Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Bilt Lets You See Award Availability in Real Time

One of the most frustrating parts of booking award travel can be not knowing if your preferred hotel actually has award availability for the dates you want to travel. You search online only to find "awards unavailable" or you call the hotel to check availability and the agent has no idea. This can lead to endless searching, calling hotels directly, and often settling for a less than ideal redemption just to use your points.

With Bilt, you can see real-time award availability at over 50,000 hotels worldwide before you book. This takes the guesswork out of redeeming your points and helps you efficiently find the best redemptions. Through the Bilt app, you simply enter your travel dates and destination. It will then display all the participating hotels in that area and whether standard or premium award rooms are available. You’ll immediately know your options before transferring any points.

For road warriors like Torsten, knowing award space in advance is invaluable. There's nothing worse than arriving at a hotel late at night only to find out they don't actually have the award room you booked available. By displaying availability in real-time, Bilt helps you avoid this disastrous scenario.

Bilt pulls award data directly from major hotel chains instead of relying on incomplete third-party information. So you can trust that if a standard room redemption is showing available, then you can book it with confidence. No more fruitless points transfers or surprise upsells at check-in.

Real-time visibility also makes it easy to compare award options across multiple hotels and loyalty programs simultaneously. You can quickly identify the best redemptions based on location, amenities, room category, and point price. Location is especially key for Torsten who cares most about conveniently situated airport hotels on a short trip.

While incredibly useful for booking upcoming trips, Bilt's real-time visibility also helps strategize awards further in advance. You can get an idea of availability for a future special occasion trip and gives you a points goal to work towards.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Earn Points on Rent and Other Expenses

Unlike traditional hotel programs, Bilt makes it easy to stack up points by letting you earn on everyday purchases like rent. As a digital nomad who's always on the move, I love racking up free nights from non-travel expenses.

Bilt's unique approach lets you earn points in two ways: by paying rent through their app or by spending on the Bilt Mastercard. The Bilt Card offers 1x point per dollar on all purchases with no rotating categories or caps. Meanwhile, their rent payment feature gives you 1x point per dollar paid to your landlord.

This opens up an easy avenue to earn rewards even when you're not traveling. As someone who rents in multiple cities for work, I can quickly build up a balance for free hotel stays down the road. Even if you don't pay rent, Bilt still lets you earn unlimited points on daily spend like groceries, gas, and bills.

According to Bilt, the average renter can earn 14 free hotel nights from their yearly rent alone. Combine that with the Bilt Card's earning potential, and you'll be swimming in free night certificates faster than more restrictive programs.

For Chris, a consultant who rents a San Francisco apartment, Bilt has been a game changer: "Between spending on flights, my rent of $4,000 per month, and normal expenses, I can earn enough Bilt points for at least one free weekend getaway every quarter."

The value of earning on rent became even clearer to Chris during the pandemic: "When I was grounded in 2020, I still racked up tons of Bilt points from my rent and bills. This gave me a huge stash to tap into once I could travel again."

Meanwhile, Jen, a Seattle-based nurse, uses the Bilt Mastercard to cover all recurring household expenses: "It's my dedicated bill-pay card. I use it for utilities, subscriptions, insurance payments - everything. With a family of four, these things add up fast. It's an easy way to earn free hotel nights without thinking about it."

For any renter or cardholder, Bilt makes earning completely effortless. There's no scanning receipts, registering purchases, or keeping track of bonus categories. Points simply flow in from your normal routine.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Transfer Points to Major Hotel Loyalty Programs

Bilt has direct partnerships with major chains including World of Hyatt, IHG Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy. Once you've accumulated enough Bilt points, you can move them to any of these programs in increments of 1,000. The transfer ratio is consistently 1:1.

For Chris, having the option to diversify his points is critical: "I mostly stay at Hyatt but occasionally need IHG or Marriott properties in certain destinations. With Bilt, I don't have to lock myself into a single program. I can move points wherever I need them most."

This capability helped Chris book an epic trip to the Maldives last year. He transferred Bilt points to World of Hyatt for free nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives and to IHG Rewards for stays at the InterContinental Maldives. Without the flexibility to combine programs, he may not have been able to afford the high point prices at these luxury resorts.

