What the Bilt Mastercard Does

The Bilt Mastercard is a credit card issued by Bilt that lets you pay rent with a credit card and earn rewards on that payment. Most landlords do not accept credit cards for rent, so Bilt handles the transaction: you charge your rent to the card, Bilt pays your landlord by check or bank transfer, and you pay your Bilt bill like any other credit card.

The card reports your rent payment to the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—which means on-time rent payments can help build your credit history. This matters if you have limited credit history, no credit history, or are rebuilding after missed payments or collections.

Bilt does not charge a fee to pay rent with the card. You earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments, 3 points per dollar on dining and streaming, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or statement credits.

Key Takeaways

  • Rent payments made through the Bilt card are reported to credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit score over time.
  • There is no fee to charge rent to the card, and Bilt pays your landlord directly by check or ACH transfer.
  • You earn 1 point per dollar on rent, which is unusual—most cards earn no rewards on rent at all.
  • You must pay your Bilt bill in full each month to avoid interest charges, just like any other credit card.
  • The card is designed for renters who want to build credit and earn rewards, not for landlords or property managers.

How Rent Reporting Works on the Bilt Card

When you make an on-time rent payment through the Bilt card, Bilt reports that payment to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is different from paying rent directly to your landlord, which typically does not get reported to credit bureaus at all. Over time, a record of on-time rent payments can raise your credit score, especially if you have few other accounts or a short credit history.

The credit bureaus treat rent payments similarly to other installment payments—they look at whether you paid on time, not the amount. Missing a rent payment through the Bilt card will also be reported and can lower your score. If you pay late, Bilt will report the late payment to the bureaus, so it is important to pay your Bilt bill by the due date each month.

Bilt does not report rent payments to alternative credit bureaus like Clarity or LendingClub. The reporting goes only to the three major bureaus, which are the ones most lenders check when you explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or other credit product.

Rewards and Redemption Options

The Bilt card earns points on every purchase. Rent earns 1 point per dollar, dining and streaming earn 3 points per dollar, and everything else earns 1 point per dollar. There is no annual fee and no sign-up bonus.

Points can be redeemed for cash back at a rate of 1 point per cent (meaning 100 points = $1 cash back), or transferred to travel partners including airlines and hotel chains. You can also use points for statement credits or gift cards. The redemption options and their values change over time, so check the Bilt website for current choices.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If your account is closed or goes into default, Bilt may cancel your points.

How to Pay Rent Through the Bilt Card

To pay rent with the Bilt card, log into your Bilt account online or through the mobile app. Enter your landlord's mailing address and bank details (if paying by ACH transfer), or just the mailing address if Bilt will send a check. You can set up a one-time payment or a recurring monthly payment.

Bilt charges your card when ready and then pays your landlord within a few business days. If you set up recurring payments, Bilt will charge your card and pay your landlord on the same date each month. You can change or cancel recurring payments anytime through your account.

Your landlord does not need to sign up for anything or have a Bilt account. Bilt handles all the payment logistics. Your landlord receives payment by check or direct bank transfer, depending on what you set up.

Who Should Consider the Bilt Card

The Bilt card makes sense if you rent, pay rent on time, and want to build credit or earn rewards on a large monthly expense. Rent is often the biggest payment renters make each month, so earning 1 point per dollar on that amount adds up faster than earning points on smaller purchases.

The card is also useful if you have limited credit history or are rebuilding credit. Rent payment history can help offset a thin file or past missed payments. If you have no credit cards and no other accounts being reported to the bureaus, adding the Bilt card and making on-time rent payments can help you establish a credit score.

The card is not useful if you pay rent with cash, check, or bank transfer directly to your landlord and do not want to change that. It is also not useful if you cannot pay your Bilt bill in full each month, because carrying a balance will cost you interest and may hurt your credit score.

Fees, Interest, and Payment Terms

The Bilt card has no annual fee and no fee for paying rent. There is no foreign transaction fee if you use the card abroad. Late payment fees, cash advance fees, and balance transfer fees explore if you use those features, but they are not unique to Bilt—most credit cards charge similar fees.

The card carries a variable interest rate (APR) that changes based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Bilt does not publish a specific APR range on its website, so you will see your rate when you receive your card or log into your account. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance.

To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. Paying only the minimum will leave you with a balance that accrues interest. Since the whole point of the Bilt card is to build credit and earn rewards, carrying a balance defeats both goals.

How Bilt Compares to Other Rent Payment Options

Most credit cards do not let you pay rent at all, or charge a 2 to 3 percent fee if they do. The Bilt card charges no fee and earns rewards, which is rare. If you want to pay rent with a credit card and earn rewards, Bilt is one of the few options available.

If you want to build credit through rent payments without using a credit card, some landlords report rent to credit bureaus directly, and services like Experian Boost let you add utility and phone payments to your credit file. However, these options do not earn you rewards, and they depend on your landlord's willingness to report or your ability to set up the service.

If you want to pay rent with a debit card or bank transfer, most landlords accept those methods directly at no cost. You will not earn rewards or build credit through a credit card, but you will avoid the risk of carrying a credit card balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does paying rent through Bilt hurt my credit score?

No. On-time rent payments through Bilt are reported to credit bureaus and can help your score. Late or missed payments will hurt your score, just like late payments on any other account. The key is to pay your Bilt bill on time each month.

Can I use the Bilt card to pay my landlord if they do not have a bank account?

Yes. Bilt can send a check to your landlord's mailing address instead of an ACH transfer. Your landlord does not need a bank account or any special setup. You just provide the mailing address when you set up the payment.

What happens if my landlord refuses to accept payment from Bilt?

Your landlord cannot refuse payment from Bilt if it comes as a check or bank transfer—those are standard payment methods. If your lease requires payment in a specific form (like cash only), you may need to work out an arrangement with your landlord or use a different payment method.

Do I need good credit to get the Bilt card?

Bilt does not publish specific credit score requirements, but the card is marketed to people building credit, so it may be available to people with limited or fair credit. You will not know your approval odds until you explore. Bilt will do a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score slightly.

Can I earn rewards on other expenses besides rent?

Yes. The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and streaming, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You can use the card for groceries, gas, utilities, and anything else, just like a regular credit card. Rent just happens to earn the same 1 point per dollar as other everyday purchases.