the landscape has shifted. With the rollout of the Bilt Card 2.0 lineup—including the Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium tiers—is this still the "no-brainer" it once was? Let’s dive into the details of the only credit card ecosystem that lets you earn travel rewards on rent and mortgage payments without the fees.
The Core Value Proposition: Rent Without Fees
The standout feature of the Bilt ecosystem is the ability to pay rent (and now mortgages) at any property in the United States without a transaction fee.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
You don't need to live in a "Bilt Alliance" luxury building to benefit. If your landlord only accepts physical checks or uses an online portal that normally charges a 3% credit card fee, Bilt provides two clever workarounds:
The Bilt ACH/Routing Number: The app provides you with a unique routing and account number. You plug these into your landlord's portal as if it were a standard checking account. Bilt processes the payment and charges it to your card, but the portal sees it as a fee-free bank transfer.
Mailed Checks: You can trigger a physical check to be sent directly from the Bilt app to your landlord’s office.
Choosing Your Tier: The New Bilt Card Lineup
With the recent expansion, Bilt now offers three distinct paths depending on your spending habits and travel goals.
| Feature | Bilt Blue | Bilt Obsidian | Bilt Palladium |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $495 |
| Housing Rewards | Up to 1.25x | Up to 1.25x | Up to 1.25x |
| Dining Category | 3x Points | 3x (or Grocery) | 3x Points |
| Travel Category | 2x Points | 2x Points | 2x Points |
| Everyday Spend | 1x Points | 1x Points | 2x Points |
| Key Perk | No-fee rent | $100 Hotel Credit | Priority Pass + $400 Credit |
The "5 Transaction" Rule
Regardless of which card you choose, there is one non-negotiable rule: You must use your card at least 5 times each statement period to earn points. If you only use it for rent once a month and tuck it away, you’ll earn zero rewards. This encourages "top-of-wallet" behavior, but it requires a bit of monthly discipline.
Earning Strategy: Max Points vs. Flexible Bilt Cash
The 2.0 update introduced a choice in how you are rewarded. You can now toggle between two different earning structures:
Option 1: The Multiplier Path (Housing-Only Rewards)
This is for the purists. Your earning rate on your rent or mortgage is tied to how much you use the card for everyday spending.
0.5x Points: Spend 25% of your rent amount on non-housing purchases.
1.0x Points: Spend 75% of your rent amount on non-housing purchases.
1.25x Points: Spend 100% (equal to your rent) on non-housing purchases.
Option 2: The Bilt Cash Path
If you prefer a simpler "cash back" feel, you can earn 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases on top of your base points. You can then use this Bilt Cash to "unlock" 1x points on your rent payment or redeem it dollar-for-dollar for travel and dining credits within the app.
The "Rent Day" Bonus: Maximizing the 1st of the Month
One of the most popular features of the program is Rent Day. On the first of every month, Bilt effectively doubles your points on everything except housing (up to 1,000 bonus points).
Dining: Becomes 6x points.
Travel: Becomes 4x points.
Everything else: Becomes 2x points.
Smart users schedule their large non-rent bills (insurance, utilities, or bulk grocery runs) for the 1st of the month to squeeze the most value out of every dollar.
Transfer Partners: Where the Real Value Lives
Bilt points are widely considered among the most valuable in the world because of their transfer partners. While you can redeem points for a down payment on a home at 1.5 cents per point, the real "pro move" is transferring 1:1 to airlines and hotels.
Key partners include:
World of Hyatt: Often cited as the best value in the hotel world.
Alaska Airlines: A rare and exclusive partner that is not available through Chase or Amex.
American Airlines & United: Strong domestic options for US-based travelers.
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM): Excellent for business-class seats to Europe.
Because these points can be transferred to such high-value partners, a 1x reward on rent is often worth closer to 2% or 3% in actual travel value.
Is it Right for You?
Get the Bilt Card if:
You are a Renter: Even at the basic $0-fee tier, earning points on your largest expense is a massive win.
You value Transferable Points: If you prefer Hyatt hotels or Alaska Airlines, this is the only card that gets you there via rent payments.
You can hit 5 transactions: If you already use a card for coffee or small daily errands, this is easy.
Skip the Bilt Card if:
You are "rebuilding" credit: The card generally requires a "Good to Excellent" credit score (typically 690+).
You want a massive Sign-Up Bonus: Bilt rarely offers a traditional "spend $X, get 60,000 points" welcome offer. The value is in the long-term rent earning.
You are a Homeowner with a low mortgage: If your mortgage is very low and you don't travel, a simple 2% cash-back card might be less complex.
Final Thoughts
Bilt Rewards has effectively disrupted the rental market. By removing the friction of transaction fees and offering top-tier travel partners, it has turned a "sunk cost" into a "savings account" for future vacations. While the 2.0 system is slightly more complex, the Bilt Blue Card remains the strongest $0-annual-fee travel card on the market for anyone currently paying for a roof over their head.
Maximizing Your Wallet: The Ultimate Guide to Paying Rent with a Credit Card