Bilt is the program known for its lucrative credit card portfolio and rewards on housing payments. I’d say Bilt can be extremely worthwhile, though also really complicated, especially in light of the changes that we saw in early 2026. Well, Bilt has now announced quite a few program updates for 2027.
Some are positive, some are negative, but I’d argue that the fundamental value proposition isn’t changing much here. If you liked the Bilt Blue Card (learn more), Bilt Obsidian Card (learn more), or Bilt Palladium Card (learn more) before, you probably won’t feel too different (Rates & Fees).
What’s changing with the Bilt program in 2027
Bilt has revealed changes to how members can earn points and rewards in 2027. There are quite a few updates here, so let’s just go through them — I’ll rank them roughly in order of importance, as I see it, starting with the most significant change.
Bilt Cash will no longer be earned by default as before
Currently, those with a Bilt credit card can earn 4% back on spending in the form of Bilt Cash, in addition to the points that they earn. Starting on your next card account anniversary, Bilt credit cards are being moved to what’s being described as a “simpler” set of benefits.
The most significant change is that by default, everyone will earn up to 1.25x Bilt Points on their rent or mortgage payment, as Bilt claims it’s simplifying the program and retiring Flexible Bilt Cash mode, which earns 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend (in addition to points).
Just for context, below are the two options that members have had up until now.
That up to 1.25x points is tiered based on your monthly card spending, as you’ll see below.
| Points on Housing | Minimum everyday spend as a % of monthly rent / mortgage (Example of $2,000 rent) |
|---|---|
| 0.5x points | Spend at least 25% of monthly rent ($500) |
| 0.75x points | Spend at least 50% of monthly rent ($1,000) |
| 1x points | Spend at least 75% of monthly rent ($1,500) |
| 1.25x points | Spend the same or more as your monthly rent ($2,000) |
But here’s the good news — cardmembers aren’t actually being forced to move from earning 4% Bilt Cash to earning up to 1.25x points on their housing payments. Instead, if you’d like, you can keep earning in Flexible Bilt Cash mode. If that’s your preference, you just have to opt out of the new benefits in your card settings before your card anniversary date, and then you’ll keep any eligible annual credits, and won’t be able to switch between Flexible Bilt Cash and housing-only mode.
New cardmembers will also have this option through December 31, 2026, though as of January 1, 2027, the 1.25x points will be the automatic earning rate. So for the time being, not a whole lot is actually changing here, except no more flexibility to switch between earning options month to month.
Beyond that, we’re seeing the following Bilt Cash changes:
- Bilt Palladium and Obsidian cardmembers will receive their annual Bilt Cash credits based on their account anniversary year, rather than at the beginning of the calendar year, on January 1
- Bilt Palladium cardmembers will go from earning $200 Bilt Cash plus a $400 Bilt hotel credit annually, to just earning $600 in Bilt Cash annually, which can be used more flexibly; note that if you choose to still earn 4% Bilt Cash and have the card, you can still stack the $200 credit and $100 Bilt Cash for hotels
- Bilt Obsidian cardholders will go from earning a $100 Bilt hotel credit annually, to earning $100 Bilt Cash annually
- There are no changes to the points earning rates on the cards, and Bilt Palladium and Bilt Obsidian cardmembers will continue to have the ability to redeem Bilt Cash for Points Accelerator (whereby you can redeem $200 in Bilt Cash to earn an extra point per dollar spent, on up to $5,000 in spending, up to five times per year)
Bilt Cash expiration is changing
Bilt is giving members more time to redeem Bilt Cash. Up until now, Bilt Cash has expired at the end of the calendar year, with the ability for $100 in Bilt Cash to roll over to the following year.
With these changes, Bilt Cash now expires at the end of the month, 12 months after it’s earned. In other words, Bilt Cash earned in October 2026 would expire on October 31, 2027. This addresses a major point of frustration that many members have had.
New limits on hotel bookings using Bilt Cash
Currently, Bilt members can redeem up to $1,200 per year in Bilt Cash toward Bilt travel portal hotel bookings, with a two-night minimum stay. The limit has been $50 per month for Blue and Silver members, and $100 per month for Gold and Platinum members.
