Here’s some bad news for Bilt members, as points transfers to World of Hyatt soon won’t be as lucrative as they are now. I’m not happy to see this, but I’m also not surprised.
Bilt to Hyatt points transfers devalued to 4:3
Currently, Bilt Rewards points convert into World of Hyatt points at a 1:1 ratio. That won’t be the case for long. As of January 1, 2027, all Bilt points will transfer to World of Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio. So that means you’ll get 750 World of Hyatt points for every 1,000 Bilt Rewards points that you transfer. That same transfer ratio will apply regardless of your Bilt elite status, which Bilt credit card you have, etc.
Of course for the remainder of 2026, you can continue to transfer points at the old ratio. Bilt isn’t providing any further explanation of this change. Obviously this is a real bummer, because converting Bilt points into World of Hyatt points is one of the best uses of the currency, outside of taking advantage of Rent Day transfer bonuses.
What’s driving the Bilt & Hyatt partnership change
The Bilt to World of Hyatt points transfer ratio being devalued shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. That’s despite the fact that Bilt has kind of beat competitors when it comes to maintaining superior transfer ratios — just look at programs like Emirates Skywards.
That being said, we know that Hyatt is currently trying to cash in on its loyalty program, by massively increasing margins. That seems to consist of a few main initiatives:
- We’ve seen World of Hyatt devalue points, whereby top redemptions have increased in cost by up to 67%
- We recently saw Chase Ultimate Rewards devalue its transfer ratio to World of Hyatt for select cards, also to a 4:3 ratio
- Since Chase is Hyatt’s co-branded credit card partner, it’s not surprising that the transfer ratio for its other partners would get worse as well, especially with Hyatt planning on launching new credit cards
Now, it’s anyone’s guess if this change is being driven by Hyatt simply demanding more money for points transfers (and Bilt not being willing to pay), or if this is just a contractual rule that Hyatt has to follow with Chase, since it’s logical that Chase wouldn’t want people applying for a Bilt card over its own cards.
I imagine it’s also driven by an overall desire to have more people directly apply for co-branded Hyatt cards, rather than just transferring points. So this is an unfortunate development, but it was kind of a given that this was going to happen.
Bottom line
As of January 1, 2027, the transfer ratio from Bilt Rewards to World of Hyatt will be devalued from 1:1, to 4:3. This is of course an unfortunate development, and it matches a similar change we’ve just seen with Chase points transfers.
Hyatt is trying to cash in on loyalty, and this is clearly part of that strategy. I’m not happy to see the direction World of Hyatt is going, but hey, publicly traded companies always want more, right?
What do you make of the Bilt to Hyatt points transfer ratio worsening?
everyone keep me in your thoughts today i have to admit that 1990 was actually right
anyway this is not super surprising but also this is going to crush their renewal rates when everyones palladium comes up in february/march. This now confirms my decision to cancel. Been a great year, will earn about 295k points in total between SUB/spend/mortgage/rakuten which is amazing for one card. Alas no point in holding it long term now
Here's the irony: Folks may think I'm "Bilt Enemy #1," but even I may still renew (especially if there's a retention offer). My only ask: I'd just like to see more options for gluts of expiring Bilt Cash. Like, if Ankur/Kerr remove B$ expiration (or add a few extra Accelerators for Palladium, even if they charges B$400 instead of B$200, like he increased the level-up for Amtrak in today's Oct 1 bonus), I'm still down-to-clown...
Here's the irony: Folks may think I'm "Bilt Enemy #1," but even I may still renew (especially if there's a retention offer). My only ask: I'd just like to see more options for gluts of expiring Bilt Cash. Like, if Ankur/Kerr remove B$ expiration (or add a few extra Accelerators for Palladium, even if they charges B$400 instead of B$200, like he increased the level-up for Amtrak in today's Oct 1 bonus), I'm still down-to-clown for a bit longer. Yeah, this new Hyatt devaluation is a low-blow for that brand (I donno whether to blame Bilt or Hyatt or Chase, more. All the above?). Still, if they keep Alaska and United at 1:1, there's still real value on the line there. I know some gawk over JAL, (or BA, like James, below). Great. Cool, too.
