Bilt Expands BLADE Partnership With $350 Helicopter Credit
The loyalty program now allows members to apply Bilt Cash toward helicopter flights, offering up to $350 in credits twice annually as the company addresses growing balances of its secondary currency.
Bilt Rewards has introduced a redemption option allowing members to apply Bilt Cash toward BLADE helicopter flights, with coverage of up to $350 per booking available twice each calendar year, according to a report from loyalty blog View from the Wing.
The enhancement comes as BLADE booking capabilities have been integrated directly into the Bilt mobile application, eliminating the previous requirement to navigate to BLADE's external website. The $350 credit applies to basic fares only and excludes additional charges such as extra baggage fees. Members selecting upgraded fare classes must cover the difference between basic and premium pricing separately.
The timing addresses a challenge facing active Bilt cardholders: accumulating Bilt Cash balances. Members earn $25 in Bilt Cash for every 25,000 points earned through the program, while Bilt co-branded credit cards generate an additional four percent back in Bilt Cash alongside regular point earnings, unless cardholders select the housing-only earning structure. The currency expires at year-end for any balance exceeding $100, creating pressure to find redemption outlets.
BLADE fares typically range from $195 to $290 for basic tickets, with Bilt Silver members and above receiving a ten percent discount. The $350 ceiling means most redemptions will likely exceed the actual ticket cost. At checkout, members can combine the Bilt Cash credit with either points or linked payment cards to cover any remaining balance.
The BLADE partnership already includes benefits for Bilt's tiered membership levels. Platinum members receive an annual complimentary helicopter transfer, while both Gold and Platinum tiers gain access to BLADE lounges regardless of flight status, with two complimentary beverages per visit. While Bilt Points remain redeemable for BLADE travel, the conversion rate of $0.007 per point compares unfavorably to the program's standard 1.25-cent valuation through its travel portal.
The expansion reflects Bilt's broader strategy of creating spending opportunities for its secondary currency as cardholders generate balances through accelerated earning on what are described as among the market's fastest-accruing loyalty credit cards.