nextcard vs HawaiiRewardTravel Bilt Calculator Comparison (February 2026)
Advertiser Disclosure: nextcard may receive compensation from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. For the most up-to-date terms & conditions, refer to the official credit card application on the issuer's website.
If you've tried comparing Bilt cards online, you know the drill: select a card, check the results, write them down, then repeat for the next one. The decision gets easier when you can see all options at once, which is why we built a calculator that shows the data and side by side. You can also throw in your current card to see if switching makes sense, because paying rent with the wrong setup can cost you points.
TLDR:
- nextcard's Bilt calculator shows all three cards in one visual bar graph comparison
- You can compare Bilt cards against your existing cards with nextcard's tool
- nextcard factors excess Bilt Cash, $50 Bilt Cash earned for every 25k points, and Bilt Cash credit redemptions into projections for accurate earnings estimates
- nextcard is a credit card assistant with tools, maps, and calculators
What is the HawaiiRewardTravel Bilt Calculator?
HawaiiRewardTravel built a free online calculator that estimates potential earnings across the new Bilt card lineup. You enter your monthly rent or mortgage payment plus other spending amounts, and the tool projects your Bilt points and Bilt Cash based on those inputs.
The calculator lets you select different Bilt card tiers to see how each performs with your specific spending. One limitation: you can only view results for one card at a time, so comparing multiple options means toggling back and forth between selections.
The problem? It is outdated and can be misleading. For example, there is no more transaction fee, but the HawaiiRewardTravel calculator says that there is a transaction fee. When I paid my rent recently, no transaction fee comes up when I am making my rent payment using Flexible Bilt Cash:
This is a crucial oversight that makes it hard to trust this calculator.
What is nextcard?
nextcard is a free credit card assistant that helps you find cards, track benefits, and use your rewards without spending hours on research. We build interactive calculators, searchable maps, and comparison tools for people who want more from their cards.
One of those tools is the Bilt 2.0 Calculator. After Bilt launched three new cards early this year, many renters and mortgage holders I know were looking for a simpler way to understand the tiered reward structure and figure out which card fit their situation. Our calculator takes your monthly housing payment and spending, then shows projected earnings across all Bilt cards in a visual bar graph format.
The side-by-side comparison makes it easy to spot which option gives you the best return. You can also compare Bilt cards against other everyday spending cards in your wallet to see if switching would improve your rewards haul. The calculator updates in real time as you adjust inputs.
Visual Design and User Experience
The HawaiiRewardTravel calculator displays results as numbers stacked vertically. There are no charts or graphs, and you often need to scroll to see inputs and results together, making real-time adjustments awkward.
Our Bilt 2.0 Calculator shows results as color-coded bar graphs next to your inputs that break down the exact point earnings from each scenario. You can compare cards without scrolling, and the visual format makes it clear which card earns the most rewards for your situation.
We included a toggle between Option 1 (Housing Only) and Option 2 (Flexible Bilt Cash). Results recalculate instantly when you adjust rent or spending. Below the calculator, we explain how the calculator and the new Bilt cards work and provide real-world examples so you can understand what your results actually mean.
Calculator Accuracy and Coverage
The HawaiiRewardTravel tool also doesn't account for excess Bilt Cash in its projections. Depending on how you allocate spending, that omission can skew your estimated earnings.
Additionally, the HawaiiRewardTravel calculator is inaccurate and shows a 3% transaction fee in its calculations. With the edits to the cards' functions, referencing a 3% transaction fee is misleading and confusing.
We factor in excess Bilt Cash when it applies to your inputs. That means the projections you see reflect actual earning potential under Bilt's rules. The calculator stays current with the February 2026 Bilt card lineup, so you're working with accurate information when deciding which card fits your rent and spending patterns.
The nextcard Bilt Calculator also gives you the ability to estimate your Bilt Cash redemptions. This is a unique feature that not many alternative calculators can do.
Comparison Features and Flexibility
The HawaiiRewardTravel calculator shows one Bilt card at a time. If you're deciding between the 3 Bilt Cards, comparing the Bilt cards against each other requires running separate calculations and manually tracking the numbers yourself. You're stuck switching between searches and remembering figures. This isn't a problem if you only have one Bilt Card and don't plan on switching.
You can't compare Bilt cards against others in your wallet to see if switching makes sense. If you're deciding whether paying rent with Bilt beats your current setup, HawaiiRewardTravel won't answer that.
