The Bilt Mastercard is built around rent payments and rental rewards

The Bilt Mastercard is a rewards card issued by Bilt, a fintech company focused on rental housing. Unlike most credit cards, it lets you pay rent with a credit card without a fee — a significant advantage because rent is typically the largest monthly expense for renters, and most landlords do not accept credit cards at all.

The card earns points on rent payments at a 1x rate, and higher rates on other categories: 3x on dining, 2x on transit and travel, and 1x on everything else. You can redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, or transfers to travel partners. The card has no annual fee.

Bilt also runs a rent reporting service that reports your on-time rent payments to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — which can help build credit history if you have limited credit or are rebuilding.

Key Takeaways

  • You can charge rent to the Bilt Mastercard without paying a processing fee, which is unusual because most rent payment methods charge 2 to 3 percent.
  • The card earns 1x points on rent, 3x on dining, 2x on transit and travel, and 1x on other purchases, with no annual fee.
  • Bilt reports on-time rent payments to all three credit bureaus, which can help establish or improve your credit score over time.
  • You must be a renter with a signed lease to open the account, and the card is issued by Mastercard through Bilt's banking partners.

How rent reporting works and what it means for your credit

Bilt's rent reporting is optional but free. Once you enroll, the company reports your monthly rent payment to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion if you pay on time. This creates a record of consistent payment behavior, which credit scoring models use to calculate your credit score.

Rent is not normally reported to credit bureaus — most landlords do not participate in any reporting system. This means renters often have limited credit history even if they pay rent reliably every month. Bilt's reporting fills that gap. If you have no credit history or are rebuilding after missed payments, this can be one of the few ways to show lenders you pay your obligations on time.

The reporting happens automatically each month if your rent payment clears. You do not need to do anything after enrollment. If you miss a payment or pay late, Bilt will not report that month, but it will resume reporting the following month once you pay on time again.

Earning and redeeming points

Points accumulate at different rates depending on the category. Rent earns 1 point per dollar, dining earns 3 points per dollar, transit and travel earn 2 points per dollar, and all other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. There is no cap on points earned, and points do not expire as long as your account remains open.

You can redeem points for a statement credit (1 point = 1 cent), transfer them to travel partners like United Airlines or Hyatt, or exchange them for gift cards to retailers and restaurants. The value of a point varies depending on how you redeem it — a point transferred to a travel partner may be worth more than 1 cent, but this depends on the partner and the specific redemption.

There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can cash out points as soon as you have earned them. Most redemptions process within a few business days.

Who can open a Bilt Mastercard account

You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and currently renting with a signed lease. Bilt will ask you to provide your lease during the process process. The company also performs a credit check, though the specific credit score requirement is not publicly stated — Bilt reviews applications on a case-by-case basis.

If you are denied, you can contact Bilt to ask why and whether you can reapply later. Some applicants are approved with limited credit history because Bilt weighs rent payment history and other factors alongside credit score.

Fees and interest rates

The Bilt Mastercard has no annual fee. There is no fee for paying rent with the card, which is the main advantage over other payment methods like third-party processors or ACH transfers that charge 2 to 3 percent.

The card carries a variable purchase APR and a cash advance APR, both of which depend on your creditworthiness at the time of approval. Bilt does not publish a range, so you will see your specific rate in your approval documents. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount.

Late payments incur a late fee, and exceeding your credit limit may result in an over-limit fee. Both amounts are disclosed in your cardholder agreement.

How to pay rent with the Bilt card

You can pay rent directly through Bilt's platform using your Mastercard account number and routing information. Log into your Bilt account, enter your landlord's payment details (or select from a list if your landlord is already in the system), and schedule the payment. The payment goes to your landlord's bank account, not to a third party.

Bilt processes rent payments on the date you select, and the payment typically arrives within 1 to 3 business days. You are charged the full rent amount to your Bilt Mastercard, and you earn points on that charge. You then pay your Bilt Mastercard bill like any other credit card.

If your landlord is not yet set up in Bilt's system, you can add them manually by providing their bank account details. Bilt verifies the account before processing the first payment.

Comparing Bilt to other rent payment options

Most rent payment methods fall into three categories: paying your landlord directly (no fee, no points), using a third-party processor like Plastiq or RadPad (2 to 3 percent fee, may earn points), or paying by check or bank transfer (no fee, no points). Bilt is unique because it charges no fee and lets you earn points.

The trade-off is that you must carry a balance on the card if you cannot pay it off when ready — if you pay rent and then pay your Bilt bill in full before the statement closes, you earn points but pay no interest. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on the rent amount, which can offset the value of the points earned.

For renters who pay their credit card bill in full each month, Bilt offers the best combination of no fee and points earning. For renters who carry a balance, the interest cost may outweigh the points value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Bilt card if my landlord does not accept credit cards?

Yes. Bilt transfers the payment to your landlord's bank account on your behalf, so your landlord receives the money as a bank transfer, not as a credit card charge. Your landlord does not need to do anything or accept credit cards — they straightforward receive the payment in their account.

Does paying rent with Bilt hurt my credit score?

No. Paying rent with the card itself does not hurt your score. If you carry a balance on the card, the credit utilization (the amount you owe divided by your credit limit) may affect your score, but this is the same as any other credit card. Bilt's rent reporting actually helps your score by showing on-time payment history.

What happens if I move and no longer rent?

You can keep the card open and use it like a regular Mastercard for other purchases. However, you will no longer be able to pay rent with Bilt's rent payment feature, and rent reporting will stop. The card itself remains active as long as you use it and pay your bills on time.

How long does it take to open a Bilt account?

The process process typically takes a few minutes online. Approval decisions are usually made within a few days. Once approved, you can request a physical card or use a virtual card number when ready to start paying rent.

Can I earn points on rent if I pay with a different card?

No. Points are earned only on charges made with the Bilt Mastercard itself. If you use a different card or payment method to pay rent, you will not earn Bilt points, though you may earn points through that card's rewards program.