Bilt Obsidian vs Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Bilt Obsidian
VS
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
The short answer: The Bilt Obsidian delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® if you spend more on gas, travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Bilt ObsidianChoice Privileges® Mastercard®
Annual fee$95No annual fee
Welcome offer$200 in Bilt Cash on account opening60,000 points
Dining3x1x
Groceries3x3x
Gas1x3x
Travel2x5x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$490$527
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsLocked to Choice Privileges
NetworkMastercardMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the Bilt Obsidian earns about $490 a year in rewards and the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® about $527, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Bilt Obsidian charges $95, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The two are close on value, but the Bilt Obsidian edges ahead by about $18 a year, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on dining. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Bilt Obsidian earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Bilt Obsidian if you will use travel transfers, the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Bilt Obsidian if your spending leans toward dining. Pick the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® if your spending leans toward gas, travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bilt Obsidian or the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® better?
On typical household spending, the Bilt Obsidian comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $18 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Bilt Obsidian and the Choice Privileges® Mastercard®?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Bilt Obsidian or the Choice Privileges® Mastercard®?
As of June 2026, the Bilt Obsidian offers $200 in Bilt Cash on account opening and the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® offers 60,000 points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.