Bilt 2.0 Panic: Should You Transfer Your Points Before the Switch?

If you are sitting on a stash of Bilt Rewards points—say, around 34,000—you might be feeling the "devaluation anxiety" that comes with program updates. With talk of "Bilt 2.0" circulating, a common question we hear is: "Should I empty my Bilt account and transfer everything to a partner now to be safe?"

The short answer? Don't panic transfer.

Unless you have a specific flight or hotel room ready to book immediately, speculative transfers often do more harm than good. Here is the strategic breakdown of why you should likely hold your position, and the few exceptions where moving your points makes sense.

The Verdict: Flexibility is King

When you have transferable points (like Bilt, Chase, or Amex), their primary value lies in their flexibility. As long as they are in your Bilt account, they can become a Hyatt stay, an Alaska Airlines flight, or a United ticket.

The moment you transfer them, they lose that flexibility.

1. Transfers Are a One-Way Street

Bilt transfers are irreversible. If you move your 34,000 points to United MileagePlus because you are afraid of a Bilt devaluation, those points are now stuck with United forever.

If a great promo comes along for Hyatt or Air Canada Aeroplan next month, you can no longer participate. You have traded high-value flexible currency for a restricted airline currency.

2. The "Double Devaluation" Risk

Fear of Bilt devaluing is valid, but don't forget that transfer partners devalue, too. If you transfer to an airline to "protect" your points, but that airline suddenly raises their award chart prices, you haven't saved anything—you've just moved the risk to a different ledger.

3. Bilt's Stance on "2.0"

According to Bilt Rewards support, the transition to Bilt 2.0 is designed to be seamless for existing members. If you do not switch cards, "nothing changes with your Bilt membership or your points." You keep and redeem them as usual. While skepticism is healthy in the credit card world, the official guidance suggests your current balance is safe for now.

When You Should Transfer Now

While we generally advise against speculative transfers, there are specific scenarios where moving your points is the right move.

Transfer immediately if:

You found award availability: You have found the exact flight or hotel night you want, and it is bookable right now.
You are ready to ticket: You aren't just browsing; you are ready to pay the taxes/fees and lock it in.
You need to top off a balance: You are a few thousand points short for a redemption and just need to bridge the gap.

Note on Timing: Bilt advises that transfers can take up to 48–72 hours depending on the partner. However, many transfers are instant. Always check availability first!

The "Blue Status" Nuance

If you are currently a standard member (Blue Status), remember that Bilt enforces a minimum transfer amount.

Minimum: 2,000 points
Increments: 1,000 points

This means you cannot just transfer 500 points to test the waters. Make sure your math is correct before initiating the move.

The Strategy: The 8-Week Rule

If you are still nervous about your 34k points, use this simple decision matrix:

No travel planned? Keep the points in Bilt.
Booking in 1–8 weeks? Wait until you find the specific award, then transfer immediately before booking.
Still anxious? "Hedge" your bets. Transfer a small chunk (e.g., 5,000 points) to the program you use most often (like Hyatt), but keep the majority in Bilt to maintain your options.

Summary

Don't let the fear of "Bilt 2.0" force you into a bad strategy. Points are almost always more valuable when they are flexible. Keep them with Bilt until you have a destination in mind.

Not sure how to use your Bilt points most efficiently? Try the CardSavvy Optimizer to see which cards and strategies make the most sense for your travel style.