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3x on dining or grocery, 2x on travel, and up to 1x on rent — all with $200 Bilt Cash at signup
The Bilt Obsidian earns 3x Bilt Points on your choice of dining or grocery plus 2x on travel, while unlocking up to 1x points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee. At $95 per year, the $100 annual hotel credit can more than cover the fee, and 4% Bilt Cash on everyday spend fuels the entire ecosystem.
$95
Annual Fee
200
Bilt Points · Welcome Bonus
3X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
Mastercard World Elite
Rewards Currency
Bilt Points
Point Valuation
1.5–2.2 cpp (mid: 2)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Bonus: 200 Bilt Points
| Category | Rate | Type | Booking Method | Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Grocery Stores | 3X | Core | any | $25,000/annual | |
| Lyft | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Travel | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Walgreens | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Rent | 1X | Core | direct | $100,000/annual | |
| All Other | 1X | Base | any | None |
Spend $500/month on dining and earn 1,500 Bilt Points monthly (18,000/year). At 2.2 cents each, that's $396 in value from dining alone.
A $3,000 vacation earns 6,000 Bilt Points worth $132 when transferred to partners — plus the $50 hotel credit if you book 2+ nights on Bilt Travel.
A $2,000 monthly rent payment can earn 2,000 Bilt Points ($44 value) per month. Over a year, that's $528 in value from a payment you're already making.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
Bilt Rewards offers one of the strongest transfer partner networks in the industry with 21 partners at mostly 1:1 ratios. The Bilt 2.0 overhaul in January 2026 changed how points are earned on housing — now requiring everyday spend or Bilt Cash to unlock housing rewards — but the program's transfer value remains compelling for travel enthusiasts.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Purchase APR | 26.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 31.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
Bilt family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilt Blue | entry | $0 | |
| Bilt Palladium | premium | $495 | |
| Bilt Mastercard | entry | $0 |
3x on dining or grocery, 2x on travel, and up to 1x on rent — all with $200 Bilt Cash at signup
The Bilt Obsidian earns 3x Bilt Points on your choice of dining or grocery plus 2x on travel, while unlocking up to 1x points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee. At $95 per year, the $100 annual hotel credit can more than cover the fee, and 4% Bilt Cash on everyday spend fuels the entire ecosystem.
$95
Annual Fee
200
Bilt Points · Welcome Bonus
3X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
Mastercard World Elite
Rewards Currency
Bilt Points
Point Valuation
1.5–2.2 cpp (mid: 2)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Bonus: 200 Bilt Points
| Category | Rate | Type | Booking Method | Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Grocery Stores | 3X | Core | any | $25,000/annual | |
| Lyft | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Travel | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Walgreens | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Rent | 1X | Core | direct | $100,000/annual | |
| All Other | 1X | Base | any | None |
Spend $500/month on dining and earn 1,500 Bilt Points monthly (18,000/year). At 2.2 cents each, that's $396 in value from dining alone.
A $3,000 vacation earns 6,000 Bilt Points worth $132 when transferred to partners — plus the $50 hotel credit if you book 2+ nights on Bilt Travel.
A $2,000 monthly rent payment can earn 2,000 Bilt Points ($44 value) per month. Over a year, that's $528 in value from a payment you're already making.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
Bilt Rewards offers one of the strongest transfer partner networks in the industry with 21 partners at mostly 1:1 ratios. The Bilt 2.0 overhaul in January 2026 changed how points are earned on housing — now requiring everyday spend or Bilt Cash to unlock housing rewards — but the program's transfer value remains compelling for travel enthusiasts.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Purchase APR | 26.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 31.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
Bilt family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilt Blue | entry | $0 | |
| Bilt Palladium | premium | $495 | |
| Bilt Mastercard | entry | $0 |
3x on dining or grocery, 2x on travel, and up to 1x on rent — all with $200 Bilt Cash at signup
The Bilt Obsidian earns 3x Bilt Points on your choice of dining or grocery plus 2x on travel, while unlocking up to 1x points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee. At $95 per year, the $100 annual hotel credit can more than cover the fee, and 4% Bilt Cash on everyday spend fuels the entire ecosystem.