Our Bilt 2.0 Calculator displays all three Bilt cards in one bar graph. You see how all three cards would function with your actual rent and spending without doing a bunch of searches
We let you add non-Bilt cards to the comparison. Drop in your existing everyday spending card and the calculator shows whether a Bilt card would earn more rewards. Paying rent with the wrong card can cost hundreds or thousands of points every year, so seeing the complete picture is important.
| Feature | nextcard Bilt 2.0 Calculator | HawaiiRewardTravel Bilt Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Comparison Format | Color-coded bar graphs showing all cards simultaneously in one view | Numerical results displayed vertically, one card at a time |
| Cards Included | All three Bilt Cards + can compare against 20 popular alternative credit cards | All three Bilt Cards |
| Transaction Fee | There is no transaction fee | Displays an outdated 3% transaction fee |
| Side-by-Side Comparison | All three Bilt cards displayed together with toggles to turn off irrelevant cards | Must switch between card selections to compare options |
| Non-Bilt Card Comparison | Can add existing cards from your wallet to compare against Bilt options or enter "custom rates" | Limited to Bilt ecosystem only, no external card comparisons |
| Excess Bilt Cash Calculation | Factors excess Bilt Cash into earnings projections for accuracy | Does not account for excess Bilt Cash in calculations; this can lead to inaccurate calculations |
| $50 Bilt Cash earned for every 25,000 Bilt Points earned | Factored into calculations | Does not consider this in calculations |
| Real-Time Updates | Results recalculate instantly as you adjust rent and spending inputs | Requires scrolling to see inputs and results together |
| Educational Content | Includes explanations of Bilt's tiered structure and real-world examples below calculator | Straightforward numerical format with brief additional explanation |
Why nextcard is the Better Choice
The HawaiiRewardTravel calculator works if you want basic projections and don't mind clicking through card options one by one. If scrolling and manual tracking work for you, it's functional. Keep in mind that the HawaiiRewardTravel calculator also breaks in scenarios such as when you have excess Bilt Cash.
But if you're deciding which Bilt card fits your rent and spending, our Bilt 2.0 Calculator is better.
You get instant visual comparisons across all three Bilt cards without toggling between selections. Bar graphs show which card earns the most for your situation right away.
Our calculator factors excess Bilt Cash into projections. As mentioned, HawaiiRewardTravel's tool doesn't, which can skew your estimated earnings depending on how you allocate spending. This other calculator also doesn't factor in the additional Bilt Cash earned for every 25,000 points earned.
The biggest difference: we let you compare Bilt cards against other cards you already own. If you're wondering whether switching from your current everyday card to a Bilt option makes sense, you'll get that answer in one session.
Below the calculator, we explain how Bilt's tiered structure works and walk through real examples.
Final Thoughts on Picking Your Bilt Card
Comparing Bilt Calculators comes down to whether you want quick visual results or don't mind clicking through options one at a time. We show all three Bilt cards in one bar graph and let you compare them against cards you already own, which answers the real question: does switching make sense for your wallet? Check out the Bilt 2.0 Calculator to see accurate projections that factor in excess Bilt Cash and your actual rent payment. HawaiiRewardTravel works fine for basic estimates, but our calculator gives you the full picture all in one search.
FAQ
How do I decide between nextcard's Bilt 2.0 Calculator and HawaiiRewardTravel's version?
If you want to compare all three Bilt cards side by side in one view and see how they stack up against your current cards, use nextcard's calculator (it shows visual bar graphs and updates in real time). HawaiiRewardTravel works if you're okay toggling between cards one at a time, tracking results manually, and using a tool that doesn't factor in Bilt Cash use cases.
What's the main difference in how each calculator handles Bilt card comparisons?
nextcard displays all three Bilt cards together in color-coded bar graphs so you can spot the best option instantly. HawaiiRewardTravel shows one card at a time, requiring you to switch between selections and remember the numbers yourself.
Who is HawaiiRewardTravel's calculator best for?
HawaiiRewardTravel's calculator suits renters or mortgage holders who want basic earnings projections within the Bilt ecosystem and don't mind scrolling or switching between cards to compare results. It's functional if you're comfortable with a text-heavy, numerical format and manual tracking. However, be wary that it starts to become very inaccurate & misleading if your monthly spend exceeds your monthly housing payment.
Can I compare Bilt cards against non-Bilt cards I already own?
Yes, but only with nextcard's Bilt 2.0 Calculator. You can add your existing everyday spending card to see if switching to a Bilt option would actually increase your rewards. HawaiiRewardTravel's tool stays within the Bilt lineup and doesn't support comparisons with cards outside that ecosystem.