What To Know Now About Bilt Card Rental Car and Travel Protection Benefits in 2026

Many consumers have secured a Bilt credit card to earn rewards when paying their rent. Having this convenient advantage without incurring service fees is an innovative benefit.

While earning flexible rewards with your Bilt card may be a primary reason for having one, you can also find several additional useful features and benefits.

In this article, we focus on the travel protection benefits offered by the Bilt Blue Card (rates & fees), the Bilt Obsidian Card (rates & fees), and the Bilt Palladium Card (rates & fees). We’ll also explain how you might use them while traveling.

Bilt Card Overviews

The travel insurance benefits we’ll cover in this article are available on one or more of the 3 Bilt cards: the Blue Card, Obsidian Card, and Palladium Card.

We’ll expand on those benefits shortly, but first, these card snapshots show the most recent welcome offers and other pertinent card information:

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Bilt Blue Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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Bilt Blue Card

Welcome Offer

Welcome offer: $100 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. Each Bilt Cash award expires 12 months after you earn it, on the last day of that month.

$100 Bilt Cash

Annual Fee

$0

Why We Like This Card

The Bilt Blue Card allows cardholders to earn valuable Bilt Rewards Points with a $0 annual fee on rent, mortgage, and everyday purchases, with the option to also earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on nonhousing spend.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 1.25x points on rent and mortgage payments
• Earn 1x points and the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• No authorized user annual fee

Cons

• The math can be confusing to redeem Bilt Cash

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Card Highlights

• Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
• 1X points on everyday spend.
• Welcome offer: $100 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. Each Bilt Cash award expires 12 months after you earn it, on the last day of that month.
• Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
• Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt’s network of 50,000+ merchant partners.
• Other benefits: No foreign transaction fees, Cellular Wireless Telephone Protection, Purchase Assurance, MasterRental Coverage (See Guide to Benefits).

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Bilt Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Bilt Obsidian Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Apply Now

Bilt Obsidian Card

Welcome Offer

Welcome offer: $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. Each Bilt Cash award expires 12 months after you earn it, on the last day of that month.

$200 Bilt Cash

Annual Fee

$95

Why We Like This Card

The Bilt Obsidian Card is a midtier option for those who want to earn up to 1.25x Bilt Points on rent or mortgage payments, as well as bonus points in key categories such as dining or groceries and travel.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 1.25x points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
• 3x points on dining or groceries, on up to $25,000 per year (you can choose which category annually), and the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash
• 2x points and the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on travel purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• You’ll need to redeem Bilt Cash to unlock rewards for rent and mortgage payments

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Card Highlights

• Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
• 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
• 2X points on travel
• 1X points on everyday spend
• Welcome offer: $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. Each Bilt Cash award expires 12 months after you earn it, on the last day of that month.
• $100 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
• Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
• Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt’s network of 50,000+ merchant partners.

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Bilt Palladium Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Apply Now

Bilt Palladium Card

Welcome Offer

Subject to approval: 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.

Subject to approval: 50,000 points + $300 Bilt Cash

Annual Fee

$495

Why We Like This Card

The Bilt Palladium Card is a premium card option for those who want to earn up to 1.25x Bilt Points on their rent and mortgage payments, but also want premium perks like airport lounge access.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points and the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
• Up to 1.25x points on rent and mortgage payments
• $400 annual Bilt Travel hotel credit, split into 2 semiannual credits (requires a 2-night stay)

Cons

• Charges a $495 annual fee
• You’ll need to redeem Bilt Cash to unlock rewards for rent and mortgage payments

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
• 2X points on everyday spend
• $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
• $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). Each Bilt Cash award expires 12 months after you earn it, on the last day of that month.
• Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
• Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
• Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
• Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt’s network of 50,000+ merchant partners.

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Travel Protection and Benefits Overview

Now that you have information on the available Bilt cards, here is a quick comparison of the travel insurance benefits:

MasterRental Coverage

All of the featured Bilt cards include MasterRental coverage. To activate the coverage, you must pay for your entire rental with your card and decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage. Rental coverage is valid for 31 days.

MasterRental is secondary coverage, meaning you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage applies. The order of how coverage is applied is as follows:

• The cardholder’s automobile insurance
• Authorized driver’s automobile insurance
• Coverage provided by the rental company
• Any other insurance
• MasterRental coverage

If you have no other automobile insurance or if your automobile insurance coverage is not applicable when renting outside the U.S., the card coverage is primary.

Damage, theft, towing, and reasonable loss of use are covered for an eligible loss. Examples of exclusions under MasterRental coverage include theft of an unlocked vehicle, unauthorized drivers, theft of personal items, and liability coverage (which should be purchased from the rental agency).

