Guess what? The wait is over! Built has just dropped their brand-new Mastercards, and they're letting you get rewarded for something you're already doing: paying your rent or mortgage. Yes, you read that right.
I'm fresh from Built's launch event in New York City, and I'm excited to give you a rundown of these cards, how they work, and my initial thoughts. Think of this as a quick first look; I'll be putting together a more in-depth review later.
First things first, let's talk about the cards themselves. There are three versions: the Built Blue, the Built Obsidian, and the Built Palladium. And yes, for those wondering, they are metal!
I have to say, I'm particularly drawn to the Palladium card. Before Built came along, the only way to get a Palladium card (from Chase) was to have a cool $10 million with them. Since that's not happening anytime soon for most of us, the Built Palladium is a pretty amazing option. They are even offering one with a mirrored finish for a limited time.
Earning Points on Rent and Mortgage: How Does It Work?
Here's the deal: all three cards let you earn one point for every dollar you spend on rent and mortgage payments. No caps, no transaction fees.
The points system works through something called Built Cash, which Built launched in 2025. Think of Built Cash as a currency within the Built ecosystem. You can redeem it for purchases with partners like Lyft, restaurants, and fitness studios.
To get points from your rent and mortgage payments, you'll redeem Built Cash. The exchange rate is $3 Built Cash for every 100 points earned from rent/mortgage payments that will be deposited into your account. The exchange isn’t a minimum, so any amount of build cash you have can be used.
The Built points you earn are valuable. You can transfer them to airline partners like Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines, or to hotel partners like Hyatt.
Keep in mind that the points you earn on regular purchases (dining, travel, etc.) are yours to use however you want from the start. The Built Cash system only applies to the points you earn from rent and mortgage payments.
My Thoughts?
Okay, I'll be honest, the system seemed a little confusing at first. But once I wrapped my head around it, it made sense. You use the Built card, engage with the Built rewards network, and get rewarded for paying your mortgage.
Even if you don't redeem the Built Cash for points, you're still getting the regular points on other purchases. So, the downside is minimal.
Now, some people might not like the extra step of using Built Cash. But for most of us, the idea of getting rewarded for a large monthly expense like housing is appealing.
The Cards: A Quick Overview
So, where do you get Built Cash? All Built cards let you earn 4% back in Built Cash on every purchase. Here’s a brief look at each of the cards:
Built Blue:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Sign-Up Bonus: $100 Built Cash upon approval
- Earning:
- 4% Built Cash on all Built purchases
- 1x points on rent/mortgage payments
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits: No foreign transaction fees, access to Built transfer partners
The Built Blue is a solid entry-level card, especially if you want to avoid annual fees. It's a good way to get into the Built ecosystem and start earning points on your housing costs.
Built Obsidian:
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 Built Cash upon approval
- Earning:
- 4% Built Cash on all Built purchases
- 3x points on dining or groceries (you choose one; $25,000 annual spending cap on groceries)
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on everything else, including rent/mortgage
- Benefits: $100 annual hotel credit (booked through the Built travel portal; $50 given every six months)
The Obsidian is a great mid-tier option. The sign-up bonus and hotel credit basically cancel out the annual fee.
Built Palladium:
- Annual Fee: $495
- Sign-Up Bonus: 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months (limited time offer)
- Earning:
- 4% Built Cash on all Built purchases
- 2x points on all purchases
- 1x points on rent/mortgage
- Benefits:
- Gold elite status for the first year
- $300 worth of Built Cash
- $400 annual hotel credit (booked through the Built travel portal; $200 given every six months)
- Priority Pass membership (airport lounge access)
Okay, I'm just going to say it: I'm getting this card. The Palladium offers a ton of value. Yes, the annual fee is higher, but the hotel credit and Built Cash more than make up for it. Plus, the airport lounge access is a fantastic perk for travelers.
Final Thoughts
The Built Palladium is shaping up to be a top contender for the best card of 2026. If you're paying a mortgage or rent, this is definitely worth checking out.
You can find more details and apply through the link in the description.
What do you think? Are you interested in earning rewards on your mortgage or rent payments? Let me know in the comments! And stay tuned for my more in-depth review coming soon.