Let me set the scene: I live in San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the country, and until recently, I was paying my rent by check. Yes, an actual paper check. My landlord doesn’t take Venmo, Zelle, or anything convenient. It felt like I was trapped in the 1990s every first of the month.
Meanwhile, my friends were racking up credit card rewards paying rent online, booking business class flights and free hotel stays. And me? I was buying stamps.
Then I found the Bilt Mastercard, and everything changed.
If you’re looking for an honest Bilt credit card review or wondering whether the Bilt World Elite Mastercard is worth it, this is my full take after months of using it. Whether you care about points, perks, or the fact that it has no annual fee, I’ve got you covered.
Why I Signed Up for the Bilt Mastercard
The moment I realized Bilt would mail a physical rent check on my behalf and still let me earn points like I paid online, I applied immediately. After years of ordering new checkbooks just for my landlord, I was happy to finally find an updated option!
- 1X point per dollar on rent (up to 100,000 points per year)
- No fees for rent payments
- Credit building: Bilt reports rent payments to credit bureaus
There are no fees to pay rent this way. None. You earn 1 point per dollar on rent (up to 100,000 Bilt points per calendar year), and you can finally get rewarded for the biggest bill most renters have each month.
I pay about $2,200/month in rent. That’s 26,400 points per year for doing literally nothing differently, except now I’m building my credit score, too. Bilt reports on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, which is a rare benefit most credit cards don’t offer.
The first time I used it, I had a mini panic spiral wondering if the check would arrive on time. It did. My landlord cashed it like normal. Magic.
Tip: the day you set as your check mail day is the day it mails, not the day it arrives. I always set mine to mail out on the 20th so it arrives in time for me to put it in our mailbox on the 1st of the month when rent is due.
More Than Just Rent: Everyday Rewards Categories
Unlike the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which also earns 3X on dining but charges a $95 annual fee, the Bilt credit card rewards structure is solid:
- 3X points per dollar on dining
- 2X points per dollar on travel
- 1X point per dollar on everything else
- Plus: 1X on rent with no transaction fee
You do need to make at least 5 purchases per statement period to keep your points. I usually hit that with my Spotify bill, healthcare payments, a few iced matchas, and the occasional Trader Joe’s run.
And yes, it’s backed by Wells Fargo, which gave me a little hesitation after the Wells Fargo scandal but it’s been just fine so far.
Rent Day Perks: Extra Value Each Month
Every 1st of the month, Bilt turns bill-paying into a party with Rent Day perks:
- Earn double points on dining, travel, and other purchases (up to 1,000 bonus points)
- Trivia games (one month I ranked ‘90s snacks for a chance to win free rent)
- Surprise perks like free classes or even rent giveaways
No other card I own, not even the Chase Sapphire Preferred, makes the act of paying rent this fun.
What I’ve Cashed In Bilt Points For
Here’s what I’ve personally redeemed Bilt points for so far:
- A United flight to Cancun, booked through the Bilt Travel Portal
- Barry’s Bootcamp and CorePower Yoga classes in San Francisco
- Gift cards for Uber Eats and Nordstrom
- A ripple glass vase from the Bilt Collection
- A student loan payment
There’s even an option to use points for future rent payments or a home down payment, which would’ve blown my mind back when I was house hunting for Whimsy Homes.
These are the kinds of Bilt credit card benefits that actually change how I manage money.
Why Bilt Transfer Partners Are a Game-Changer
The Bilt Rewards Program rivals Chase Ultimate Rewards without the annual fee. You can transfer points 1:1 to these partners:
- World of Hyatt
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Emirates
- Air France/KLM
- American Airlines
- And more
Example: I’ve seen Park Hyatt rooms worth $800/night go for just 35,000 points, sometimes less with transfer bonuses on Rent Day.
Grab my referral link for Bilt here for extra points when you join!
Milestone Rewards Feel Like a Game You Win
Every time you earn 25,000 points, you unlock Milestone Rewards.
- My first reward: a double grocery points boost (aka free snacks from Trader Joe’s)
- Other rewards include fitness credits, extra points, and discounts in the Bilt Collection
It feels gamified, and yes, it’s kind of addictive which is absolutely the point with a card like this.
Travel Protections & Benefits
Since it’s a World Elite Mastercard, Bilt comes with a surprisingly solid set of perks:
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Cellular telephone protection (when you pay your bill with Bilt)
- Purchase protection & extended warranty
I’ve personally used these when traveling, and they’re legit.
Now, I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which is considered one of the best travel cards on the market, but it comes with a hefty $550 annual fee that’s about to increase. CSR offers stronger protections overall (like trip cancellation, primary rental coverage worldwide, Priority Pass airport lounge access, and a $300 annual travel credit).
For me, Bilt covers the essentials most renters and travelers actually use, like trip delay and rental car insurance. Chase Sapphire Reserve is definitely stronger if you want premium perks like lounges and luxury credits. But if you’re looking to save money and still get good protections, Bilt holds its own surprisingly well, especially for a card with no annual fee.
If you’re thinking of switching completely, Bilt won’t fully replace CSR for luxury travelers, but it does give you a solid safety net for everyday travel without costing $550 a year. Personally, I still use both cards since I travel a lot for my job and I love those free drinks in the airport lounge.
Pros and Cons of the Bilt Mastercard
Pros
- No annual fee
- Earn points on rent with no fees (up to 100K per year)
- Strong 1:1 transfer partners (Hyatt, United, AA, and more)
- Solid travel protections for a no-fee card
- Fun Rent Day perks + Milestone Rewards that gamify earning
Cons
- No intro bonus (unlike Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold)
- Must make at least 5 purchases per month to unlock points
- Lower earn rates on everyday categories compared to premium cards
- No luxury perks like airport lounges or travel credits
There’s no annual fee to use the Bilt Card, so if you are curious, you might as well sign up now and see if it’s for you.
Who Should Get the Bilt Card?
- Renters whose landlords don’t accept cards (Bilt mails the check for you)
- Travelers who love transfer partners like Hyatt and United
- People building credit while earning rewards
- Anyone who wants a no-annual-fee travel card with solid protections
- People tired of wasting potential points on rent
Even without an intro bonus, this card offers ongoing rewards that more than make up for it.
Final Bilt Mastercard Review: Why It’s the Best Credit Card for Renters
Absolutely. It’s the best credit card for renters, especially those who are still paying via check.
This card transformed my least favorite expense (my rent) into one of my biggest point generators. I’m finally earning on rent payments, building credit, and redeeming rewards for flights, fitness, and fun.
If you rent and you’re not using Bilt, you’re leaving free money on the table.
Click here to apply for the Bilt card and start earning points today.
FAQ: Bilt Credit Card Review
Is the Bilt credit card legit?
Yes. The Bilt Mastercard is issued by Wells Fargo and backed by the World Elite Mastercard network.
Can I really pay rent with a credit card using Bilt?
Yes. Bilt lets you pay rent with no transaction fees — even if your landlord only accepts checks.
Does the Bilt card have an annual fee?
No, it’s completely free.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
Not currently. But the ongoing rewards + Rent Day perks more than make up for it.
How do Bilt points compare to Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Very competitive. Bilt offers 1:1 transfers to Hyatt, United, and Air France, similar to Chase, but without the fee.
What’s the catch?
You must make at least 5 purchases per statement period to earn points. Easy fix: put your subscriptions or coffee runs on the card.
