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Use IHG points to stay for free at the five-star Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand.
IHG
Bilt Rent Day is a monthly promotion for Bilt Mastercard® holders that occurs on the first day of every month.
December’s Rent Day includes a 100% transfer bonus to IHG (the hotel program of Holiday Inn).
Bilt Mastercard® holders will also get eight days to earn bonus rewards, up to a max of 50,000 points.
Read Insider’s guide to the best rewards credit cards.
Bilt Rewards is a unique program that lets you earn points for paying rent without those oppressive service charges.
It’s a revolutionary thought: Rent is by far the largest monthly expense for many of us. And the rewards you earn can be used to offset rent costs or converted into valuable airline miles and hotel points to help you knock off bucket-list travel that might otherwise be unattainable.
Bilt Rent Day is one of the most intriguing ongoing promotions at the moment. It’s a collection of fun offers available on the first day of each month. Previously, we’ve seen the program give users free United Airlines elite status, big discounts on cruises, and much more.
For December’s Rent Day, Bilt is giving you a 100% transfer bonus to IHG, the chance to earn up to 50,000 bonus points, and more.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Earn double points for 8 days (instead of 1)
On the first day of each month, Bilt Mastercard® holders can earn double points on non-rent purchases. This translates to:
6 points per dollar on dining (regularly 3 points per dollar)4 points per dollar on travel (regularly 2 points per dollar)2 points per dollar on all other purchases (regularly 1 point per dollar)
You’re normally capped at 10,000 points in total during Rent Day.
However, Bilt is extending the double points window to November 25 through December 1, 2022. That means you’ll have eight days to earn double points instead of just one.
Bilt will also give you the ability to earn up to 50,000 bonus points (instead of 10,000). As an example, you could spend $4,000 on dining, $4,000 on travel, and $5,000 on other purchases before you would finally max out your bonus points.
Rent payments are not bonused — so you’ll continue to earn 1 point per dollar when using the Bilt Mastercard® for rent.
To earn points with the Bilt Mastercard®, you must use your card at least five times per statement period.
100% transfer bonus to IHG
Bilt offers perhaps the most useful mix of transfer partners in the travel world. For example, you’ll get a 1:1 transfer ratio with airlines and hotel programs such as:
American Airlines AAdvantage Air Canada AeroplanBritish Airways Executive ClubIHG Rewards ClubAir France-KLM Flying BlueTurkish Miles & SmilesVirgin Atlantic Flying ClubUnited AirlinesWorld of Hyatt
On December 1, 2022, the transfer ratio will become 1:2 when transferring points to IHG (the hotel loyalty program of brands such as Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Crowne Plaza, Six Senses, etc.).
To take advantage of this transfer bonus, you must transfer your points in a single transaction between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on December 1, 2022. Bilt Blue members must transfer at least 2,000 points to IHG. Bilt Silver, Gold, and Platinum members can transfer as little as 1,000 points.
This may initially sound like a good deal (and it is, if you were already planning to convert your Bilt Rewards into IHG points). But it’s still not a great use of Bilt Rewards for most travelers.
The value of these rewards depends entirely on how you use them. Insider’s valuations estimate IHG points to be worth an average of 0.7 cents apiece toward travel. That makes your Bilt Rewards worth 1.4 cents each when transferring to IHG during this 100% transfer bonus.
But check out a sampling of Insider’s valuations of other popular Bilt partners:
Air Canada Aeroplan — 1.5 cents per pointWorld of Hyatt — 1.5 cents per pointAmerican Airlines — 1.4 cents per mile
As you can see, there are other partners which offer equal to or greater value for your Bilt rewards even without a 100% transfer bonus. It’s great that Bilt offers a promotion like this, but don’t shoehorn IHG hotels into your travel strategy just because it sounds like a good deal.
Monthly promotions
While Bilt unveils unique offerings each month, there are a couple of promotions that stay the same.
Rent giveaway
Bilt is giving away a free month of rent to three participants (both member and non-member) of their monthly Rent Day Riddle which exists within the Bilt app. You must participate on December 1, 2022. You can follow @BiltRewards on Instagram for more clues to the answer.
Winners will be announced on December 2.
SoulCycle promotion
On the first day of each month, Bilt Rewards members can book a “Rent Day, Ride Together” SoulCycle class — giving you the opportunity to book a free bike for a friend when you make a reservation for yourself. 56 SoulCycle locations participate in this promotion.
You can reserve your friend’s bike for free via the SoulCycle app, the Bilt Rewards app, or Soul-Cycle.com. You can book as early as Monday, November 28, 2022.
Riders will also get Bilt and SoulCycle swag and be entered into giveaways.
Bottom line
Bilt Rewards continues to stand out with its excellent travel partner lineup and fun promotions each month. December’s Rent Day is arguably the best so far: Up to 50,000 bonus points with an extended window to earn them is great. And a massive transfer bonus to IHG (though not one of the better Bilt Rewards partners) shows some potential to what might be waiting for members for Rent Day January 2023.
And remember, Bilt has a referral program. You’ll earn 2,500 Bilt points per friend you refer to the Bilt Mastercard® — and 10,000 bonus points after successfully referring five members. You can earn up to 2,025,000 points from referrals. You don’t even need to have the card.