Link: Apply for the no annual fee Bilt Mastercard®
I’ve just recently applied for the Bilt Mastercard® (review). One of the reasons that I hesitated to apply for so long was the lack of a sign-up bonus. However, as it turns out, the card does unofficially have a bonus… sort of.
In this post:
The Bilt Mastercard doesn’t have a formal sign-up bonus
Credit cards generally have sign-up bonuses nowadays, where you can earn a significant number of points (or cash back) upon completing minimum spending when you receive a card. For many, it’s a big incentive to apply for cards.
The Bilt Mastercard has become pretty popular recently, though the catch is that the card doesn’t have a sign-up bonus. Now, I suspect the logic is that Bilt doesn’t feel it needs to offer a sign-up bonus, given how rewarding this no annual fee card is. Or perhaps more accurately, Bilt chooses to invest elsewhere.
Most significantly, the card lets you earn rewards for your rent payment, even if your landlord doesn’t accept credit cards (you can also often pay your HOA this way, which I’ll talk more about in a separate post). For the average American, this is a huge incentive to pick up the card, as there’s not another product on the market like this.
On top of that, the card has no annual fee, a great rewards structure, excellent travel transfer partners, and offers travel protection that you’d expect to find on a premium card with a much higher annual fee.
So while a sign-up bonus on the card would be nice, I can also appreciate how Bilt is instead focusing on providing ongoing value to cardmembers.
The Bilt Mastercard’s unofficial spending bonus
While the Bilt Mastercard doesn’t have a formal sign-up bonus, unofficially the card offers a potentially lucrative incentive to new cardmembers. I actually only learned about this from recent comments from readers, who pointed this out as a rebuttal to me mentioning the card doesn’t have a sign-up bonus.
Once you’re approved for the Bilt Mastercard and on the same day that the physical card arrives in the mail, you may receive an email from Bilt offering you a nice spending bonus. Specifically, you can earn 5x points on all eligible purchases for the first five days, up to 50,000 bonus points (find the offer terms here).
It can be quite easy to miss this, since both Bilt and Wells Fargo send quite a few emails after you’re approved for the card, and while setting up your account. For me, this promotion was in an email with the subject line “Your new Bilt Mastercard has arrived!”
Let me emphasize that:
- OMAAT readers told me about this when I recently reviewed the card, which is how I learned about it
- I had exactly the same experience that they shared
- This is unofficial, so there’s no guarantee that everyone will be offered this, and/or that this will be offered in the future
However, I hope that people can comment on this post with their experience receiving this bonus (or something else), as it could be useful to have a resource sharing what the current offer is on the card, if any.
The timing of this worked out really well for me. I had a big expense that was due that I could pay by credit card, which wouldn’t otherwise qualify for bonus points. Earning 5x Bilt points on $12,500 of spending (since you earn four bonus points per dollar spent), which I can then transfer to World of Hyatt, is pretty awesome.
To analyze the real value of this “bonus,” I would’ve probably otherwise put that spending on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) (Rates & Fees), which earns 2x transferable points. So earning an incremental 3x points (or 37,500 points) is a pretty solid bonus for a no annual fee card, not even factoring in all the other value the card will provide.
Bottom line
The Bilt Mastercard doesn’t have a formal sign-up bonus, but at least anecdotally the card currently seems to offer 5x points for the first five days you have the card, for a total of up to 50,000 bonus points. Let me emphasize that there’s no guarantee this will be offered forever, so I invite people to share their experiences in the comments, so we can have an up-to-date sense of what Bilt is offering.
The timing of this worked out great for me, as I was able to maximize that spending bonus, and earn 5x points on a significant expense. For me, that addressed what I considered to be one of the major downsides of the card, so I appreciate those who made me aware of this.
If you applied for the Bilt Mastercard, were you offered a spending bonus upon receiving the card in the mail?
Bilt does still send the 5 day 4 times bonus with the regular 1 times points for a total of 5 points per dollar when you receive your new card. It worked for me as I had several large annual season ticket bills that were due, as well as some large two week London hotel bills on our next vacation that I could pay in advance for a reduced fee even. I was able to...
Bilt does still send the 5 day 4 times bonus with the regular 1 times points for a total of 5 points per dollar when you receive your new card. It worked for me as I had several large annual season ticket bills that were due, as well as some large two week London hotel bills on our next vacation that I could pay in advance for a reduced fee even. I was able to maximize my $10,000 bill payments, and received the full 50,000 bonus points, as well as, that $10,000 amount then qualifies you immediately for silver status instead of waiting for the whole year to reach it. Worked for me.
