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If you are new to Bilt, let’s do a quick refresher on why the Bilt program is an absolute game-changer for point enthusiasts.
Bilt now offers a suite of three credit cards—Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium—that allow you to earn rewards on your biggest monthly expense: rent or mortgage payments.
With the launch of Bilt 2.0, both renters and homeowners can now earn points on housing.
Depending on your card and spending habits, you can earn up to 1.25x points on these payments by using your Bilt card for everyday purchases or by using the new Bilt Cash currency to “unlock” points on your housing transactions.
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New for 2026: The Bilt 2.0 Earning Structure
Bilt has recently overhauled how points are earned, making the program more rewarding for high spenders while removing old hurdles.
Here is what you need to know about the new “Bilt 2.0” rules:
- Goodbye, 5-Transaction Rule: You no longer need to worry about making five small purchases every month. The requirement to hit a transaction count to “unlock” your rent points has been officially removed.
- Earn Based on Spend: Your ability to earn points on rent or mortgage is now tied to your spending in other categories. You can earn between 0.5x and 1.25x points on your housing payment depending on your non-rent monthly spend.
- Bilt Cash & Point Accelerators: You can now use “Bilt Cash” to boost your earnings. For $200 in Bilt Cash, you can trigger a Point Accelerator, which gives you an extra 1 point per dollar on your next $5,000 in spending (available up to 5 times per year).
- Unlock Exclusive Bonuses: Bilt Cash isn’t just for spending; it can also be used to “buy up” to higher transfer bonuses during Rent Day, allowing even Blue or Silver members to access elite Platinum-level transfer rates.
- The “250 Point Safety Net”: What happens if you have a month with almost no spending? Don’t worry—Bilt hasn’t completely abandoned its roots. If you fail to meet even the minimum spending requirement for the 0.5x tier, you won’t be left empty-handed. Bilt still awards a flat 250 points for your housing payment as a “safety net.” While it’s a far cry from the 1.25x max, it ensures that you always earn something on your rent or mortgage every single month.
Crucial: Choose Your Monthly Earning Preference
With the launch of Bilt 2.0, you now have to make a choice in the app each month. You cannot earn both high-interest Bilt Cash and automatic housing points at the same time. You must select one of the following two “Earning Preferences”:
- Option 1: Tiered Points (Maximize Housing Rewards) This is the traditional route where you earn between 0.5x and 1.25x points on your rent or mortgage based on your other spending. However, in this mode, you do not earn the 4% Bilt Cash rate on your everyday purchases.
- Option 2: Bilt Cash (Maximize Daily Spending) In this mode, you earn a massive 4% Bilt Cash on all everyday spending, but you earn zero automatic points on your rent or mortgage. To get points for your housing payment in this mode, you must manually “unlock” them by spending $30 of your earned Bilt Cash to receive 1,000 points.
The Frugal Tourist Tip: Most travelers will likely prefer Option 1 to maximize their point stash for high-value transfers, but Option 2 is excellent if you have a massive spending month and want to “buy” your points at a discount later. Be sure to set your preference in the Bilt app at the start of every billing cycle!
Why Transfer Your Bilt Points?
Transferring points is the secret sauce to frugal luxury travel.
Instead of tying the value of your points to a fixed cash price in a travel portal, transferring them allows you to leverage award charts and sweet spots.
For example, a business class flight to Europe might cost $3,000 in cash (which would cost you a staggering 240,000 points in a travel portal).
But if you transfer those Bilt points to a partner like Air France/KLM Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic, you might be able to book that exact same seat for just 50,000 points plus a few taxes and fees.
That is how you travel like a VIP on a frugal budget!
Note: Bilt points can also be used in the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point, but transferring to partners usually yields much higher value.
Bilt’s Transfer Partners
Bilt boasts an incredibly strong lineup of transfer partners.
The vast majority of these transfer at a simple 1:1 ratio (meaning 1,000 Bilt points = 1,000 airline miles or hotel points).
Here is a quick look at some of the best partners you can transfer to:
Airline Partners:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines (Atmos Rewards)
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Qatar Airways – Privilege Club
- Southwest
- Spirit
- TAP Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- United
- Virgin Red
Hotel Partners:
- ALL Accor Live Limitless (Note: This is the only exception to the 1:1 rule, transferring at a 3:2 ratio)
- Hyatt
- Hilton
- IHG
- Marriott
The Step-by-Step App Transfer Guide
Ready to book that dream trip?
Grab your phone and let’s get those points moved over.
Step 1: Open the App and Head to the Travel Tab
Log in to your Bilt app.
Tap on the Rewards tab.
In the current 2.0 app version, this is usually represented by the Bilt “B” logo, an airplane, or a gift box icon.
Step 2: Access the Transfer Menu
At the top left of the Rewards screen, tap the Transfer Rewards button.
