Here’s the short version: On May 1, 2026, Bilt is offering up to a 100% transfer bonus on three Avios currencies (British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia) and double points on all non-rent purchases (capped at 1,000 bonus points, meaning $500 in spend). You can transfer up to 100,000 base Bilt Points at the bonus rate, and you need to unlock the full 100% by using $150 in Bilt Cash. This is your best single-day opportunity of the year to turn rent payments into premium cabin redemptions.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Why This Matters Right Now
May 2026 is a pivot point for award travel. British Airways is rolling out new peak/off-peak pricing on short-haul routes, and Iberia just expanded its Miami–Madrid A350 service. Aer Lingus has been running off-peak saver awards to Dublin for as low as 13,000 Avios one-way from the East Coast. With a 100% bonus, that’s effectively 6,500 Bilt Points for a transatlantic flight. If you’ve been sitting on a pile of Bilt Points from rent payments, May 1 is the day to move them.
The double points on spend is a smaller piece—worth 1,000 bonus points max—but it’s free money if you time a necessary purchase. The real prize is the transfer bonus.
The May 2026 Rent Day Mechanics
Let’s cut through the marketing. Here’s exactly what’s happening on May 1, 2026:
| Feature | Details | Max Value |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Bonus | Up to 100% bonus on Avios transfers (BA, Aer Lingus, Iberia) | 100,000 base points transferred = 200,000 Avios |
| Unlock Requirement | Use $150 in Bilt Cash to get the full 100% | Without it, bonus is lower (typically 50-75%) |
| Double Points | 2x on all non-rent purchases (effectively 4x total with card base) | 1,000 bonus points cap = $500 spend |
| Double Points Cap | 1,000 bonus points max | Spend exactly $500 for max benefit |
| Bilt Cash Usage | Can be used to unlock bonus tier | $150 minimum |
The key number: 100,000 base Bilt Points is the maximum you can transfer at the bonus rate. If you have 200,000 points, you can only get the bonus on the first 100,000. Transfer in smaller chunks if you’re under that cap—there’s no minimum per program.
How to Unlock the Full 100% Bonus
Bilt is requiring you to use $150 of Bilt Cash to access the top-tier 100% bonus. Here’s the strategy:
- Check your Bilt Cash balance in the app. If you have at least $150, you’re set. If not, you can earn Bilt Cash through the Bilt Dining program (2x points at partner restaurants) or by redeeming points at 0.55 cents each (not recommended unless you’re desperate).
- On May 1, go to the transfer portal. You’ll see an option to “use Bilt Cash to unlock bonus.” Select it.
- The $150 is not a fee—it’s applied toward your Bilt Cash balance. You’re essentially pre-paying $150 worth of statement credits or Amazon purchases to get the bonus. You’ll still have that value.
- Transfer your points immediately. The bonus is applied in real-time.
Pro tip: If you don’t have $150 in Bilt Cash, you can still get a lower bonus (usually 50-75%). Check your specific offer in the app on April 30.
The Double Points Strategy
The double points on Rent Day are capped at 1,000 bonus points, which means you need to spend exactly $500 on non-rent purchases to max out. Here’s how to do it efficiently:
- Gift cards: Buy a $500 Costco shop card (Costco accepts Visa, and Bilt is a Visa). You’ll earn 4x Bilt Points (2 base + 2 bonus) = 2,000 points total. Plus, if you’re an Executive member, you get 2% back at Costco.
- Dining: Bilt already gives 3x on dining. On Rent Day, that becomes 6x. A $167 dinner gets you the full 1,000 bonus points.
- Travel: Book a $500 flight or hotel through the Bilt Travel portal. You’ll earn 4x (2 base + 2 bonus) plus any elite status benefits.
What doesn’t count: Rent payments, Bilt Cash redemptions, and balance transfers.
The math: If you spend $500 on a category that normally earns 1x (like groceries or gas), you’ll get 2,000 points total. At a conservative 1.5 cents per point (Avios valuation), that’s $30 in value from a $500 purchase—a 6% return. Not bad for a day’s work.
Which Avios Program Should You Choose?
You can split your transfer across British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Iberia Plus. Here’s how to decide:
British Airways Executive Club
- Best for: Short-haul flights within the US (under 1,150 miles) and transatlantic premium cabins
- Pros: Massive availability on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The Avios distance-based chart means you can fly JFK–Miami for 7,500 Avios one-way in economy. With 100% bonus, that’s just 3,750 Bilt Points.
- Cons: High fuel surcharges on BA-operated flights (often $200+ each way). Avoid booking BA metal if you can help it.
- Sweet spot: American Airlines domestic first class on routes under 1,150 miles (e.g., LAX–SFO, DFW–ORD). Book at 9,000 Avios one-way. With bonus: 4,500 Bilt Points.
