Bilt Rewards has quickly ‘built’ arguably the single most valuable currency. You can transfer their points to a large number of airlines and hotel programs. They run bigger transfer bonuses than anyone else, ever. You can redeem points at 1.25 cents apiece towards paid travel.
And their points can be accrued by paying rent, through everyday transactions with partners like Lyft, Walgreens and myriad restaurants, or with their co-brand credit card.
Regular engagement is valuable, too, because elite status in the program unlocks perks like bigger transfer bonuses (I’ve taken advantage of 150% bonuses on transfers to Air France KLM and Virgin Atlantic) and status matches (I’ve just renewed my Air France KLM Flying Blue Gold status as a Bilt Platinum, for instance). And I’ve even gotten a couple of free Blade helicopter rides.
Bilt points have just gotten even more valuable with the addition of Qatar Airways Privilege Club as a transfer partner.
Qatar’s points can be moved back and forth with British Airways, Iberia, etc. – Avios currencies are flexible that way. It also means that through transitive properties, Qatar Airways has already been a Bilt transfer partner once removed (since British Airways, Iberia, And Aer Lingus are already partners).
Qatar Airways A380 First Class
The addition of Qatar brings Bilt up to 21 transfer partners, which outpaces Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One and ties Membership Rewards. Bilt would say they have 22 partners, treating Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red separately.
- Star Alliance: Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Miles & Smiles, United Airlines MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- oneworld: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Iberia Plus, British Airways Club, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- SkyTeam: Air France KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Non-alliance: Emirates Skywards, Southwest Airlines, Aer Lingus Aer Club
- Hotels: World Of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Accor ALL – Accor Live Limitless
Qatar Airways Airbus A380 Business Class Bar
Redeeming Privilege Club points for travel on Qatar flights (as opposed to on oneworld partners) gives access to QSuites – one of the best business class experiences in the world – and great lounges as well. Their al Safwa lounge is probably my favorite airport lounge in the world in terms of aesthetics.
Al Safwa Lounge, Doha
Qatar Airways, like many frequent flyer programs, adds cash surcharges when you redeem your miles. Their award travel isn’t free. Still, it can be an incredible deal to redeem 70,000 points to fly arguably the best business class in the world… even with a few hundred bucks out of pocket.
While at first blush it seems duplicative for Bilt to add Qatar as a partner, just as when other transferable currencies add multiple Avios programs (like British Airways and Finnair) as partners. But there’s one unique reason that makes me excited for Bilt to do it: the special promotions Bilt runs on the first of each month for ‘Rent Day’.
It’s another opportunity for the unprecedentedly large transfer bonuses that Bilt offers, and for other special promotions like status match offers. I would absolutely love Qatar Airways Privilege Club mid-tier status for access to American Airlines lounges (including business class lounges like the new Philadelphia Flagship lounge) even when flying American or Alaska domestically.
I also wonder whether we could see the Qatar Airways card earning 3x on Rent when paid through Bilt, on top of Privilege Club points for the spend.
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