What the Bilt Credit Card is and who it's built for
The Bilt Mastercard is a credit card designed specifically for renters. Unlike most credit cards, it lets you pay your rent with a credit card and earn rewards on that payment — something most landlords and property managers won't allow through standard payment methods. You earn points on rent payments, utilities, phone bills, internet, and groceries, then redeem those points for statement credits or transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
The card carries no annual fee. It's issued by Bilt Rewards, a fintech company focused on the rental market, and the card itself is a Mastercard, so it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The main draw for renters is the ability to build credit history through rent payments — something that normally doesn't show up on your credit report unless your landlord reports it to the bureaus.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt lets you pay rent with a credit card and earn rewards, which most landlords don't allow through other payment methods.
- You'll need to provide basic personal information, income details, and permission for a soft credit pull during the process process.
- A soft pull won't lower your credit score, but Bilt may do a hard pull later if you're approved, which does affect your score temporarily.
- Approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few hours, and you can use the card when ready for some transactions while waiting for the physical card.
- Your rent payment history through Bilt can be reported to credit bureaus, helping you build credit even if your landlord doesn't report rent to them.
What you'll need before you start
Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You'll also need to provide your annual income or household income — Bilt asks this to assess your ability to manage credit, though the income threshold isn't publicly fixed and varies by applicant. If you're self-employed or have variable income, use an average or your most recent year's total.
You don't need to have your landlord's information on hand to begin the process, but you will need it eventually if you want to set up rent payments through the card. Have your lease handy or know your monthly rent amount, and be prepared to provide your landlord's name, address, and contact details later in the process.
The process process step by step
Start at the Bilt website or read the Bilt mobile app. Click the button to begin your process. You'll enter your email address and create a password, then move to the personal information section: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Bilt will perform a soft credit pull at this stage — this checks your credit but doesn't lower your score and isn't visible to other lenders.
Next, you'll provide income information. Bilt asks for your annual income and employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, student, etc.). You won't need to upload pay stubs or tax returns at this stage, though Bilt may request them later if they need to verify your income. You'll also answer questions about your housing situation — whether you rent, own, or live with family — and confirm you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
After you submit this information, Bilt reviews your process. Most decisions come within minutes to a few hours. If you're approved, you'll see your credit limit and can begin using the card when ready through a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) while you wait for the physical card to arrive by mail, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
Credit checks and what they mean for your score
The initial soft pull during your process doesn't affect your credit score. If Bilt approves you, they may perform a hard inquiry (also called a hard pull) to finalize your account. A hard pull can lower your score by a few points temporarily, usually recovering within a few months. This is standard practice for credit card issuers and is factored into credit scoring models as a normal part of explore for credit.
Once your account is open, Bilt reports your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means on-time rent payments build your credit history, and missed payments hurt it, just like any other credit account. If your landlord also reports rent to the bureaus, you'll have two sources of rent payment history on your report.
Setting up rent payments after approval
After you're approved and have your card number, you can set up rent payments through the Bilt app or website. You'll enter your landlord's information — their name, mailing address, and phone number — and your monthly rent amount. Bilt then coordinates with your landlord to process the payment. Some landlords accept payments directly through Bilt's system; others receive a check or ACH transfer from Bilt on your behalf.
The timing matters: Bilt typically processes rent payments on the date you specify, so plan ahead if your rent is due on the first of the month. You'll earn points on every rent payment, and those points appear in your account when ready after the payment posts. You can redeem points for statement credits (one point equals one cent), or transfer them to airline and hotel partners at varying rates depending on the partner.
Reasons your process might be denied
Bilt doesn't publish exact approval criteria, but common reasons for denial include a very low credit score, recent bankruptcy, or a pattern of missed payments on other accounts. If you have no credit history at all, you may still be approved, since Bilt's goal is to help renters build credit. If you're denied, Bilt will tell you the reason and you can reapply after addressing the issue — for example, by waiting for negative marks to age or by building credit through other means first.
If you're approved but with a lower credit limit than you expected, you can request a higher limit after you've used the card responsibly for a few months. Bilt reviews accounts periodically and may increase your limit automatically, or you can contact them to request an increase.
How Bilt compares to other renter-focused credit products
Most standard credit cards don't let you pay rent and earn rewards because rent payments are typically made by check, bank transfer, or through a property management portal — none of which trigger rewards. Bilt solves this by acting as an intermediary: you pay Bilt with the card, and Bilt pays your landlord. This is different from rent-reporting services, which straightforward report your existing rent payments to credit bureaus without involving a credit card.
Other credit cards offer higher rewards rates on certain categories (groceries, gas, dining), but they don't address rent. If building credit through rent is your priority and you want rewards on everyday spending too, Bilt fills a specific gap. If you're mainly interested in maximizing rewards on non-rent purchases, a traditional cash-back or category-based card might serve you better, though it won't help you build credit through rent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my landlord know I'm paying with a credit card?
Your landlord will see that payment is coming from Bilt, not directly from you. Bilt handles the transaction on your behalf, so your landlord receives payment through Bilt's system, check, or ACH transfer. Your landlord doesn't see that you used a credit card to fund the payment.
What happens if I miss a rent payment through Bilt?
A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus just like a missed payment on any other account, damaging your credit score. Bilt will also likely charge a late fee and may contact you to collect. Avoid this by ensuring you have sufficient credit available and funds in your bank account to cover the payment when it processes.
Can I use Bilt if my landlord doesn't accept credit card payments?
Yes. Bilt doesn't require your landlord's permission to pay rent through the card. Bilt pays your landlord directly via check or ACH transfer, so your landlord receives payment in their normal way. You earn rewards on the payment regardless of whether your landlord knows you used a credit card to fund it.
How long does it take to get approved?
Most applicants receive a decision within minutes to a few hours. You can use the card when ready through a digital wallet while waiting for the physical card, which arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If Bilt needs to verify your income, the process may take longer.
Do I have to pay rent through Bilt to keep the card?
No. You can use the Bilt card for any purchase that Mastercard accepts — groceries, utilities, phone bills, and other expenses. Rent payments straightforward earn the highest rewards rate. If you don't use the card for a long period, Bilt may close it for inactivity, but there's no requirement to charge rent specifically.