Atelier Journeys Blog

Bilt Rent Day Alert

Tomorrow is Tuesday, September 1. That means Bilt Rent Day is here for one day only.

If you have Bilt points, tomorrow is the day you can move them to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for future business-class redemptions. The transfer bonus reaches 100% for Platinum members, with 50% for Silver, 75% for Gold, and 100% for Platinum. A $135 Bilt Cash boost option can raise the bonus one tier.

After tomorrow, the bonus disappears. I would not transfer speculatively without a redemption in mind, but if you already have a long-haul trip on your radar, this is a compelling opportunity to stretch your points further. Virgin Atlantic points can be useful for business-class flights when the route, award space, and taxes line up.

I recommend checking the Bilt app as soon as Rent Day goes live, reviewing the exact terms, and confirming availability before moving anything.

September Is Finally Here

September is the golden month.

The crowds thin as people go back to school and wrap up their summer trips. The evenings begin to cool. Across France, the grape harvest begins in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Provence, bringing a different energy to the vineyards and villages.

I love this time of year because travel feels so much less mass-market. You can linger over lunch without watching the clock. You can walk through a vineyard or museum in the late afternoon, and not find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other tourists. You can settle into a hotel without a massive line guests with suitcases cluttering the lobby.

Burgundy has always felt like the perfect late summer location. I think of old stone cellars, rolling landscapes, quiet villages, and dinners where the wine list does most of the talking.  Bordeaux brings grand châteaux, tree-lined drives, and a little more old-world glamour.  Provence offers warm evenings, pale limestone, family domaines, and long lunches.

 

This is the month Europe belongs to travelers who love slow living, exceptional wine, and design-forward stays. I like to build these journeys around the details that make them feel personal: a private tasting in a working cellar, a market morning with a local chef, a vineyard walk before dinner, or a small property where the owners still know what is being served that evening.

Availability at the best boutique properties can disappear quickly in September. If France is calling, send me a note through Atelier Journeys and I will help secure the right combination of rooms, tastings, and experiences.

Travel Intel: September Transfer Bonuses

I am watching several useful transfer bonuses this month. Some are especially interesting for business-class flights, while others can help with a hotel stay or a longer European itinerary.

Airline bonuses

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Transfer from Wells Fargo, Citi, or Chase and receive a 30% bonus through September 30.
• Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus, and British Airways: Transfer from Amex and receive a 30% bonus through September 27. This can be useful for Avios redemptions across Europe and beyond.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: Transfer from Chase and receive a 20% bonus through September 30. Aeroplan remains one of my favorite programs for building flexible itineraries across Star Alliance and partner airlines.

I always recommend starting with the trip rather than the bonus. I like to identify the flight, hotel, or itinerary first, then decide whether transferring points makes sense. A bonus is only valuable when the points can be used well.

One practical reminder: I recommend protecting a significant trip with travel insurance, and you can get a Faye quote here.

Current Offers I’m Watching

Jumby Bay Island, Antigua

Jumby Bay Island is one of my favorite examples of quiet Caribbean luxury. It is private without feeling showy, highly polished without losing its sense of place, and wonderfully removed from the pace of a typical resort stay.

Through Virtuoso, a qualifying Cottage or Villa stay includes every fifth night complimentary, daily breakfast, and a $100 resort credit. Select villas also include private boat transfers. The offer must be booked by December 11.

I see this as an ideal winter escape for someone who wants a private island, genuine butler service, and very little unnecessary noise. I would pair it with a few nights in Antigua or simply let the island do the work.

Ask me for details about Jumby Bay Island.

Swan Hellenic Asia Pacific

I continue to watch Swan Hellenic’s Asia Pacific voyages for 2027. The current offer includes a complimentary Oceanview-to-Balcony upgrade and Gold Wi-Fi on select voyages, including itineraries such as Auckland to Honiara and Manila to Sorong.

This is not traditional cruise travel. I like Swan Hellenic for its emphasis on cultural exploration, smaller ships, and access to places that can be difficult to reach independently. The Asia Pacific routes are particularly appealing if you want a trip that blends maritime landscapes, layered history, local encounters, and a comfortable base that moves with you.

New bookings need to be made before November 9. Ask me for details about the available voyages.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is offering double Rewards Points on eligible 2027 Europe bookings made between September 1 and 30. Eligible bookings also receive entry into a prize drawing.

I am most interested in the European and Alaskan itineraries for clients who want the ease of a cruise with time for architecture, food, and art on shore. Celebrity can work well for a Mediterranean or Alaskan route when you want to combine several cities without changing hotels every few nights.

I would look carefully at the specific sailing, cabin category, port schedule, and included benefits before booking. The best itinerary is not always the one with the most ports. Ask me to review the eligible Europe sailings.

Partner Spotlight: Prima

A great hotel is only part of a well-designed trip. I also care deeply about where you eat.

I have partnered with Prima to help clients find hard-to-get restaurant tables at Michelin-starred spots, chef’s tables, and members-only-style venues. It is especially useful when you are planning a food-focused trip and the restaurants you want are not showing availability through the usual channels.

I like using Prima as part of the broader itinerary rather than treating dinner reservations as an afterthought. A late table may work perfectly after a museum visit. A chef’s counter can become the anchor for an evening. A hard-to-find room may determine which neighborhood makes the most sense for your hotel.

You can explore Prima through my referral link. Feel free to ask me where I would eat in Paris, Miami, New York, Bangkok, or anywhere else you are considering.

September is a beautiful month for planning. The best harvest-season stays, restaurant tables, and 2027 voyages will not remain available forever, but there is still time to shape something thoughtful.

Start planning with Atelier Journeys. I would love to help you find the quieter, more personal version of the trip you already have in mind.

Warmly,

Thomas Spears
Pro Travel Advisor & Founder
Atelier Journeys