Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
There’s good news for Bilt Rewards members: Aug. 1 is another Bilt Rent Day.
As on previous Rent Days, you can snag double points on nonrent purchases, book an all-inclusive dinner through the Neighborhood Dining series and play the Rent Free game. But Bilt members can also book a special Virgin Voyages offer this Rent Day.
Here’s what you need to know about the August Rent Day promotions.
Virgin Voyages experience
Bilt is partnering with Virgin Voyages this Rent Day. Through this travel partnership, you get onboard benefits and can bring a second guest into your cruise room at no additional charge. You and your guest can enjoy the following onboard benefits when you book an eligible cruise and activate your benefits:
- Unlimited premium Wi-Fi
- Two specialty coffees per day
- $100 in bar tab credit
- Complimentary laundry
- Unlimited group workouts
- Essential drinks
- Access to entertainment and events on board
- Access to an exclusive cocktail event
- Priority boarding at embarkation
Of course, some of the above listed benefits are available on normal Virgin Voyages bookings, but bringing a second guest for no additional charge is a good deal. Augusta Stone, an associate credit cards writer at TPG, booked a cruise with this offer.
“I’ve been considering a cruise with Virgin Voyages for a while, and this month’s Bilt Rent Day promo was the final push I needed to book the trip — especially thanks to the savings from bringing a complimentary plus one,” she said. “I’m also curious to see how the benefits added through my Bilt membership elevate my experience.”
To see eligible cruises and book your cruise, head to the landing page on the Virgin Voyages website. You must book an eligible Virgin Voyages sailing using access key “VVBILT” at checkout and then activate your Bilt member benefits by entering your name, email and booking reference number in the Virgin Voyages Travel Experience tab of the Bilt app or website by 2:59 a.m. EDT on Aug. 2.
To learn more about Virgin Voyages, check out the following stories:
- The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Virgin Voyages ship
- Virgin Voyages cruise cabins and suites: Everything you want to know
- We tried every bar on Virgin Voyages and ranked them from best to worst
- Ultimate cruise guide to Virgin Voyages restaurants and food on board
It’s also worth mentioning that we periodically see great points deals on Virgin Voyages cruises. If you want to redeem transferable points for a cruise, waiting for another one of these deals could be worthwhile.
Related: Too hip or just right? Here’s what it was really like sailing on Virgin Voyages for the first time
Extra Bilt Points on nonrent purchases
As on previous Bilt Rent Days, you’ll earn double points when you use your Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to make nonrent purchases between midnight EDT on Aug. 1 and 2:59 a.m. EDT on Aug. 2. You’ll earn as follows for purchases each Rent Day:
- Dining: 6 points per dollar
- Travel: 4 points per dollar
- Other purchases (excluding rent): 2 points per dollar
- Rent: 1 point per dollar (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year)
You must use the card five times per statement period to earn points (see rewards and benefits). This Rent Day, you can earn up to 10,000 bonus points on purchases with your Bilt Mastercard. However, starting Oct. 1, Bilt will lower this cap to 1,000 bonus points each Rent Day.
Related: 6 reasons I love my Bilt Mastercard as a renter in the most expensive city in the US
Rent Free game
In August 2023, Bilt launched a new way to win free rent for a month (up to $2,500): the Rent Free game show. Bilt has since offered the Rent Free game show each Rent Day, with a new creator or personality playing each month. This month, the guest is comedian, podcaster and influencer Jared Freid.
You’ll earn points when you pick a top-three answer, when you correctly rank that answer and when the celebrity guest picks the same answer as you. You must visit the Bilt app to play the game by Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. EDT. Then, return to the app after Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. EDT to watch Freid play and see your score.
The 10 top-scoring players will be the winners for August Rent Day, and the next 600 top-scoring members will earn Bilt points. If you tie with another Bilt member, the tie will be broken based on who played the game first.
