The open road has long been a symbol of American freedom, but in 2024, that freedom comes with a hefty price tag and a side of existential dread. We're navigating a world of volatile gas prices, inflationary pressures, and a growing collective anxiety about our carbon footprint. For the millions who still rely on their cars for commuting, errands, and the occasional escape, every trip to the pump is a complex calculation of cost and conscience. Into this landscape drives the Bilt Mastercard, a card famously celebrated for turning rent payments into rewards points. But what happens when you swipe it at a gas station? Does this card, designed for the aspirational urbanite, hold any value for the everyday driver filling up their tank? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Before we fuel up, it's crucial to understand what makes the Bilt card unique. It’s not a traditional cash-back or travel card; it’s a lifestyle card built on a specific pillar.
Bilt's primary value proposition is its ability to earn rewards on rent payments without incurring processing fees—a genuine innovation in the credit card space. Cardholders can earn 1x point per dollar on up to 100,000 points per year on rent. This alone can translate to a significant annual points haul for renters in major cities.
Bilt Points are transferable to over a dozen leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, including American Airlines AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, and Air France/KLM Flying Blue. This places their points currency in the coveted realm of "flexible travel rewards," often valued between 1.5 to 2 cents per point or more when transferred strategically. Earning these points on rent, a typically unrewarded expense, is a massive win.
Now, let's get to the gasoline. The Bilt card's standard earning structure on non-bonus spending is 1 point per dollar. This includes purchases at gas stations. There is no specific, elevated bonus category for gas stations like you would find on a card such as the Citi Custom Cash® or the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card.
On the surface, this seems underwhelming. Why use a card that offers just 1x points when numerous other cards offer 3%, 4%, or even 5% back on gas? The critical differentiator lies in the value of the point, not just the quantity.
Let's break it down with a simple example. Imagine you spend $500 on gas in a month.
If you redeem those 500 Bilt Points for a statement credit or a mundane purchase on Amazon, they might be worth a paltry 0.55 cents each, netting you only $2.75. This is a terrible use of points. However, if you transfer those points to an airline partner like Hyatt, you could potentially get over 2 cents per point in value. 500 points could then be worth $10 or more towards a flight or hotel stay.
The math is clear: The Bilt card is only a viable option for gas if you are a frequent traveler who actively collects and redeems points through transfer partners. For the cash-back seeker, it's not competitive.
The conversation about a credit card for gas is no longer just about rewards; it's inextricably linked to the larger global narrative.
With inflation impacting household budgets globally, every dollar saved counts. While the Bilt card might not offer the highest immediate return at the pump, its ability to generate significant points from rent can subsidize future travel. For a family looking to take a vacation despite rising costs, using Bilt for all spending (including gas) to accumulate points faster for a flight transfer could be a strategic, albeit long-term, budgeting tool.
This is perhaps the most critical modern consideration. The world is slowly but surely shifting towards electric vehicles. Gas stations are evolving into charging hubs. The Bilt card's structure is curiously future-proofed for this change.
Many EV charging networks—whether Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America, or EVGo—code their transactions not as "gas" but as "utilities" or "travel." Bilt awards 2x points on travel purchases (which includes rideshares, tolls, trains, and importantly, many EV charging stations). This means that while a traditional gas rewards card becomes obsolete for an EV owner, the Bilt card could potentially become more valuable, earning 2x points on charging sessions instead of just 1x. This positions Bilt not as a card for the past, but for the future of transportation.
Post-pandemic work patterns have changed. Many people now commute less frequently, making a dedicated gas card less essential. The Bilt card, with its strong travel and dining bonuses (3x points on dining), caters to a hybrid lifestyle—earning big on nights out and future trips, while still providing a baseline reward for necessary driving. Its value is in flexibility, not specialization.
If you decide the Bilt card fits your profile, here’s how to make the most of it for your automotive needs.
Think of your points as jet fuel, not gasoline. The goal is to accumulate enough points through rent, dining (3x), travel (2x), and yes, even gas (1x), to transfer them to an airline for a domestic flight. A flight that might cost $300 could be only 25,000 points if you find a good deal, effectively making every point you earned at the gas station more valuable.
On the first of every month, Bilt celebrates "Rent Day." This often includes perks like double points on all non-rent purchases (except fees). If you can time your gas fill-ups for Rent Day, you’ll earn 2x points per dollar at the pump instead of 1x, instantly doubling the earning potential and making it much more competitive.
Gas stations are no longer just about gasoline. They are convenience stores, selling groceries, snacks, and coffee. Remember, Bilt offers 3x points on dining. Many larger gas stations have attached cafes or branded coffee shops that may code as dining. Even if it's just a quick snack, using your Bilt card ensures you're getting the best possible return if the purchase codes correctly.
The Bilt Credit Card is not a gas card. It will never be the absolute top-of-the-wallet choice solely for pumping fuel. If your primary financial goal is to directly offset the high cost of gasoline with immediate cash back, you should absolutely use a dedicated card for that purpose.
However, to dismiss it entirely for gas station use would be a mistake. The Bilt card’s benefit at the pump is not isolated; it’s integrated. It’s a single thread in a larger tapestry of rewards woven from your rent, your meals, your travels, and your daily spending. Its true power is unlocked by the user who sees beyond the pump and views those 1x points as incremental contributions towards a flight to Tokyo, a weekend at a Hyatt resort, or a future where their electric vehicle charging session earns double points. In the context of a changing world and evolving personal transportation, the Bilt card’s flexibility might just be its own greatest fuel.
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Author: Credit Agencies
Link: https://creditagencies.github.io/blog/bilt-credit-card-for-gas-stations-any-benefits.htm
Source: Credit Agencies
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