Is Bilt REALLY Better Than Chase?
Hey friends, what's up? Phillip here with Points with Phillip, and today we're diving into a hot topic that might just change the way you think about credit card rewards. We're talking about the buzz that Bilt is actually a better Chase card than Chase has ever made. Bold claim, I know, but let's get into it!
Before we do, if you're finding value in this, please hit that like button and subscribe! Now, let's talk points.
The Reign of Chase: A Look Back at Why We Loved It
For years, Chase, particularly the Chase Sapphire Preferred, was the darling of the points and miles world. Why? Three big reasons:
Hyatt Transfer Partner: This was HUGE. Many of us saved our Chase points specifically for Hyatt, unlocking incredible value for luxury hotel stays. American Express or other cards might cover international business travel, but Chase was synonymous with Hyatt redemptions.
The 1.25x Portal Boost: Remember when you could book through the Chase portal and automatically get a 1.25 cents per point value on things like IHG hotels? It simplified redemptions and guaranteed a solid return.
1 Cent Per Point Cash Out: For beginners, or anyone needing flexibility, the ability to cash out Ultimate Rewards points at 1 cent per point was a major safety net.
These three benefits made Chase points a really big deal. But, as they say, times change...
The Cracks in Chase's Crown: Recent Devaluations
Unfortunately, the last year or so has seen a number of changes that have eroded some of Chase's automatic value:
Goodbye, Portal Boost: That reliable 1.25x portal boost is gone for the Preferred. While the Sapphire Reserve now offers an "up to 2x" boost on some hotels, it's not the universal, guaranteed value we once enjoyed. It's simply not a good enough replacement.
Hyatt Devaluations: Hyatt announced sweeping devaluations across their portfolio, making it much harder to get consistent high value from their redemptions. I'm seeing lower returns on many popular properties, especially during peak times.
So, with reliable value from both transfer partners and the portal becoming harder to find, what's a points enthusiast to do?
Bilt to the Rescue! Why It's Outperforming Chase
Enter Bilt, guys. Bilt to the rescue! Let's break down why Bilt is quickly supplanting Chase as the best value for most people.
1. Transfer Partner Prowess
Bilt boasts an incredibly robust transfer partner lineup, far exceeding Chase's in terms of sheer variety and high-value options:
More Partners: Not only does Bilt include many of Chase's partners (like United and Southwest), but they add incredible value with partners like Turkish Airlines, Avianca (LifeMiles), and Cathay Pacific.
Cathay Pacific Goldmine: This is a big one. Bilt currently offers 1:1 transfers to Cathay Pacific, a ratio American Express is doing away with. Why is Cathay Pacific so great? It's a sweet spot for flying British Airways business (63,000 points) or even first class (90,000 points) for significantly less points and lower taxes/fees than transferring directly to BA.
Avianca LifeMiles (Atmas): Access to incredibly cheap redemptions, like American Airlines domestic first class for 3, 4, or even 5 cents per point. We're talking solid seats, two free checked bags, and priority boarding.
Hotel Options: Beyond the usual suspects, Bilt also includes the Accor Live Limitless program, which can offer decent rates and even transfer bonuses.
For travelers like me, Bilt's transfer partners open up huge possibilities for outsized value.
2. The Return of the Portal Boost!
Guess what? Bilt brings back that beloved portal boost! If you book flights or hotels through the Bilt travel portal, you can lock in 1.25 to 1.3 cents per point. This is fantastic flexibility, allowing you to choose between transferring to partners for potentially higher value or getting a guaranteed solid return directly through the portal.
So, two out of three categories for points usage, Bilt is winning.
3. The One Area Chase Still Leads: Cash Out
Now, the one area where Chase still holds an advantage is the straightforward 1 cent per point cash-out option. Bilt points aren't as flexible for direct cash redemptions; you'd get "hosed" unless you're doing something like gift cards or student loan payments. So, if pure cash flexibility is your absolute top priority, Chase still has the edge.
However, two out of three ain't bad, especially when the "two" are so impactful for travel!
The Bilt Cards: Beyond Points
Let's look at the actual Bilt cards, because they offer some unique features:
The Bilt Obsidian Card ($95 annual fee):
Standard Earnings: 3x on dining/groceries, 2x on travel, 1x on everything else.
Point Accelerator: With a signup bonus of Built Cash (or earning it through other means), you can activate a "point accelerator." For me, this turns my Obsidian into a 2x catch-all card, a 3x travel card, and a 4x grocery card up to $25,000 in spend! That's a serious earning machine.
Rakuten Status: A crucial benefit for me! Hitting a $10,000 spend threshold helps maintain Built Silver status, which ensures a 1:1 transfer ratio for my Rakuten points. As a big Rakuten user, this is incredibly valuable.
The Bilt Palladium Card ($495 annual fee):
Standard Earnings: 2x catch-all on all purchases.
Point Accelerator: Again, you can boost this to a 3x catch-all with the accelerator, up to $25,000 in spend.
Property Pass: Access to premium travel benefits.
Rent/Mortgage Points: Both cards offer the ability to earn points on rent or mortgage payments using Built Cash, further boosting your earnings potential.
While the Palladium offers higher baseline earnings, for most people, the Obsidian, especially with the point accelerator, is a phenomenal value proposition.
The Verdict: Bilt Dominates Chase
I truly believe that the Bilt cards now offer more value than Chase. They're beating Chase at their own game when it comes to maximizing points for travel. The superior transfer partners, the return of a valuable portal boost, and the unique earning opportunities with features like the point accelerator and status benefits make Bilt a serious contender for the top spot in your wallet.
Anyway, thanks very much for watching! Let me know in the comments section below: What do you think? Is this a big deal to you? Is Bilt supplanting Chase in your wallet, or am I just full of it?
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