Bilt 2.0
For years, the Bilt card was known for one thing – allowing people to earn points on rent.
Now Bilt has launched an updated version of the program — Bilt 2.0 — and instead of just one card, there are now three different Bilt cards to choose from.
The new system also introduces a different way to earn points on rent and mortgage payments. And yes… it’s a bit more complicated than before.
Let’s break down what changed, how the new cards work, and which option might make the most sense depending on how you spend.
What Changed With Bilt 2.0
The biggest update is how rewards on housing payments work.
Previously, Bilt cardholders could earn points simply by paying rent with the card. With the new system, earning points on rent or mortgage payments is now connected to how much you use the card for everyday purchases.
There are two ways the system can work:
Option #1: Flexible Bilt Cash (The “Allowance” Option)
Imagine every time you use your credit card to buy things like groceries, gas, or dinner… you get a little bit of allowance money.
That allowance is called Bilt Cash.
You earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases.
Later, you can use that Bilt Cash to turn on points for your rent or mortgage payment.
Example:
• Your rent = $2,000
• You use $60 of Bilt Cash
• That unlocks 2,000 Bilt points on your rent payment
Think of it like using your allowance to buy points for your rent.
If you don’t pay rent or a mortgage with Bilt:
You can still earn the 4% Bilt Cash on your purchases, but you won’t use it to unlock housing points.
Option #2: Housing-Only Rewards (The “Spend More = Earn More” Option)
This option skips Bilt Cash completely.
Instead, the more you use your card during the month, the more points you earn on your rent payment.
It works like levels in a video game.
The more you spend, the higher level you reach — and the more points your rent earns.
Here’s how the levels work:
| Monthly Spending Compared to Your Rent | Points Earned on Rent |
|---|---|
| Spend 25% of your rent | 0.5X points |
| Spend 50% of your rent | 0.75X points |
| Spend 75% of your rent | 1X points |
| Spend 100% of your rent | 1.25X points |
Example:
$2,000 rent → spend $2,000 → earn 2,500 points
If you don’t pay rent or a mortgage with Bilt:
This option doesn’t provide much benefit, since the extra points are tied to your housing payment.
The Three New Bilt Cards
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bilt Blue Card | $0 | Simple everyday spending and earning Flexible Bilt Cash |
| Bilt Obsidian Card | $95 | Earning extra rewards on dining, groceries, and flexible spending |
| Bilt Palladium Card | $495 | Maximum points earn, premium perks, and luxury rewards experience |
Bilt Blue Card
Annual fee: $0
This is the entry-level version of the card and the easiest way to start earning Bilt points.
Key details:
- No annual fee
- Earn 1 point per dollar on everyday purchases
- Earn up to 1 point per dollar on rent or mortgage payments
This is the most similar to the original Bilt concept — simple and accessible.
Bilt Obsidian Card
Annual fee: $95
The mid-tier card is designed for people who spend more in certain categories.
Key features:
- 3X points on either dining or groceries (you choose)
- 2X points on travel purchases
- 1X points on other spending
- Earn points on rent or mortgage payments
If your spending naturally leans toward restaurants or groceries, this card offers stronger earning potential than the no-fee option.
Bilt Palladium Card
Annual fee: $495
This is the premium card in the lineup.
Key highlights:
- 2X points on everyday purchases
- Points on rent or mortgage payments
- Additional travel benefits and credits
This version is clearly meant for people who want a premium travel card experience within the Bilt ecosystem.
A Few Important Things to Know
You can earn points on rent and mortgage
One of the biggest additions is that Bilt now supports both rent and mortgage payments, something that wasn’t possible before.
Your housing payment doesn’t use your credit line
Rent and mortgage payments are typically processed from a linked bank account, meaning they don’t reduce your available credit limit on the card.
You still have access to Bilt’s transfer partners
Even the no-annual-fee version allows you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which is one of the most valuable parts of the Bilt program.
Why the Card Can Still Be Valuable (Even If You Don’t Use It for Rent or Mortgage)
One thing worth mentioning: you don’t actually have to use the card for your housing payment for it to still be valuable.
Even if someone chooses not to connect their rent or mortgage, the higher-tier versions of the card — especially the Bilt Palladium — can still be strong earners on everyday spending.
The Palladium version earns 2X points on general purchases, which is a solid return for a simple everyday card. For people who prefer keeping their strategy simple, a 2X earning rate across many purchases can add up quickly.
But the bigger reason the card can be valuable is Bilt’s transfer partners.
Bilt has built one of the most impressive lists of airline and hotel partners in the points world, including programs like:
- Hyatt
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlantic
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Emirates Skywards
For anyone who likes redeeming points for premium flights or high-value hotel stays, having another way to earn transferable points can be incredibly useful — whether those points come from rent, mortgage payments, or just everyday spending.
My Take on the New Bilt Cards
The original Bilt card was appealing to many because it was simple: pay rent, earn points.
The new system adds more complexity — but it also adds flexibility and more card options depending on how much you spend.
If you already have meaningful monthly spending that you can put on the card, the ability to generate points tied to your largest monthly expense (housing) can still be very powerful.
For people focused on points and miles, that’s a category most credit cards have never touched before.