Then, click Transfer.
Step 3: Choose Your Partner
You’ll see a toggle for Airlines and Hotels.
Browse the list and tap on the specific loyalty program you want to transfer your points to (e.g., World of Hyatt or United MileagePlus).
Step 4: Link Your Accounts
If you haven’t transferred to this partner before, you need to introduce the two accounts.
Tap Enroll or link accounts.
If you already have an account with the airline or hotel, select “Link existing,” enter your loyalty number, and confirm.
If you don’t have an account yet, you can usually enroll for one right there.
Step 5: Initiate the Transfer
Once your accounts are officially linked, you’ll be taken back to the partner page.
Tap Transfer points.
Step 6: Enter Your Point Amount
Type in how many Bilt points you want to move.
The Frugal Rule to Remember: Transfers must be made in 1,000-point increments. If you are a basic Blue tier member, you must transfer a minimum of 2,000 points. If you hold Silver, Gold, or Platinum Bilt status, that minimum drops to 1,000 points.
| Bilt Tiers: How to Lower Your Transfer Minimums |
|---|
| While Blue tier members need 2,000 points to transfer, you can lower that to 1,000 points by reaching Silver status. Here is a quick look at the 2026 status requirements: Blue: Entry level (0–49,999 points) Silver: 50,000 points earned (Unlocks 1,000-point transfer minimums) Gold: 125,000 points earned Platinum: 200,000 points earned Note: You can also “fast-track” to these tiers based on your total annual spend on the Bilt card (excluding rent). You can also use Bilt Cash to temporarily unlock Platinum-level transfer bonuses regardless of your current tier status (see next section). |
| Pro-Tip: Status “Buy-Ups” with Bilt Cash |
|---|
| If you are a Blue or Silver member and a massive 150% transfer bonus drops on Rent Day, you don’t have to miss out. One of the best uses of Bilt Cash is the ability to “buy up” to a higher status tier for that day only. For example, a Gold member can often spend $75 in Bilt Cash to temporarily unlock Platinum-level transfer bonuses. This allows you to squeeze maximum value out of your points without having to hit the 200,000-point annual status requirement. |
Step 7: Confirm and Send
Review the details on the final screen, check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, and tap Confirm transfer.
Most transfers are instantaneous, meaning you can jump over to the airline or hotel website immediately and book your award ticket.
A few partners can occasionally take up to 24–48 hours, so always be prepared for a slight delay.
How to Transfer via Desktop
If you prefer managing your travel logistics from your computer, the browser process is just as seamless:
- Log In: Head over to BiltRewards.com and log in to your account.
- Navigate to the Portal: Click on the Rewards or Travel tab from your main dashboard.
- Find the Transfer Menu: Click on the Transfer or Transfer to Travel Partners option.
- Follow the Prompts: The rest of the process mirrors the app. Select your partner, link your loyalty accounts if you haven’t already, enter your point amount, agree to the terms, and hit confirm.
Pro-Tips for Bilt Transfers
Before you hit that transfer button, keep these golden rules in mind:
- Confirm Availability First: Never, ever transfer points on a whim. Always search the airline or hotel website first to confirm that the exact award flight or hotel room you want is available to book with points.
- Transfers are a One-Way Street: Once your Bilt points leave your account and become airline miles or hotel points, you cannot transfer them back. They are permanently locked into that specific partner program.
- Watch Out for Rent Day Bonuses: Bilt is famous for its “Rent Day” promotions on the 1st of every month. They frequently offer massive transfer bonuses (sometimes up to 75% or 100% extra miles!) to specific partners. If your travel is flexible, waiting for a Rent Day bonus can stretch your points even further.
| Don’t Forget: Rent Day Transfer Bonuses |
|---|
| One of the most powerful features of the Bilt program is Rent Day (the 1st of every month). Bilt frequently offers massive transfer bonuses to specific partners, sometimes ranging from 50% to as high as 150%. Important Note on Status: These bonuses are often tiered based on your Bilt status. While a Platinum member might receive a 150% bonus, a Blue member might receive 75%. Always check the Bilt app on the 1st of the month to see the specific “Rent Day” offer available to your tier before moving your points. |
Final Thoughts
Earning points on your housing payments is a massive win, but maximizing those points is where the true value lies.
By transferring your Bilt points to airline and hotel partners, you unlock the ability to book premium cabins and luxury hotel stays that would otherwise cost a fortune in cash.
As I gear up to retire this year and transition into traveling full-time, having a versatile stash of transferable points is exactly what makes this nomadic lifestyle possible and affordable.
Make sure to always double-check award availability before you transfer, keep an eye out for those lucrative Rent Day bonuses, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: The Frugal Tourist is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All information about the American Express Schwab Platinum has been collected independently by The Frugal Tourist.
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