Bilt Rewards Allows Rent Payments to Earn Travel Points

Earning Travel Points on Rent Payments

Travellers can now accrue Bilt Rewards points on their monthly rent payments without needing a dedicated Bilt credit card. This mechanism, reported on 16 October 2026, allows renters to link an existing credit card to their Bilt account and earn points, provided their apartment complex participates in the Bilt programme.

For every two US dollars spent on rent, one Bilt point is awarded. The initial step involves establishing a Bilt account and confirming with the leasing office or through the Bilt platform whether the property supports payments via any linked credit card, as some complexes may restrict acceptance to only Bilt-branded cards.

Conditions and Additional Earning Paths

While earning points on rent without a Bilt card is possible, a 3% transaction fee applies to each rent payment made with a non-Bilt credit card. This fee must be weighed against the value of the rewards earned, especially when aiming to meet spending thresholds for credit card welcome bonuses.

It is important to note that Bilt currently requires a Bilt credit card for mortgage payments. Beyond rent, members can also earn two points per dollar spent on Lyft rides by linking their Bilt and Lyft accounts, which stacks with any rewards earned from the credit card used for the transaction.

Further earning opportunities include Bilt Neighborhood Fitness locations, offering two points per dollar, and up to two points per dollar at Walgreens, alongside one point per dollar at Bilt Neighborhood Restaurants.

Broadening Point Accumulation and Transfer Options

Bilt Rewards maintains an open transfer partner structure, meaning access to its loyalty partners is not restricted to Bilt credit card holders. This provides a significant advantage for members seeking diverse redemption options.

The programme includes a range of airline and rail partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Amtrak Guest Rewards. These partnerships allow accumulated Bilt points to be converted into miles or points with these carriers, facilitating travel redemptions across various networks.

Transfers are irreversible, and a minimum of 2,000 points is required per transfer for members holding Blue Status, which typically applies to those without a Bilt credit card, compared to a 1,000-point minimum for higher status tiers.

Strategic Value for Global Travellers

For global travellers, particularly those in Asia or planning travel to and from the region, Bilt Rewards presents a strategic avenue for accumulating valuable travel points from routine expenses.

The ability to convert rent payments into points transferable to major international carriers like Air Canada Aeroplan, a Star Alliance member, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, offers flexibility for booking flights to or from Asian destinations.

While the 3% transaction fee on rent payments needs careful calculation to ensure value, the programme allows individuals to leverage a consistent monthly expense for travel rewards.

Asian travellers can consider this programme to supplement their points balances, potentially reducing the cash cost of international air travel by converting everyday spending into miles with globally connected airlines.