Bilt is a credit card designed specifically for renters
Bilt is a credit card, but it works differently from most cards because it lets you pay rent with it and earn rewards. Issued by Bilt Technologies in partnership with Mastercard, the card is built around a single fact: renters spend thousands on rent each month but cannot put that payment on a regular credit card. Bilt lets you do that, and you earn points on every rent payment you make.
The card is free to open and has no annual fee. You can use it like any other Mastercard for groceries, gas, and other purchases. But the main reason most people open a Bilt card is the rent payment feature — you connect your landlord's bank account or mailing address, and Bilt sends the payment on your behalf while you get the credit card points.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt is a Mastercard credit card with no annual fee that lets you pay rent and earn rewards points on that payment.
- You earn 3 points per dollar on rent payments, 1 point per dollar on other purchases, and bonus points during your birthday month.
- Bilt sends the rent payment to your landlord directly — you do not send money yourself — and the payment appears on your credit report as a credit card payment.
- You need a monthly rent of at least $500 to use the rent payment feature, and Bilt charges a fee to your landlord if they pay by check.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time rent payments help build your credit history.
How the rent payment feature works
When you open a Bilt card, you provide your landlord's information — either their bank account details for an electronic transfer or their mailing address for a check. On the day you want to pay rent, you log into the Bilt app or website, enter the amount, and Bilt sends the payment. You do not handle the money yourself; Bilt handles the transfer or mails the check.
Your rent payment shows up on your credit report as a credit card purchase, which means on-time payments build your credit history. This is different from paying rent directly to your landlord, which typically does not report to credit bureaus at all. The payment posts to your Bilt statement just like any other charge, and you pay it off during your billing cycle like you would any credit card balance.
Bilt charges your landlord a fee if they choose to receive payment by check — usually around $5 to $10 per check, depending on the amount. If your landlord has set up electronic transfer, there is no fee to them. Some landlords absorb the fee; others pass it to the tenant. You should confirm with your landlord before you set up the payment method.
Rewards structure and earning points
Bilt earns 3 points per dollar on rent payments, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, and bonus points during your birthday month. There is no cap on how many points you can earn from rent, so a $1,500 rent payment earns 4,500 points. The points do not expire as long as your account stays open.
You redeem points for cash back, travel, gift cards, or other rewards through the Bilt app. The redemption value varies by what you choose, but cash back typically values points at around 1 cent each — meaning 4,500 points from that rent payment would be worth roughly $45. You can redeem as few as 1,000 points at a time.
Bilt also runs occasional bonus point promotions for new cardholders or specific spending categories. Check the app regularly to see what bonuses are currently available, as these change throughout the year.
Credit reporting and building credit history
Bilt reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — all three major credit bureaus. This means your rent payments and overall card activity show up on your credit report, which is unusual because most landlords do not report rent payments at all. For renters building credit from scratch or trying to improve a low score, this can be a meaningful advantage.
Your payment history, credit utilization (how much of your available credit you use), and account age all factor into your credit score. Paying your Bilt bill on time each month, keeping your balance low, and maintaining the account over time all help your score. Late payments also report to the bureaus and can hurt your score, so treat the Bilt card like any other credit card — pay on time.
Fees and costs
Bilt has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. There are no fees for paying rent electronically if your landlord has set up direct deposit. The only fee you might encounter is if your landlord chooses to receive rent by check — Bilt charges them a fee, which they may pass to you.
Like any credit card, Bilt charges interest if you carry a balance past your due date. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and is disclosed when you open the account. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
There are no fees for late payments listed on Bilt's terms, but a late payment will hurt your credit score and may trigger interest charges. Bilt also does not charge foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you travel internationally and use the card abroad.
Minimum rent amount and landlord setup
Bilt requires a minimum monthly rent of $500 to use the rent payment feature. If your rent is below that amount, you can still open and use the card for other purchases, but you cannot pay rent through Bilt. Your landlord does not need to have a Bilt account or do anything special — you provide their information when you set up the payment, and Bilt handles the rest.
Some landlords are hesitant about receiving payments through a third party rather than directly. If your landlord is concerned, explain that Bilt sends the money to their bank account or mails a check, just like any other payment method. You may want to confirm the payment went through by checking with your landlord after the first payment, especially if they are unfamiliar with the process.
How Bilt compares to other credit cards for renters
Most credit cards do not let you pay rent at all, or they charge a high fee (often 2% to 3% of the payment) if you do. Bilt's main advantage is that you earn points on rent with no fee to you — the card is specifically designed around this use case. If you pay $1,500 in rent each month, you earn 4,500 points, which is a real financial benefit over time.
Other cards might offer higher rewards rates on different categories — groceries, gas, dining — but they do not solve the rent problem. If building credit through rent reporting is important to you, Bilt is one of the few cards that does this. If you want a card that rewards rent payments and also offers strong rewards on everyday spending, Bilt's 1 point per dollar on non-rent purchases is modest compared to some cards, but it is a reasonable trade-off for the rent feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bilt charge me a fee to pay rent?
No. Bilt charges you nothing to pay rent through the card. If your landlord chooses to receive payment by check instead of electronic transfer, Bilt charges them a fee (usually $5 to $10), which they may pass to you. Ask your landlord which payment method they prefer before you set up the account.
Will paying rent through Bilt hurt my credit score?
No. On-time rent payments through Bilt help your credit score because they report to all three credit bureaus. Late payments would hurt your score, just like late payments on any credit card. Bilt is designed to help renters build credit, not damage it.
Can I use Bilt if my landlord does not want to participate?
You can open the card and use it for regular purchases, but you cannot pay rent through Bilt without your landlord's information. Bilt needs either their bank account or mailing address to send the payment. If your landlord refuses to provide this, you can still use the card like any other Mastercard.
What happens if I miss a Bilt payment?
A late payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will hurt your credit score. You will also be charged interest on the unpaid balance at the card's APR. Contact Bilt as soon as you know you will be late — they may be able to work with you on timing or payment arrangements.
Can I earn points on rent if I pay my landlord directly instead of through Bilt?
No. You only earn points when you use Bilt to send the payment to your landlord. If you pay your landlord directly with cash, check, or bank transfer, that payment does not go through Bilt and does not earn points or report to credit bureaus.