Another data point - received the email yesterday. However the term is 5x TOTAL reward points for the first 5 days, not 5x BONUS points. The exact language from the email T&C attachment is "This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points)..."
On a separate note, it was...
Another data point - received the email yesterday. However the term is 5x TOTAL reward points for the first 5 days, not 5x BONUS points. The exact language from the email T&C attachment is "This promotional offer is only valid for 5 days from the date this email was sent. During this time you will earn a total of 5 rewards points, (1 base point plus 4 bonus points)..."
On a separate note, it was quite a struggle to get approved for the card. WF had trouble verifying my identity, which took me two rounds of calls and faxes (ID and address documents) to get it sorted. Yes, fax only, no emails. A quick search online revealed that lots of people experienced the sam ID verification problem.
Contrary to what some people say, associated fees part of your rent can be included and get counted as points! As long as it’s not a separate payment outside of the rent as the program only allowed 1 rent payment per calendar month / statement.
I got the 5x bonus points for the first 5 days upon approval as well as 2.5K points per referral!
Get approved by BILT with this referral link:
...
Contrary to what some people say, associated fees part of your rent can be included and get counted as points! As long as it’s not a separate payment outside of the rent as the program only allowed 1 rent payment per calendar month / statement.
I got the 5x bonus points for the first 5 days upon approval as well as 2.5K points per referral!
Get approved by BILT with this referral link:
https://bilt.page/r/AN84-SNBJ
10K referral bonus points per 5 referrals going on now!
Got the card and the 5x email on 1/8/24.
Is it 5 days from the date you applied or from the date you received the card? If it’s from receipt of card how long did it take after you applied to get the card?
Signed up in early January and my card just arrived today. I received the email about the 5x for 5 days. I immediately paid my property taxes and plan on also using the card to pay quarterly income taxes.
How long did it take to get the card after approval? I would love to use it to pay for my LASIK but I would need to very carefully time it so I can use it for that to get a bonus!
I don't see this email :(
I just got the card on Jun 10, i didnt get an email but all my spending got 5x so for those that dont get an email, please do try a purchase to check, and yes the offers still being given to you new sign ups. Easiest way to check would be to add 0.5 to your amazon balance, it is posted within 24 hours and you can check if you got the 5x!
If you got the card but paid your rent through plastiq during the bonus period - would that still trigger the bonus or would they think it was MS?
I received my card in the mail today along with the email alerting me to the 5X spending beginning today. Fancy metal card. It makes my Platinum feel even less special than it did after everyone and their mama went and got one. :)
Wells Fargo conveniently totally botched my secret sign up bonus because my card had fraud on it before I got it and they couldn't get it unblocked so I ended up basically not being able to charge anything.
Ended up taking over 3 weeks and a complaint to the CFPB to get the account sorted out.
How does bilt actually pay rent? Do they write a check to your landlord?
Can you use bilt for other similar recurring expenses that don’t usually take credit cards? I.e. mortgage payments, child care, etc
Rent only. They'll send a check if the landlord is not in their network. All covered in Ben's post(s).
Spending 10k the first week you get a new credit card seems like a great way to trigger a financial review.
You mean, from the bank that just sent you a solicitation to spend that amount? Stay within your credit limit, don't cycle, and you're unlikely to have trouble.
Had trouble. Account was blocked for 3 weeks after new sign up. Did cycle credit limit. Had to maximize the bonus and only had 5K limit.
Marketing dept and fraud dept don’t often talk to each other. So yes the same bank that is encouraging sudden high spend can lock down an account for doing just that. Even without cycling or MS.
The partner list does look interesting. UA and AA - but not DL?
What is the transfer rate? Do they offer same 1:1 for UA and IHG for example?
Really looking forward to that HOA paying experience.
I hope there is some way to get at least some assurance that it will work with a particular management company.
It seems like a good bonus if you can perfectly time a large purchase.
However let's say Citi or Chase had an offer to earn 40k bonus points for spending $10 in 5 days (giving you the same 50k total). Would it get the same positive review?
Anyone who offers 40,000 points for spending ten dollars is going to get a hell of a lot more coverage than this!
