Bilt Rewards Adds I Prefer Hotel Rewards as a Transfer Partner at a 1:2 Rate
Bilt Rewards has officially announced the addition of I Prefer Hotel Rewards as a new transfer partner, offering members a transfer rate of 1:2. This means that for every 1,000 Bilt points you transfer, you will receive 2,000 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points in return. While the ratio may not seem groundbreaking on the surface, this partnership opens up a meaningful new redemption avenue for Bilt members who enjoy staying at independent luxury and boutique hotels around the world through the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
With the loyalty rewards landscape constantly shifting, understanding what this new transfer partnership means for your points strategy is essential. Let's break down everything you need to know about the Bilt and I Prefer Hotel Rewards partnership, how it compares to similar programs, and whether transferring your Bilt points to I Prefer makes sense for you.
What Is I Prefer Hotel Rewards?
I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the loyalty program affiliated with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a collection of more than 700 independent luxury hotels and resorts in over 85 countries. Unlike major chain loyalty programs such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, I Prefer caters to travelers who prefer unique, independent properties rather than large branded hotel chains.
Members of I Prefer earn and redeem points for stays at these independently owned properties, giving travelers access to upscale accommodations that aren't typically available through mainstream programs. The program offers tiered membership status, exclusive rates, and reward nights, making it a solid choice for frequent luxury travelers who value individuality over consistency.
How the Bilt to I Prefer Transfer Works
The mechanics of the Bilt to I Prefer transfer are straightforward. At a rate of 1:2, every Bilt point you transfer becomes two I Prefer points. Here are a few quick examples to illustrate the math:
- Transfer 1,000 Bilt points → receive 2,000 I Prefer points
- Transfer 5,000 Bilt points → receive 10,000 I Prefer points
- Transfer 10,000 Bilt points → receive 20,000 I Prefer points
This 1:2 ratio effectively doubles your point balance on paper, which can feel exciting. However, it's important to evaluate what I Prefer points are actually worth before deciding whether a transfer makes sense for your upcoming travel plans. I Prefer points are typically valued at around half a cent to one cent each depending on how they're redeemed, so the doubled quantity doesn't necessarily translate to doubled value compared to other transfer partners.
How Does This Compare to Other Credit Card Transfer Rates?
It's worth putting the Bilt partnership into context by looking at how other major credit card programs handle I Prefer transfers. Until recently, Citi ThankYou Rewards offered a much more generous 1:4 transfer rate to I Prefer Hotel Rewards. However, Citi significantly reduced that rate from 1:4 to 1:2 on April 19, 2026, effectively cutting the value of that transfer in half for ThankYou points holders.
Capital One also added I Prefer as a transfer partner at a 1:2 rate late in 2025, putting it on equal footing with Bilt's newly announced ratio. So across the board, the industry standard for transferring credit card points to I Prefer Hotel Rewards has settled at 1:2 for now.
This means Bilt is entering the partnership at a rate that is consistent with current market norms, even if those norms have become less generous than they once were. Travelers who previously relied on Citi's 1:4 rate will need to adjust their expectations and redemption strategies accordingly.
Is Transferring Bilt Points to I Prefer Worth It?
Whether this transfer makes sense depends heavily on your travel preferences and your specific redemption goals. Here are a few scenarios where the Bilt to I Prefer transfer could be a smart move:
- You're planning a stay at a Preferred Hotels & Resorts property — If you've already identified a specific independent hotel within the Preferred portfolio and the I Prefer reward night redemption offers solid value, transferring Bilt points can be a practical way to cover the cost.
- You have Bilt points you're unlikely to use elsewhere — If your travel plans don't align well with Bilt's airline transfer partners and you want a hotel option beyond existing Bilt hotel partners, I Prefer adds a new layer of flexibility.
- You want to top off an I Prefer balance — If you already have a partial balance of I Prefer points and just need a few thousand more to unlock a reward night, a Bilt transfer can bridge the gap efficiently.
On the other hand, travelers who primarily value high-value airline transfers or have strong existing relationships with major hotel chains may find that Bilt's other transfer partners — such as American Airlines, United, Hyatt, or Air Canada Aeroplan — continue to offer better overall value per point.
Should You Wait for a Transfer Bonus to I Prefer?
One important consideration before pulling the trigger on a transfer is the possibility of a promotional bonus. Based on patterns seen with other Bilt transfer partner launches, there is a reasonable expectation that Bilt could offer a transfer bonus to I Prefer Hotel Rewards around July. Bilt has historically celebrated new partner additions and seasonal travel peaks with limited-time transfer bonuses that can significantly increase the value you get per point transferred.
If you are not in a rush to use your I Prefer points for an imminent trip, it may be worth holding off on transferring until any such promotion is announced. A 25% or 50% transfer bonus, for instance, could push your effective transfer rate well above the standard 1:2, making the deal substantially more compelling.
Bilt Rewards: A Growing Network of Transfer Partners
The addition of I Prefer Hotel Rewards continues Bilt's strategy of expanding its transfer partner ecosystem to give cardholders more options for redeeming points. Bilt has built a reputation as one of the most rewarding credit card programs for renters, allowing members to earn points on rent payments — a category that most other cards ignore entirely.
Over time, Bilt has grown its transfer partner list to include a wide mix of airline and hotel programs, giving members the flexibility to use points for flights, hotel stays, and more. Adding I Prefer broadens the hotel redemption side of the equation, particularly for travelers who prefer independent, boutique accommodations over standard chain hotel experiences.
Final Thoughts
The addition of I Prefer Hotel Rewards as a Bilt Rewards transfer partner at a 1:2 ratio is a welcome development for members who love independent luxury travel. While the transfer rate is on par with what other major programs currently offer, it adds meaningful optionality to the Bilt ecosystem. Before you transfer, consider your near-term travel plans, evaluate the redemption value of I Prefer points at your target property, and keep an eye out for any promotional transfer bonuses that Bilt may announce in the coming months. As always, transferring points should be done with a clear redemption in mind to make the most of your hard-earned Bilt rewards.