Capital One Platinum Secured vs Bilt Mastercard: Which Is Better In 2026?

Bilt Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Bilt Mastercard®.

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• It's one of the only cards that lets you earn rewards on rent payments without charging a transaction fee.
• The card has no annual fee, making it an accessible option for many renters.
• You can redeem the points you earn for a wide variety of options, including travel and even a credit towards your rent.

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Pros

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• You can pay rent and earn points even if your landlord doesn't accept credit cards, thanks to Bilt's check-mailing service.
• It offers competitive rewards on common spending categories like dining and travel.
• Cardholders can earn bonus points on purchases during the monthly "Rent Day" event.

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Cons

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• You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Points are less valuable when redeemed for cash back compared to travel partner transfers.
• Some users have reported issues with the mobile app and customer service responsiveness.

Bilt Mastercard® vs Capital One Platinum Secured

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Platinum Secured or Bilt Mastercard®, depends entirely on your financial goals. Each card serves a distinct purpose, catering to very different consumer needs.

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• Capital One Platinum Secured is a secured credit card designed as a tool for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It is best for those with limited or poor credit who want to establish a positive financial profile without an annual fee.
• Bilt Mastercard® is a rewards card best for renters who want to earn points on their largest monthly expense. It also offers competitive rewards on dining and travel purchases.

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Redemption

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Capital One Platinum Secured:As this card is designed for building credit, it does not offer a rewards program for cash back or points. The main financial return is the opportunity to have your security deposit refunded after demonstrating responsible card use.

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Bilt Mastercard®:Points earned with this card can be redeemed in several high-value ways, including transferring them to travel partners. Cardholders can also use points toward their rent or save them for a future down payment on a home.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion designed to help you compare thousands of credit cards and find the best match for your spending habits, eliminating the guesswork.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before applying, you can simulate how a new card would perform with your actual spending data. This feature provides personalized calculations of potential earnings and net value without a hard credit pull.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: By adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet, you can unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Understand your chances of approval for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Personalized card matching: Get matched with new credit cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your real spending history.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?

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The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an excellent starting point for individuals who need to build or rebuild their credit history. This includes those with limited or poor credit, such as students, recent immigrants, or anyone recovering from past financial difficulties. Because Capital One reports to all three major credit bureaus and offers a path to an unsecured card, it provides a clear and structured way to establish a positive credit profile with responsible use.

Who Should Choose the Bilt Mastercard®?

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The Bilt Mastercard® is primarily designed for renters looking to earn rewards on their largest monthly expense, offering up to 100,000 points per calendar year on rent payments without a transaction fee. It's also ideal for those who frequently dine out or travel, given its competitive rewards rates in these categories. To earn any points, however, cardholders must use the card for at least five transactions each statement period.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Platinum Secured vs Bilt Mastercard® comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry—there are several other excellent cards available that might better suit your financial goals and spending habits.

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[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Know your credit score: Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card’s requirements, whether it’s for good credit or for building a new history.
• Review unique requirements: Understand any specific obligations, such as making a certain number of transactions per month or providing a security deposit.
• Have a strategy: Plan how you will use the card’s benefits and rewards structure to fit your spending habits and financial goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• See your offer before committing, as some issuers use a soft pull for the initial application.
• Be prepared for card-specific requirements, like a security deposit for secured cards or minimum monthly transactions for certain rewards cards.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a secured credit card?

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A secured credit card requires a cash security deposit to open the account, which usually determines your credit limit. These cards are designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit history.

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Can I earn rewards with the Capital One Platinum Secured card?

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No, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card does not offer a rewards program. Its main benefit is providing a way for users to improve their credit with responsible use.

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Is there an annual fee for the Bilt Mastercard?

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The Bilt Mastercard® does not have an annual fee. However, you must use the card for at least five transactions each statement period to earn rewards points.

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