For years, paying rent felt like simply throwing money away. Now, a growing trend is changing that, allowing savvy individuals to transform a necessary expense into a powerful engine for earning valuable rewards.
Bilt Rewards has pioneered a system for earning points on rent, and a new development dramatically increases the benefits for United credit card holders. Previously, rent payments often registered as non-bonus transactions, offering minimal rewards.
Now, those with participating United MileagePlus cards can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on rent, up to $50,000 annually. This applies to a range of United cards, including the Gateway, Explorer, Quest, and Club cards, as well as the Presidential Plus card.
The miles aren’t delivered in one lump sum. Expect to see one mile per dollar as a “Bilt Rent Cardmember Bonus Mile” directly in your MileagePlus account, and another mile per dollar reflected as United MileagePlus Award Miles on your statement.
While using the Bilt Mastercard itself earns 1 Bilt point per dollar (with a cap and usage requirement), utilizing other cards through Bilt typically incurs a 3% transaction fee. However, the value proposition shifts significantly with United cards.
Considering current valuations, United miles hold a strong value of 1.3 cents each, while Bilt points are worth 2.2 cents. This means that even *with* the 3% transaction fee, the rewards earned with a United card can often outweigh the cost.
For example, a $1,000 rent payment with a United card might incur a $30 fee, but could yield $11 in Bilt points and $26 in United miles – a net gain of $7. This transforms a financial obligation into a strategic opportunity.
This new partnership offers a compelling reason to reconsider how you pay your rent. If you’re a United MileagePlus member, exploring this option could unlock a substantial stream of valuable miles, turning everyday expenses into rewarding experiences.
The key is to carefully weigh the transaction fees against the potential rewards. For many United cardholders, the math now clearly favors utilizing Bilt to pay rent and maximize their earnings.
