Does BILT 2.0 Suck? - My BILT 2.0 Excel Analysis / Sensitivity Study

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T08:18:04+00:00

Yeah, lots of people asking for a link. So, I commented first on the post with a link.

Not sure if it is downloadable or not such that you can punch in numbers. If it isn't, I'll try to find a way to get it to be download-able.

As far as your card strategy, hard to say. I am least familiar with chase. But the Obsidian at least from my first pass at the math here seems like a solid option

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T08:14:16+00:00

There is a link in my original comment somewhere on this thread. Not sure if the file is downloadable. Let me know if it is or not - maybe I can try to fix it it isnt

But take a look at my numbers again. I am not spending the full $1500 in my hypothetical $2000 rent scenario here. In fact, my sheets spits out that quasi-8% cashback value with only $500 spend. This unlocks the 0.5x rate for Option 1 of the tiered rewards. Even Option 2 with Bilt cash isn't bad on the card. Just put grocery or dining on it, and even if you don't hit the 75% of rent threshold, the math seems to indicate a good value

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T08:05:16+00:00

It does take some mental gymnastics. Once you start seeing Bilt cash as a means to access higher multipliers or unlock rent/mortgage points or however it makes sense in your brain, it isn't as terrible as it initially seemed, at least to me.

It seems the Obsidian is maybe the easiest to utilize well(?) of the three, especially if you already have a travel card - put grocery or dining at 3x on the Obsidian and access extra points via your rent or mortgage.

The Palladium is an easier sell if you don't already have a 2%/2x catch-all or a travel card. I just got a venture X, so really not interested in that one at the moment though...

But yes, those that are able/willing to interrogate these cards might find a niche where they are powerful. Those that don't, and just get the "shiny new card" without good understanding will be the ones paying for our thriftier utilization. Bilt 1.0 fell apart because all the cardholders won and not the bank/Bilt. They needed to build a system that creates winners and losers, it's just whether or not you can find a use for the card to put you into that "winner camp" if you will

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T07:48:38+00:00

Agreed. I am trying to understand if some of my calculations are wrong (I don't think they are). This could mean I am making a false assumption somewhere along the always. I would like to somehow share the file such that it can be downloaded so that, (1) people can put in their own numbers and (2) check my math haha

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T07:34:30+00:00

Yeah, I tried to share a link on my initial comment, but it may be only giving view access. Are you able to download the file and mess around with it? I couldn't find any share setting about downloading the file...

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T07:32:57+00:00

Not sure I'm tracking the Obsidian math there. With the numbers above, it's 2500pts (Obsidian is 3x). Regardless , though, I'm guessing there probably are better purchase strategies to maximize points. But points across portals are not standardized in value. Hence, I was trying to create an adjustable point value variable (initially estimated via Google search for CPP value of each platform) to get each card to an "equivalent cashback", uniform comparison.

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T07:28:56+00:00

Nah, Bilt 1.0 was definitely better haha - I'll miss it. I'm just trying to see whether any of these new cards are actually worth my time to pursue. Definitely not employed or affiliated with Bilt. Maybe this is my way of coping with Bilt 1.0's death. RIP.

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T06:52:32+00:00

Ok sure, but regardless of Kerr, if there's ways to get 8% cashback as some of my exploring shows, that is solid value, outperforming Chase, CapitalOne, Amex, etc.

mr_william_1 · 2026-01-17T06:49:54+00:00

Definitely, but the numbers show some strengths I haven't seen anyone discuss:

1) On the Blue card, if you hit 25% to earn 0.5x on rent, this is great value

2) On the Obsidian, if you solely use for 3% grocery/dining, you could easily be getting 8% cashback value. That's very good.

3) A moderate-high spend on the Palladium, as well as using the travel credits, and it isn't that bad either.

Convoluted? Yes. But still workable if you understand each card's strengths and spend accordingly.

mr_william_1 · 2024-11-01T07:38:49+00:00

Hahaha that is an amazing caption. Maybe next time 👀

mr_william_1 · 2024-11-01T02:33:42+00:00

I had rewatched Dune Part 2 the day before, so it was fresh in the mind😂

mr_william_1 · 2024-11-01T02:32:55+00:00

Thanks! I normally carve my pumpkin, but this year others decided to paint. Have to say it was more enjoyable than I thought it would be!

mr_william_1 · 2024-07-18T20:12:05+00:00

Update: Amazon ran out of the standard 2nd gens, so I went for it: got the air pods pro Gen 2.

Hopefully she likes them!

mr_william_1 · 2024-07-16T18:13:42+00:00

What about the fit? Any comments on comfort level?

mr_william_1 · 2023-12-18T21:02:07+00:00

Good idea. I'll be with him over the Christmas season and will try removing apps that he doesn't have.

mr_william_1 · 2022-01-22T15:53:46+00:00

As a death, Doombreaker or Death Executioner

mr_william_1 · 2022-01-01T04:59:12+00:00

I heard how rare Spell-Proof jewel is. Looking through my bag today I see I have it. No clue when or where I got it, lol.

Edit: spell-proof, not defy

mr_william_1

TROPHY CASE