Hearing a lot about Bilt Rewards lately?  That’s because Bilt points have become very valuable and easy to earn!  Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a Bilt credit card to earn Bilt points.  Here’s why you should pay attention to earning Bilt points, even if you don’t rent, and especially if you shop online.

What Is Bilt?

Bilt Rewards is a loyalty program, that includes a credit card, and allows you to earn points on rent payments.  But you don’t need to be a renter, or hold the credit card, to get value from the program.  You can sign up for free and become a member, and earn points on other expenses.

Currently, the Bilt credit card is going through a refresh.  The old Wells Fargo Mastercard closed to new applicants in November of 2025.  Bilt is rolling out an all-new three-card lineup in February 2026 that will allow you to pay your mortgage with a credit card! More information on these new cards will be available in January 2026.

Why Should I Pay Attention To Bilt?

Bilt stands out because of its transfer partners.  You can transfer Bilt points to programs like World of Hyatt, Southwest Airlines, Flying Blue and so much more!

You had me at World of Hyatt!

 

Bilt points are not bank points or airline/hotel points.  They are another category, similar to (flexible) bank points as you can transfer them to airline and hotel loyalty programs.

How To Start Earning Bilt Points With Rakuten

Rakuten is a popular online shopping portal where you can shop online as you normally would – clothing, gifts, home goods, you name it.  It tends to have deals and promotions, especially around the holidays.  As of November 6, 2025, Bilt + Rakuten teamed up so instead of earning cash back, you can now earn Bilt Points!

If you’re shopping online, always use a bank or airline’s shopping portal when making a purchase.  This allows you to earn additional points, on top of the points you earn when you use a credit card – otherwise known as “stacking.”

Step 1: Create Your Free Bilt & Rakuten accounts.

Sign up for a free Rakuten account here.  (When you use my referral link you’ll get $50 – or 5,000 Bilt Points – when you spend $50 for a limited time.)  Email addresses on both Bilt and Rakuten accounts need to match.

Step 2: Link your Bilt + Rakuten Accounts starting in the Bilt app.

Select “Rewards,” then “Everyday Rewards,” then “Earn points with Rakuten” to link.  This is an easy way to earn points from online shopping you are already doing!

Step 3: Shop at participating Rakuten stores as you normally would.

Step 4: Receive Bilt points automatically for your quarterly Rakuten payout.

Step 5: Transfer your points to an airline and/or hotel travel partner, and redeem!

Some Tips To Remember:

• Link your Rakuten account to Bilt, starting IN the Bilt app.
• Email addresses on both accounts need to match.
• Make sure to change your payment method to Bilt points, on the Rakuten site.  It should show up like this:

Go under your Rakuten Profile > Account Settings > How You’re Getting Paid

• If you don’t have a Rakuten account, Bilt may prompt you to set one up.  My Rakuten referral offer is currently higher, so sign up here!

Why Is This A Big Deal?

Previously, Rakuten gave members the choice to earn cash back or AMEX points (if you hold an eligible AMEX card).  This new partnership with Bilt means that you have the option to earn another points currency that can transfer to these airline and hotel partners:

• Atmos Rewards (Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines)
• Avianca LifeMiles
• United Mileage Plus
• Air France – KLM Flying Blue
• Virgin Red/Virgin Atnatic Flying Club
• Emirates Skywards
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Iberia Plus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• TAP Miles&Go
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Etihad Guest
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy
• World of Hyatt
• IHG One Rewards
• Accor Live Limitless (transfer ratio is 3:2)

Bilt has amazing, if not the BEST transfer partners!  Transferring your points to airline or hotel partners is where you’ll often the best value.  Unless otherwise stated, transfer ratios are 1:1.

Introductory Redemption Rate

For the first six months, all Bilt members status tiers will receive a 1:1 conversion rate.  This means that $10 cash back = 1,000 Bilt points.  After 6 months it goes like this:

• Bilt members with Blue status (lowest status you automatically receive upon creating a free Bilt account) receive 50 Bilt points for every $1 Rakuten cash back
• Silver/Gold/Platinum Bilt members rate will remain at 100 Bilt points for every $.

Check out more information here on how to earn Bilt status.

Additional Ways To Earn Bilt Points

You can link your Lyft account to Bilt and earn an additional 2x Bilt points on Lyft rides on top of points you earn when you pay with a credit card.  You can link your Lyft account in Bilt, under Neighborhood > Rideshare > Link Lyft Account.

I have linked my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to my Lyft account as I’ll earn 5x total points with my Chase card.  That’s 7x total – easy stacking for the win!

 

You can also link your existing cards to Bilt so you can earn Bilt points in addition to points you’re already earning with your respective card.  By linking you can:

• Stack rewards – Earn points based on the multiplier (3x dining, for example) + Bilt points on the same purchase
• Neighborhood Dining – Partner restuarants give Bilt points if you use your linked card
• Fitness + Wellness – Select fitness studios and places like Walgreens earn extra Bilt points automatically

You can link your credit cards under the Wallet tab, in the Bilt app.

Bilt Rent Day (Monthly Bonus Day)

Bilt Rent Day happens on the first of every month.  With this comes special bonuses for Bilt members that include double points, one-day only transfer bonuses, and/or limited-time promotions.  It’s designed to reward renters – even if you they don’t rent through Bilt.

In Sum

Setting up a Bilt account is easy, and doesn’t take long.  Link it to Rakuten, and start earning Bilt points for those online purchases you are already doing! Make the most of your everyday spend, and earn points that you can redeem for travel.  If you’re looking for ways to earn additional points from your regular expenses, without opening a new card, here you go!