Tools / Calculators

Bilt 2.0 Calculator: Compare Option 1 vs Option 2 for Your Rent

CS
CardSavvy Team

The Bilt 2.0 update introduced two distinct paths for earning points on rent: Option 1 (Tiered Points) and Option 2 (Bilt Cash Unlock). Which one earns you more? It depends entirely on your rent amount and monthly card spending.

We built a calculator to do the math for you.


Try the Bilt 2.0 Calculator

Enter your monthly rent, your spending, and your preferred point valuation. The calculator shows side-by-side results for Option 1 (Tiered) vs Option 2 (Bilt Cash Unlock) — points on housing, points on everyday spend, Bilt Cash generated, and net annual value.


Quick Recap: Option 1 vs Option 2

Option 1: Tiered Points (Simpler)

Under Option 1, your rent earns points automatically based on how much you spend on the card relative to your housing payment:

Monthly Spend (% of Housing) Points Earned on Rent
≥ 25% 0.5x
≥ 50% 0.75x
≥ 75% 1.0x
≥ 100% 1.25x

Tradeoff: You don't earn 4% Bilt Cash on everyday spending.

Option 2: Bilt Cash Unlock (More Complex)

Under Option 2, you earn 4% Bilt Cash on eligible purchases, then use that Bilt Cash to "unlock" points on your housing payment.

  • Unlock rate: $30 Bilt Cash → 1,000 points
  • Break-even: To unlock full 1x on rent, you need to spend ~75% of your rent on everyday purchases

Tradeoff: Bilt Cash expires yearly (only $100 rolls over), and you must actively manage it.


When to Use Each Option

Choose Option 1 if:

  • You want simplicity—no second currency to track
  • Your monthly card spend is already a significant portion of your rent
  • You don't want to deal with Bilt Cash expiration

Choose Option 2 if:

  • You're a power optimizer who can use Bilt Cash strategically
  • You plan to redeem Bilt Cash in the travel portal or for partner experiences
  • You want flexibility to adjust month-by-month

The Calculator Does the Math

Scroll back up and plug in your actual numbers — the math updates live as you type.

For a deeper dive into the Bilt 2.0 mechanics, read our full analysis:


Calculator last updated: January 2026. Based on published Bilt 2.0 terms. Always verify current rates and rules in the Bilt app.

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