In today’s rental market, property managers and real estate developers face increasing pressure to differentiate their communities and deliver meaningful value to residents. One strategy that has gained traction is offering rent rewards—turning a recurring monthly expense into a loyalty driver. Bilt Rewards is one of the most recognized names in this space, thanks to its flagship promotion: Bilt rent day. But is tying loyalty to just one day a month the best approach? Or is there a smarter way to keep residents engaged consistently?
In this blog, we’ll explore Bilt rent day, its advantages and limitations, and compare it to Paylode’s everyday perks model—a real estate-focused loyalty solution that delivers ongoing engagement, merchant-funded rewards, and measurable ROI for property managers.
What is Bilt rent day?
Bilt Rewards built its reputation around Bilt rent day, a monthly promotion that takes place on the 1st of every month. On Bilt rent day, residents who use the Bilt platform can:
- Earn double Bilt points for their rent payments and credit card spending.
- Access exclusive partner offers and bonus promotions.
- Participate in limited-time giveaways and perks.
The idea is simple: make the 1st of the month — when rent is due — feel more rewarding and exciting for residents. For renters, this can create anticipation and buzz. For Bilt, it’s a way to encourage loyalty and credit card adoption.
But does tying engagement to one day a month truly build lasting loyalty? Let’s take a closer look.
Limitations of Bilt rent day
While Bilt rent day drives short-term excitement, its structure presents several challenges for real estate operators:
- One-day engagement window
Loyalty spikes on the 1st, but quickly fades. Residents may forget about the program for the rest of the month. - Points-based complexity
Residents earn points, but redemption values vary depending on partners. This lack of clarity can frustrate renters who want tangible, immediate value. - Cost burden on property managers
In many cases, property managers are left covering the expense of points, increasing operating costs without clear retention ROI. - Generic rewards
Bilt focuses on national brand partners like airlines or fitness chains, but these perks may not resonate with all residents.
This approach works for marketing buzz—but falls short of providing consistent, cost-efficient engagement for real estate operators.
The Paylode everyday perks model
Unlike Bilt, Paylode takes a fundamentally different approach to resident loyalty. Built with deep real estate expertise, Paylode is designed to deliver everyday perks that drive ongoing engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
Here’s how it works:
- Merchant-funded perks: Rewards are funded by merchants, not property managers, significantly lowering OPEX.
- Everyday engagement: Residents receive perks year-round for behaviors like on-time payments, lease renewals, or going paperless.
- Instant value: Instead of points, residents access discounts, offers, or digital perks they can use right away.
- Customization: Property managers tailor programs to their resident demographics, whether in student housing, multifamily, or luxury rentals.
Discover how Paylode’s resident perks transform tenant experiences.
Bilt rent day vs. Paylode everyday perks: Side-by-side comparison
Why everyday perks win over monthly bonuses
Rent is the single largest recurring expense for most residents. Loyalty tied to just one day of the month overlooks 29 other days where engagement opportunities exist. Paylode’s everyday perks model fills this gap:
- Always-on value: Residents feel appreciated every time they interact with your property, not just on rent day.
- Behavior-driven engagement: Rewards for on-time payments, referrals, or paperless billing (switch to paperless) keep loyalty active all month long.
- Stronger retention: Ongoing satisfaction makes residents less likely to move, directly impacting occupancy and NOI.
Real estate loyalty in action: A property manager’s perspective
Consider a property manager overseeing a 300-unit multifamily building. With Bilt rent day, they see a spike of engagement on the 1st of each month, but little else. Costs accumulate, yet there’s no measurable link to renewals.
With Paylode:
- Residents receive perks every time they pay rent or renew.
- Operators tie perks to specific behaviors like referrals or lease signings.
- Merchants cover the cost of perks, keeping expenses low.
This results in a stronger sense of community, higher resident satisfaction, and measurable retention gains.
Learn how Paylode supports residential real estate.
Why merchant-funded perks outperform points
Points are complicated. Residents may not know how much value they’re earning, and property managers often struggle to justify the expense. Paylode’s merchant-funded perks model offers a cleaner, more effective solution:
- Immediate gratification: Residents know the exact value of the perk they receive.
- Cost savings for operators: Merchants cover the rewards, reducing OPEX.
- Local relevance: Perks can be tailored to local businesses, strengthening community ties.
This makes Paylode a more sustainable choice for real estate loyalty.
Conclusion: The smarter way forward
Bilt rent day may grab attention with one-off promotions, but its once-a-month engagement leaves major loyalty gaps. For real estate operators who want to drive long-term retention and ROI, Paylode’s everyday perks model is the smarter solution.
By offering instant, merchant-funded perks year-round, Paylode creates meaningful engagement that keeps residents satisfied and loyal—beyond just rent day.
Ready to move beyond rent day? Explore the Paylode platform, discover perks, or book a demo today.
FAQs
1. What is Bilt rent day?
Bilt rent day is a monthly promotion on the 1st, offering double points and special rewards for residents using Bilt.
2. What is the Bilt rent day bonus?
The Bilt rent day bonus includes exclusive perks, promotions, or extra points offered only on rent day.
3. How does Paylode differ from Bilt rent day?
Paylode offers everyday, merchant-funded perks tied to multiple resident behaviors, creating ongoing engagement beyond just one day a month.
4. Why are everyday perks better for real estate loyalty?
Because they provide consistent value, reduce costs for property managers, and build stronger, long-term resident relationships.