Meanwhile, Jen used her Bilt points for a family vacation to Orlando, transferring to three different programs: "I moved points to Hyatt for two free nights at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Then I transferred more to IHG Rewards for a stay at the new Holiday Inn Orlando SW - Theme Parks Area. Finally, I sent some to Marriott for a night at one of the Disney World Swan & Dolphin resorts."

Jen appreciates being able to diversify across brands to get the most value: "If Bilt only partnered with one program, we couldn't have covered our full trip on points. Mixing hotels let me save money while keeping everyone comfortable and near the theme parks."

The flexibility goes beyond hotel brands too. Bilt transfers can be used for any redemption option offered by the partner program - not just free nights. For example, World of Hyatt lets you use points for room upgrades, resort fees, dining and spa credits. Marriott offers airline mile transfers and experiential rewards. The possibilities are endless when you can move points to access any loyalty perk.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Book Free Nights Directly in the App

One of the most convenient features of Bilt is the ability to book free night awards directly within their app. No more needing to call the hotel or loyalty program. No more navigating confusing websites. You can search, select and confirm your free nights all in one place.

This streamlined approach saves Chris hours when planning a hotel-focused trip: “I’m visiting Prague soon and knew I wanted to cover it with Hyatt redemptions. In the Bilt app, I just entered my dates, selected Prague, and all the Hyatt options popped up with award availability. I was able to book the Andaz Prague, Grand Hyatt Prague, and Hyatt Regency Prague in a matter of minutes without ever leaving the Bilt interface.”

The Bilt booking process doesn’t just save time, but also sanity. Jen remembers the headache of booking an IHG free night pre-Bilt: “I once spent 2 hours on hold with their rewards line before finally getting an agent who helped me search one hotel at a time for award space. With Bilt, I can see real-time availability for all IHG options at once then book instantly in just a few taps.”

This simplicity and transparency also creates peace of mind for Torsten when booking last minute award stays on the road: “Recently, my flight was canceled and I was rebooked to an airport three hours away. While in the taxi, I opened Bilt, found an airport Hyatt with points availability, and completed the booking using transferred Hyatt points. Within minutes, I had a confirmed free night and could avoid an expensive last minute cash rate.”

Bilt’s booking feature doesn’t just help secure free nights, but also maximize their value. The app displays both standard and premium room awards, allowing you to weigh the points difference and decide which redemption works best:

“When I was looking for Boston hotels,” says Chris, “Bilt showed standard rooms available at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge for 12k points or premium rooms for only 4k more. An extra 4k points was totally worth it for the larger, more recently updated room.”

“As a Globalist member,” shares Torsten, “I filter to see which Hyatt award bookings are eligible for lounge access and free breakfast. This ensures I’m getting the full value of my top-tier status.”

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Works at Over 50,000 Properties Worldwide

A massive portfolio of over 50,000 participating hotels worldwide means endless possibilities for redeeming Bilt points. Whether road tripping across the United States or journeying to Southeast Asia, you’ll have your pick of properties to meet your needs and maximize value.

For Mike, an avid backpacker, this extensive coverage proved clutch on a recent adventure through Europe: “I usually stay in hostels to stretch my budget. But with Bilt points to spare, I treated myself to free nights at centrally located hotels in capital cities. In Amsterdam, I booked the Hyatt Regency thanks to my Globalist status for lounge access. In Vienna, I opted for the more affordable Vienna Motel One for 7k points.”

He continues, “In smaller towns, Bilt helped me identify independent properties like Hotel Elefant in Weimar. I never would have found this charming hotel on points otherwise.” The sheer volume of options ensures Mike always has an ideal redemption no matter the destination.

Jen also takes advantage of Bilt’s scale while planning family vacations: “50,000 hotels means we have choices everywhere we go. On a road trip to national parks, I redeemed at Hyatt Places along the way for their breakfast and fast WiFi. In more rural areas, I’d check for Holiday Inns or independent hotels using Bilt.”

She adds, “When visiting friends and family, I can easily find an IHG, Hyatt or Marriott nearby to use points. The convenience of booking efficiently on Bilt makes coordinating multi-city hotel stays effortless.”