As of 2027, Bilt Cash redemptions for hotels will be limited to twice per year. The limit will be $50 semi-annually for Blue and Silver members (for a total of $100 annually), and $100 semi-annually for Gold and Platinum members (for a total of $200 annually), or $200 semi-annually for Bilt Palladium members (for a total of $400 annually).
This is obviously a pretty big devaluation for those who valued this perk, and it seems to suggest that maybe this wasn’t as profitable for Bilt as they were hoping, in terms of the commission for Bilt offsetting the cost of Bilt Cash.
Bilt elite status will offer more perks
I’d consider this to be minor, but Bilt is promising that elite members will unlock more value in 2027.
First, Gold and Platinum members will be able to redeem Bilt points at check-out for Home Away from Home hotel bookings, including access to eligible luxury hotel benefits. We don’t yet know at what rate that will be possible.
Second, members with elite status will be able to unlock access to rental car status match offers in 2027. This includes:
- Platinum members receiving status matches to SIXT ONE Platinum and Hertz President’s Circle
- Gold and Silver members receiving status matches to SIXT ONE Gold and Hertz Five Star
That’s ultimately nice, but I wouldn’t consider this to be a game changer in any way, as it’s just following the general industry trend.
Bilt introduces online product upgrades
Effective immediately, Bilt has introduced the ability to upgrade your card through the Bilt app. You can visit the card settings section in the Bilt app to see if you’re eligible.
Bilt adds Daily Rewards redemptions
Starting January 15, 2027, Bilt will roll out Daily Rewards. Every on-time monthly rent or mortgage payment will earn Daily Rewards, as does one daily activity with a qualifying neighborhood partner.
Each Daily Reward reveals two rewards, and you can claim one. Rewards range from instant prizes like Bilt points and Bilt Cash, to collectibles that build toward a chance to win a grand prize. These prizes will include $1 million toward the purchase of a home, 10 million Bilt points, free rent or mortgage for a year, free Lyft rides for a year, etc.
My take on the Bilt program changes for 2027
As you can see, the changes here are a mixed bag:
- I’m happy to see that Bilt Cash will expire after 12 months rather than at the end of the calendar year, and I also appreciate the Bilt Palladium Card getting $600 in annual Bilt Cash, rather than $200 in Bilt Cash and $400 in hotel credits
- While some people won’t like the ability to no longer switch between methods for how you’re being rewarded for your housing payments, I appreciate that existing cardmembers will continue to have that option
- I wouldn’t view the other changes as being particularly significant one way or the other
In terms of my overall thoughts on the program, a couple of things stand out to me. First of all, it strikes me as a bit odd that when the new program launched, that 4% Bilt Cash amount was a core part of the value proposition, then after backlash Bilt introduced the up to 1.25x points alternative (this all happened in early 2026), and now we’re seeing the 4% Bilt Cash eliminated as the standard, and instead, introduced as an alternative.
I get that it’s probably hard to know in advance how exactly consumer behavior will play out, but my gosh, this is a lot to learn. I feel like Bilt members are just getting used to the new system, and now the standard is being changed. For me it’s not a big deal, since I’ll choose to keep earning the 4% Bilt Cash.
Next, the reduction in ability to redeem Bilt Cash toward hotel stays is really indicative to me of how low cost the Bilt Cash concept is supposed to be to the company. It’s interesting to see Bilt reduce the ability to redeem this toward hotel stays, even though Bilt is paid a commission when you book hotels through there.
In general, I’d assume the 4% in Bilt Cash being cut as the standard rewards rate means we’ll see fewer long term investments in growing the redemption options with Bilt Cash, since it will become a less important currency over time.
Bottom line
Bilt has announced that it will make changes in 2027. This primarily includes changes to Bilt Cash, including when it expires, and how it’s earned. Perhaps what’s most interesting is that 4% Bilt Cash will no longer be the standard reward on credit cards that will count toward housing rewards, but instead, up to 1.25x points (based on a multiplier of spending) will become the standard.
Based on my own patterns, I’m pretty indifferent on these changes. I’ll keep earning 4% Bilt Cash, and I at least appreciate that Bilt Cash won’t expire at the end of the calendar year. I guess I’m also happy to see the Bilt Palladium hotel credit just become Bilt Cash, but then again, I have more Bilt Cash than I can redeem, so I’m not sure that’s actually worth all that much to me.
What do you make of these Bilt changes?
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