Bilt Card Optimizer
Bilt launched the most complex reward structure in US credit card history — two currencies, two earning modes, and rent earning that requires 5 non-rent transactions per cycle or you earn nothing on rent at all. Most cardholders are leaving $200–600/year on the table by defaulting to the wrong mode or skipping the 5-transaction floor.
The free calculators below show exactly which earning mode wins for your specific spending mix, what your rent points are actually worth against a cashback card plus processing fees, and all 24 transfer partners ranked by real redemption value.
Why Bilt Is Confusing — and Why This Tool Exists
Every affiliate site lists the Bilt cards and earns $400 when you click apply. None of them built the actual math. Here is what you need to know before choosing a mode or a card.
Two currencies, two modes — most people pick the default and leave money behind
Bilt Rewards has two distinct currencies: Bilt Points (transferable to 24 airline and hotel partners at 1:1) and Bilt Cash (statement credit or cash back). Each card offers two earning modes. Mode A earns more Bilt Points per dollar. Mode B earns more Bilt Cash. The right choice depends entirely on how you spend and how you plan to redeem. The calculator below does this math for your specific numbers.
Bilt earns points on rent with no processing fee — a genuinely unique feature since most rent payment processors charge 2.5–3% to use a credit card. But there is a critical catch: you must make at least 5 non-rent transactions in a statement period or you earn zero points on rent. One grocery purchase, one gas fill-up, two coffee shop visits, one streaming charge — that is your 5. If you miss it, that month’s rent earning is gone entirely.
The three Bilt cards compared
Bilt Palladium ($495/yr): 3x dining, 2x travel, 1x rent, 1x other. Highest earning ceiling, only worth the fee with heavy dining and travel spend.
Bilt Silver ($95/yr): 3x dining, 2x travel, 1x rent. Good middle option if dining spend is $400+/month.
Bilt Basic ($0/yr): 2x dining, 1x travel, 1x rent. Best starting point — no annual fee means no breakeven to hit.
Is the Bilt Card Worth It? The Quick Verdict
Worth it for renters who pay $1,500+/month and would otherwise earn nothing on rent. Not worth it as your only card, or if you redeem for statement credit.
- You pay $1,500+/mo rent and earn $0 on it now
- You want Hyatt or AA miles specifically
- You already have a Chase or Amex card for daily spend
- You use it on Rent Day (1st) for 3x or 6x dining
- You reliably hit the 5-transaction floor every month
- Your landlord charges a processing fee > ~1%
- You redeem for statement credit (1 cpp — terrible value)
- You don’t make 5 non-rent transactions/month
- You carry it as your only card (1x base is mediocre)
- You want Chase UR or Amex MR (Bilt doesn’t transfer to those)
Bilt vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred — Head to Head
Best combination: Bilt + CSP
CSP for the signup bonus + daily spend. Bilt as a supplemental card for rent earning. They share the same Hyatt and United transfer programs from different angles. $95 total annual fee for both. See the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve comparison →
Earning Mode Optimizer
Enter your monthly spending and select your card. We’ll calculate which earning mode generates more value for your specific mix and show you the annual dollar difference.
Estimates only. Actual earn rates depend on card terms and spending categories.
When Mode A wins vs. Mode B
Mode A (Points Focus) wins when your transfer CPP exceeds the cash equivalent. At 1.5¢/pt with 3x on dining, you’re effectively earning 4.5% on dining spend.
Mode B (Cash Focus) wins when you’re unlikely to use transfer partners, or when spending is concentrated in low-multiplier categories where the cash return is more predictable.
Rent Points ROI Calculator
Is earning points on rent actually worth it compared to paying with a 2% cashback card plus a processing fee? This shows the honest comparison including the fee math most people ignore.
Why the comparison matters
Most rent payment processors charge 2.5–3% to accept a credit card. A 2% cashback card earns $40/month on $2,000 rent — but the processing fee costs $50–60. That is a net loss of $10–20/month, or $120–240/year. Bilt charges no processing fee on the 1st of the month. This is the actual value proposition and it is genuinely strong for renters.
Processing fee comparison assumes 2.7% average processor rate.
Bilt’s 24 Transfer Partners
All transfers at 1:1 unless noted. Bilt has one of the largest transfer partner lists of any US card — including partners Chase and Amex do not offer.
Cheat Sheet
Mode switching guide, 5-transaction tracker, and transfer partner timing calendar. Sent to your inbox.
- Mode switching guide: When to flip between Mode A and Mode B based on CPP thresholds
- 5-transaction tracker: Monthly checklist so you never miss the rent earning window
- Transfer partner timing: Which partners run the best bonuses and when to move points
- Two-currency tracker: Bilt Points and Bilt Cash logged monthly side by side
- Card comparison: All 3 Bilt cards against your spend mix side by side
- Bilt vs. the market: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Gold, and Venture X compared for renters
- Transfer partner optimizer: Match your balance to a specific trip goal with CPP estimates
- Rent earning calendar: Tracks your 5-transaction requirement month by month
Bilt Card FAQ
What is the 5-transaction requirement?
You must make at least 5 non-rent purchases on your Bilt card in a statement period to earn any points on rent that month. If you pay rent but miss the 5-transaction floor, you earn zero points on rent for that cycle — not a reduced amount, zero.
What is the difference between Mode A and Mode B?
Mode A concentrates earning in Bilt Points, which transfer 1:1 to 24 airline and hotel partners. Mode B concentrates earning in Bilt Cash at 1 cent per unit. Mode A wins when your transfer redemptions exceed 1 cent per point — typical for most airline and hotel redemptions.
Is Bilt worth it if I already have a no-fee card?
For renters paying $1,500+/month, Bilt Basic ($0 fee) is almost always worth adding. No other card earns transferable points on rent without a processing fee. Even at 1x on rent, the annual value typically exceeds what a cashback card earns net of processing fees.
Which transfer partners are the most valuable?
World of Hyatt consistently delivers the highest hotel redemption value at 1.7–2.2¢/pt. For airlines: United MileagePlus for domestic routes, Air Canada Aeroplan for Star Alliance international without fuel surcharges, Flying Blue for European business class, and ANA for Japan and Asia premium cabin redemptions.
Can I pay rent with any card using Bilt?
Bilt works through the Bilt Rent platform. Your landlord does not need to accept credit cards — Bilt handles the payment via ACH on their end. You pay Bilt with your Bilt card, Bilt pays your landlord. The no-processing-fee earning is specific to this setup.
Is the Bilt Palladium worth the $495 annual fee?
The Palladium earns 3x dining and 2x travel — same as Silver — with a higher fee and additional travel benefits. Worth it for heavy dining spenders ($800+/month) or frequent travelers who use the premium perks. The Mode Optimizer above runs the specific math for your numbers.