October brings another Bilt Rent Day, and this time the rewards program is offering redemption bonuses that sound impressive on paper. All Bilt Rewards members can get up to 50% bonus value when shopping through Amazon’s Shop With Points, while select members can earn up to 75% bonus when redeeming points for rent credits.
But before you rush to cash in your points, let’s examine whether these offers deliver real value or if you’d be better off saving your points for higher-value redemptions.
Bilt has built a reputation for making rent payments rewarding, and their monthly Rent Day promotions consistently generate excitement among cardholders. However, not all promotional offers create equal value, and October’s bonuses highlight an important lesson about credit card rewards: bigger percentages don’t always mean better deals.
What’s Available on October Bilt Rent Day
Amazon Shop With Points Bonus
Every Bilt member can receive a redemption bonus when using their points through Amazon’s Shop With Points program on October 1st. The bonus percentage depends on your Bilt status level:
- Blue members: 20% bonus (points worth 0.84 cents each)
- Silver members: 30% bonus (points worth 0.91 cents each)
- Gold members: 40% bonus (points worth 0.98 cents each)
- Platinum members: 50% bonus (points worth 1.05 cents each)
To participate, you’ll need to link your Bilt account to Amazon at amazon.com/biltrewards and select “Use Bilt Points” during checkout. The bonus applies automatically to purchases made between 12:00 a.m. ET and 11:59 p.m. PT on October 1st.
Targeted Rent Credit Bonus
Select Bilt members will find an additional offer in their app or online account: up to 75% bonus value when redeeming points for rent credits.
This targeted promotion runs from September 25th through October 1st and can be used multiple times during the offer period.
With this bonus, points that normally provide 0.55 cents in rent credit value could be worth up to 0.96 cents each. Eligible members will see their specific bonus rate displayed in their Bilt account.
Double Points Earning
Like every Rent Day, Bilt Mastercard holders earn double points on all non-rent spending on October 1st, with a cap of 1,000 bonus points:
- 6x points on dining (normally 3x)
- 4x points on travel (normally 2x)
- 2x points on other purchases (normally 1x)
Remember that you must use your Bilt card at least five times per statement period to earn any points, including these bonuses.
Why These Bonuses Aren’t the Best Deal
Despite the appealing percentage increases, both the Amazon and rent credit bonuses fall short of Bilt points’ true potential value.
Even the highest bonus rates keep your redemption value at or below one cent per point, while several other options consistently deliver superior value.
Better Redemption Options Always Available
Transfer to Travel Partners: Bilt’s 22 airline and hotel transfer partners typically offer the highest value potential.
Points transfer at mostly 1:1 ratios, and it’s relatively straightforward to achieve 1-2 cents per point in value. Savvy travelers often extract significantly more value through strategic bookings.
- Bilt Travel Portal: A guaranteed 1.25 cents per point when booking flights and hotels through Bilt’s travel portal. This fixed rate beats most of October’s promotional bonuses without any status requirements or timing restrictions.
- Home Down Payment: Points provide 1.5 cents in value when applied toward a home down payment. You’ll need documentation proving you’re in the home-buying process, but this redemption offers excellent value for qualifying members.
- Student Loan Payments: A flat one cent per point when paying eligible student loans through your linked account. While not exceptional, this rate matches or exceeds most of the October promotional values.
Additional October Rent Day Perks
Beyond the redemption bonuses, Bilt offers several other October benefits:
Entertainment and Experiences
- Free fitness classes at select Barry’s and SoulCycle locations (reservations required)
- Exclusive restaurant experiences available for cash or points
- Comedy club events featuring SNL alum Leslie Jones
- Free stromboli for the first 800 visitors to the Bilt Neighborhood Cafe in NYC
Rent Free Game Show
Members can play Bilt’s online game from September 25th through October 1st for chances to win free rent (up to $2,500) or additional Bilt points.
Smart Strategy for Your Bilt Points
If you’re already planning Amazon purchases or need to pay rent in October, these promotional bonuses provide modest additional value. However, treating them as compelling reasons to spend your points would be a mistake.
Bilt points rank among the most valuable credit card currencies available, primarily due to their flexible transfer options and unique redemption categories. Using them for relatively low-value redemptions—even with promotional bonuses—wastes their potential.
Consider these bonuses as minor perks rather than main attractions. Focus your Bilt points strategy on transfers to travel partners, travel portal bookings, or home-related redemptions for maximum value.
The promotional bonuses also highlight why understanding your rewards program’s full redemption catalog matters more than chasing flashy promotional percentages.
Marketing departments love promoting large percentage increases, but the math often reveals these bonuses simply make poor redemptions slightly less poor.
Making the Most of Bilt Rent Day
To maximize October Rent Day benefits, focus on the double points earning opportunity. Plan significant purchases for October 1st, especially in the dining and travel categories where you’ll earn 6x and 4x points respectively. These elevated earning rates can generate substantial points for future high-value redemptions.
The fitness classes, restaurant experiences, and entertainment options add genuine value for members who can participate.
These perks showcase Bilt’s efforts to build community beyond just rewards earning and redemption.
For members targeted for the rent credit bonus, calculate whether the enhanced value makes sense given your specific circumstances.
If you typically struggle to find good travel redemptions and regularly pay rent anyway, the bonus might provide reasonable value within your personal situation.
The Bottom Line on October’s Offers!
Bilt’s October Rent Day promotions follow a familiar pattern: eye-catching percentage bonuses that sound impressive but deliver mediocre value compared to the program’s best redemption options.
The Amazon and rent credit bonuses won’t hurt you if used strategically, but they shouldn’t drive your points strategy.
Instead, treat October 1st as an excellent earning opportunity through the double points promotion, enjoy any experiences that appeal to you, and continue saving your Bilt points for transfers to travel partners or other high-value redemptions.
Smart rewards maximization requires looking beyond promotional percentages to understand true value. Bilt points offer exceptional flexibility and value potential—just not necessarily through these particular October bonuses!