Aer Lingus AerClub
- Best for: Transatlantic flights to Ireland and beyond, especially from East Coast
- Pros: Lower fuel surcharges than BA ($50-100 on most routes). Off-peak awards to Dublin start at 13,000 Avios one-way from Boston, New York, or Chicago. With 100% bonus: 6,500 Bilt Points.
- Cons: Limited network—mostly Dublin and Shannon. Connecting to other European cities adds fees.
- Sweet spot: Boston–Dublin off-peak economy at 13,000 Avios. That’s a $400+ ticket for 6,500 Bilt Points.
Iberia Plus
- Best for: Flights to Spain and Latin America
- Pros: Lowest fuel surcharges of the three. Madrid–Miami business class can be found for 34,000 Avios one-way during off-peak. With 100% bonus: 17,000 Bilt Points.
- Cons: Limited availability on partner airlines. Mostly Iberia-operated flights.
- Sweet spot: Miami–Madrid business class off-peak at 34,000 Avios. With bonus: 17,000 Bilt Points for a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic.
Step-by-Step Action Plan for May 1
The night before (April 30):
- Check your Bilt Points balance. If you have over 100,000, decide which 100,000 to transfer.
- Verify your Bilt Cash balance. If under $150, consider earning through Bilt Dining tonight.
- Set an alarm for 6:00 AM ET. The bonus can go live early and sometimes sells out (rare, but possible).
Morning of May 1:
- Spend $500 on a non-rent purchase to max double points. Buy a gift card or pay a bill.
- Go to Bilt Transfer Partners in the app.
- Select “Use Bilt Cash” to unlock the 100% bonus (if you have $150).
- Transfer your points to the Avios program that matches your travel plans.
- Confirm the transfer—you should see the bonus applied immediately (e.g., transfer 50,000 Bilt Points, receive 100,000 Avios).
After the transfer:
- Book your award flights immediately. Avios programs have dynamic pricing, and availability disappears fast.
- If you’re not ready to book, at least hold the award (BA allows holds for 24-72 hours depending on status).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Transferring more than 100,000 base points. The bonus only applies to the first 100,000. If you transfer 150,000, you’ll get the bonus on 100,000 and 0% on the remaining 50,000. Transfer in two batches if you have more.
Not using Bilt Cash. Without the $150 unlock, you might only get 50% instead of 100%. That’s leaving 50,000 Avios on the table on a max transfer.
Forgetting the double points cap. Spending $600 instead of $500 doesn’t earn more bonus points. Stop at $500.
Transferring to the wrong program. You can’t undo a transfer. Make sure you understand the award charts before you move points.
Real-World Redemption Examples
Example 1: The East Coast Europe Trip You transfer 50,000 Bilt Points to British Airways Avios (gets 100,000 Avios with bonus). Book two off-peak business class seats on American Airlines from JFK to Madrid (57,500 Avios each way, no fuel surcharges on AA). Total: 115,000 Avios. You have 100,000—you need 15,000 more. Transfer an additional 7,500 Bilt Points (no bonus on the second transfer) to top off. You just booked two business class seats to Europe for 57,500 Bilt Points total.
Example 2: The Weekend Getaway Transfer 7,500 Bilt Points to Iberia (gets 15,000 Avios). Book a Miami–Madrid economy off-peak award at 15,000 Avios one-way. That’s a $600 ticket for 7,500 points.
Example 3: The Domestic Hop Transfer 4,500 Bilt Points to British Airways (gets 9,000 Avios). Book LAX–SFO on American Airlines for 4,500 Avios one-way. Normally $150+ cash.
FAQ
Can I transfer to multiple Avios programs? Yes. You can split your 100,000 base points across BA, Aer Lingus, and Iberia in any combination. The bonus applies to each transfer up to the total cap.
What happens if I don’t have $150 in Bilt Cash? You can still get a bonus, but it will be lower. Bilt typically offers a 50-75% bonus tier for members who don’t use Bilt Cash. Check your app on April 30 for your specific offer.
Do the double points stack with other Bilt promotions? Yes. If you have a 5x dining offer from Bilt Dining, you’ll earn 5x base + 2x bonus = 7x total on Rent Day. The 1,000 bonus point cap still applies.
Can I transfer Bilt Points to another person? No. Bilt Points are non-transferable between accounts. You can book award tickets for others using your Avios account, though.
What if I transfer and the bonus doesn’t show? Contact Bilt support immediately. The bonus should apply in real-time. If it doesn’t, don’t complete the transfer—cancel and try again. Document everything.
The Bottom Line
The May 2026 Bilt Rent Day is a one-day event that can multiply the value of your rent payments by 2x or more. If you have 100,000 Bilt Points, you can walk away with 200,000 Avios—enough for two business class tickets to Europe or four domestic first class flights.
The key moves: spend exactly $500 on Rent Day for the double points, use $150 in Bilt Cash to unlock the full 100% transfer bonus, and move your points to the Avios program that matches your travel goals. Do it right, and you’ll be flying premium cabins for pennies on the dollar.
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Last updated: 2026-04-28