When Bilt launched the concept of Bilt Cash several months ago, there were several redemption options that weren’t available for redemption at the time.
A few more have become available since then, but there are still three options that are still “coming soon”: Blacklane rides, Bilt Neighborhood Parking credits, and BLADE helicopter flights.
With regards to the latter option, Bilt updated their terms and conditions late last week to provide more details as to how BLADE redemptions will work. Unfortunately, it’s not a welcome update as you could be forced to redeem more Bilt Cash than you actually need to.
The Bilt Cash terms and conditions now state the following (my bolding):
3.1.6 BLADE Airport Transfer Credit (New – 3/13)
Bilt Members may redeem Bilt Cash for credit toward BLADE bookings, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below. Members are eligible to redeem Bilt Cash for two (2) BLADE credits per calendar year. The redemption allowance resets on January 1 of each calendar year. The available amount per credit is $350. Each $350 credit must be applied in its entirety at redemption for one (1) BLADE seat. If the cost of the flight is less than $350, no remaining credit balance will be retained or refunded. Members may use credits one at a time, or use both annual credit redemptions for two (2) seats in the same booking. Bilt Cash redemptions can be used in combination with Bilt Points and cash at checkout for BLADE bookings in the Bilt app.
To utilize a BLADE credit, members must book an eligible BLADE flight on the Bilt app or website. Available Bilt Cash redemption options will automatically appear at checkout.
As you can see, redemptions for BLADE will cost a fixed $350 in Bilt Cash, regardless of the flight cost. Flights between Manhattan and New York JFK or Newark airports start at $195, so being forced to redeem $350 worth of Bilt Cash means you’re wasting a lot of Bilt Cash versus the cash price (not that $350 of Bilt Cash can ever be redeemed for $350 of actual cash).
Similarly, flights between Nice airport and Monaco cost €195 (~$227) and flights between Westchester airport and Manhattan cost $225. That means those options won’t help you get full value either.
That means that if you want to get full value from the $350 redemption, you’re looking at flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons (~$1,000-$1,200), between Nice airport and Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix race weekend (€450/~$525), or for a private flight.
Unfortunately the value of the $350 can only be redeemed towards the cost of one BLADE seat. That means you can’t book two tickets from Manhattan to JFK airport for a total of $390 (i.e. $195 each) and reduce that cost by $350. Instead, you’d effectively get one seat free and have to pay $195 for the other person.
What’s not clear is if the $350 can also contribute towards an increased baggage allowance on a BLADE flight. In the US, you’re allowed both a carry-on and a personal item, but the combined weight limit of your bags can’t exceed 25 lbs without additional baggage fees. If you can apply the credit towards baggage fees in addition to your seat, that’ll make the redemptions a little more worthwhile
The fact that Bilt has updated the terms and conditions to include these extra details hopefully means that BLADE redemptions will be coming sooner rather than later. Still no news on Blacklane redemptions though sadly.
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Some of us use the Bilt card because it’s a fit and will tend to have a superabundance of Bilt Cash. Which will be left on the table at the end of the year. For us, the Blade credit simply affords a free ride and I don’t think we’ll particularly care that we didn’t squeeze every last dollar out of the credit.
But, for everyone else, keep telling yourself that Bilt was devised by Satan and is the worst card ever issued.