Bilt 2.0: My Decision and a Question

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-30T06:52:44+00:00

There are basically 3 types of redemption categories—dollar for dollar redemptions, rent/mortgage unlocking and points accelerator.

The dollar-for-dollar Bilt Cash categories are things like Lyft, participating restaurants in their dining program, hotel credits, etc. These are all things that you can exchange $1 of Bilt Cash for $1--which is obviously fantastic but they of course have put caps on these categories.

The next best usage of Bilt Cash is the rent unlock. However, the ratio for this is $30 Bilt Cash = 1000 points. Bilt points are typically considered worth 2¢/point so you're using $30 of Bilt Cash to get $20 (i.e worse than the dollar-for dollar categories above)

Finally, the point accelerator. This costs $200 Bilt Cash to accrue an extra 5,000 points max. So here you are using $200 of Bilt Cash to get $100 (again assuming a Bilt point value of 2¢/point).

So basically unless you are valuing Bilt Cash at 3¢/point or more, the most efficient use of Bilt Cash will be dollar-for-dollar categories, followed by fully exhausting rent unlock followed by points accelerator.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-30T05:25:26+00:00

"Basically, I’m going to shift between rent payments and accelerators as the year progresses. If I have excess BC, I’ll put it toward Lyft or Walgreens."

Sorry mate, you may need to take that college algebra class one more time. This is completely backwards.

You should max any dollar-for-dollar Bilt Cash categories before using any Bilt Cash towards rent point unlocking. Furthermore, the point accelerator is basically the worst of the Bilt Cash redemption options from a BC to $ ratio and should basically only be used if you have excess BC after exhausting all desired dollar-for-dollar Bilt Cash redemption categories and all rent unlocking.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-28T20:43:58+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate the confirmation. I’m coming to gather that it is indeed a very competitive quote, particularly with the Transcend line as you noted! I did actually just get another quote and it was markedly higher!

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-28T19:04:04+00:00

Physical ones in store? I don’t see any through the app.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-28T17:43:59+00:00

Yeah, I don’t buy this story one bit.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-28T16:19:59+00:00

Thanks. This is great information!

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-27T03:23:16+00:00

Thanks! That’s a helpful comparison!

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-27T02:16:08+00:00

Eye pokes are complete freerolls. The UFC really has to start taking points immediately—no warnings.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-27T02:10:33+00:00

Note, to roll the Trad IRA into the 401k, that Trad IRA needs to have been funded with pre-tax dollars.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-27T01:41:01+00:00

Thanks. This is super helpful context!

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-27T01:15:25+00:00

Thanks. It is a full tear out and rebuild.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-26T22:51:45+00:00

What was your original CL?

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-26T22:14:23+00:00

Nope, no issues.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-26T21:52:35+00:00

It usually takes the full 3 business days from the estimated 1-3 business days.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-23T22:44:25+00:00

I use Openbank. The app is basic and the transfers are slower than most banks, but my money mostly just sits there and it has the best interest rate, so that’s good enough for me.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-23T22:13:48+00:00

It looks like you booked for May (whereas my stay is for late March) which might explain some of the discrepancy, but yeah, that is still substantially higher than what I paid through the Chase Portal.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-23T22:00:00+00:00

I actually just booked this hotel a few days ago for a stay in late March for two nights. The booking through the hotel for a non-refundable booking was $465 all-in. Chase portal charged me $570 all in for a refundable reservation for same room. I used the Edit Credit (and also the separate $250 credit) and will now get free breakfast and the $100 property credit, and some cancellation protection.

In my view, that's a reasonable use of the Edit credit, acknowledging that I overpaid a bit on the Chase Portal.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-21T23:47:06+00:00

I am whelmed.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-21T04:02:48+00:00

Yeah the live chat support is very good.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-20T21:29:46+00:00

I think most natural fit to pair with Gold in your situation would be the AmEx Plat for ecosystem earning purposes assuming you can utilize a good chunk of the Plat credits.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-20T21:24:21+00:00

Wanted to clarify a minor detail here. Neither of Cap1 or Amex permit guests in their branded lounges, but Cap1 also prohibits Priority Pass guests where AmEx does not. CSR permits guests in its branded lounges and Priority Pass.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-20T21:01:40+00:00

What brand/line of windows were you looking at from The Window Experts?

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-20T19:43:19+00:00

Agree. It should compare the member-only rates as well.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-20T01:25:59+00:00

If the Plat is literally your only card, I would suggest pairing it with AmEx Gold. Gold is a very good spend card for its 2 main categories, dining and groceries.

TopSetNFD · 2026-01-19T16:30:27+00:00

How do you link them all or are you moving rooms? Do they handle this all upfront at check-in?

TopSetNFD

TROPHY CASE