# Bilt ends 4% Bilt Cash for new cardholders from January 1, 2027

_Oct 29 01:45_

Tags: Bilt, loyalty program, policy change, credit card, program change

Type: Analysis

## Summary

Frequent Miler reports that Bilt will lock new cardholders into Housing-Only Rewards from January 1, 2027, ending 4% Bilt Cash on all spend for anyone who becomes a cardholder on or after that date. Anyone who is already a cardholder or who opens a card before then can opt out and keep the 4% rate.

Housing-Only Rewards means skipping 4% Bilt Cash in order to earn points on housing payments at no extra cost. After opting out, a cardholder can still switch into Housing-Only Rewards later. Staying in Housing-Only Rewards cannot be reversed. Bilt Cash now expires one year after it is earned rather than on a calendar-year cutoff.

Frequent Miler notes it is unclear how long Bilt will keep 4% Bilt Cash for grandfathered accounts, or whether the option survives a product change or upgrade. Authorized user treatment is unspecified. The author intends to stay on 4% on the Palladium card and is weighing family applications before the cutoff.

Anyone who wants 4% Bilt Cash needs a Bilt card before 2027 and must opt out of Housing-Only Rewards while that choice is still available.

## Key facts

- **Starts**: Jan 1, 2027
- **Numbers**:
  - 4%: Bilt Cash rate on all spend that new cardholders lose in 2027
  - $50K: spend required for Bilt Platinum status
  - 2.5 points per dollar: author's earnings toward Platinum via Point Accelerators and Rent Day
  - $300: author's hotel savings using Bilt coupons and Bilt Cash
  - 3X multiplier: Obsidian grocery earning rate
  - $25K: annual grocery spend cap for Obsidian 3X
- **Who qualifies**: Anyone who is a Bilt cardholder before January 1, 2027 can opt out of Housing-Only Rewards and keep 4% Bilt Cash; new cardholders from that date cannot.
- **Takeaway**: If you have or can get a Bilt card before 2027, opt out of Housing-Only Rewards while you still can if you want 4% Bilt Cash, then switch back only if housing points look better.

## Sources cited

- [Frequent Miler](https://frequentmiler.com/decomplexifying-bilt) — Decomplexifying Bilt (my personal ponderings)

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