Built has eliminated its traditional credit card portfolio and given me a bonus if I applied for a Wells Fargo card.
I first got the Built Rewards Mastercard in November 2021. I was with a different bank when the program launched, but it launched with Wells Fargo in March 2022. Wells did not purchase the backbook, and I suspect the lack of revolving by cardholders (early adopters like me are not a very lucrative bunch!) may have led to this decision.
This means that even though all new cards issued in the past 27 months were Wells Fargo cards, the Built Credit Cards were issued by two different issuers.
The legacy card will be phased out on Dec. 31. To keep your Bilt card, you’ll need to apply for a new Wells product.
- The option will pop up in the Bilt app and once you accept it, you’ll be taken to the pre-populated application.
- If you apply by August 31st, you’ll get 10,000 points (regardless of whether you’re approved or not).
I applied, and although Chase’s 5/24 limit is a pain for me, I did the following:
- I will continue with Bilt. They have the best transfer partners anywhere, I like spending money on the 1st of every month, and I like the transfer bonuses. I’ve benefited from 100%+ transfer bonuses with Air France KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Alaska (I kind of regret skipping Air Canada, Hawaiian). I also like the Platinum perks, including the free Blade helicopter transfers.
- Finally, I was able to tap to pay, which is probably what most prevented me from using the card.
- You’ll earn an additional 10,000 points, which you can hope to increase to 20,000 points (or more) later if you work with a transfer partner.
I was given 10,000 points immediately after submitting my application and was also quickly approved by Wells Fargo. I don’t currently have a Wells Fargo card, but they gave me a $50,000 credit limit which I’m very happy about.
I think Bilt is the most interesting and compelling program out there right now, and with new features and partnerships being introduced regularly, I’m glad you decided to keep me as an affiliated card member.
The legacy cards will be valid until December 31, 2024. They will eventually be shut down by their issuers. One extra step I don’t like in all this is that autopay for the Wells card requires you to set up a separate Wells Fargo account, instead of it being handled entirely within the app.
Of course, existing cardholders don’t need to apply for a new Wells Fargo card — their old cards will be valid through the end of the year, and there are plenty of ways to earn points with Built outside of the co-branded offerings.
