Bilt Rent Day: Score Up to 100% Bonus on Virgin Atlantic Points Transfers

Bilt is rolling out its September Rent Day promos, and the headline act is a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic that can reach up to 100%. But here's the catch: the bonus percentage hinges on your Bilt status, and hitting the top tier requires a $200 Bilt Cash buy-up. Let's break down what's on the table, whether it's worth your points, and how to make the most of Virgin Points if you decide to jump in.

What's the Deal?

On September 1st, Bilt Rewards members can earn a bonus when transferring points to Virgin Atlantic. The bonus ranges from 25% for Blue members up to 75% for Platinum members, and if you're Platinum and willing to spend $200 in Bilt Cash, you can bump that to a full 100% bonus.

There's also the usual Rent Day perk: earn 2x points on all credit card purchases, up to 1,000 bonus points. That's a nice little extra if you have any planned spending that day.

But here's the thing—this isn't the jaw-dropping deal it might seem at first glance. For most members, the bonus is modest. Amex and Chase regularly offer 40% transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic, and 30% bonuses pop up every few months. So unless you're sitting at Platinum status, you might want to think twice before moving your Bilt points.

• Blue: 25% bonus
• Silver: 35% bonus
• Gold: 45% bonus
• Platinum: 75% bonus
• Platinum with $200 Bilt Cash: 100% bonus

Is the Bilt Cash Buy-Up Worth It?

Bilt is letting you spend $200 in Bilt Cash to upgrade to the next tier level for this transfer bonus. That's a significant jump from earlier this year when the buy-up cost $75, then $125 or $135, and later $150. At $200, it's now the same price as a point accelerator, which makes you wonder if it's really a good value.

If you're a Platinum member, paying $200 to go from 75% to 100% might make sense if you're transferring a large number of points. Similarly, going from 45% to 75% could be worth it for a big transfer. But if you're a Blue or Silver member looking at a 10% uplift, that's a hard pass unless you're absolutely desperate for Virgin Points.

Remember, the bonus is capped at 150,000 Bilt points. So even if you have a million points, only the first 150,000 will earn the bonus. That's a crucial detail to keep in mind when calculating whether the buy-up is worth it.

How to Get the Most from Virgin Points

If you do decide to transfer, Virgin Atlantic points have some sweet spots that can stretch your miles. One of the most famous is booking ANA First Class from the US to Japan. While the devaluation in March 2023 made it pricier, you can still book this incredible product for as low as 72,500 points from the West Coast or 85,000 from the East Coast. ANA first class often sells for over $20,000, so you're getting tremendous value even with the higher price.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider US to UK economy saver awards. You can fly from the East Coast to London for just 6,000 points, or from the West Coast for 9,000 points. The catch? You'll pay around $100 in taxes and fees, and if your flight originates in the UK, those fees can double or more.

Business class to the UK is also a solid deal, with fares starting at 29,000 points from the East Coast and 41,000 from the West Coast. That's for select dates and routes, and you'll need to budget $500–$600 in fees. But for a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, that's a steal compared to cash prices.

Don't overlook SAS flights to Europe either. Virgin Atlantic charges about 20,000 points for economy and 75,000 for business, with minimal surcharges—just $5.60 on the outbound and $50–90 on the return. That's a fantastic way to get to Scandinavia without breaking the bank.

And if you're hopping around Europe, Air France and KLM flights are bookable through Virgin for as little as 4,000 points for short economy hops and 8,000 points for business on routes under 600 miles. That's a great way to use a small stash of points.

• ANA First Class: 72.5K–85K points one-way
• US to UK economy: 6K–9K points plus fees
• US to UK business: 29K–41K points plus fees
• SAS to Europe: ~20K economy, 75K business
• Air France/KLM within Europe: from 4K points

Practical Tips and Pitfalls

Before you transfer any points, make sure you've found the award space you want. Virgin Atlantic's website lets you book many partner flights online, including Delta, Air France, and KLM. But for some partners, like ANA, you'll need to call or message Virgin on Twitter—they don't show up on the website.

One thing to watch: Virgin charges separately for each leg of an itinerary. If you're booking a multi-segment trip, it might be cheaper to use Air France Flying Blue or Delta SkyMiles instead. Always compare the total cost before committing.

Also, keep in mind that Virgin Points don't expire, so if you're not ready to book, you can hold onto them. But don't transfer speculatively—there are plenty of other transfer bonuses throughout the year from Amex, Chase, and Citi, so you can always move points when you actually need them.

Finally, if you're thinking about using Virgin Points for non-flight redemptions, like Virgin Voyages cruises or a stay at Finch Hattons in Kenya, this bonus could make those more affordable. But those are luxury splurges, so weigh the value carefully.

Bottom Line

• Only Platinum members with a $200 Bilt Cash buy-up get 100% bonus—most members see 25–45%.
• The bonus is capped at 150,000 Bilt points, so plan your transfer size accordingly.
• Virgin Points are best used for ANA First Class, US-UK flights, and short-haul Europe hops.
• Always search for award space before transferring, and consider fees and multi-leg pricing.
• Don't transfer speculatively—other transfer bonuses appear regularly.

Common Questions