Who can get the Bilt credit card
Bilt issues its credit card to U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number. You do not need to be a renter to open an account — Bilt accepts both renters and homeowners. The card is available to anyone with a credit history, including people rebuilding credit, though your credit score and income will affect whether you are approved and what credit limit you receive.
Bilt does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Like most card issuers, they review your full credit profile: your score, payment history, existing debt, and income. People with fair credit (typically 580–669) have reported approval, though approval is more common with good credit (typically 670–739) or higher.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 or older, a U.S. resident, and have a valid Social Security number to open a Bilt card.
- Bilt does not publish a minimum credit score, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or above.
- The process asks for your annual income, employment status, and housing type, but you do not need to own a home or have a mortgage.
- A hard inquiry will appear on your credit report when you explore, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
- Bilt offers a secured card option for people with limited or poor credit history, requiring a cash deposit.
What information you need to provide during the process
The Bilt process takes about 10 minutes and asks for personal and financial details. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and phone number. Bilt also asks whether you rent or own your home — this is informational only and does not determine approval.
You must provide your annual income and current employment status. If you are self-employed, retired, or receive income from investments or benefits, you can still explore; Bilt accepts various income sources. Have a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement available if you want to verify income during the process, though it is not always required upfront.
Bilt will ask about existing debts and credit accounts. You do not need to have perfect information memorized — rough estimates are acceptable during the initial process. If Bilt needs verification, they will contact you after the hard inquiry.
How the credit check works
When you submit your process, Bilt performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry appears on your credit report for two years and may lower your credit score by a few points, typically 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary; your score usually recovers within a few months if you make on-time payments.
Bilt pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). You cannot choose which bureau they use. The hard inquiry is visible to other lenders, so multiple applications within a short period can add up. However, credit scoring models treat multiple card applications within 14 to 45 days as a single inquiry, so spacing out applications by more than 45 days is safer if you are explore to multiple cards.
Income and employment verification
Bilt does not require you to submit proof of income before approval — you straightforward state your annual income on the process. However, if your stated income seems inconsistent with other information on your report, or if Bilt needs to verify details, they may ask you to provide documentation after you explore.
Common documents Bilt may request include a recent pay stub (within 30 days), a tax return from the past two years, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. Self-employed applicants can provide business tax returns or profit-and-loss statements. Retirees and benefit recipients can provide Social Security statements, pension letters, or investment account statements.
If Bilt requests verification, they typically give you 10 to 14 days to respond. Providing documents quickly can speed up approval. If you cannot provide the requested documents, your process may be denied or your credit limit may be lower than you hoped.
The Bilt Secured Card option
If you have limited credit history or poor credit, Bilt offers a secured card as an alternative to the standard unsecured card. A secured card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by the bank. Your credit limit equals your deposit — typically between $500 and $2,500. You use the card like any other credit card, and on-time payments help build your credit history.
After 7 to 12 months of on-time payments, Bilt may convert your secured card to an unsecured card and return your deposit. The secured card has the same rent payment reporting feature as the standard card, so you can still earn rewards on rent payments. The annual fee and interest rates may differ from the unsecured card, so review the terms before explore.
What happens after you explore
Bilt typically makes a decision within minutes to a few days. You will receive an email or text notification with the outcome. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives.
If you are denied, Bilt will provide a reason — usually related to credit history, income, or existing debt levels. You have the right to a free credit report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Reviewing your report can help you understand what factors led to denial and whether errors are present. You can reapply after addressing issues, though waiting 3 to 6 months and improving your credit profile increases your chances.
If you are approved but offered a lower credit limit than you hoped, you can request a higher limit after 6 months of on-time payments. Some cardholders also report that Bilt automatically increases limits over time without a hard inquiry.
Rent reporting and the Bilt card's unique feature
Bilt's main distinction is that it reports rent payments to credit bureaus — a feature most credit cards do not offer. To use this feature, you must link your rent payment to the card through Bilt's app or website. Bilt then pays your landlord directly each month, and the payment is reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion as an on-time payment.
To set up rent reporting, you need your landlord's mailing address and bank details (if paying by ACH transfer) or you can authorize Bilt to mail a check. Your landlord does not need to do anything — Bilt handles the payment and reporting. This feature works whether you rent an apartment, house, or room, and whether you have a formal lease or a month-to-month agreement.
Rent reporting can help build credit if you have limited credit history or are recovering from past missed payments. However, it only helps if you make on-time rent payments; late payments are also reported and will hurt your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum credit score to get the Bilt card?
Bilt does not publish a minimum score, but approval is more common with a score of 670 or above. People with fair credit (580–669) have been approved, though with lower credit limits. The best way to know is to explore; the hard inquiry will not hurt your score significantly if you are denied.
Can I get the Bilt card if I am self-employed or retired?
Yes. Bilt accepts self-employment income, retirement income, investment income, and benefits. You will need to state your annual income on the process, and Bilt may ask for documentation such as tax returns, business statements, or benefit letters to verify.
What if my landlord does not want to receive payments from Bilt?
You can still use the card for other purchases and earn rewards. Rent reporting is optional — you do not have to set it up. If your landlord refuses Bilt payments, you can pay rent another way and use the card for groceries, utilities, or other expenses to build credit.
How long does approval take?
Most decisions come within minutes to a few days. If Bilt needs to verify income or other details, the process may take up to two weeks. Your card ships within 7 to 10 business days after approval, though you can use the card number online when ready.
Will explore for the Bilt card hurt my credit score?
The hard inquiry may lower your score by 5 to 10 points temporarily. The impact fades within a few months, especially if you make on-time payments. Multiple card applications within 45 days are typically counted as one inquiry by credit scoring models.