1. Choose the Right Rewards Credit Card

When it comes to choosing a rewards credit card for paying rent, there are several factors to consider. Look for a card that offers a generous welcome bonus, low or no annual fee, and rewards on recurring payments, such as rent. Some popular rewards credit cards for rent payments include the Bilt Mastercard, which offers 1X points on rent payments, and the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite, which offers 4% cash back on recurring bills. It’s also essential to consider the credit card’s insurance benefits, such as travel medical insurance, and its credit limit, which should be sufficient to cover your monthly rent payments.

2. Minimize Fees When Paying Rent with a Credit Card

While paying rent with a credit card can be convenient, it’s essential to minimize fees associated with the transaction. Look for credit cards that have no transaction fees or annual fees, and consider using a service like Chexy, which allows you to pay rent with a credit card and earn rewards. Additionally, be mindful of the credit card’s cash advance limit, which should be set to $0 or as close to it as possible to avoid any issues with payment processing. By minimizing fees, you can maximize your rewards earnings and make the most of your monthly rent payments.

3. Earn Points with Bilt Rewards Program

Bilt Rewards lets you earn points for paying your rent. There are no transaction fees. You can redeem the earned points to popular hotel and airline programs. Other ways you can use the points include:

• fitness
• travel
• down payment on a home

Meeting minimum spending requirements during the initial months following account opening is crucial to unlock significant rewards.

This is a free program that doesn’t require opening a credit card. However, you will earn points faster by using the Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card. Using rent payments strategically can help achieve spending thresholds for sign-up bonuses.

How Bilt Rewards Points Work with the Bilt Rewards App

Download the Bilt Rewards app and create a free account. Bilt Rewards members living in a Bilt Rewards Alliance building earn at least 250 points per rent payment. Renters also can earn additional points through incentives like:

• renewing leases
• signing a new lease
• referring a new tenant

There are more than four million rental units across the U.S. involved with the Bilt Rewards Alliance. They include:

• Berkshire Residential
• Camden
• Equity Residential
• Highmark
• Starwood
• ZRS

They’re constantly adding others, so ask your property manager if they are part of the program.

But you can still earn reward points on your payments, even if you’re not renting from a Bilt Rewards Alliance rental unit. You only need to pay rent with a linked debit or credit card.

Bilt cardholders earn points on rent and other purchases. You must make five transactions with the Bilt card during a billing cycle to receive your points. One of those transactions could be rent.

Until you reach the five transactions, your points will show as pending. But once you reach them, they will be available to use.

There is no annual fee.

4. Earn Rewards for Rent and Mortgage with Bridge

Bridge pays one percent cashback on up to $1,000 monthly mortgage or rent payments. That means if your rent is $850 per month you’ll receive 800 coins which are equal to eight dollars. The money will be deposited directly into your bank account.

Rent is often the biggest monthly expense for many individuals, and managing it responsibly can significantly impact overall financial health. Ensuring that rent payments are factored into credit reporting effectively is crucial.

Bridge also pays $0.02 cashback on every single purchase that you make.

You can earn rent/mortgage cashback no matter how much you pay. This includes:

• Zelle
• Venmo
• check
• cash

As long as you link the account you use to make payments, you can potentially receive your points.

Your rent/mortgage payment counts even if you use cash or check as long as the monies used are linked to your accounts.

How to Unlock Your Bridge Points by Paying Rent

You'll need to unlock your bridge points to receive them. You'll be required to complete one to three tasks to complete 2,000 points every month. Your choice of tasks includes:

• take surveys
• download a casino
• referring five friends

Once you have completed one of the three required tasks, you will be paid the one percent cashback reward on your rent or mortgage.

If you pay your rent on the first of the month, you’ll need to complete the tasks by the end of the month to receive your rewards.

5. Build Credit with Piñata

Piñata is a membership program that lets you build your credit score by reporting on-time payments to all three major credit bureaus. It also rewards points that you can spend on curated products and gift cards.

Members can receive $1,000 points by following Piñata on Instagram, which is worth $100 points.

Piñata also offers a free debit card reward called Piñata Pay. It rewards members for every dollar they save or spend, incentivizing them to save and pay their rent on time.

It benefits renters and landlords by integrating property managers’ needs with everyday renters’ needs. Piñata rewards renters with positive financial health and contributes to a property manager’s bottom line.

The property manager now has renters who pay on time and renew leases early, while renters can improve their credit scores and potentially earn rewards.

It costs the renter five dollars a month to be a part of Piñata. That comes to $60 a year. And as for reporting your prompt payment to a landlord, Piñata only reports the timely payments, not the late ones. But beware, your landlord reports as well. If you miss or are late on a payment, your landlord may report it to the bureaus.

Make sure you read the Privacy Policy on the Piñata website. It's at the bottom of the home page. In the policy, Piñata discloses it shares your information with third-party vendors. You'll need to opt-out if you don't want this.

Piñata has a 4.5 out of ten on Google Play with 100,000 reviews. It is also available on iOS.

6. Avoid Debt When Paying Rent with a Credit Card

Paying rent with a credit card can be a convenient way to earn rewards, but it’s essential to avoid debt by paying your credit card balance in full each month. Consider setting up automatic payments to ensure that your credit card bill is paid on time, and avoid carrying a rotating credit card balance over time. Additionally, be mindful of your credit card’s interest rate and fees, and consider using a credit card with a 0% introductory APR to avoid interest charges. By paying your credit card balance in full each month, you can avoid debt and make the most of your rewards earnings.

7. Redeem Your Rewards

Once you’ve earned rewards on your rent payments, it’s essential to redeem them wisely. Consider redeeming your rewards for cash back, travel, or other rewards that align with your financial goals. Some popular redemption options include using your rewards to pay off your credit card balance, redeeming them for travel or merchandise, or using them to make a down payment on a future home. By redeeming your rewards wisely, you can maximize their value and make the most of your monthly rent payments.