Loyalty Programs: The Ultimate Guide to Bilt 2.0 Rewards - Maximize Your Travel in 2026

Bilt 2.0 Credit Cards

For years, Bilt Rewards was the "cheat code" for renters—the only way to earn travel points on your largest monthly expense without losing 3% to transaction fees. On February 7, 2026, the game changed forever.

Bilt 2.0 Rewards has officially launched, transforming from a single "rent card" into a comprehensive housing and lifestyle ecosystem. Whether you’re a lifelong renter or a homeowner with a mortgage, the new rules are more powerful but require a strategic approach to maximize your returns.

Here is everything you need to know to master Bilt 2.0 and fund your next luxury resort stay at ResortChasers.com.

What’s New in Bilt 2.0?

The Bilt 2.0 update introduces a three-card lineup issued through Cardless (moving away from Wells Fargo) and a dual-currency system: Bilt Points and the newly launched Bilt Cash.

1. The Power of Bilt Cash

Bilt Cash is a separate currency earned at a flat 4% back on all non-housing purchases. It serves as a "choose your own reward" layer:

* Unlock Housing Points: Redeem Bilt Cash at a rate of $30 to unlock 1,000 Bilt Points on your housing payment. This effectively covers the transaction fee value, allowing you to earn points on rent/mortgage for "free."

* Lifestyle Credits: Use it dollar-for-dollar for Lyft rides, SoulCycle classes, or hotel bookings via the Bilt Travel portal.

* Transfer Bonuses: Use Bilt Cash to temporarily boost your status tier for massive Rent Day transfer bonuses (up to 100%).

2. Mortgages are Now Included

This is the biggest headline of 2026. Homeowners can now earn points on mortgage payments. Like rent, these are pulled directly from your bank account via BiltProtect, meaning they do not count against your credit limit. You can even earn points on both a mortgage and a rental property simultaneously if you own one and live in the other.

The New Card Lineup: Detailed Breakdown

Bilt has replaced the original Mastercard with three distinct tiers. Every card earns 4% Bilt Cash on everyday spend in addition to Bilt Points.

Bilt Blue (The Entry-Level)

* Annual Fee: $0

* Welcome Bonus: $100 Bilt Cash

* Earning: 1x points on all non-housing spend + 4% Bilt Cash.

* Best For: The "housing-only" user who wants to keep costs at zero while still earning points.

Bilt Obsidian (The Mid-Tier)

* Annual Fee: $95

* Welcome Bonus: $200 Bilt Cash

* Earning: 3x points on Dining or Grocery (your choice, selectable every January; groceries capped at $25k/year), 2x on Travel, 1x on other spend + 4% Bilt Cash.

* Travel Perk: $100 annual Bilt Travel hotel credit (issued as two $50 semi-annual credits; requires 2-night minimum).

* Best For: Families and foodies who spend heavily on groceries or dining and want a mid-tier travel card.

Bilt Palladium (The Premium)

* Annual Fee: $495

* Welcome Bonus: 50,000 Points + Gold Status (after $4k spend in 3 months) + $300 Bilt Cash.

* Earning: 2x points on all non-housing spend + 4% Bilt Cash.

* Travel Perks: Priority Pass lounge access, $400 annual Bilt Travel hotel credit (two $200 semi-annual credits), and a $200 Bilt Cash anniversary credit.

* Best For: High-spenders who want a simple "2x everywhere" structure and premium airport lounge access.

Choosing Your Earning Strategy

Bilt 2.0 offers two distinct ways to be rewarded for housing. You can toggle between these options in the app based on your monthly spending habits.

Option 1: Tiered Spending (The "Auto-Pilot" Choice)

This option bypasses Bilt Cash for housing. Instead, your points multiplier on your rent or mortgage is determined by your total everyday spend relative to your housing bill:

* Spend <25% of housing cost: Earn a flat 250 points.

* Spend 25%: Earn 0.5x points on your housing payment.

* Spend 50%: Earn 0.75x points on your housing payment.

* Spend 75%: Earn 1.0x points on your housing payment.

* Spend 100%+: Earn 1.25x points on your housing payment (the highest rate ever offered).

Option 2: Bilt Cash "Unlock" (The Strategic Choice)

With this option, you keep your 4% Bilt Cash on all spend and manually redeem it to "unlock" points for your housing.

* Scenario: If your mortgage is $3,000, you need $90 in Bilt Cash (3 cents per point) to unlock a full 1x earning rate (3,000 points).

* Earning that Cash: Since you earn 4% Bilt Cash on everyday purchases, you would need to spend $2,250 on your card to generate that $90 and "unlock" your 3,000 points.

Real-Life Everyday Scenarios

The "Palladium Powerhouse" (Homeowner)

* Mortgage: $4,000

* Monthly Life Spend: $4,000 (Daycare, groceries, car insurance, etc.)

* Strategy: Tiered Spending (100% threshold reached).

* Monthly Yield: 8,000 points (2x everyday spend) + 5,000 points (1.25x mortgage) = 13,000 Bilt Points.

* Yearly Result: 156,000 Bilt Points. This is enough for a week-long stay at the Hyatt Regency Maui or a round-trip Business Class ticket to Japan via Alaska Airlines.

The "Obsidian Urbanite" (Renter)

* Rent: $2,500

* Dining/Grocery Spend: $1,500 (at 3x points)

* Strategy: Bilt Cash "Unlock."

* Bilt Cash Earned: $60 (4% of $1,500).

* Unlock Yield: That $60 "unlocks" 2,000 points on the $2,500 rent.

* Monthly Yield: 4,500 points (3x spend) + 2,000 points (rent) = 6,500 Bilt Points.

* Yearly Result: 78,000 Bilt Points. Enough for 3 nights at the Park Hyatt New York.

Why Resort Chasers Love Bilt

The value of Bilt isn't just in how you earn, but where you go. Bilt remains the only currency that transfers 1:1 to both World of Hyatt and Alaska Airlines, two of the most valuable travel programs in existence in our opinion.

* World of Hyatt: Use points for $1,000/night luxury stays at Hyatt Alila or Thompson Hotels.

* Alaska Airlines: The go-to for "Global Partner" bookings on Starlux, Qatar Airways, or British Airways.

* Rent Day (The 1st): Always wait for the 1st of the month to transfer. Bilt frequently offers "Transfer Bonuses" ranging from 50% to 100%, effectively doubling your points' value instantly.

Final Verdict: Is it Worth the Upgrade?

If you only used the old Bilt card for rent and nothing else, Bilt 2.0 requires more engagement to get the same value. However, if you are willing to make Bilt your primary card—especially the Palladium for its 2x flat-rate earning or the Obsidian for its 3x Grocery/Dining—you can earn points faster than ever before. For homeowners, the ability to earn 150,000+ points a year on a mortgage is a total game-changer.

​Pro Tip: If you're a high spender, the Palladium card essentially acts as a "Venture X killer," offering 2x points on everything plus the unique ability to turn your mortgage into a free vacation.

​Ready to start planning your next getaway? Check out our latest article highlighting 10 Hyatt Resorts opening in 2026 to see where your Bilt points can take you!