$95
Annual Fee
200
Bilt Points · Welcome Bonus
3X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
Mastercard World Elite
Rewards Currency
Bilt Points
Point Valuation
1.5–2.2 cpp (mid: 2)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Bonus: 200 Bilt Points
| Category | Rate | Type | Booking Method | Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Grocery Stores | 3X | Core | any | $25,000/annual | |
| Lyft | 3X | Core | any | None | |
| Travel | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Walgreens | 2X | Core | any | None | |
| Rent | 1X | Core | direct | $100,000/annual | |
| All Other | 1X | Base | any | None |
Spend $500/month on dining and earn 1,500 Bilt Points monthly (18,000/year). At 2.2 cents each, that's $396 in value from dining alone.
A $3,000 vacation earns 6,000 Bilt Points worth $132 when transferred to partners — plus the $50 hotel credit if you book 2+ nights on Bilt Travel.
A $2,000 monthly rent payment can earn 2,000 Bilt Points ($44 value) per month. Over a year, that's $528 in value from a payment you're already making.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
Bilt Rewards offers one of the strongest transfer partner networks in the industry with 21 partners at mostly 1:1 ratios. The Bilt 2.0 overhaul in January 2026 changed how points are earned on housing — now requiring everyday spend or Bilt Cash to unlock housing rewards — but the program's transfer value remains compelling for travel enthusiasts.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Purchase APR | 26.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 31.74%–34.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
Bilt family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilt Blue | entry | $0 | |
| Bilt Palladium | premium | $495 | |
| Bilt Mastercard | entry | $0 |
Up to
$100
in annual credits
$100 hotel credit
$100
Annual
Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings
$10/mo Instacart+
—
Annual
Get 3 free months of Instacart+ plus $10 off monthly orders when paid with card.
$5 Lyft + airport savings
—
Annual
Earn $5 monthly with 3 Lyft rides + save 10% on airport rides nationwide.
$3/mo Peacock
—
Annual
Save $3/month on Peacock Premium or Premium Plus with automatic statement credit.
$2.50/mo transit
—
Annual
Earn $2.50/month when spending $10+ on contactless transit in select U.S. cities.
If you are delayed more than six (6) hours while traveling to your destination or return destination, we will reimburse you for travel expenses as a
Monitor surface and dark web for compromised credentials with real-time alerts and resolution services included.
Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses up to $2,000 per trip and $5,000 per account annually for covered cancellations or interruptions.
Reimbursement for the actual cost to replace or repair a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone.
Deductible: 50
When you rent a vehicle for 31 consecutive days or less with your covered card, you are eligible for benefits under this coverage.
Complimentary HealthLock membership monitors for medical identity fraud, prescription fraud, and unauthorized insurance claims.
Transfer your Bilt Points to 23 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Bilt Points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy | 4,500 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy on a Partner | 6,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 8,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe on Star Alliance | 8,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Japan in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Hawaii in First Class | 30,000 | — | first | united_states |
| US to South Korea in Economy | 30,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Mexico in Business on a Partner | 30,000 | — | business | central_america |
| Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme | 35,000 | — | — | europe |
Showing top 20 of 33 sweet spots
The Bilt Obsidian Card lets you earn points on rent and mortgage payments by meeting non-housing spend requirements, with elevated multipliers that help you earn transferable points faster.
The Bilt Obsidian Card is Bilt’s mid-tier option with a $99 annual fee that lets you earn unlimited points on both rent and mortgage payments. You earn $200 in Bilt Cash as a welcome bonus just for signing up, with no spending required. Using Bilt Cash is one of the ways to access points earning on your housing.
Earning $200 in Bilt Cash just for signing up is a strong offer that offsets the $95 annual fee in year one. You’ll also earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases. While Bilt Cash can be used in a few ways, its most valuable use is accessing points on rent or mortgage payments. Every $30 in Bilt Cash provides 1x points on $1,000 in housing payments, so the $200 welcome offer lets you earn points on about **$6,667** of rent or mortgage.
The hotel credit is underwhelming. It’s split into two $50 credits, requires a two-night minimum, and must be booked through the Bilt portal. If prices match those found directly, you’re effectively saving $50 on a two-night stay, twice per year.
**Maximizing points efficiency**
If you look at this card through the lens of accessing points on your housing payment, the Obsidian can deliver an excellent return on your card spend. If you pay your housing through Bilt and spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you’ll access 1x points on rent.
- With a **$2,000 housing payment** and $1,500 in non-housing spend, you'll earn **3,500, 5,000, or 6,500 total points** on the Obsidian card, depending on your bonus category
- That's an effective **2.33x, 3.33x, or 4.33x return** on your actual card spend, which rival returns on many premium travel cards, making the $95 annual fee worth considering
The card also offers several bonus categories that help you rack up both Bilt Points (transferable to partners) and Bilt Cash (usable toward earning points on housing):
**Bonus categories:**
- Up to 1x on rent and mortgage
- 3x on your choice of dining _or_ groceries (grocery cap: $25K/year)
- 2x on travel
- 1x on everyday spend
- 5x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner restaurants
- 3x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner fitness studios
- 3x on Lyft rides
- 2x at Walgreens
**Included protections:**
- Cellular Wireless Protection
- Purchase Assurance
- MasterRental Coverage
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
- Trip Delay Reimbursement
- Extended Warranty
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You have been a Bilt user who valued the ability to earn points on rent with little effort, which is no longer the case
- You don't want to jump through so many hoops to earn points on your housing payments
- The hotel credit is not a very valuable perk
**No longer a clear winner for renters, but Bilt’s strong transfer partners make the program worth watching**
- Bilt now has three credit cards, all with points transferable to partners that rival, or even outshine, Chase
- You can earn points for both rent and mortgage, but you'll have to put a significant amount of other monthly spend on the card to earn it
- Earning points on housing is more complex, and Bilt’s user base is shifting
- Bilt is now best used as a daily spend travel rewards card when not working on a new card welcome offer
- The program can still be highly rewarding, but you'll need a clear plan to maximize point earning
Bilt 2.0 now has three credit cards, each with their own highlights.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$60
Annual Fee
-$95
Net Annual Value
-$35
Product changes available between family members without a new credit inquiry.
Yes. You can now use Bilt to pay your mortgage. You can earn points on that mortgage payment by using Bilt Cash or spending a certain percentage of your housing on non-housing spend. $30 in Bilt Cash earns 1,000 points, so if your housing is $1000/month, you'll need $30 in Bilt Cash to earn 1,000 points.
We value Bilt Rewards at 1.55 cents per point and Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1.60 cents per point, so Bilt holds up very well. Their transfer partners rival, and mabye even surpass Chase's, which are widely considered the strongest in the hobby.
The best way to use Bilt points is to transfer them to one of Bilt's partners and redeem for travel. High-value options include Alaska Airlines, Flying Blue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt, all with great sweet-spot redemptions.
You can, but we don't recommend it. Cashing out Bilt points for a statement credit gives you only 0.55 cents per point, which is a poor rate. You can easily get triple that value, often more, by transferring to one of Bilt's travel partners.
With Bilt 2.0, housing payments no longer earn points by default. You must either spend a percentage of your housing amount on non-housing purchases (25% for 0.5x, 50% for 0.75x, 75% for 1x, 100% for 1.25x on housing) or use Bilt Cash ($30 in Bilt Cash unlocks 1,000 points on $1,000 of housing).
Bilt Cash is a fixed-value currency introduced with Bilt 2.0. You earn 4% Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases and $50 in Bilt Cash for every 25,000 points earned. Its primary use is unlocking points on housing payments, but it can also be redeemed for hotel credits, transfer bonus upgrades, Lyft credits, and dining experiences.
Yes. Bilt 2.0 expanded housing payments to include mortgages. Like rent, mortgage payments are made via bank transfer and require either everyday spending or Bilt Cash to earn points on the housing amount.
Official Bilt support article explaining the Card 2.0 program mechanics, Bilt Cash, and housing rewards
TPG's detailed review of the mid-tier Bilt card covering earn rates, Bilt Cash mechanics, and how to maximize housing rewards
Forbes Advisor's in-depth review covering the dual earning structure, authorized user fees, and rewards potential calculations
NerdWallet's take on the Obsidian emphasizing the dining/grocery 3x category over the complicated housing rewards
CNN Underscored's critical analysis of all three Bilt 2.0 cards focusing on complexity concerns
One Mile at a Time's comprehensive comparison of Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium with scenario-based recommendations
Daily Drop's practical review positioning the Obsidian as a solid everyday wallet card
Kudos blog breakdown of whether the $95 annual fee justifies the dining/grocery earning and hotel credit
Frequent Miler's contrarian analysis showing how lower spenders can get outsized returns from the Bilt Cash system
Detailed comparison of all three Bilt 2.0 cards with welcome bonus analysis and competitor matchups
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Up to
$100
in annual credits
$100 hotel credit
$100
Annual
Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings
$10/mo Instacart+
—
Annual
Get 3 free months of Instacart+ plus $10 off monthly orders when paid with card.
$5 Lyft + airport savings
—
Annual
Earn $5 monthly with 3 Lyft rides + save 10% on airport rides nationwide.
$3/mo Peacock
—
Annual
Save $3/month on Peacock Premium or Premium Plus with automatic statement credit.
$2.50/mo transit
—
Annual
Earn $2.50/month when spending $10+ on contactless transit in select U.S. cities.
If you are delayed more than six (6) hours while traveling to your destination or return destination, we will reimburse you for travel expenses as a
Monitor surface and dark web for compromised credentials with real-time alerts and resolution services included.
Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses up to $2,000 per trip and $5,000 per account annually for covered cancellations or interruptions.
Reimbursement for the actual cost to replace or repair a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone.
Deductible: 50
When you rent a vehicle for 31 consecutive days or less with your covered card, you are eligible for benefits under this coverage.
Complimentary HealthLock membership monitors for medical identity fraud, prescription fraud, and unauthorized insurance claims.
Transfer your Bilt Points to 23 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Bilt Points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy | 4,500 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy on a Partner | 6,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 8,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe on Star Alliance | 8,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Japan in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Hawaii in First Class | 30,000 | — | first | united_states |
| US to South Korea in Economy | 30,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Mexico in Business on a Partner | 30,000 | — | business | central_america |
| Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme | 35,000 | — | — | europe |
Showing top 20 of 33 sweet spots
The Bilt Obsidian Card lets you earn points on rent and mortgage payments by meeting non-housing spend requirements, with elevated multipliers that help you earn transferable points faster.
The Bilt Obsidian Card is Bilt’s mid-tier option with a $99 annual fee that lets you earn unlimited points on both rent and mortgage payments. You earn $200 in Bilt Cash as a welcome bonus just for signing up, with no spending required. Using Bilt Cash is one of the ways to access points earning on your housing.
Earning $200 in Bilt Cash just for signing up is a strong offer that offsets the $95 annual fee in year one. You’ll also earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases. While Bilt Cash can be used in a few ways, its most valuable use is accessing points on rent or mortgage payments. Every $30 in Bilt Cash provides 1x points on $1,000 in housing payments, so the $200 welcome offer lets you earn points on about **$6,667** of rent or mortgage.
The hotel credit is underwhelming. It’s split into two $50 credits, requires a two-night minimum, and must be booked through the Bilt portal. If prices match those found directly, you’re effectively saving $50 on a two-night stay, twice per year.
**Maximizing points efficiency**
If you look at this card through the lens of accessing points on your housing payment, the Obsidian can deliver an excellent return on your card spend. If you pay your housing through Bilt and spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you’ll access 1x points on rent.
- With a **$2,000 housing payment** and $1,500 in non-housing spend, you'll earn **3,500, 5,000, or 6,500 total points** on the Obsidian card, depending on your bonus category
- That's an effective **2.33x, 3.33x, or 4.33x return** on your actual card spend, which rival returns on many premium travel cards, making the $95 annual fee worth considering
The card also offers several bonus categories that help you rack up both Bilt Points (transferable to partners) and Bilt Cash (usable toward earning points on housing):
**Bonus categories:**
- Up to 1x on rent and mortgage
- 3x on your choice of dining _or_ groceries (grocery cap: $25K/year)
- 2x on travel
- 1x on everyday spend
- 5x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner restaurants
- 3x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner fitness studios
- 3x on Lyft rides
- 2x at Walgreens
**Included protections:**
- Cellular Wireless Protection
- Purchase Assurance
- MasterRental Coverage
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
- Trip Delay Reimbursement
- Extended Warranty
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You have been a Bilt user who valued the ability to earn points on rent with little effort, which is no longer the case
- You don't want to jump through so many hoops to earn points on your housing payments
- The hotel credit is not a very valuable perk
**No longer a clear winner for renters, but Bilt’s strong transfer partners make the program worth watching**
- Bilt now has three credit cards, all with points transferable to partners that rival, or even outshine, Chase
- You can earn points for both rent and mortgage, but you'll have to put a significant amount of other monthly spend on the card to earn it
- Earning points on housing is more complex, and Bilt’s user base is shifting
- Bilt is now best used as a daily spend travel rewards card when not working on a new card welcome offer
- The program can still be highly rewarding, but you'll need a clear plan to maximize point earning
Bilt 2.0 now has three credit cards, each with their own highlights.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$60
Annual Fee
-$95
Net Annual Value
-$35
Product changes available between family members without a new credit inquiry.
Yes. You can now use Bilt to pay your mortgage. You can earn points on that mortgage payment by using Bilt Cash or spending a certain percentage of your housing on non-housing spend. $30 in Bilt Cash earns 1,000 points, so if your housing is $1000/month, you'll need $30 in Bilt Cash to earn 1,000 points.
We value Bilt Rewards at 1.55 cents per point and Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1.60 cents per point, so Bilt holds up very well. Their transfer partners rival, and mabye even surpass Chase's, which are widely considered the strongest in the hobby.
The best way to use Bilt points is to transfer them to one of Bilt's partners and redeem for travel. High-value options include Alaska Airlines, Flying Blue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt, all with great sweet-spot redemptions.
You can, but we don't recommend it. Cashing out Bilt points for a statement credit gives you only 0.55 cents per point, which is a poor rate. You can easily get triple that value, often more, by transferring to one of Bilt's travel partners.
With Bilt 2.0, housing payments no longer earn points by default. You must either spend a percentage of your housing amount on non-housing purchases (25% for 0.5x, 50% for 0.75x, 75% for 1x, 100% for 1.25x on housing) or use Bilt Cash ($30 in Bilt Cash unlocks 1,000 points on $1,000 of housing).
Bilt Cash is a fixed-value currency introduced with Bilt 2.0. You earn 4% Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases and $50 in Bilt Cash for every 25,000 points earned. Its primary use is unlocking points on housing payments, but it can also be redeemed for hotel credits, transfer bonus upgrades, Lyft credits, and dining experiences.
Yes. Bilt 2.0 expanded housing payments to include mortgages. Like rent, mortgage payments are made via bank transfer and require either everyday spending or Bilt Cash to earn points on the housing amount.
Official Bilt support article explaining the Card 2.0 program mechanics, Bilt Cash, and housing rewards
TPG's detailed review of the mid-tier Bilt card covering earn rates, Bilt Cash mechanics, and how to maximize housing rewards
Forbes Advisor's in-depth review covering the dual earning structure, authorized user fees, and rewards potential calculations
NerdWallet's take on the Obsidian emphasizing the dining/grocery 3x category over the complicated housing rewards
CNN Underscored's critical analysis of all three Bilt 2.0 cards focusing on complexity concerns
One Mile at a Time's comprehensive comparison of Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium with scenario-based recommendations
Daily Drop's practical review positioning the Obsidian as a solid everyday wallet card
Kudos blog breakdown of whether the $95 annual fee justifies the dining/grocery earning and hotel credit
Frequent Miler's contrarian analysis showing how lower spenders can get outsized returns from the Bilt Cash system
Detailed comparison of all three Bilt 2.0 cards with welcome bonus analysis and competitor matchups
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Up to
$100
in annual credits
$100 hotel credit
$100
Annual
Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings
$10/mo Instacart+
—
Annual
Get 3 free months of Instacart+ plus $10 off monthly orders when paid with card.
$5 Lyft + airport savings
—
Annual
Earn $5 monthly with 3 Lyft rides + save 10% on airport rides nationwide.
$3/mo Peacock
—
Annual
Save $3/month on Peacock Premium or Premium Plus with automatic statement credit.
$2.50/mo transit
—
Annual
Earn $2.50/month when spending $10+ on contactless transit in select U.S. cities.
If you are delayed more than six (6) hours while traveling to your destination or return destination, we will reimburse you for travel expenses as a
Monitor surface and dark web for compromised credentials with real-time alerts and resolution services included.
Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses up to $2,000 per trip and $5,000 per account annually for covered cancellations or interruptions.
Reimbursement for the actual cost to replace or repair a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone.
Deductible: 50
When you rent a vehicle for 31 consecutive days or less with your covered card, you are eligible for benefits under this coverage.
Complimentary HealthLock membership monitors for medical identity fraud, prescription fraud, and unauthorized insurance claims.
Transfer your Bilt Points to 23 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Bilt Points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy | 4,500 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Economy on a Partner | 6,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 8,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe on Star Alliance | 8,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Japan in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Hawaii in First Class | 30,000 | — | first | united_states |
| US to South Korea in Economy | 30,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Mexico in Business on a Partner | 30,000 | — | business | central_america |
| Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme | 35,000 | — | — | europe |
Showing top 20 of 33 sweet spots
The Bilt Obsidian Card lets you earn points on rent and mortgage payments by meeting non-housing spend requirements, with elevated multipliers that help you earn transferable points faster.
The Bilt Obsidian Card is Bilt’s mid-tier option with a $99 annual fee that lets you earn unlimited points on both rent and mortgage payments. You earn $200 in Bilt Cash as a welcome bonus just for signing up, with no spending required. Using Bilt Cash is one of the ways to access points earning on your housing.
Earning $200 in Bilt Cash just for signing up is a strong offer that offsets the $95 annual fee in year one. You’ll also earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases. While Bilt Cash can be used in a few ways, its most valuable use is accessing points on rent or mortgage payments. Every $30 in Bilt Cash provides 1x points on $1,000 in housing payments, so the $200 welcome offer lets you earn points on about **$6,667** of rent or mortgage.
The hotel credit is underwhelming. It’s split into two $50 credits, requires a two-night minimum, and must be booked through the Bilt portal. If prices match those found directly, you’re effectively saving $50 on a two-night stay, twice per year.
**Maximizing points efficiency**
If you look at this card through the lens of accessing points on your housing payment, the Obsidian can deliver an excellent return on your card spend. If you pay your housing through Bilt and spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you’ll access 1x points on rent.
- With a **$2,000 housing payment** and $1,500 in non-housing spend, you'll earn **3,500, 5,000, or 6,500 total points** on the Obsidian card, depending on your bonus category
- That's an effective **2.33x, 3.33x, or 4.33x return** on your actual card spend, which rival returns on many premium travel cards, making the $95 annual fee worth considering
The card also offers several bonus categories that help you rack up both Bilt Points (transferable to partners) and Bilt Cash (usable toward earning points on housing):
**Bonus categories:**
- Up to 1x on rent and mortgage
- 3x on your choice of dining _or_ groceries (grocery cap: $25K/year)
- 2x on travel
- 1x on everyday spend
- 5x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner restaurants
- 3x at Bilt Neighborhood Partner fitness studios
- 3x on Lyft rides
- 2x at Walgreens
**Included protections:**
- Cellular Wireless Protection
- Purchase Assurance
- MasterRental Coverage
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
- Trip Delay Reimbursement
- Extended Warranty
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You have been a Bilt user who valued the ability to earn points on rent with little effort, which is no longer the case
- You don't want to jump through so many hoops to earn points on your housing payments
- The hotel credit is not a very valuable perk
**No longer a clear winner for renters, but Bilt’s strong transfer partners make the program worth watching**
- Bilt now has three credit cards, all with points transferable to partners that rival, or even outshine, Chase
- You can earn points for both rent and mortgage, but you'll have to put a significant amount of other monthly spend on the card to earn it
- Earning points on housing is more complex, and Bilt’s user base is shifting
- Bilt is now best used as a daily spend travel rewards card when not working on a new card welcome offer
- The program can still be highly rewarding, but you'll need a clear plan to maximize point earning
Bilt 2.0 now has three credit cards, each with their own highlights.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$60
Annual Fee
-$95
Net Annual Value
-$35
Product changes available between family members without a new credit inquiry.
Yes. You can now use Bilt to pay your mortgage. You can earn points on that mortgage payment by using Bilt Cash or spending a certain percentage of your housing on non-housing spend. $30 in Bilt Cash earns 1,000 points, so if your housing is $1000/month, you'll need $30 in Bilt Cash to earn 1,000 points.
We value Bilt Rewards at 1.55 cents per point and Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1.60 cents per point, so Bilt holds up very well. Their transfer partners rival, and mabye even surpass Chase's, which are widely considered the strongest in the hobby.
The best way to use Bilt points is to transfer them to one of Bilt's partners and redeem for travel. High-value options include Alaska Airlines, Flying Blue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt, all with great sweet-spot redemptions.
You can, but we don't recommend it. Cashing out Bilt points for a statement credit gives you only 0.55 cents per point, which is a poor rate. You can easily get triple that value, often more, by transferring to one of Bilt's travel partners.
With Bilt 2.0, housing payments no longer earn points by default. You must either spend a percentage of your housing amount on non-housing purchases (25% for 0.5x, 50% for 0.75x, 75% for 1x, 100% for 1.25x on housing) or use Bilt Cash ($30 in Bilt Cash unlocks 1,000 points on $1,000 of housing).
Bilt Cash is a fixed-value currency introduced with Bilt 2.0. You earn 4% Bilt Cash on all non-housing purchases and $50 in Bilt Cash for every 25,000 points earned. Its primary use is unlocking points on housing payments, but it can also be redeemed for hotel credits, transfer bonus upgrades, Lyft credits, and dining experiences.
Yes. Bilt 2.0 expanded housing payments to include mortgages. Like rent, mortgage payments are made via bank transfer and require either everyday spending or Bilt Cash to earn points on the housing amount.
Official Bilt support article explaining the Card 2.0 program mechanics, Bilt Cash, and housing rewards
TPG's detailed review of the mid-tier Bilt card covering earn rates, Bilt Cash mechanics, and how to maximize housing rewards
Forbes Advisor's in-depth review covering the dual earning structure, authorized user fees, and rewards potential calculations
NerdWallet's take on the Obsidian emphasizing the dining/grocery 3x category over the complicated housing rewards
CNN Underscored's critical analysis of all three Bilt 2.0 cards focusing on complexity concerns
One Mile at a Time's comprehensive comparison of Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium with scenario-based recommendations
Daily Drop's practical review positioning the Obsidian as a solid everyday wallet card
Kudos blog breakdown of whether the $95 annual fee justifies the dining/grocery earning and hotel credit
Frequent Miler's contrarian analysis showing how lower spenders can get outsized returns from the Bilt Cash system
Detailed comparison of all three Bilt 2.0 cards with welcome bonus analysis and competitor matchups
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
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Covers repair or replacement of lost or damaged luggage and personal property up to $1,500 per incident, with a maximum of 2 claims per year.