Coverage is available in most countries.

Reporting a Claim

Claims must be reported within 60 days of the loss, and supporting documentation must be submitted within 180 days of the loss.

Common Carrier Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection

Trip cancellation and interruption protection can provide economic relief if your trip must be canceled for a covered reason or is disrupted.

This coverage is offered on the Obsidian Card and the Palladium Card.

Pay for your trip with your Bilt card (or rewards earned on the card, or a combination of both) and receive up to $2,000 per covered trip, up to $5,000 per eligible account per 12 months, for nonrefundable expenses paid to the common carrier. Coverage is valid only for covered reasons, which can include the documented illness of the “eligible traveler, traveling companion, or a family member of the eligible traveler or traveling companion.”

Coverage is secondary and in excess of other insurance or other benefits received, including refunds, vouchers, and goodwill compensation from the common carrier.

Reporting a Claim

Claims must be reported within 60 days of the covered loss, and supporting documentation must be submitted within 180 days.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

For trip delays of more than 6 hours while traveling to or from your destination, you could receive up to $300 per trip for reimbursement of eligible trip expenses caused by the delay. There is a limit of 1 claim per 12 months.

This coverage is available on the Obsidian Card and the Palladium Card.

Examples of covered losses include inclement weather, common carrier equipment failure, and lost or stolen passports. Coverage is secondary to any other reimbursement, including from the common carrier.

Reporting a Claim

Claims must be filed within 60 days of the loss, and supporting documents must be submitted within 180 days of the loss.

Baggage Insurance

Lost or damaged luggage insurance and baggage delay insurance coverage are available on the Palladium Card. You must pay for the entire trip with the card, rewards earned on the card, or a combination of both.

Lost or Damaged Luggage Insurance

For lost or damaged luggage, you could receive up to $1,500 per incident for repair or replacement of your checked or carry-on luggage and its contents. There is a maximum of 2 claims per 12 months.

Baggage Delay Insurance

You could receive up to $250 per claim for the actual cost of replacing personal or business articles if your checked baggage is delayed and not delivered to you within 6 hours. There is a maximum of 2 claims per 12 months.

Reporting a Claim

You must report any lost, damaged, or delayed baggage to the common carrier within 24 hours and file a claim with Bilt within 60 days. You have 180 days from the date of the incident to submit supporting documentation.

Cellular Wireless Telephone Protection

Cell phone protection has become essential coverage both at home and while traveling. Fortunately, all of the featured Bilt cards offer cell phone protection.

To activate coverage, you must pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card.

For damage or theft, you could receive up to $800 per claim for up to $1,000 per covered card per 12 months. There is a $50 deductible per claim, and coverage is limited to 2 claims per 12 months.

Coverage is secondary to any other applicable insurance.

Reporting a Claim

Claims must be reported within 90 days of the loss, or as soon as reasonably possible. Written proof of loss is required within 120 days and must be accompanied by supporting documentation.

Bottom Line:

All Bilt cards include MasterRental coverage, have no foreign transaction fees, and offer cellular wireless telephone protection. The Obsidian Card and Palladium Card include protection for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay reimbursement. Additionally, the Palladium Card has lost or damaged luggage insurance and baggage delay insurance.

Additional Claim Information

All claims can be initiated on the Bilt card benefits site. Input your Bilt card number to get started. You can also call 800-MASTERCARD (800-627-8372).

We’ve included some of the deadlines for reporting losses throughout this article, but check the Bilt benefits guides for exact deadlines, as these differ by coverage.

• Blue Card guide to benefits
• Obsidian Card guide to benefits
• Palladium Card guide to benefits

Note that most card coverage is secondary to any other applicable insurance. For example, you should first contact the common carrier for any trip cancellation, interruption, or delay, as well as baggage-related claims.

Final Thoughts

There are useful travel protections and benefits on the Bilt cards, but, as with most insurance, coverage can be secondary.

Still, if you’re using your Bilt card to pay for travel, having even secondary travel protections can add real value. Plus, knowing which coverages you have in advance can help you prepare to use the benefit (MasterRental coverage, for example) or handle issues should something go wrong during your trip.

The Palladium Card offers the best collection of protections, with cellular wireless telephone protection among the most valuable.

Finally, note that we have abbreviated some descriptions and not included all terms and conditions for each protection or benefit. The source for complete information is each card’s guide to benefits.

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A maximum benefit amount and certain restrictions and limitations apply. Please review the Bilt Blue Card Mastercard Guide to Benefits, the Bilt Obsidian Card Mastercard Guide to Benefits, or the Bilt Palladium Card Mastercard Guide to Benefits for details.