If you’re someone who rents rather than owns, you may have found that traditional rewards cards don’t offer a lot of value for rent payments. Enter the Bilt Mastercard—a game-changer for renters who want to earn rewards on their largest monthly expense: rent. But that’s not all. The Bilt Mastercard also comes with a wealth of perks designed for frequent travelers, those looking to build credit, and anyone who enjoys earning points on everyday purchases. In this post, I’ll dive into the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Bilt Mastercard while comparing it to other popular cards, so you can see whether it’s the right fit for you.
What makes the Bilt Mastercard so unique?
The Bilt Mastercard stands out in a crowded market of rewards credit cards for one reason: it allows renters to earn rewards points on rent payments. In the past, paying rent meant that you wouldn’t be able to earn any kind of rewards, but with the Bilt Mastercard, that’s no longer the case. Through the Bilt Rewards Program, cardholders can earn 1x points on rent payments (up to 50,000 points per year) without paying any transaction fees.
Another notable feature is the Bilt Rewards program, which lets you redeem points for travel, fitness classes, or even transfer them to popular travel partners like American Airlines, Hyatt, and Korean Air. Plus, there’s no annual fee for the Bilt Mastercard, making it an affordable option for renters who want to earn rewards without paying a premium.
Bilt Mastercard also offers 2x points on dining and 3x points on travel purchases, which is a great way to rack up points on your everyday expenses. Even better, you don’t have to worry about any rotating categories or maximum spend limits, so the rewards are super straightforward to earn.
How does the Bilt Mastercard compare to other cards?
While the Bilt Mastercard is a strong contender for renters, it’s important to compare it with other popular credit cards to see where it truly shines. Below, we’ll look at how it stacks up against other rewards cards, particularly in the areas of rewards earning, travel benefits, and ease of use.
1. Chase Sapphire preferred card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is often lauded for its travel benefits, including 2x points on travel and dining, which is comparable to the Bilt Mastercard’s 3x points on travel and 2x on dining. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more value for frequent travelers due to its higher earning potential on travel and its valuable sign-up bonus (100,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months).
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great choice for those who want to focus on travel rewards, the Bilt Mastercard is particularly beneficial for renters. This is because the Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points on rent payments, something the Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer.
2. Citi Double cash card
If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss rewards card, the Citi Double Cash Card is a great option. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you make the purchase and an additional 1% when you pay it off. While the Bilt Mastercard doesn’t offer cash-back, its Bilt Rewards points can be used for travel and a variety of lifestyle rewards, including fitness classes. So, while the Citi Double Cash Card may offer better straightforward cash-back rewards, the Bilt Mastercard shines if you want to earn points for more travel-related redemptions and lifestyle perks.
3. American Express Gold card
The American Express Gold Card is ideal for people who love dining out. It offers 4x points on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery) and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. However, it comes with an $250 annual fee, which might be a dealbreaker for those who don’t want to pay such a hefty fee for a card.
By comparison, the Bilt Mastercard offers 2x points on dining, which is half the points rate of the American Express Gold Card. But what makes the Bilt Mastercard stand out is its no annual fee, which makes it more affordable for those who want to maximize rewards without any extra costs.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another great card for those who want to earn rewards with simplicity. It offers 1.5% back on all purchases, plus 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 3% on dining. While the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers slightly better rewards rates than the Bilt Mastercard on categories like travel and dining, the Bilt Mastercard still has an edge for renters. With the ability to earn rewards on rent payments, it gives renters the opportunity to build points in a way that the Chase Freedom Unlimited cannot.
Key benefits of the Bilt Mastercard
The Bilt Mastercard comes with several unique advantages that make it a top choice for renters:
- Earn Rewards on Rent Payments: The most unique feature of the Bilt Mastercard is that it allows you to earn 1x points on rent payments (up to 50,000 points per year), without paying any transaction fees.
- Points on Everyday Purchases: You’ll earn 2x points on dining and 3x points on travel, making it a great card for earning rewards on all of your spending.
- No Annual Fee: Unlike other credit cards that charge an annual fee, the Bilt Mastercard doesn’t come with an annual fee, making it an affordable rewards card for those on a budget.
- Access to Bilt Rewards: Points earned with the Bilt Mastercard can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including travel, fitness classes, and more. You can also transfer points to leading airline and hotel partners.
- Flexible Redemption Options: You can redeem your points for travel through Bilt Rewards or use them for gift cards or even rent itself, which is a feature that sets this card apart.
Who should get the Bilt Mastercard?
The Bilt Mastercard is ideal for renters who want to earn rewards on rent payments and everyday purchases. It’s also great for people who enjoy earning points on dining and travel purchases and don’t want to deal with complicated category-based rewards. Since it has no annual fee, it’s an excellent option for people who want to avoid paying extra fees while still earning valuable rewards.
This card is also perfect for anyone who wants flexibility in how they use their points. Whether you’re looking to travel more or take a fitness class, the Bilt Mastercard offers plenty of redemption options to fit your lifestyle.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Bilt Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Double Cash Card | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $0 | $250 |
| Rewards Rate | 1x on rent, 2x on dining, 3x on travel | 2x on travel & dining | 2% on all purchases | 4x on dining, 3x on flights |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 20,000 points after $1,000 in 3 months | 100,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months | None | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 6 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None | 3% | None |
| Ideal For | Renters, travelers, dining enthusiasts | Frequent travelers, big spenders | Those who want a simple flat-rate rewards card | Foodies, frequent flyers |
Conclusion
The Bilt Mastercard is a fantastic option for renters looking to earn rewards on their rent payments without any extra fees. With its straightforward rewards system and no annual fee, it’s a budget-friendly choice that also offers impressive rewards on dining and travel. If you’re someone who enjoys the flexibility to redeem points for travel, fitness classes, or rent itself, this card is a perfect match. For those looking to earn points without complicating their rewards strategy, the Bilt Mastercard is definitely worth considering.