Related: Bilt Mastercard review: No transaction fee rent payments
Bilt Neighborhood Dining Series
Bilt is continuing its Neighborhood Dining Series in 12 cities this Rent Day. Each month, Bilt will offer all-inclusive reservations at a selection of Bilt Neighborhood Dining restaurants for $75 or 6,000 Bilt points per person. With a reservation, you’ll secure access to a tasting menu and a selection of premium cocktails.
Reservations this Rent Day started July 29, with each member getting the opportunity to make a reservation for up to four people in the Bilt app. Some restaurants are sold out, but some reservations remained when I last checked. If you’re interested in dining out with Bilt’s Neighborhood Dining Series this Rent Day, check the website or app to see whether reservations remain in your city.
Related: Guide to Bilt Dining: How to earn bonus points and snag exclusive reservations
Blade party in New York City
Bilt and Blade are teaming up to host a party at Blade Lounge East on Aug. 1, but the party starts at Blade Lounge West, where some Bilt members will enjoy a welcome cocktail before boarding a Blade helicopter. The helicopter will then fly over the Manhattan skyline before landing at Blade Lounge East for a helipad party with additional Bilt members.
The helipad party will feature a DJ, small plates by Tao Group and unlimited craft cocktails and beverages. The following types of tickets went on sale to Bilt members July 29:
- Lounge party tickets: Bilt members could buy up to four tickets for $50 or 2,500 points each. These tickets provide access to the party starting at 8 p.m.
- Early access lounge party tickets: Platinum and Gold members could purchase up to four early access tickets at a cost of $50 or 2,500 points each. These tickets provide access to the party starting at 7 p.m.
- Lounge party plus flight tickets: Bilt members could buy up to two lounge party plus flight tickets for $200 or 10,000 points each that provide access to the party and a Blade helicopter ride from Blade Lounge West to the party at Blade Lounge East. Only 30 lounge party plus flight tickets are available, and you must arrive at Blade Lounge West by 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 if you successfully purchase this ticket option.
When I last checked, all of the ticket types were sold out. However, you can join the waitlist to be notified if any of the following types of tickets become available.
Related: Should you use the Bilt Mastercard? Why it’s a game changer for renters
Rent Day SoulCycle rides
Bilt is continuing its Rent Day SoulCycle rides Aug. 1. These rides are 45 minutes long and offer a full-body indoor cycling workout. Bilt also offers up to $2,500 to one rider participating in an August Rent Day Ride class to cover a month of rent.
Bilt members can reserve their rides through the Bilt app and enjoy complimentary bikes in special Rent Day-themed classes at more than 50 locations on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings opened July 30, so other members have already claimed most (if not all) of the complimentary bikes. If you did happen to snag a spot in one of the Rent Day-themed classes, remember your card may be charged $30 if you cancel or are a no-show.
Related: The 8 best credit cards to maximize fitness spending
History of Rent Day promotions
Bilt offers at least one special promotion each Rent Day in addition to its standard Rent Day offerings. For August Rent Day, you can get extra onboard benefits and a second guest free on select Virgin Voyages sailings and access to a special party at Blade Lounge East in New York City.
Here’s a summary of the promotions we’ve seen on previous Rent Days:
- July 2024: Bilt launched its new Neighborhood Dining Series and offered a status-based transfer bonus and status match with the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program.
- June 2024: Bilt offered Rent Day Brunch experiences in four cities and let members earn 5 or 10 bonus points per dollar spent at Neighborhood Dining restaurants.
- May 2024: Bilt members could book a family-style dining experience to enjoy with other Bilt members at neighborhood restaurants in eight cities. Plus, Bilt members got 100% of their points back (minimum of 1,000 points and maximum of 50,000 points) toward the Bilt Home Collection when redeeming points for rent between April 25 and May 1.
- April 2024: Bilt members could enjoy fitness experiences at studios across the country; a buy one, get one fitness class deal and the chance to buy new fitness gear.
