Bilt announced its biggest changes since it relaunched its cards in January. The 4% Bilt Cash option is ending for new cardholders, hotel credits are turning into Bilt Cash, and existing cardholders have a decision to make before December 31.
American's Citi Platinum Select card is getting a higher fee and new perks, Southwest's cards have bigger welcome offers, Amex Blue Cash cardholders have a new way to cash out, and Robinhood Platinum invites are reaching more Gold cardholders. Here's what changed and what it means for your cards, points, and perks.
1. Bilt ends 4% Bilt Cash for new cardholders and turns hotel credits into Bilt Cash
Bilt announced on October 27 that its card rewards will change in 2027.
The 4% Bilt Cash option:
- New cardholders approved in January 2027 or later will only get the Housing-Only option, which earns up to 1.25x on rent and mortgage payments.
- Existing cardholders can keep Flexible Bilt Cash (4%), but you need to choose to stay on it by December 31, 2026. In the app, go to Manage card, then Bonus rewards.
- If you switch to Housing-Only in 2027 or later, you can't switch back.
- If you upgrade or downgrade your Bilt card before December 31, 2026, you can still keep the 4% option. Card changes in 2027 or later lose it.
Hotel credits and Bilt Cash:
- On the new structure, Palladium's $200 Bilt Cash and $400 in hotel credits become one $600 Bilt Cash award. Obsidian's $100 hotel credit becomes $100 in Bilt Cash. Both post after your card anniversary instead of January 1.
- If you stay on Flexible Bilt Cash, you keep the current hotel credit structure.
- Bilt Cash now expires at the end of the month, 12 months after you earn it. The December 31 expiration and $100 rollover are gone.
- Starting in 2027, you can use Bilt Cash on hotels only twice a year, with caps by status ($200 per booking for Palladium, $100 for Gold and Platinum members, $50 for Blue and Silver). The two-night minimum stays.
Bilt also confirmed that you can now upgrade cards in the app, and that a new Daily Rewards program starts January 15, 2027. Card point earning doesn't change.
PerksRadar's take: For most existing cardholders who earn a lot of Bilt Cash from everyday spending, staying on Flexible Bilt Cash keeps more options open, because it's the only choice you can't get back later. If you mostly use your card for rent and rarely touch Bilt Cash, the new structure may be simpler. Do the math with your own spending before December 31. Some Reddit users report that the legacy $200 Palladium Bilt Cash also moves to the anniversary date. Bilt's summary isn't fully clear on this, so check your account's terms and plan around the date in your app. If you were counting on new Bilt Cash on January 1, it may not arrive then.
2. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select fee rises to $150, with new perks
American Airlines and Citi announced on October 27 that the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card is changing.
- The annual fee goes from $99 to $150 on January 24, 2027. Current cardholders pay the new fee at their first renewal after that date.
- New: a complimentary Walmart+ membership for the primary cardmember.
- New: up to $100 a year in statement credits for inflight purchases on American, replacing the 25% inflight discount.
- New: a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit (up to $120 every four years), plus added travel protections.
- The Citi AAdvantage Business card also goes to $150 but doesn't include Walmart+.
PerksRadar's take: The new perks only offset the higher fee if you'd actually use them. Walmart+ has real value if you already shop at Walmart; the inflight credit depends on how often you buy food or Wi-Fi on American. If neither fits, check what your no-fee or lower-fee options are before your renewal after January 24. Note your renewal month now so the higher fee isn't a surprise.
More changes mean more dates to remember. Choose your cards on PerksRadar and get reminders before your benefits reset.
3. Southwest cards offer up to 90,000 points
Southwest's personal Rapid Rewards cards have higher welcome offers:
- Priority: 90,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. This offer ends December 2, 2026.
- Premier: 85,000 points after $2,000.
- Plus: up to 80,000 points after $1,000 for some members. Other people see a lower public offer, so check what's shown to you.
If you already have a personal Southwest card, you generally can't get another personal card's bonus. Reddit users also report that referral links show lower offers than the public page.
PerksRadar's take: We covered Southwest's December 2 Companion Pass deadline on October 19. These offers are a separate reason to look now. Only apply if you can reach the spending with normal purchases, and compare the offer on the application page with any referral link before you apply. A card bonus is a good start, but Southwest's 2027 program changes still apply after that.
4. Amex Blue Cash cardholders can now deposit cash back into savings
Amex Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred cardholders can now redeem Reward Dollars as a deposit into an Amex High Yield Savings Account.
- Each Reward Dollar is worth $1, with no minimum.
- You need an Amex savings account, and you can open one during the redemption.
- For now, it works online only. App support is expected later.
- Deposits usually arrive within about 4 business days.
- Amex says automatic deposits are planned for 2027, with no details yet.
PerksRadar's take: This is a convenience, not a bonus. Reward Dollars are still worth $1 each as a statement credit. If your savings account elsewhere pays more, a statement credit and your own transfer works just as well. If you like keeping your rewards separate from bill payments, this makes it easier to save them.
Juggling credits, offers and annual fees on several cards PerksRadar reminders help you keep track of what each card gives you and when.
5. Robinhood Platinum invites reach more Gold cardholders
More Robinhood Gold cardholders said this week that they received invitations for the $695 Robinhood Platinum Card. The card is still invite-only, with a waitlist.
- Platinum replaces your Gold card. You can't hold both. Your Gold card works until you activate the Platinum card.
- Robinhood says Platinum credit limits can be up to 5x higher than Gold.
- After customer feedback, Robinhood reworked some benefits, including a $120 yearly DoorDash credit with no minimum order, DashPass, and a Robinhood Gold membership included.
PerksRadar's take: Most Reddit users with an invite are staying with Gold, because its flat 3% on everything is hard to beat without changing how you spend. Platinum makes more sense if you eat out and travel a lot and would use its credits. List the credits you'd actually use, add them up, and compare that with the $695 fee and the 3% you'd give up. A bigger credit limit alone isn't a strong reason to switch.
What to check this week
- If you have a Bilt card, decide whether to stay on Flexible Bilt Cash and opt in before December 31, 2026, and check when your Bilt Cash expires in the app.
- If you have the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, note your renewal date and decide whether the new perks cover the $150 fee.
- If you want a Southwest card, compare the offer you see with any referral link before December 2.
- If you have an Amex Blue Cash card, choose whether a statement credit or a savings deposit works better for you.
- If you have a Robinhood Platinum invite, compare its credits with the 3% you'd give up on Gold.
Let us help you remember your perks
Opt-out deadlines, new fees, anniversary dates and expiring Bilt Cash: it's easy to miss a date that matters.
Choose your cards on PerksRadar and sign up for monthly perk reminders. We'll help you remember what's available, so you can decide which benefits fit your plans.
Get your PerksRadar reminders.
Offers and benefits can change. Check your account's current terms and your card's benefits guide before applying, transferring points, or making a booking.