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There was once just one Bilt credit card. Now, the company has expanded its lineup to three — and the Bilt Blue Card is the only $0-annual-fee option.
But the changes go beyond the number of cards. Bilt Rewards has also introduced Bilt Cash, adding a new — and somewhat complex — layer to how members earn and redeem rewards.
How does this version compare to the previous offering, and is it worth getting? Let's dig into the details of this new no-annual-fee Bilt card.
Bilt Blue Card Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Ability to earn Bilt Cash, enabling points earning on housing payments
- Access to the Bilt Rewards transfer network
Bilt Blue Card Cons
- Low earning rates
- Complicated path to earning points on housing payments
- Limited benefits
Bilt Blue Card Welcome Offer
The Bilt Blue Card offers a modest welcome bonus. New cardholders will receive $100 in Bilt Cash upon application and approval — no minimum spending requirement needed.
Bilt Cash can be redeemed with partners in the “Bilt Neighborhood.” It can also be used to cover transaction fees when you choose to earn points on housing payments. Members may roll over up to $100 in Bilt Cash each year; any remaining balance expires at the end of the calendar year.
Bilt Blue Card Earning Rates
The Bilt Blue Card offers a simple earning structure for cardholders. Cardholders earn 1X Bilt Points on eligible purchases. However, some transactions are ineligible for rewards, like tax payments.
In addition, cardholders choose how they earn points on their housing payment. If you opt to use Bilt Cash to cover the transaction fees required to earn points on rent or mortgage payments, you’ll earn an additional 4% back in Bilt Cash on eligible purchases. This is on top of your standard Bilt Points earning.
Alternatively, you can elect to earn housing rewards based on your monthly card spending. In that case, you won’t earn Bilt Cash. You can update your selection each month, with changes taking effect the following calendar month.
Bilt Blue Card Benefits
The Bilt Blue Card comes with benefits from Bilt Rewards and its World Elite Mastercard designation. Here are the highlights.
No transaction fees on housing payments
As a Bilt cardholder, you can make rent or mortgage payments through the platform without paying a processing fee. However, to earn rewards on those payments requires an additional step. You must either redeem Bilt Cash to cover the transaction fee or elect to earn rewards based on your monthly card spending.
No foreign transaction fees
The card has no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a practical choice for international purchases — especially if you’re already thinking about ways to reduce travel costs abroad.
Cellular telephone protection
Cellphone protection is another potentially valuable benefit. To qualify, you must pay your monthly cellular bill with the card. Coverage begins the calendar month after your first eligible payment.
Claims are limited to $800 per claim, up to $1,000 per covered card, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period. A $50 deductible applies to each claim.
Identity protection
World Elite Mastercards include Mastercard ID Theft Protection, which monitors the web and dark web for suspicious activity. You’ll need to enroll in the program to activate coverage.
Travel concierge
Through Mastercard’s concierge service, cardmembers can arrange travel, secure hard-to-get restaurant reservations, and handle special requests at home or on the road.
If your card is lost or stolen while traveling, emergency replacement services are available.
Purchase assurance
If you make a purchase with the Bilt Blue Card that's damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you're covered. Cardholders are limited to $1,000 per loss and up to $50,000 per cardholder per 12-month period.
There are coverage limits, such as for the item purchased, so it's important to read the terms and conditions carefully before relying on the guarantee.
Secondary rental car coverage
The Bilt Blue Card also includes secondary rental car coverage. When you pay for your rental in full with the card, coverage applies after any primary insurance you carry.
Some credit cards offer primary rental coverage, which can provide broader protection. As with most policies, exclusions apply based on vehicle type and rental location, and coverage is limited to rentals of 31 consecutive days or fewer.
Redeeming Rewards With the Bilt Blue Card
Rewards earned with the Bilt Blue Card fall into two categories: Bilt Points and Bilt Cash. Understanding how each can be redeemed is key to maximizing the card’s value.
Redeeming Bilt Points
Bilt Rewards has a robust network of transfer partners, which typically offer the best value for your rewards earned with the Bilt Blue Card. There are currently over a dozen partners available to all Bilt members.
Points can also be redeemed with Bilt Neighborhood merchants or for purchases at the following rates:
- Statement credits: 0.55 cents per point
- Amazon purchases (limited to Bilt Mastercard holders): 0.7 cents per point
- Fitness classes (SoulCycle, Solidcore, Y7 Studio, etc): Roughly 1 cent per point
- Bilt Collection (art, home decor, etc): Roughly 1 cent per point
- Bilt Travel Portal: 1.25 cents per point
Points may also be applied toward rent at 0.55 cents per point or toward a home down payment at 1.5 cents per point after completing the required form.
Redeeming Bilt Cash
If you elect to earn rewards on housing payments, you may also earn Bilt Cash. Bilt Cash can be used to offset transaction fees at a rate of $1 in Bilt Cash per $33.33 in housing payment fees.
Bilt Cash can also be redeemed for a range of monthly credits and partner perks. While availability and values may change, current options include:
- $10 credit each month for restaurant and grocery delivery fulfilled by GrubHub
- $25 credit each month toward meals at select Bilt partner restaurants via Mobile Dining Checkout
- $50 per month on exclusive Bilt dining experiences
- $10 monthly Lyft ride credit
- $40 monthly credit for one group fitness class
- $10 monthly Walgreens credit
Application Restrictions
There are a few application restrictions to be aware of with the Bilt Blue Card. Bilt limits members to one card within the Bilt Rewards family. However, you may still be added as an authorized user on another Bilt card.
You can apply for the Bilt Blue Card if you previously held the original Bilt Rewards Mastercard and did not transfer your credit line to a new product. Cardholders are also limited to one welcome bonus per lifetime. With more generous offers occasionally available on other Bilt cards, this is an important detail to keep in mind.
In addition, Cardless — the issuer of the Bilt Blue Card — generally limits approvals to one card every 60 days across its portfolio. If you were previously denied a Cardless card, you must wait 45 days before applying again.
Cards That Compete With the Bilt Blue Card
Many credit cards compete with the Bilt Blue Card. Here are a few to consider:
- If you're looking to earn more rewards for your spending, consider the Citi Double Cash® Card. The card offers 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% back at the time of sale and a further 1% back when you pay your statement. Plus, you'll earn 5% cash back on hotel, car rental, and other attractions paid for through the Citi Travel Portal.
- If you're looking for a no-annual-fee card with an introductory APR period, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This card offers a low introductory APR on purchases and cash-back rewards in several categories, including everyday purchases at a flat 1.5% cash back. When paired with an Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, your rewards can increase in value as well.
- To earn more Bilt Rewards, consider the Bilt Obsidian Card. It offers bonus categories, including 3X Bilt Points on dining or groceries and 2X on travel. You'll also continue to enjoy 1X Bilt Points on everyday purchases.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Earn 5% on purchases through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
- Earn 1.5% on all purchases
$95
- Up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments
- 1X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
- 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
- 2X points on travel
Final Thoughts
The Bilt Blue Card provides a way to access Bilt Rewards without paying an annual fee. While the structure is more complex than the original Bilt card, it can still make sense if your spending aligns with how the program works.
If you’re looking for higher earning rates or a stronger lineup of benefits, one of the other Bilt cards may be a better fit.
$0
- Up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments
- 1X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
$95
- Up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments
- 1X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
- 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
- 2X points on travel
$495
- Up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments
- 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Double Cash® Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Rates & Fees)
