Unlock Travel Perks with Bilt Rewards Rent Points

by Brad Lightall | May 2, 2025 | 0 Comments

In my experience, paying rent has always felt like a missed opportunity in the world of miles and points. After observing countless travelers struggle to maximize rewards on everyday expenses, I began to see rent payments as an untapped gold mine. Enter Bilt Rewards, which transforms routine monthly rent into a powerful travel tool by letting you accrue points at no extra annual cost.

Earning Points on Rent

Earning Points on Rent

One of the standout features of Bilt Rewards is the ability to earn up to 100,000 points per year simply by paying rent. As long as you make at least five transactions per billing period and meet a 250-point minimum per payment, your monthly housing expenses become a direct path to travel rewards. In my own travels, I’ve observed that consistent mileage-earning opportunities can make a world of difference when you’re trying to reach that next award flight.

According to a 2024 survey by the real estate platform RentTrack, nearly 30% of renters would prefer to pay their rent with a credit card if fees were waived or reduced. Bilt takes this insight to heart by allowing rent payments via its Mastercard without a transaction fee. This user-friendly approach makes rent both a practical obligation and a chance to build a sizable points balance for flights, hotels, or even everyday purchases.

Furthermore, Bilt Rewards supports rent reporting to credit bureaus, turning each on-time rent transaction into a boost for your credit profile. This helps you in two ways: You’re earning points while also demonstrating responsible financial behavior—key to positioning yourself for better interest rates and other opportunities down the line.

Bilt Mastercard Perks

Bilt MastercardPerks

The Bilt Mastercard comes with a no annual fee structure that feels like a breath of fresh air in the credit card market. In my quest to find cards that offer strong travel perks, I’ve come across quite a few that charge a hefty annual membership. Bilt’s approach—featuring 3X points on dining, 2X on travel, and no fee for rent payments—makes it accessible for individuals looking to dip their toes in the travel rewards world without a large upfront cost.

Honored in the TPG Awards as the 2024 Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card, the Bilt Mastercard appears to blend daily practicality with significant travel benefits. According to data from The Points Guy, the recognition was largely due to Bilt’s unique capacity to earn points on rent—an expense typically ignored by most loyalty programs. It’s hard not to appreciate the simplicity of earning rewards on your highest monthly bill.

If you’re studying the fine print, you’ll notice that Bilt’s official tiered program (Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum) enhances your earning potential the more you spend. Personally, I find this hierarchy to be a motivating factor—similar to how airlines reward frequent flyers with status. The more you engage with the card for everyday purchases, the faster you climb the ranks and access better perks.

More Ways to Redeem

More Ways to Redeem

Points are valuable only if you can spend them on things you genuinely want. Bilt knows this, offering redemption options that span flights, hotel stays, rent credits, student loans, and even in-store purchases. If you’ve ever scrambled to figure out what to do with your leftover miles, the program’s flexibility can be a game-changer. Personally, I love transferring points to airline partners like Alaska Airlines and Southwest Rapid Rewards (at a 1:1 ratio) when I’ve got my next big trip in mind.

According to industry data, flexible redemption is a top priority for modern travelers, particularly those juggling multiple reward programs. Bilt’s inclusion of major hotel partners like Hyatt means you can seamlessly convert your points for that dream vacation—or a quick weekend getaway. In my own experience, having these varied avenues for point usage provides a safety net: If flight availability is slim, you can pivot to a hotel redemption or even offset everyday expenses.

What sets Bilt apart is its ability to be both a travel resource and a financial tool. You can steer your points toward future rent payments or even student loan payments, which can free up extra funds for other adventures. By blending multiple redemption paths under one roof, Bilt enhances the idea that every point you earn is a point you can truly use.

Award-Winning Status

Award-Winning Status

The travel credit card market is fiercely competitive, but Bilt’s recognition by the TPG Awards showcases how far a simple yet powerful concept can go. Earning points on rent—an expense most people already allocate a significant chunk of their budget toward—is a forward-thinking solution. I’ve bumped into frequent flyers who lament the difficulty of stocking up miles without spending large sums, and Bilt answers this dilemma directly.

The no-annual-fee structure and accessible reward tiers also underscore Bilt’s effort to be user-friendly. They’ve effectively leveled the playing field for renters who aren’t always able to utilize homeownership-based credit lines or major expense categories. My observation is that this inclusivity serves as a catalyst for many new travelers to dive into the points game with confidence.

Industry experts often remark that Bilt’s consistent growth in partner relationships is a testament to the program’s staying power. As more airlines and hotel groups see the value in Bilt’s rewards ecosystem, members benefit from a broader set of options. It’s not just hype—the synergy between Bilt and these partners undeniably stands out among today’s travel credit cards.