No surprise to me (been calling out these concerns for a while; in fact, I'm concerned Chase will pull a Citi and either directly or indirectly demand exclusivity on Hyatt transfers soon enough).
But, it might be a surprise to all the BILT sycophants, who will somehow have a great PR talking-point on how Hyatt isn't a key transfer partner (no, no... we're just there for Alaska, which certainly won't be devalued by BofA's...
No surprise to me (been calling out these concerns for a while; in fact, I'm concerned Chase will pull a Citi and either directly or indirectly demand exclusivity on Hyatt transfers soon enough).
But, it might be a surprise to all the BILT sycophants, who will somehow have a great PR talking-point on how Hyatt isn't a key transfer partner (no, no... we're just there for Alaska, which certainly won't be devalued by BofA's influence, or United, see Chase again.) Anyway, dear shills, I eagerly await your personal attacks.
As for Hyatt, more broadly, yeesh, the hits keep coming; the redemption devaluations from earlier this year; the continued delays on a actual premium credit card product (looks like Chase-IHG is getting a head start on that for 2027 before Chase-Hyatt is doing anything). Not great, fellas.
I have gotten a lot of value from the BILT Palladium in one year. Signup bonus, both $200 hotel credits, 3x per dollar on $5000 of spend, and then maybe 15,000 in points that I would never have gotten elsewhere due to my mortgage payments.
I also transferred the bulk of my points to BA with a 60% bonus, which is higher than anything I could have gotten on Chase/Amex/Citi.
So you don't need...
I have gotten a lot of value from the BILT Palladium in one year. Signup bonus, both $200 hotel credits, 3x per dollar on $5000 of spend, and then maybe 15,000 in points that I would never have gotten elsewhere due to my mortgage payments.
I also transferred the bulk of my points to BA with a 60% bonus, which is higher than anything I could have gotten on Chase/Amex/Citi.
So you don't need to be a 'sycophant' to find the card valuable. It'll be worth keeping for another year I think, but I'll evaluate
James_K, I wasn't thinking of you in-particular, but you should already know that BILT 1.0 was a lot easier, simpler, generally cost less, and had most of the same transfer partners.
I, too, received 'value' from nearly every card I've ever had. However, whether that 'value' improves or not, over time, is another story, and varies wildly depending on the product, issuer, etc. I still hope BILT will stick-around for the long-haul, make some...
James_K, I wasn't thinking of you in-particular, but you should already know that BILT 1.0 was a lot easier, simpler, generally cost less, and had most of the same transfer partners.
I, too, received 'value' from nearly every card I've ever had. However, whether that 'value' improves or not, over time, is another story, and varies wildly depending on the product, issuer, etc. I still hope BILT will stick-around for the long-haul, make some further improvements, and not devalue any further (though, with Hyatt, it seems they are.)
While Bilt 2.0 objectively had a disastrous rollout, the underlying products remain 'useful' for many (myself included). However, unlike some on these sites, I'm willing to speak-out when I see room for improvement. Specifically, I'd like to see more Accelerators for Palladium, but I probably won't get my wish. Like others, I remain concerned about a glut of expiring Bilt Cash and not enough ways to use it; yet, also I'm happy with Blade and Blacklane finally added to Bilt Cash redemptions. New transfer partners like Amtrak are also nice.
Anyway, glad the BILT to BA stuff worked out for you, regardless. Enjoy 'evaluating' paying your $495 renewal annual fee next year.
Yeah you know how it is - just be ruthlessly self-interested. Use the card if it's worth it to you, cut it if it isn't, and don't become a fanboy of a company -- any company -- since they don't care about you