What the Bilt Rent Day Bonus is
The Bilt Rent Day Bonus is a rewards program run by Bilt Mastercard that gives you points when you pay rent through their platform. You earn one point per dollar spent on rent payments made through the Bilt app or website. Those points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or other rewards — or you can use them to pay down your Bilt Mastercard balance.
The program is free to join if you have a Bilt Mastercard. You do not pay a fee to earn points on rent, and there is no cap on how many points you can earn in a month or year. The rent payment itself still goes to your landlord on time; the points are straightforward a bonus on top of that transaction.
Bilt processes the payment to your landlord and handles the logistics. Your landlord receives the money the same way they would from any other payment method — they do not need to sign up for anything or take any special action.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one Bilt point for every dollar of rent you pay through the Bilt app or website, with no monthly or annual earning cap.
- The program is free if you hold a Bilt Mastercard; there are no fees charged to you for paying rent this way.
- Your landlord receives the full rent payment on the date you choose, and they do not need to register or take any action to receive it.
- Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel rewards, statement credits, or other redemption options depending on your card's rewards structure.
- Rent payments made through Bilt are reported to credit bureaus, which may help build your credit history if you make payments on time.
How to set up rent payments through Bilt
Start by opening the Bilt app or visiting the Bilt website if you already have a Bilt Mastercard. If you do not yet have the card, you will need to explore for one first through the card issuer's website or app. Once approved and your card is active, log in to your account.
In the app or website, look for the option to add a rent payment or set up a recurring payment. You will need your landlord's mailing address or banking details, depending on how they prefer to receive payment. Bilt can send a check, initiate an ACH bank transfer, or wire funds — your landlord's preference determines which method Bilt uses. If you are unsure, ask your landlord how they normally receive rent payments.
Enter the rent amount, the date you want the payment sent, and confirm. Bilt will charge your Bilt Mastercard for the full amount and process the payment to your landlord. You will see the transaction in your card statement, and you will earn points when ready.
What happens if your landlord does not have banking information on file
If your landlord does not have a bank account set up with Bilt or prefers not to receive ACH transfers, Bilt can send a physical check instead. This takes longer — typically five to seven business days for the check to arrive and clear — so plan ahead if your landlord uses this method.
You can ask your landlord directly whether they accept ACH transfers or if they prefer a check. If they have never used Bilt before, they may not know the option exists. Providing them with Bilt's contact information or letting them know you will be paying through Bilt can help them decide which method works best for them.
How points are earned and what they are worth
You earn exactly one point per dollar of rent paid. If your rent is $1,500, you earn 1,500 points. There is no bonus multiplier for rent payments — it is a flat one-to-one ratio. Points begin accumulating in your account as soon as the payment is processed.
The cash value of points depends on how you redeem them. If you redeem for cash back, the value is typically around 1 cent per point, though this can vary. If you redeem for travel or other rewards, the value per point may be higher or lower depending on the specific redemption option. Check your card's rewards program details to see all available redemption rates.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can let them accumulate over time and redeem them whenever you choose, or redeem them when ready after each payment.
Rent payment timing and your credit report
You choose the date when you want Bilt to send the payment to your landlord. This gives you flexibility to align the payment with your paycheck or cash flow. Bilt reports on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, which means paying rent through Bilt can contribute to building your credit history if you make payments by the date you set.
Late payments are also reported. If you miss a payment or pay after the date you selected, that information may be reported to credit bureaus as well. This is the same reporting that happens with any rent payment — Bilt straightforward makes it visible to the credit system, which most landlords do not do on their own.
Make sure you have sufficient funds in your checking account or available credit on your Bilt Mastercard to cover the rent payment on the date you choose. If the payment fails due to insufficient funds, you will need to contact Bilt to reschedule or retry the payment.
Fees and costs associated with Bilt rent payments
There is no fee charged to you for paying rent through Bilt if you use the standard processing method. Bilt does not charge a convenience fee, processing fee, or subscription cost to earn points on rent.
If you choose an expedited payment method — such as paying by a specific time on a specific day to may provide same-day processing — Bilt may charge a fee for that service. Standard processing is free, so unless you need the money to reach your landlord faster than normal, you can avoid any fees by using the default option.
Your Bilt Mastercard itself may have an annual fee depending on which version of the card you hold. That fee is separate from rent payments and applies to the card as a whole, not to individual transactions.
What to do if a rent payment fails or is delayed
If Bilt attempts to process your payment and it fails — for example, because your card was declined or your bank rejected the transfer — you will receive a notification in the app. Check the notification to see the reason for the failure. Common reasons include insufficient funds, an incorrect landlord bank account number, or a temporary issue with the payment network.
Contact Bilt's customer service through the app to troubleshoot. If the issue is on your end (such as insufficient funds), you can add funds to your account or update your payment method and retry. If the issue is with your landlord's banking information, Bilt can help you verify and correct it. Once resolved, you can reschedule the payment for a new date.
If your payment is delayed and your rent is now late, contact your landlord when ready to let them know the payment is in progress. Provide them with Bilt's reference number or confirmation details so they can track the payment if needed. Most landlords are understanding about delays caused by payment processors, especially if you communicate proactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a Bilt Mastercard to use the rent payment feature?
Yes. The Bilt Rent Day Bonus is only available to people who hold a Bilt Mastercard. If you do not have the card, you will need to explore for one first. The card itself has no annual fee on most versions, though you should review the specific card terms before explore.
Can I pay rent for someone else and earn points?
No. The Bilt Mastercard must be in your name, and the rent payment must be for a property where you are the tenant. You cannot use someone else's card to pay their rent and earn points on their behalf.
What if my landlord refuses to accept a payment from Bilt?
This is rare, but if it happens, you can pay your landlord directly and use a different payment method. You would not earn Bilt points on that payment. If your landlord has concerns about Bilt, you can provide them with Bilt's contact information so they can verify the legitimacy of the payment processor.
How long does it take for rent to reach my landlord after I schedule a payment?
Standard ACH transfers typically take one to three business days. Check payments take five to seven business days. Wire transfers are faster but may have a fee. The exact timing depends on the payment method your landlord uses and your bank's processing speed.
Can I set up automatic monthly rent payments through Bilt?
Yes. You can schedule recurring payments for the same amount on the same date each month. This way you do not have to manually initiate a payment every month — Bilt handles it automatically and you earn points each time.