If you’re a renter, using the Bilt service to pay rent is a fantastic way to accumulate points for future travel. Previously, Bilt reward points were transferable to American Airlines, but this option has now been replaced. Alaska Airlines is the new partner.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card holders will now earn 3x miles on rent payments made through Bilt, up to $50,000 a year. Additionally, every $10,000 spent with the card earns 4,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs), up to a total of 20,000 EQMs. This means if you spend more than $4,167 on rent each month, you will automatically earn MVP status with Alaska Airlines. However, a 3% transaction fee still applies when paying rent through the Alaska Airlines Visa.

My Thoughts

Spending $4,167 on rent monthly might seem excessive, but for high earners, it could make sense. If you already fly with Alaska Airlines several times a year and earn EQMs that way, using the Alaska Airlines Visa could be even more beneficial. Earning 3x miles on rent is attractive, even with the 3% transaction fee. Alaska Airlines miles are generally valued at 1.6 cents per mile, which makes the effective return closer to 1.8% on rent.

Your decision to get the Alaska Airlines Visa will largely depend on how frequently you fly with Alaska Airlines. One of the most valuable perks of the Alaska Airlines Visa is the companion pass. If you fly coast to coast once a year with a companion, the $95 annual fee is easily justified.

Compared to the Bilt card, which has no transaction fee and no annual fee but earns only 1x miles, the value proposition is similar. With the Bilt card, you have the flexibility to transfer points to other partners. However, the Alaska Airlines Visa offers unique benefits.

Let’s assume Alaska miles are worth 1.6 cents per mile and Bilt points are worth 2.05 cents per point (from TPG’s May 2024 monthly valuations).

If we use the Alaska Airlines Visa to pay a $2,000 monthly rent:

• $2,000 rent + $60 transaction fee = 6,180 Alaska Airlines Miles
• 6,180 miles * 0.016 – $60 transaction fee = $38.88
• $38.88 * 12 months – $95 annual fee = $371.56 a year in value

If we use the Bilt card to pay a $2,000 monthly rent:

• $2,000 rent = 2,000 Bilt points
• 2,000 points * 0.0205 = $41
• $41 * 12 months = $492 a year in value

Based on this comparison, you can see that the Bilt card seems to come out on top. There are two additional points to consider. First, the Bilt card does require you to have 4 additional transactions on the card per statement to earn points. That may change how you evaluate the above numbers. Second, as I mentioned above the companion pass is a huge perk of the Alaska Airlines Visa card. If you are able to save more than $120.44 with the companion pass, then the Alaska Airlines Visa is more than worth it. The card also includes free checked bags as a bonus.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you prefer the Bilt card over the Alaska Airlines Visa for paying rent?