I received the 5x offer. Two friends who got the card as well did not.
I wonder what their target criteria are. Was your income level higher by chance?
I don't think I got that email. I searched my inbox and couldn't find it. It's very possible that I trashed it, but I really don't remember seeing this... oh well.
Can you time the application to possibly double dip. Say you receive the card on the 28-29th of a month. Do you get 5X for 5 days plus the bonus for rent day ?
Great question!
No. Specifically says so in the double rent day TC
I had signed up in November, offer was for 10points/$ for up to 50 000 points
You have sunk really low on this one all to earn referral money. This is a very shady card. You click on “what are the transfer airlines” and the webpage does not list them! Says check on the app. Really? So hard to actually show information? No thank you. You have lost my respect.
@ carlos -- All the transfer partners are listed on the Bilt Rewards homepage:
https://www.biltrewards.com/
Just scroll a bit more than halfway down the page.
I mean, I can't control whether or not you respect me, but this is why you've lost respect for me... even though the website shows these details? Don't you think that's a bit extreme?
My man, you may wish to read before you knee-jerk. Midway down the webpage for Bilt under "Travel" is a full list of transfer partners. Not sure how it looks on mobile but it's clear as day on desktop. While I'm sure Ben endeavors to provide current, correct, and mutually beneficial information to all; I would also speculate that losing your respect is not of deep concern.
Good day, sir.
You are embarrassing yourself, your family, and everyone else named Carlos, Charles, or Karl.
Hope you didn't actually spend the money on tax payments as those are specifically excluded.
It's worth noting that the 50,000 cap is on bonus points (so during the bonus period, $12,500 in spend generates 12,500 a total of 12,500 standard points (1x) and 50,000 bonus points (4x) for a total of 60,000 points.
Just got my card yesterday and the email literally says 5x with cap of 50,000 points. It doesn't say 50,000 bonus points, so I'm not sure if spending 10k will get me 50k or 60k
Of course, the other SUB substitute is double points on Rent Days. Up to 10k per month and 120k per year. Wake up and smell the coffee.
I didn't get this email for 5x spending.
BILT seems to be partnering with real estate companies and really trying to conquer that market, which is why I think they don't "need" a sign up bonus. My building has signs for BILT everywhere and our payment portal site tells you it's the only way to pay, unless you prefer to do ACH, wire, or check. My building is owned by Cushman & Wakefield. My friend's building is owned by another large RE company...
BILT seems to be partnering with real estate companies and really trying to conquer that market, which is why I think they don't "need" a sign up bonus. My building has signs for BILT everywhere and our payment portal site tells you it's the only way to pay, unless you prefer to do ACH, wire, or check. My building is owned by Cushman & Wakefield. My friend's building is owned by another large RE company and he has the same experience with BILT, so it's pretty obvious they have entered into some sort of agreement to gain market share.
Like I said in the previous post, they are selling your profile to big landlords, in exchange for points.
You are the product, not their credit card.
If you're a tenant of a large landlord, they already know absolutely everything about you that they want to know from the check they performed before renting to you.
But other large landlords doesn't know that. Nor does landlord knows what your spending on your cards.
If you have been continuously renting, it's likely you will continue to rent. The next landlord will benefit from your profile and habits.
I signed up Jul 2022. I received 5x for 5 days. I think they were advertising this at the time, since I remember planning out my spending. I bought $2-3k of gift cards from Kroger. I didn't have any issues. I was also offered a 10k signup bonus at one point. At the time, I vaguely remember being on a waiting list or something like that. The window was very short, something like a week. I didn't apply in time for the bonus because I was trying to get under 5/24
Signed up last year. Got 10x for first 5 days, 2x for 30 days.
https://www.biltrewards.com/terms/10x
https://www.biltrewards.com/terms/2x
Got the card back on August 2022 and missed that email. Looked in my trash file and there it was :5X on the first 5 days of spending. I’m shaking my head now.
Be careful. Many transactions are excluded from this offer. Tax payments, I don’t know specifically. There is a long list in the fine print.
In general, Bilt looks out closely for abuse. Rent payments must be for actual residential rent. Buying gift cards to trigger bonus points is prohibited. The team at Bilt is privy to manufactured spending tricks.
Tax payments through ACI worked fine for me with regard to the bonus.
I don’t see tax payment being excluded in the fine print. Where did you see it?
Signed up in March and did not receive the 5x email