Bilt Rewards Latest Addition: Avianca Lifemiles

Bilt Rewards Welcomes Avianca Lifemiles!

A new hotel transfer partner, Marriott Bonvoy, was recently announced by Bilt on November 8, 2023 [link]. Through this partnership, you can turn your Bilt points into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, giving you the chance to get free nights and other perks. On a side note, I suggest transferring to Marriott only if there’s a promotional offer with a bonus. If your points are low and need a boost, it’s a good idea; otherwise, transferring to Marriott may not be worth it.

As we fast-forward to December 15th, Bilt Rewards brought in Avianca Lifemiles as a new transfer partner. This lets you exchange your Bilt Points for Lifemiles at a 1:1 ratio, expanding your travel possibilities.

Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Bogotá, Avianca is the national airline of Colombia, serving a large portion of Central and South America. Members can use their points for various travel experiences, including hotel stays, car rentals, and upgrades to higher cabin classes, in addition to Avianca flight awards. Avianca also provides access to a vast network of partners, such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air New Zealand, through the Star Alliance, where you can redeem Lifemiles [link].

What is Bilt Rewards

Bilt Rewards is a travel rewards program that allows you to earn points by paying rent without any fees, and it’s free to join. All you have to do is use the Bilt Mastercard, making at least 5 transactions in a statement period. Then, you’ll start earning points on your rent and other qualifying purchases. You get 1 point for every $1 spent on rent through the Bilt App, up to a maximum of 100,000 points each calendar year. Plus, you can earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and 3 points for every $1 spent on dining. On the first day of each month, known as “Rent Day,” cardholders earn extra points on all non-rent spending [link].

The points you get from the Bilt program are flexible, and you can use them in different ways. You can use them to pay your rent, save for a future home down payment, book travel through the Bilt travel portal, or transfer points 1:1 to travel partners. If I were you, to be completely honest, I would focus mainly on transferring points and taking advantage of the occasional transfer bonuses they announce.

Bilt Rewards Tier System

In Bilt, there are four different levels, each with its own benefits:

1. Blue: For those with under 25,000 points.
2. Silver: Earned at 25,000 points.
3. Gold: Achieved at 50,000 points.
4. Platinum: Earned at 100,000 points.

Whatever level you reach stays with you for the next year.

Additional Benefits Include [link]:

• Interest on Points (Silver, Gold, Platinum): They give you extra points each month based on what you’ve earned.
• Homeownership Concierge (Gold, Platinum): If you’re using points for a home down payment, they’ll guide you through the process.
• Bonus Points on Leases or Renewals (Silver, Gold, Platinum): Extra points (10%, 25%, 50% more) when you sign a new lease or renew, depending on your level.
• Free Bilt Collection Gift (Platinum): At Platinum, you get a free gift from the special Bilt Collection with cool home decor and art.

Bilt’s Transfer Partners

Bilt has an impressive lineup of loyalty partners. Here’s the full list of their outstanding partners:

Hotel Loyalty Partners:

1. Marriott Bonvoy
2. Hyatt
3. IHG

Airline Loyalty Partners

1. Emirates Skywards
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Iberia
5. Miles and Smiles
6. Flying Blue
7. Aeroplan
8. AerClub
9. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
10. United MileagePlus
11. British Airways
12. Hawaiian Airines
13. Avianca LifeMiles (added on 12/15/23)

Avianca LifeMiles Sweet Spots

• South America with Star Alliance
  • Explore both North and South America without spending too much. Star Alliance awards start at 17,500 miles for economy or 35,000 miles for business class.
• North America to Europe:
  • Enjoy flights between North America and Europe with partner airlines, like Lufthansa first class, for 87,000 miles.
• Keep an Eye on Award Ticket Sales
  • Look out for quick sales that give discounts on specific routes, so you get the most out of your miles.
• Flexible Travel with Mixed-Cabin Awards
  • Choose how you want to travel with mixed-cabin awards, so you can be comfy in different classes.

In a Nutshell

As Bilt Rewards welcomes Avianca LifeMiles, you can now transfer points at a 1:1 ratio, providing more travel options The points in Bilt Rewards are flexible, letting you pick how to use them – pay rent, save for a home, book travel, or transfer to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. If you want the best value, focus on transferring points, especially when there are occasional bonuses.

There are four levels in Bilt Rewards – Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level gives you interesting stuff, like earning interest on points, getting help from a home-ownership concierge, getting bonus points on leases or renewals, and even a free gift from the Bilt Collection at the Platinum level.

For the best value with Bilt Rewards points, it’s better to avoid using them for Amazon purchases or Bilt Collection items. Instead, focus on using points for travel, saving for a home, or smart transfers to loyalty partners. With the recent addition of Avianca Lifemiles and other transfer partners, there are even more chances for members to get the most out of their loyalty and points.

Disclaimer: Please note that the referral link included in this article is a part of the Bilt Rewards referral program. By using this link to sign up for the Bilt Mastercard, the author may earn referral rewards or bonuses. Your support through these referrals is greatly appreciated and helps to maintain the quality of content on this platform.Furthermore, this article is neither sponsored nor paid.