Do I Need a Loyalty Account Before I Get a Co-Branded Card?
TPG reader Barb sent me a message on Facebook to ask about when she should open a loyalty account:
"I'm thinking of joining IHG Rewards and applying for the IHG credit card. Does it matter which one I do first?"
The first step in my Beginner's Guide is to open accounts with the major loyalty programs, since you need to establish those before you can earn points and miles for your travel. Opening an account generally takes just a minute or two, so it's worth taking that step anytime you'll be flying or staying with a given airline or hotel.
Opening an account beforehand is less important when you're applying for a co-branded card. If you don't already have an account, you'll be automatically enrolled when your card application is approved. Any rewards you earn on your card will go into that account, including points, elite credits and free night certificates (or companion certificates in the case of certain airline cards).
If you do already have an account, you should provide your existing membership number when you apply for a co-branded card. Otherwise, you may end up with multiple accounts in the same program, which can lead to confusion over your rewards down the line. It's a pretty common occurrence, and most loyalty programs make it easy to merge duplicate accounts, but you might as well save yourself any potential hassle by inputting the correct information from the start.
Loyalty programs occasionally offer incentives to new members — you might get a small bonus simply for signing up, or a larger bonus for also completing travel during a promotional period. For example, earlier this year JetBlue offered 7,000 points to new TrueBlue members after taking their first flight. These bonuses are less common than they used to be, but it's worth keeping an eye out to see what's available if you're planning to sign up anyway.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.