Is the Bilt Obsidian Worth the $95 Annual Fee?
Yes. The Bilt Obsidian hands back up to $300 in annual statement credits and benefits, which more than covers the $95 fee before you earn a single point. As long as you will actually use even $95 of those credits, the card pays for itself.
Every credit, broken down
The Bilt Obsidian offsets its fee with statement credits and benefits. Here is every one, with the most you can get from each per year. Remember that credits only count if you would have spent that money anyway, and some renew on a monthly or semi-annual schedule you have to use or lose.
| Credit or benefit | Up to |
|---|---|
| $200 Bilt Cash on account opening | $200 |
| $100 annual Bilt Travel Hotel credit | $100 |
| Total stated value | $300 |
If you use all of it, that is $300 back against a $95 fee, which covers the fee on its own.
What you earn on spending
Credits are only half the story; the card also earns rewards every time you swipe. On $29,160 of annual spending, the Bilt Obsidian earns about $490 a year at a flat 1 cent per point. The figure below is based on a typical household budget. See the full category breakdown in our Bilt Obsidian review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.
The break-even
Add it up. The Bilt Obsidian costs $95 a year. Its credits return up to $300, and everyday rewards add about $490. That is a net of $695 in your favor every year you hold it, before any welcome bonus. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $200, pushing the first-year total to roughly $895.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bilt Obsidian worth the annual fee?
- Yes. The Bilt Obsidian hands back up to $300 in annual statement credits and benefits, which more than covers the $95 fee before you earn a single point. As long as you will actually use even $95 of those credits, the card pays for itself.
- How do you offset the Bilt Obsidian annual fee?
- Use the statement credits first: the Bilt Obsidian offers up to $300 a year, enough to cover the fee by itself. Everyday rewards add roughly $490 more on a typical budget.
- Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the Bilt Obsidian?
- Yes. If you cannot clear the $95 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