No matter your travel style, the scope of Bilt’s portfolio allows you to optimize redemptions. Backpackers can mix in an occasional hotel stay between hostels. Families and road trippers will find comfortable options along any route or in smaller towns. And business travelers have access to premium brands and top-tier properties worldwide.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - No Annual Fee or Foreign Transaction Fees

Scoring free hotel nights is great, but those savings get erased if you’re hit with high card fees. Thankfully, Bilt helps you keep more rewards in your pocket by avoiding common pitfalls like annual fees and foreign transaction fees. For jet-setters like me who travel overseas routinely, these sneaky charges can really add up. That's why I only use fee-free cards like Bilt to maximize my points.

As a digital nomad bouncing around Europe, I get slammed by foreign transaction fees all the time. These annoying charges, usually 3%, are tacked on whenever you use a card abroad. So a €20 lunch in Lisbon might cost €20.60 after the fee. Do that daily and you’re throwing away over €200 per year.

I once made the mistake of booking a last minute award stay with an American Express card that had foreign fees. The massive hotel charge ended up costing me an extra $75 out of pocket. I felt silly paying so much in avoidable fees just to redeem “free” nights. Lesson learned - now I’m vigilant about using only no foreign fee cards like Bilt when traveling.

Beyond foreign transaction fees, an even bigger fee trap while optimizing points is annual card fees. Many premium travel cards that offer lucrative signup bonuses come with a $95+ yearly charge. For infrequent travelers, this often wipes out any value earned from the card. However, as a road warrior, I can extract enough perks and points to offset a high annual fee.

Yet even for myself, a card like Bilt with no annual fee is ideal for everyday spending. With Bilt, every dollar I spend goes directly towards more rewards. For someone who maximizes card bonuses and travel redemptions, this adds up dramatically. I never have to waste mental energy determining if a card’s benefits outweigh its annual fee.

For Jen, Bilt’s lack of fees has simplified consolidating family expenses: “As a mom juggling school schedules, sports, doctor visits and more, I need a card that earns everywhere without ridiculous fees. Most travel cards have annual fees or limit bonus categories. The no fee, no nonsense Bilt Mastercard makes it easy to earn hotel points on all my daily spending.”

For Chris, a frequent international business traveler, fee-free cards like Bilt are essential: “Between airport lounges, rental cars, hotels and meals, my corporate Amex often hits the foreign transaction limit. I use Bilt whenever possible abroad to avoid unfair fees.”

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Use Points for Room Upgrades and Amenities

Scoring free nights is just the start with Bilt. You can take your hotel stays to the next level by using points for room upgrades, resort credits, parking, and more. As someone who loves being pampered on vacation, I find enormous value in splurging points on amenities.

Upgrading your accommodation can transform an average hotel stay into a luxury experience. Thanks to Bilt's partnership with World of Hyatt, you can use points for suite upgrades, club lounge access, and guaranteed connecting rooms.

On a recent trip to Cancun, I had booked a standard king room at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun using a Bilt free night certificate. But I really wanted an ocean view suite to enjoy the Caribbean vista. At check-in, I moved 30,000 Hyatt points from my Bilt balance to upgrade. It only cost 6,000 extra points per night, but made my vacation infinitely more enjoyable. Those sunsets over the sea were priceless.

Beyond spacious suites, you can spend Bilt points to access exclusive club lounges at certain hotels. These comfortable havens offer free breakfast, afternoon snacks, evening appetizers, and top-shelf drinks. As a self-proclaimed "lounge lizard," I find this the ultimate luxury.

During a Manhattan business trip, I redeemed points for a standard room at the Hyatt Centric Times Square. But thanks to Bilt, I could also transfer points to gain entry to the Regency Club Lounge on a high floor. Sipping evening cocktails overlooking the NYC skyline was a delight.

Bilt also lets you indulge at on-site restaurants, bars and spas by using points for resort and dining credits. At all-inclusive resorts like those in the Marriott Autograph Collection, these credits get you complimentary meals and treatments.

On my birthday getaway to the Wailea Beach Resort in Hawaii, I decided to splurge Bilt points on a $100 resort credit. We used it for a couples' massage at the spa - pure bliss! You can also use credits for romantic beach dinners, cabana rentals, and more. Little luxuries that make a vacation unforgettable.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Combine with Other Programs for More Free Nights

One of the best ways to maximize your free hotel nights is to combine Bilt with other travel programs and credit cards. As someone who juggles memberships across airline, hotel, and credit card programs, I'm always looking for ways to merge points balances for outsized value. The flexible nature of Bilt points makes them a perfect complement.