- March 2024: Bilt members could book men’s college basketball tournament tickets as Bilt Experiences. Plus, Bilt members voted via a single-elimination bracket for March Rent Day benefits. The ability to earn 1,000 points when linking a new credit card (up to two cards) to the Bilt Cards tab won, while the chance to earn 5 points per dollar at grocery stores (valid for up to 2,000 points) when paying with the Bilt Mastercard finished second.
- February 2024: Bilt offered several Valentine’s Day dinner reservations and a status-based transfer bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan.
- January 2024: Bilt brought back some of the program’s top Rent Day promotions, including a $5 Lyft credit for Bilt cardholders, a 50% redemption bonus on Amazon and status-based transfer bonuses to IHG One Rewards, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
- December 2023: Bilt offered a special tasting experience in New York City for cardholders Dec. 1, more points at Bilt Dining restaurants from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1, and double points on purchases that would normally earn 1 point per dollar from Nov. 23 through Nov. 27.
- November 2023: Bilt offered special Bilt Experiences at select restaurants and a status-based transfer bonus to Emirates Skywards.
- October 2023: Bilt launched Bilt Experiences at three professional football games and offered 5 points per dollar on eligible sports tickets (up to 10,000 bonus points).
- September 2023: Bilt expanded its Rent Day Rides to every SoulCycle studio across the U.S., with 10 complimentary bikes per class. For the Sept. 1 Rent Day, Bilt also paid a month of rent (up to $2,500) for one rider in each Rent Day Ride class.
- August 2023: There was a 75% to 150% transfer bonus to Virgin Red based on your Bilt status tier as of Aug. 1.
- July 2023: You could activate a $10 Lyft ride credit if you were a Bilt member without a Bilt Mastercard or a $20 Lyft ride credit if you had a Bilt Mastercard by the end of July 1. Plus, you could get an additional $5 credit if you activated the offer, had Bilt set as your active Lyft loyalty partner and took a Lyft ride July 1.
- June 2023: Everyone won a gift of Bilt points, points to use toward the Bilt Collection, Lyft ride credit, free rent or round-trip award flights when they solved the June 1 Rent Day Challenge puzzle.
- May 2023: There was a 100% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue on May 1.
- April 2023: Bilt members could enroll between March 28 and April 1 to obtain World of Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days and then keep Explorist status through February 2025 by staying 10 qualifying nights between April 17 and July 16. Alternatively, members could unlock Globalist status through February 2025 by staying 20 qualifying nights between April 17 and July 16. Bilt also hosted members-only social events at three Hyatt properties April 1.
- March 2023: You could get a 50% bonus when you redeemed points toward Amazon purchases March 1, plus 50% off all items in the Bilt Collection on March 1.
- February 2023: You could get a 100% transfer bonus to HawaiianMiles on Feb. 1. Bilt also launched its exclusive five-piece capsule collection with SoulCycle.
- January 2023: Bilt introduced trivia to Rent Day: Bilt offered its members 10 trivia questions worth 50 points each and an additional question worth 100 points if they got all 10 questions correct on Jan. 1.
- December 2022: You could get a 100% transfer bonus to IHG One Rewards on Dec. 1 and double points on nonrent spending from 12:01 a.m. PST on Nov. 25 to 11:59 p.m. PST on Dec. 1.
- November 2022: Bilt members could enroll in a complimentary United Airlines Premier status challenge between Oct. 27 and Nov. 1. Bilt Blue tier members could get Premier Silver, while Bilt Silver, Gold and Platinum tier members could get Premier Gold. Premier status was valid for 120 days, but you could extend your status through Jan. 31, 2024, by getting 1,000 Premier qualifying points and 4 Premier qualifying flights for Premier Silver and 2,000 PQPs and 6 PQFs for Premier Gold.
- October 2022: Bilt launched Rent Day with double points on nonrent spending and themed SoulCycle Rent Day rides Oct. 1.
Related: The best time to apply for these 9 popular travel credit cards based on offer history
See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here.
See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.