Bilt Cash For BLADE Rides
Bilt and Blade announced an expansion of their relationship beginning August 13, 2026. Among the many improvements, you can now use Bilt Cash for BLADE Rides! There's other cool stuff too, but this is the major highlight and what moves the needle, at least for most of us. Let's dive right in and figure out why this is so cool.
Prior Bilt & Blade Relationship
Prior to the August 13, 2026 announcement, Bilt & Blade already gave some cool perks to Bilt Rewards members. Historically, the following BLADE perks were available:
- All Bilt Members earn 2X Bilt Points on BLADE bookings made through the Bilt Travel Portal
- Silver, Gold, and Platinum Members receive 10% off BLADE bookings made through the Bilt app
- Gold and Platinum Members have access to BLADE lounges, even on days you're not flying (during operating hours; includes up to 2 drinks per visit)
- Platinum Members can claim one complimentary BLADE flight per year from Manhattan to JFK or Newark, plus lounge access
How do you become a Bilt Elite Member? The easiest way is to have a Bilt Credit Card, of which there are 3 choices, and let your normal spending patterns earn you status. Of course, there are plenty of ways to earn Bilt Rewards and Bilt Status without a Bilt Credit card.
Using Bilt Cash For BLADE Rides
In this expanded partnership, Bilt and BLADE ratcheted up the relationship between the two companies and that is a win for Bilt Members. Now, in additional to all prior Bilt/BLADE benefits, Bilt Members can:
- book BLADE flights directly in the Bilt mobile app
- use Bilt Rewards to pay for all or part of your BLADE flight
- Bilt Members can now redeem Bilt Cash toward BLADE bookings: up to $350 per seat, for up to 2 flights per calendar year (total value up to $700/year). At checkout, your available Bilt Cash credit will appear automatically as a payment option. Bilt Cash can be combined with Bilt Points and any linked card at checkout.
This is a major improvement for Bilt Members, as it gives us another option to use our Bilt Cash. If you have some Bilt Cash that is expiring at the end of the year, go grab a free seat. Based on my review of most flights, a single seat usually runs $250 or less each way, so you can use your Bilt Cash for 2 one-ways or 1 roundtrip each year. I flew on BLADE this summer and it was a really cool experience and a great way to transfer from Newark to Manhattan.
Bilt Cash for BLADE Rides: ToP Thoughts
In the “every little bit helps” category, using Bilt Cash for BLADE rides is a positive for Bilt Members. If you earn more Bilt Cash in a calendar year than you can use, and with only $100 per year allowed to carryover to the following year, having more options to use the expiring Bilt Cash is a good thing. I know Sarah & I will likely use $700 each this year on BLADE rides and it's an incentive to continue spending on our Bilt Palladium cards for the remainder of the year!
What's your take on this development? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know!
