Is the Bilt Palladium Worth the $495 Annual Fee?
Yes. The Bilt Palladium hands back up to $600 in annual statement credits and benefits, which more than covers the $495 fee before you earn a single point. As long as you will actually use even $495 of those credits, the card pays for itself.
Every credit, broken down
The Bilt Palladium 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 |
|---|---|
| $400 annual hotel credit | $400 |
| $200 annual Bilt Cash | $200 |
| Priority Pass lounge access (unlimited guests) | varies |
| Total stated value | $600 |
If you use all of it, that is $600 back against a $495 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 Palladium earns about $583 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 Palladium review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.
The break-even
Add it up. The Bilt Palladium costs $495 a year. Its credits return up to $600, and everyday rewards add about $583. That is a net of $688 in your favor every year you hold it, before any welcome bonus. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $800, pushing the first-year total to roughly $1,488.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bilt Palladium worth the annual fee?
- Yes. The Bilt Palladium hands back up to $600 in annual statement credits and benefits, which more than covers the $495 fee before you earn a single point. As long as you will actually use even $495 of those credits, the card pays for itself.
- How do you offset the Bilt Palladium annual fee?
- Use the statement credits first: the Bilt Palladium offers up to $600 a year, enough to cover the fee by itself. Everyday rewards add roughly $583 more on a typical budget.
- Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the Bilt Palladium?
- Yes. If you cannot clear the $495 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
