Bilt Mastercard vs. Wells Fargo Autograph: Bilt Wins for Renters
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If you’re considering applying for a credit card in Wells Fargo’s portfolio, you may be torn between the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. The cards share some similarities but are different in key ways that can help potential cardholders decide which card is best for their lifestyle.
Both cards don’t charge annual or foreign transaction fees, and they offer cell phone insurance and certain travel protections. However, the Autograph card has a compelling sign-up bonus and introductory APR, both of which are lacking in the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card. But the Bilt card earns rewards on rent payments that can be transferred to more hotel and airline travel partners for outsize value.
on Bilt's website
on Wells Fargo's website
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Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
5 points per $1 spent on Lyft (when you link your accounts).
3 points per $1 spent on dining.
2 points per $1 spent on travel.
1 point per $1 spent on rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year).
1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
3 points per $1 spent on restaurants.
3 points per $1 spent on travel, transit, gas stations and EV charging stations.
3 points per $1 spent on popular streaming services and select phone plans.
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
See Terms.
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months from account opening, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR.
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Why the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is better for renters and travelers
Pay rent with a credit card
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card's standout feature is its ability to earn rewards on rent payments without any transaction fees. That’s a unicorn in the credit card world, as most cards can’t be used directly toward rent payments without such fees. Previously, renters looking to pile up credit card rewards relied on intermediary services like Plastiq, whose high fees cut into any rewards earned.
Though the benefit caps out at 100,000 Bilt Points per year, the Bilt card is an easy choice for renters looking to get more out of their biggest monthly expense. Even if you don't live in a property that's part of the Bilt network, you can still charge rent on the card (with no transaction fees) and they'll mail a check to your landlord.
You must make at least 5 transactions per billing cycle on the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card in order to earn points. However, if you use the card to pay rent but don't make at least 5 purchases on the card, you'll still earn 250 points.
More travel partners
Both cards have transfer partners, but Bilt’s roster is more robust featuring 17 hotels and airlines including Alaska Airlines, United, Hyatt and IHG. As of this writing, the Autograph has just six transfer partners though Wells Fargo said that it plans to add more by the end of 2024.
Points earned with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card transfer at a 1:1 ratio, and NerdWallet values 1 Bilt Rewards point at 2 cents each when transferred, an exceptional value.
Bonus points in several categories, with an extra boost on "Rent Day"
Beyond rent payments, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card earns solid rewards on a variety of everyday expenses. That includes 5x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel and 1x on other purchases.
But Bilt’s biggest benefit to cardholders comes on the first day of each month, when point values double for all non-rent categories, up to a cap of 10,000 bonus points per month. On that day, Bilt cardholders earn 6x points on dining, 4x on travel purchases and 2x on other purchases.
Why you may prefer the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
You want a sign-up bonus
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has an attractive bonus for new cardholders: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
The Bilt card doesn’t have a welcome offer for new cardholders.
You want a break from interest
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also the better pick for cardholders who want to finance purchases over time. Currently, new cardholders will get 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months from account opening, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR. Since the Bilt card doesn’t offer a promotional APR, purchases that aren’t immediately paid off by the due date will accrue interest.
You want rewards on everyday spending
Both cards earn 3x points at restaurants, but the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card wins by a nose on travel purchases, earning 3x points per $1 spent compared with 2x with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card.
The Autograph also earns 3x points on certain popular streaming services and phone plans. Bilt’s baseline earnings rate for these categories is just 1 point per $1 spent, but you can bump that up to 2x points per dollar by setting these recurring bills to be charged on the first of every month.
When it comes to fueling your vehicle, though, the Autograph really races ahead on rewards, earning 3x points at gas stations. The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card earns a modest 1 point per dollar spent on these purchases
Potential tiebreakers
Still don’t know which card to pick? Here are a few minor points of distinction to consider.
Simplicity of earning rewards
One drawback of the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Cardis its transaction requirement. According to the card’s terms, you must complete five transactions per billing period to earn any rewards. That means if you only make four transactions on the card one month, you won't earn rewards on any of those purchases. There’s no minimum spend per transaction, though.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card lacks this transaction requirement in order to earn rewards.
Metal vs. plastic
If you have strong preferences about the feel of the card, you might like the Bilt card's sleek metal design. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is plastic, making it a lighter weight to carry.
Which card should you get?
If you’re a renter, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is the obvious pick over the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. No other card offers comparable rewards on rent payments, and the card’s additional rewards plus travel partners make it a good value on everyday spending as well.
But given that both cards have no annual fee, renters with good credit may want to get both. Use the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card for rent, Lyft rides and on the first day of each month for extra rewards. For the rest of the month, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card will earn you higher rewards in most categories.
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