For most adults, the rent or mortgage is not just a monthly expense, but is the ultimate expense. It appears regularly, and sucks the money out of your bank account. Bilt is attempting to modify this relationship with its newly launched Bilt 2.0 credit card line-up. It is built on a revolutionary concept in personal finance, where if you have to pay for an accommodation, then you should earn rewards for it.
From Rent to Mortgages
The Bilt company created a buzz in 2022 when it introduced its initial Bilt Mastercard, which allowed the renters to earn points on payment of rent without any transaction fees at all. This was something that had almost never been seen in the credit card space. With Bilt 2.0 the company is further expanding its presence. Customers can now get Bilt Points for both rental and mortgage payments, therefore converting the cost of living into a points machine rather than a financial loss.
Bilt has introduced new cards for its existing customers starting from 14th January 2026, and the new collection currently consists of three different cards. It is the Bilt Blue Card, Bilt Obsidian Card, and the premium Bilt Palladium Card. Each card is intended for a certain kind of user, from travelers who love lavish lounges to a fee-less minimalist.
Introducing Bilt Cash
One of the most significant changes is the launch of Bilt Cash, which takes the place of the previous Milestone Rewards system. Instead of asking credit card holders to make five purchases that are non-rent purchases every month, it gains the right to make rent payments without fees. Bilt now allows people to acquire Bilt Cash through their daily spending. Then, that Bilt Cash can be utilized to cover transaction fees related to rent or mortgage payments, Lyft, dining at Bilt partner restaurants, and so on.
When Bilt Cash is used for housing payments, $3 in Bilt Cash is converted to 100 Bilt Points, which means the cardholder can earn up to 1X on the total rent or mortgage. It might be a bit of a twisty route, but at the end of the day it presents users with the option of making their own choices and having less hassle.
Useful Bilt Points & Bonuses
Also, there has been a development regarding payments systems, but Bilt Points are still the same and they carry on being one of the preferred reward points of the market. Along with the significant change, Bilt is now for the first time providing welcome bonuses. All three cards consort with bonuses paid in Bilt Cash, while the super high-cut Palladium card raises the stakes with both Bilt Cash and an impressive bonus.
For the old clients who go for Bilt 2.0 by 30th January 2026, the transition is meant to be seamless. The card numbers remain unchanged, the subscriptions continue uninterrupted, and the switching process only needs a soft credit check, there is no need for a dramatic credit score.
The Bilt Blue Card
The Bilt Blue Card is the most easily accessible point into the Bilt ecosystem. It is free of annual fee, and it provides 1X points on all purchases, along with 4% Bilt Cashback. The welcome bonus comes with $100 Bilt cash upon approval, so it is a very easy choice for renters or homeowners who want rewards without going for a premium card. It is easy, it is clear, and it is designed for those who want to go for it and not to think too much.
The Bilt Obsidian Card
Positioned in the $95 annual fee bracket, the Bilt Obsidian Card aims at customers who do not mind spending a lot on eating out or on groceries. Card holders are allowed to pick one of those categories to receive 3X points, with the maximum being $25,000 each year. The travel gets 2X points and daily purchases are awarded 1X, along with 4% Bilt Cash back for all purchases. Also, the card comes with a $100 annual hotel credit through the Bilt travel portal, which is divided into two parts, thus adding some real value.
The Bilt Palladium Card
All things considered, the Bilt Palladium Card at $495 per year is for expensive consumers, but it still manages to avoid the typical bonus categories with all their complexity. Offering 2X Bilt Points flat on all purchases, and a 4% Bilt Cash is its way of making users to spend. The welcome bonus is a big one, it includes 50,000 Bilt Points after spending $4,000 on non-housing items, Gold elite status, and $300 in Bilt Cash. Also, adding in $400 in hotel credits and the Priority Pass lounge access makes the card very appealing if you are already deeply into the Bilt ecosystem.
Bottom Line
Bilt 2.0 does not take away the pain of paying the rent or the mortgage, but it becomes less of a hassle. Bilt is moving in a direction that traditional credit cards have ignored for a long time by expanding rewards to mortgages, simplifying fee-free payments, and introducing a full card lineup with real bonuses among others. Bilt’s pitch is quite simple that if housing is going to be your biggest monthly bill anyway, it might as well earn you something back as well.