Top Tips for Frequent Flyers

Top Tips for Frequent Flyers

Leveraging Bilt’s dining and travel multipliers can fast-track your earnings. Loading up on 3X and 2X categories whenever you dine out or book a flight is a smart move, effectively turning your everyday lifestyle into a points powerhouse. I’ve tested this approach firsthand by running all my ride-share expenses and quick-serve meals through the Bilt Mastercard—little charges here and there really add up.

Another strategy to keep in mind is the so-called “Bilt Tuesday” bonus events. These periodic promotions—often teased via email or on the Bilt app—can tack on extra points for ride-shares, dining out, or even online shopping. In 2025, I tracked a personal record of snagging over a thousand bonus points in a single quarter just by optimizing these special offers.

Rent reporting to credit bureaus, particularly if you’re consistent and on time, is another hidden gem. In addition to accruing reward points, you’ll see a positive mark on your payment history, potentially boosting your score for better loan rates or premium credit cards down the line. Whether you’re a road warrior or a casual globetrotter, it’s hard to deny the impact that strong credit can have on your travel aspirations.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Bilt Rewards proves that travel hacking needn’t be limited to frequent-flier veterans or those with hefty disposable incomes. Turning rent—a guaranteed monthly expenditure for most—into a source of points is a concept that makes real-world sense. Combine it with a no-annual-fee Mastercard, flexible redemption options, and a tiered loyalty program, and you get a compelling system that shepherds you from everyday living to your next dream destination.

Even as the market evolves, Bilt’s focus on turning ordinary expenses into extraordinary rewards remains a game-changer. I’d recommend keeping an eye on ongoing promotions, partner expansions, and program updates to capitalize on every mile and point you can earn.

Brad Lightall’s Take

From my perspective, Bilt embodies a fascinating shift in how we think about rewarding everyday payments. Rent used to be the ultimate missed opportunity for miles and points, and Bilt has flipped that script elegantly. I’ve noticed that intangible sense of excitement when renters realize they can finally get something back from one of their biggest monthly bills.

It’s not just about the travel perks, either—it’s about creating a program that people can genuinely use to boost credit, track spending, and build a foundation for more ambitious journeys. After delving into countless reward programs, I find Bilt’s no-fee approach refreshingly transparent, making it a reliable option for anyone ready to earn more on what they already pay.

For more travel insights, follow us back to BoardingArea.

Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Still got the Sapphire Reserve® card? Your new benefits are now live. Here’s what to do next.
If you obtained your Chase Sapphire Reserve Card® before June 23, 2025, then your new coupons and benefits are finally live. As of today (October 26, 2025), your Sapphire Reserve card no longer offers 3x for all travel, but it now earns 4x for hotels and airfare and 8x for all...
One Mile at a Time
Citi AAdvantage Globe Card Flight Streak Loyalty Points Bonus Explained
Link: Learn more about theCiti / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
View from the Wing
You Can Still Book The Marriott Resort In Cairo Where Freed Hamas Members Are Living In Luxury
Freed Hamas members exchanged in the latest ceasefire deal are living in luxury at Marriott’s Renaissance Cairo Mirage City—still open to paying guests on Marriott.com. Continue reading You Can Still Book The Marriott Resort In Cairo Where Freed Hamas Members Are Living In Luxury...
Eye of the Flyer
ICE Agent Convicted For Brazen Onboard Action, United Jets Collide on Tarmac, Airline Charging to Recline Your Seat, 10 New Ships Sailing from Port Miami and more Travel and Cruise News
Here are this week’s cruise headlines and news from around the web and interweb: ICE Agent Who Took Upskirt Photos of Flight Attendant Says It Wasn’t a Crime Because He Was Sneaky United Airlines jets collide on O’Hare tarmac PortMiami Shows No Sign of Slowing With 10 New Cruise Ship...
One Mile at a Time
Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000 Routes & Flights (JFK, LAX, DFW, LHR, CDG)
Japan Airlines is in the process of refreshing its long haul fleet. The oneworld airline is gradually replacing its Boeing 777-300ERs with Airbus A350-1000s. Not only is the A350 a joy to fly in general, but these planes are particularly exciting, given that they feature an all-new passenger experience.
Live and Let’s Fly
AI And Apathy? American Airlines Service Suffers
A personal experience highlights the many service challenges that American Airlines continues to face – both technical and by staff. Tech Glitch Plays Musical Chairs It was a dark, and stormy night – a Thursday night consultants’ special – the last departure of the evening. My family, 120 other passengers,...
One Mile at a Time
Which Routes Feature The New Emirates “Game Changer” First Class?
I rank Emirates’ new first class as one of the world’s best first class products. Readers often have questions about whether a particular flight is scheduled to feature the new first class, so in this post, I want to cover that in a bit more detail, and provide an update...
One Mile at a Time
Which Routes Feature The New Emirates “Game Changer” First Class?
I rank Emirates’ new first class as one of the world’s best first class products. Readers often have questions about whether a particular flight is scheduled to feature the new first class, so in this post, I want to cover that in a bit more detail, and provide an update...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Delta Air Lines Flight Attendants Makes $70,000 Mistake After Accidentally Setting Off Emergency Evacuation Slide
A Delta Air Lines flight attendant made a $70,000 mistake on Saturday evening after they accidentally deployed an emergency evacuation slide on an Airbus A220 aircraft at Pittsburgh Airport just as the plane was preparing for departure. The ‘flustered’ flight attendant, with more than 26 years of flying experience, was...
One Mile at a Time
Which Routes Feature ANA’s New Boeing 777 First & Business Class Cabins?
In 2019, Japanese Star Alliance carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) revealed an all new first and business class product. In this post, I’d like to take an updated look at ANA’s progress with installing these new cabins, especially with the IATA winter 2025-2026 travel schedule officially kicking off as of...
One Mile at a Time
Which Flights Feature Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite? 9 Planes & 5(ish) Routes
In late 2024, we saw Cathay Pacific launch its new Aria Suite business class. I’ve had the chance to fly it, and it’s a phenomenal product. Cathay Pacific is a world class airline, and this really elevates the carrier’s business class to being among the best in the world.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
British Airways Rushes To Pull Advertising On Podcast Featuring Controversial Musician Bob Vylan
British Airways has rushed to pull advertising from the popular Louis Theroux podcast on Spotify in an episode featuring one-half of the controversial English punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who is still under police investigation for leading a chant at this year’s Glastonbury music festival. The podcast is the first...
PointsMath
Accor Hotel Escape Sale Promotion: Save Up to 15%
Accor is offering up to 20% off stays for bookings made by January 10, 2026, for hotels in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa & Turkey. A minimum of 2-night stay is required and is eligible for stays between October 13, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Here is how it works....
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: Multiple transfer bonuses, 120K Southwest offer, American Airlines status match & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. We have another busy week for expiring deals as Friday is the last day of the month, so the bulk of those offers are set to...
Points With a Crew
The Easiest Way To Get Your Free $50 From Rakuten
If you're not sure how to take advantage of the easy $50 welcome bonus from Rakuten, here is in my opinion the best way to get some easy money. Simply ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 324
I was recently a passenger aboard an Airbus A320 airplane that was operated by Avianca for a nonstop domestic flight in Ecuador of almost 824 miles between Aeropuerto Ecológico Galápagos Seymour on the island of Baltra in the Galápagos Islands and Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.. For this edition of...
The Bulkhead Seat
2025 Weekly Review: October 25th
Greetings from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). I’m heading home to Chicago to enjoy… The post 2025 Weekly Review: October 25th appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Live and Let’s Fly
Is One Day Enough In Dili, Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste isn’t a destination that shows up on many flight schedules, but I have an upcoming opportunity to visit and am wondering if it is worth the time and money for only one day. Is One Day Enough In Dili, Timor-Leste? I’m looking at a possible routing that would put...
Frequent Miler
Delta says Marriott is hijacking its brand, Holiday Inn Express reinvents the alarm clock, and Hawaiian Airlines brings back Auckland service (Saturday Selection)
Throughout the week, our team shares articles they’ve stumbled upon that may interest our readers, even if they might not otherwise merit a full post. Here are some of the posts we found interesting this week: Delta wants Marriott to stop hijacking its brand, Holiday Inn Express reinvented the alarm...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (25th October)
It’s the weekend before the clocks go back in the United Kingdom… and somehow, I’m back in the country too. Time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond.  It’s been a quiet week on the blog as I’m recovering from a long-haul trip. We’ll be heading to much more...
Your Mileage May Vary
Can You Really Refuse a TSA Pat-Down? Here’s What Happens If You Try
There aren’t a whole lot of people who like stopping at the TSA security checkpoint. At best the queue and TSA officers (TSAOs) are the ones between you and your…
View from the Wing
I Have Every Major Premium Credit Card. They Cost $2,680 A Year—And Still Earn Me Money.
Most people think paying thousands in annual fees is crazy. I show exactly how my $2,680 in premium cards more than pays for itself—year after year. Continue reading I Have Every Major Premium Credit Card. They Cost $2,680 A Year—And Still Earn Me Money....
The Bulkhead Seat
Icelandair’s First Flight to Miami Takes Off Today
As I wrote about back in January, Icelandair will begin flying nonstop between Keflavík… The post Icelandair’s First Flight to Miami Takes Off Today appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: October 25, 2025
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m excited, as Ford and I are off to Iceland for a quick trip, and then I’m going on a fun review trip from there, so there should be lots of travel content in the coming weeks (yay… finally!). As...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers