I'm planning a trip to NYC in May, and I'm hoping to burn my stash of Bilt Cash ahead of time on BLADE rides to and from the airport. It doesn't appear I'll be able to book those flights in May before the Bilt Cash timer runs out on Dec 31. Was curious if anyone has tried booking a Max ride (I am Bilt Platinum so that was my plan) with Bilt Cash and then subsequently cancel the ride for BLADE credit to use later? I'll most likely try it out at the end of the year since I have nothing to lose, but I was curious if there are any data points.
I have a trip to NY but not until Feb. So I was thinking book the furthest trip out in December and just change the dates by buying the max fare. Date changes are free and 65lb baggage allowance which is way more reasonable than the 25 you get on the cheaper fares. My last flight I weighed in at 37lbs and they wanted to charge me $150 but they waived because the chopper wasn't full. Hopefully there's a way to combine Bilt cash with the Platinum credit.
@unitedef Yeah that's my plan, either book the Max fare and then change it until I get to my desired dates in May, or cancel for BLADE credit (which it does say is possible for the Max fare) and then hold on to it until I need it. The cancel for credit could be a workaround to the Bilt Cash expiration at the end of the year too, though I imagine there's still a time limit on when that credit expires.
@samar Wait, didn't you say you're routing through NYC soon on your 'Samar's 2-week trip to Asia' plans? I suppose it depends when your CX JFK flight arrives (or, when you fly back to wherever you are starting from, if it's JFK or EWR during hours when Blade operates). Like, why wait until May, you could burn that BILT Cash sooner than later! Either way, safe travels and can't wait for your updates!
@1990_ I originally wasn't planning to take BLADE because I will have a checked bag, but I decided yesterday to book a one-way with my Bilt Platinum credit (which only covers a basic ride) and paid for the Tote Taxi to transport my luggage. I’ll schlepp myself back on the LIRR for the homeward trip.
Based in NYC, have Bilt Palladium with a lot of excess B$, and have been on a few helicopters, but not with Blade yet, so I am considering redeeming my two rides, but, also, if they got Kobe, I’m still a little… *gulp* …hesitant. May book a roundtrip to JFK just to burn the B$ in the coming months. Will try to circle back if/when I do!
@1990_ pair that with some time at the TWA pool and you've got the makings of a real day.
@peter_ Add in a visit to their Connie Cocktail Lounge, and I may make it an annual tradition!
Wanted to give a quick update; I was surprised to see yesterday that BLADE bookings were already opened up in September, so I booked a flight to the airport. After the Bilt Platinum discount, my Max booking was $0 out of pocket. Not a bad use of Monopoly money.
I probably won't need to test out canceling and rebooking at this point, but I'm glad to be able to use some of my Bilt Cash and have that locked in before the expiration date.
@samar Awesome update! (Not to promote other blogs too hard on here, but...) Greg, the Frequent Miler, was also describing this strategy in their recent Coffee Break discussion (redeem B$ in 2026 for a flexible Blade flight in 2027, then change as much as you want.) Having already taken one flight with them to JFK, and on the verge of having another one via the Bilt Platinum benefit soon, I may need to book a few for 2027, just to use up what I have before it all expires. Either that, or I'm just gonna take a few more sightseeing tours of the city... where else are you gonna get views like this (see attached)!
@1990_ Yeah the views from the helicopter can't be beat, that's for sure. Too bad I don't expect to make trips to New York every year, so hopefully there'll be more ways to burn Bilt Cash in chunks in the future (would be nice if these Bilt guys realize there's more to the world than NYC).
@samar As much as it pains me to admit this, yes, there is much more to the world than just NYC (though, it is my current home, and favorite city.) If we're to believe Bilt and Blade's aspirations, they seem to be expanding this Bilt Cash redemption option to other markets (specifically, Nice-Monaco, already on the Bilt Travel page as 'coming soon.' Not that this is applicable to either of us, but...)
Side note, since I recall you may be based in AZ, compliments to the Sedona area (last visited in 2025). Did the hike to Devil's Bridge (where the line for a photo was about an hour, so, er, um, yeah, we skipped that photo op... bah!) Perhaps, someday, Blade can offer 'transfers' to the Grand Canyon from Sedona or Flagstaff or Page... just thinkin' outside the box...
@1990_ I don't expect to see much expansion for BLADE anytime soon. Really would like to see Bilt expand their dining access though. Used that in NY (didn't even realize it until I got there) and that $25 credit was real easy to use. Provided it comes to the right restaurants elsewhere, that would be a great use of credits.
@samar Yes, it would be nice if it were in more places. (Thankfully, NYC has a relative 'abundance' of them.) However, the real issue, I've found, even for the places listed, is whether or not they actually honor it, or come up with an excuse to avoid it. Some of the horror stories online aren't creating the most confident outlook on this particular benefit.
For the place I got it to work at, I pre-emptively asked to speak with the manager, explaining that I saw their restaurant is listed on the Bilt program and that I intend to pay with the Bilt QR code and app. I got a verbal affirmation before I even sat down and ordered. Of course, they could've lied to me, but thankfully it all worked out in the end. As a result, I'll probably go back to them monthly to burn my credits; and I wouldn't otherwise do that. To me/them/Bilt, that should be a win-win-win.