The Bilt Rewards program has become a significant player in the points and miles landscape, and its travel portal is a key component of maximizing value. This guide breaks down how to use the Bilt Travel portal effectively, covering everything from earning points to strategic redemption options.
Understanding Bilt Points Value
Bilt Points are currently valued at 2.2 cents apiece, making them one of the most valuable rewards currencies available. You don’t need a Bilt credit card to participate; simply signing up for the Bilt program grants access to earning and redeeming points. However, holding a Bilt card unlocks additional perks within the portal.
How the Bilt Travel Portal Works
The Bilt Travel portal allows members to book flights, hotels, and Blade helicopter rides while earning or redeeming Bilt Points.
- Earning: Earn 2 points per dollar on hotels and 1 point per dollar on flights or Blade bookings when using any linked credit card. Using a Bilt card stacks those earnings with portal rates for maximized rewards.
- Redemption: Points can be redeemed at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point for travel. However, transferring to one of Bilt’s 25 transfer partners is often more lucrative due to higher valuations.
Accessing the Portal
Access the Bilt Travel portal through either:
- The Bilt mobile app
- Visiting bilt.com/rewards/travel and logging in to your account.
Once logged in, you can book travel and transfer points to loyalty partners.
Booking Flights
The Bilt Travel portal lets you search for flights by entering departure and arrival airports, dates, and passenger count. The results can be sorted by price, flight length, departure time, and more.
- Award Availability: A key feature is the ability to view award availability powered by Points Path. This shows how many points you’d need to transfer to Bilt partners for a given flight.
- Strategic Transfers: For example, redeeming 15,000 Bilt points through Atmos Rewards for a $268 flight yields a value of 1.79 cents per point—exceeding The Points Guy’s valuation of Atmos Rewards at 1.5 cents. This demonstrates that direct portal redemption isn’t always the best option.
Booking Hotels
Hotel bookings follow a similar process to flights. The portal includes major chains, boutique properties, and may offer discounted “Bilt rates.”
- Earning Potential: Pay with a linked card to earn 2 Bilt points per dollar on hotel reservations.
- Home Away from Home: Bilt Gold and Platinum members gain access to over 2,000 luxury properties with benefits like daily breakfast, upgrades, and a $100 property credit.
Other Travel Options
Bilt also supports booking Blade helicopter rides on select routes, with a 10% discount for Gold and Platinum members.
Maximizing Value: Portal vs. Transfers
The Bilt Travel portal is most useful when:
- Award space is unavailable elsewhere
- Cash prices are low enough to make redemption worthwhile
- Booking boutique properties not affiliated with major chains.
However, booking directly with brands often yields more loyalty perks and easier changes if plans shift. Third-party bookings may not earn points or elite status in those programs.
Additional Perks
Bilt Cash holders can redeem up to $100 monthly toward hotel credits. The Bilt Palladium Card provides a $400 statement credit for hotel bookings made through the portal, split biannually at $200 increments.
Conclusion
The Bilt Travel portal is a powerful tool for maximizing rewards, but it requires careful comparison to ensure you’re getting the best value. Strategic point transfers and awareness of loyalty program restrictions are key to unlocking the full potential of your Bilt Points.
