A few months back, LaQueshia Clemons and her husband set out on a mission to maximize their credit card rewards. After some research, they decided to try out the Bilt Mastercard*.
This one-of-a-kind housing credit card allows users to rack up rewards for paying rent. And exciting news for homeowners: later this year, Bilt will also extend point-earning possibilities to mortgage payments. Another player in the housing credit card arena, the newly launched Mesa Homeowners Visa® Signature Preferred Credit Card*, lets homeowners earn points for mortgage payments as well.
Clemons, a 35-year-old financial therapist at Freedom Life Therapy in Connecticut, now swipes her Bilt card for a variety of expenses—monthly rent, electricity, cell phone bills, car insurance, and streaming services. She and her husband load about $2,500 a month onto their Bilt card, reaping a generous harvest of reward points along the way.
Considering that housing costs are typically the largest expense for most families in the U.S., turning to a credit card for significant ongoing payments like rent or mortgage can be strategic. But is it wise? Let’s break it down.
**Should you pay for housing with a credit card?**
Using a credit card for housing can be beneficial, but it really hinges on your financial situation and spending habits. If you’re facing financial strain due to job loss or medical bills, adding credit card debt to housing expenses may not be the best move.
However, if you can handle the card responsibly—meaning you can pay the balance in full each month—using a credit card can help you earn rewards. Clemons pays off her balance weekly, dedicating a portion of each paycheck right to credit card bills, ensuring she avoids interest altogether. “I can build up enough points to take the money off my rent payment,” she shared. Although it might just be a few extra bucks each month, every little bit helps toward that morning coffee.
Beau Wirick, a 38-year-old wealth advisor at Morton Wealth in California, has been using the Bilt card for rent for years. “Getting points for rent is a game changer,” he remarked. Wirick gets the most value by redeeming points through Bilt’s travel partners for flights, car rentals, and hotels.
**Why shouldn’t you pay for housing with a credit card?**
The major drawback of using a credit card for housing payments is the potential to accumulate debt if you’re unable to cover the balance. Often, it’s safer to stick to traditional payment methods—like ACH transfers, checks, or money orders.
Plus, check with your landlord about any potential fees. While the Bilt and Mesa cards don’t charge annual fees (and Bilt doesn’t impose transaction fees for rent), your landlord might charge a processing fee for credit card payments.
To sidestep this with Bilt, you can opt for BiltProtect, which lets you pay rent and earn points while pulling funds straight from your bank account—not your credit line. If you don’t use this feature, your rent will appear as a regular charge on your Bilt Mastercard.
**Do housing-specific credit cards have requirements?**
Specialized housing credit cards don’t come with unique regulations. To qualify for a Bilt Mastercard, you must be at least 18 and a U.S. resident. There’s no set minimum credit score for approval, but a score in the good to excellent range (670 to 850) is advisable.
To rack up points, you’ll need to make a minimum of five transactions each billing cycle. To hit that benchmark, consider setting your Bilt card as the default for recurring expenses.
For the Mesa card, anyone with an eligible device can join the waitlist via the App Store or Google Play. Once invited, you’ll provide additional details for a standard credit decision.
**What rewards come with Bilt and Mesa cards?**
*Bilt Mastercard*: You can earn 1x points per dollar on rent, capped at 100,000 points annually, along with higher points for travel and dining purchases. Bilt cardholders enjoy special perks at select restaurants, fitness studios, and rideshare apps. Plus, you can transfer points through Bilt’s travel portal to maximize rewards. And, by opting to have your rent payments reported to credit bureaus, you could see a boost in your credit score if you make timely payments.
*Mesa Homeowners Visa Signature Preferred Credit Card*: Currently, interested users must join a waitlist via the app. The Mesa card has varied rewards: 1x points on mortgage payments; 2x points on daily essentials like groceries and gas; 3x points on home-related transactions; and 1x points on other purchases. Bonus perks include memberships to Sam’s Club and partnerships with services like Thumbtack and Wag!
**What protections do Bilt and Mesa offer?**
Entering sensitive information with third-party platforms can pose risks, so safeguarding your account is crucial. Both Bilt and Mesa credit cards feature standard zero liability protection to keep your financial data secure. As a co-branded Mastercard with Wells Fargo, Bilt also provides 24/7 ID theft protection.
“You’ll want to ensure they have established safeguards for transmitting your payment information to your landlord or mortgage company,” suggests Jovan Johnson, a CFP and co-founder of Piece of Wealth Planning. Look for additional features like fraud alerts or virtual card numbers for extra security.
**Are housing credit cards worth the risk?**
With each credit card comes a set of perks and challenges, so doing your research is key before diving in. Bilt has a more established presence and is set to grow, while Mesa is relatively new and limited in reach—worth exploring both before making a decision.
Financial experts generally advise only using a credit card if you can pay off your balance entirely to steer clear of debt from interest accumulation. “Credit card programs are designed to encourage spending,” cautions Wirick. “As long as you can avoid falling into poor habits, give it a shot.”
Priyam Gera