| Written by: Jenn Alvarez

Bilt Adds Preferred Hotels

Another transfer partner has taken a seat at the table: Today, Bilt adds Preferred Hotels. Bilt Rewards now transfer to I Prefer Hotel Rewards at a 1:2 ratio. Transfers take about 5 minutes to complete, according to Bilt's announcement. Preferred Hotels is a U.S.-based program, with the majority of its nearly 700 independently owned hotels based in the US and Europe. Its portfolio includes some super unique, high-end properties around the globe. Let's take a look at what this new partnership means.

RELATED: Track all transfer partners on the ToP Partner Transfer Tool. It is updated daily with transfer partners and new transfer bonuses. You can also calculate your plans before moving points based on current transfer ratios.

Bilt adds Preferred Hotels

Bilt Adds New Transfer Partner

As Bilt adds Preferred Hotels as its 24th transfer partner, you can always track partners in our ToP Partner Transfer Tool. Bilt transfers to I Prefer Hotel Rewards will be facilitated at a 1:2 transfer ratio. Bilt points can be transferred in 1,000-point increments, with a 1,000-point minimum for those with Silver, Gold and Platinum status and a 2,000-point minimum for those with Blue status.

Bilt transfers at a 1-to-1 ratio (unless otherwise stated) to a roster of partners that now includes:

  • Airlines
    • Aer Lingus AerClub
    • Air Canada Aeroplan®
    • Air France/KLM Flying Blue®
    • Atmos Rewards (Alaska Airlines + Hawaiian Airlines)
    • Avianca Lifemiles
    • British Airways Executive Club
    • Cathay Pacific
    • Emirates Skywards®
    • Etihad Airways
    • Iberia Plus
    • Japan Airlines
    • Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios
    • Southwest Airlines
    • TAP Miles&Go
    • Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
    • United MileagePlus®
    • Virgin Red®
    • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • Hotels:
    • Accor Live Limitless*
      • *Note: Accor Live Limitless transfers at a 3:2 ratio.
    • Hilton Honors
    • IHG® One Rewards
    • Marriott Bonvoy™
    • Preferred Hotels I Prefer Hotel Rewards
      • *Note: Preferred Hotels I Prefer transfers at 1:2 ratio.
    • World of Hyatt®
    • Wyndham Rewards
Bilt adds Preferred Hotels

Should You Transfer To I Prefer?

The 1:2 transfer ratio equates to 2,000 I Prefer points for every 1,000 Bilt Points transferred. I Prefer is a bit of a niche program, with a footprint of nearly 700 independently owned hotels. It is headquartered in the US, but its reach extends to about 85 countries. Outside of North America (where it has nearly 230 properties), its presence is strongest in Europe (with over 240 properties). The stays lean high-end and unique. Think: rustic Alpine lodges, regal Irish manors and cliffside suites in Santorini. It is possible to find some gems, but you'll want to weigh a few things (including whether you could get better value transferring your points to one of the other partners on Bilt's roster of transfer partners).

You can also access 1:2 transfers to the I Prefer program via Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Points. Notably, Citi recently lowered its formerly industry-leading transfer ratio to I Prefer. So if you are an I Prefer fan who was disappointed by that devaluation, at least transfers just got a little more accessible and you now have one more currency to move points from.

When searching Preferred Hotels stays, it's also worth checking first whether a property is bookable via Choice Privileges points. Points availability can vary widely within these two programs—sometimes a hotel will be bookable through one, but not the other. Choice Privileges may provide a better deal, but you'll want to factor in transfer ratios to make a complete comparison. (You can transfer to Choice Privileges at 1:1 from Amex and Capital One, at 1:1.5 ratio from Citi and at 1:2 ratio from Wells Fargo.)

Bilt adds Preferred Hotels

Bilt Adds Preferred Hotels: ToP Thoughts

Bilt strikes again! More partnerships mean more choices, which is always a good thing in our books. With its curated collection of independently owned hotels, I Prefer brings some really unique options that are worth a search for your next trip. While this does ease a little bit of the sting felt from Citi reducing its transfer ratio to I Prefer earlier this year, Bilt's ratio simply matches (but does not outperform) the 1:2 ratio available via Citi and Capital One. Before you consider transferring points to I Prefer, just make sure you're getting the best value by seeing whether the property is also bookable via Choice Privileges. With the news that Bilt adds Preferred Hotels, would you consider using your Bilt points for these transfers? Come over to the Facebook group and let us know.