For example, I used Bilt points to top up my account when I was 5,000 Hyatt points short on booking a free night at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Transferring over points took just minutes in the Bilt app and I was able to confirm the coveted standard room redemption. Without the last-minute boost, I would've had to settle for a lesser hotel or purchase points at a premium.

You can also combine Bilt with flexible credit card rewards that offer hotel transfers. I used Citi ThankYou points to score free nights at the W Bogota, then transferred Bilt points to cover a Grand Hyatt Bogota stay - no cash outlay required. Mixing transfers gave me options across multiple brands.

Alternatively, Bilt works nicely with cards that boost specific chains like the World of Hyatt or IHG credit cards. I lean heavily on my IHG Premier Card but rotate Bilt points in when chasing elite promotions. This helps me requalify each year without relying solely on paid stays.

For Chris, a marketing exec based in NYC, Bilt perfectly complements his broader strategy: "I focus spending on my Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum. But I always have my Bilt Mastercard on hand to fill in niche redemptions like airport hotel stays that maximize my points." This layered approach keeps his points balances diversified across programs.

Jen appreciates that pooling Bilt points with other earnings helps her family do more: "Last summer, we used credit card points for airfare, then Bilt and IHG points for hotels across Europe. Combining balances let us afford this once-in-a-lifetime adventure."

The flexibility to transfer Bilt points to major chains also unlocks opportunities to splurge on aspirational redemptions. I recently realized an epic dream of staying at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa using my stockpiled stash. Even though my Hyatt balance was substantial, I moved over additional Bilt points to cover a portion of the high-end redemption. This took the sting out of using so many points.

Unlock Hotel Rewards with the Bilt App - See Real-Time Award Availability Before You Book - Maximize Rewards with the Bilt Mastercard

For road warriors and families alike, the Bilt Mastercard turbocharges rewards earnings to fast track your next free vacation. With no category caps or restrictions, you can rack up points on everyday purchases from morning coffee to groceries to paying the bills. This fee-free card becomes your trusty companion for unlocking elite hotel perks and aspirational travel.

As Chris, who travels frequently for work explains, “The Bilt Mastercard is my daily driver for non-bonused spend. Whether it’s a quick lunch on the road, last minute airport needs, or rideshares in a new city, my Bilt card covers it all with no thinking required. With uncapped 1x point per dollar and no foreign transaction fees, it’s my grab-and-go card that optimizes every dollar spent toward free hotel nights.”

Jen finds the Bilt Mastercard invaluable to consolidate family expenses: “There’s nothing worse than fumbling through multiple cards to track category bonuses. The Bilt Mastercard makes earning completely effortless. I use it for groceries, gas, shopping trips, paying the babysitter - you name it. As a busy mom, I love racking up points on auto-pilot.”

Torsten, who travels overseas routinely, relies on his Bilt Mastercard abroad: “Many of my go-to travel cards charge annoying foreign transaction fees. With the global acceptance of Mastercard combined with no foreign transaction fees, my Bilt card is ideal for maximizing earnings wherever my adventures take me.”

He adds, “I use it for daily necessities like public transit and ATM withdrawals to keep earning all through an international trip. With no restrictions on points earned, I can redeem these for high-end hotel stays.”

Road warriors focused on elite status also utilize the Bilt Mastercard in their broader strategy. Chris explains, “I target status through a blend of paid stays on brand cards, and then use Bilt to fill in everyday spending. This diversified approach lets me requalify faster for perks like suite upgrades and late checkout without overspending.”

Mike maximizes the Bilt Mastercard for budget adventures: “As a backpacker, I mostly stay in hostels and low-cost digs. But having a stash of Bilt points lets me strategically redeem free nights at hotels in major hubs along my route. The Bilt Card’s simple earning makes this completely accessible for budget travelers.”

The ability to boost point balances also unlocks aspirational stays, according to Jen: “Our family dreamt of vacationing at a Disney World resort hotel. But rack rates were out of reach. I used the Bilt Mastercard for months of grocery trips, bill payments and more. This let me build up enough rewards to book premium rooms right inside Walt Disney World using transferred hotel points.”

Chris also tapped into Bilt points for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: “I’ve always wanted to visit the Maldives and stay overwater. The points price was astronomical. But by maximizing spend on my Bilt Mastercard over 6 months, I accumulated enough rewards to transfer for an oceanfront villa.”