Most items you purchase entirely with your covered card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase as indicated on
Extends the original manufacturer's warranty by up to one year on eligible items with a U.S. warranty of 2 years or less, up to $10,000 per claim.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 88% |
| — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 82% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 53% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 100% | 1.7 cpp | |
| 3:2 | instant | 86% | 2 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 41% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 35% | 0.6 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | 29% | 0.5 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
turkish_miles_and_smiles | 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | — |
**Bilt Blue:**
- $100 signup bonus paid in Bilt Cash (no spending requirement)
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- Limited perks beyond a few spending multipliers
- No annual fee
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 2.33x on that non-housing spend
**Bilt Palladium (the strongest option for points and miles enthusiasts):**
- $495 annual fee
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- $300 Bilt Cash welcome bonus (no spending required)
- 50,000 Bilt points + Bilt Gold status after spending $4,000 on non-housing purchases in the first 3 months
- 2x points on everyday spend (excluding rent and mortgage)
- Elevated multipliers in select bonus categories
- $200 in Bilt Cash on your account anniversary (first year included)
- $400 in biannual hotel credits ($200 twice per year) for two-night bookings made through the Bilt portal
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 3.33x on that non-housing spend
Covers repair or replacement of lost or damaged luggage and personal property up to $1,500 per incident, with a maximum of 2 claims per year.
Most items you purchase entirely with your covered card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase as indicated on
Extends the original manufacturer's warranty by up to one year on eligible items with a U.S. warranty of 2 years or less, up to $10,000 per claim.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 88% |
| — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 82% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 53% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 100% | 1.7 cpp | |
| 3:2 | instant | 86% | 2 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 41% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 35% | 0.6 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | 29% | 0.5 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
turkish_miles_and_smiles | 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | — |
**Bilt Blue:**
- $100 signup bonus paid in Bilt Cash (no spending requirement)
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- Limited perks beyond a few spending multipliers
- No annual fee
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 2.33x on that non-housing spend
**Bilt Palladium (the strongest option for points and miles enthusiasts):**
- $495 annual fee
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- $300 Bilt Cash welcome bonus (no spending required)
- 50,000 Bilt points + Bilt Gold status after spending $4,000 on non-housing purchases in the first 3 months
- 2x points on everyday spend (excluding rent and mortgage)
- Elevated multipliers in select bonus categories
- $200 in Bilt Cash on your account anniversary (first year included)
- $400 in biannual hotel credits ($200 twice per year) for two-night bookings made through the Bilt portal
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 3.33x on that non-housing spend
Covers repair or replacement of lost or damaged luggage and personal property up to $1,500 per incident, with a maximum of 2 claims per year.
Most items you purchase entirely with your covered card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase as indicated on
Extends the original manufacturer's warranty by up to one year on eligible items with a U.S. warranty of 2 years or less, up to $10,000 per claim.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 88% |
| — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 82% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | 1.35 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 71% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 65% | — |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 53% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 100% | 1.7 cpp | |
| 3:2 | instant | 86% | 2 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 41% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 5-7 days | 35% | 0.6 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | 29% | 0.5 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
turkish_miles_and_smiles | 1:1 | 5-7 days | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | 5-7 days | 76% | — |
**Bilt Blue:**
- $100 signup bonus paid in Bilt Cash (no spending requirement)
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- Limited perks beyond a few spending multipliers
- No annual fee
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 2.33x on that non-housing spend
**Bilt Palladium (the strongest option for points and miles enthusiasts):**
- $495 annual fee
- 4% back in Bilt Cash on all non-housing spend
- $300 Bilt Cash welcome bonus (no spending required)
- 50,000 Bilt points + Bilt Gold status after spending $4,000 on non-housing purchases in the first 3 months
- 2x points on everyday spend (excluding rent and mortgage)
- Elevated multipliers in select bonus categories
- $200 in Bilt Cash on your account anniversary (first year included)
- $400 in biannual hotel credits ($200 twice per year) for two-night bookings made through the Bilt portal
- If you use Bilt to pay your housing then spend 75% of that amount on non-housing purchases, you can effectively earn 3.33x on that non-housing spend
