September 2026

The WanderWise Monthly — September 2026

The WanderWise Monthly — September 2026

Subject line: The WanderWise Monthly — September: The Best Travel Month of the Year Preview text: September is when smart travelers go. Here's what they know that you should too.

Hi Friend,

If I could only travel one month per year for the rest of my life, I would choose September.

That might sound dramatic. It isn't. It's math, weather, crowds, and value — all converging on the same four weeks.

September is when European summers cool to perfection. When Napa Valley begins its crush season. When New England hints at the color to come. When airfare on points drops, hotel availability opens, and the tourists go home.

September is shoulder season gold. And if you're reading this and you haven't booked anything yet — there's still time. Award seats for late September and October are available right now.

This is the month. Let's make the most of it.

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✈️ DESTINATION OF THE MONTH: Bordeaux, France

Wine. History. Architecture that makes you whisper. And in September, the vineyards are in full harvest — the most magical time to be in wine country anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux is Paris's quieter, warmer, more relaxed cousin. The food is extraordinary (think duck confit, canelés, and cheese courses that change your understanding of Comté). The Garonne River catches golden hour light in a way that makes you stop walking and just stand there.

And unlike Provence or the Côte d'Azur, Bordeaux in September is uncrowded. You can walk into a château tasting without a reservation. You can get a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant the same week you call.

Here's the points math:

Round-trip in business class (East Coast): ~60,000 Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles per person (transferred from Chase or Amex) 4 nights in Bordeaux city center (InterContinental or similar): ~140,000 IHG points Cash equivalent for two: $5,900+ Points cost: ~$290 in taxes and fees

Flying Blue miles are one of the best-kept secrets in the points world. They transfer from both Chase and Amex, and their pricing to France is exceptionally competitive — often 30–40% less than competing programs for business class.

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💳 CARD OF THE MONTH: IHG One Rewards Premier Card

Annual fee: $99 Current sign-up bonus: 140,000 IHG points (after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months)

IHG — the company behind InterContinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, and Hotel Indigo — is quietly one of the best hotel programs for points travelers. Here's why this card earns a spotlight:

The 140,000-point sign-up bonus is one of the largest in the hotel card space. At many IHG properties, that's 5–7 free nights. Even at premium InterContinental locations, it's 3–4 nights.

The card earns a free night certificate each year (at properties up to 40,000 points per night), which alone covers the annual fee. You also get automatic Platinum Elite status — upgrades, late checkout, and welcome amenities.

For travelers who want good hotels in interesting locations without chasing elite status through dozens of nights, IHG makes it easy. The program rewards cardholders generously even if you only travel a few times a year.

👉 [Read our full IHG Premier review →] # (Affiliate link — supports WanderWise at no cost to you.)

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💡 POINTS STRATEGY OF THE MONTH: The Value of Positioning Flights

Here's a strategy that can save you tens of thousands of points on international flights: the positioning flight.

The concept is simple. Business-class award seats from major hubs (JFK, LAX, ORD) to Europe are highly competitive. But from smaller airports or secondary hubs? Often wide open.

The move: instead of searching for a direct flight from your home city to Europe, book a cheap positioning flight (on points or even cash) to a hub that has better award availability, then book your international flight from there.

Example: Business class from Charlotte to Paris might show nothing available. But business class from Washington Dulles to Paris has two seats open on the same day. A $79 domestic flight to Dulles (or 5,000 Southwest points) saves you 40,000 points on the transatlantic leg — or makes the impossible possible.

The key is thinking of your trip as two separate bookings: getting to the right departure city, and then flying internationally from there. It adds a connection, yes. But the savings can be enormous.

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🗣️ COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

[This month's spotlight comes from the WanderWise community.]

"September in Bordeaux was the best trip of our lives. And I don't say that casually — we've been traveling for 40 years. The weather was perfect. The wine was flowing. The crowds were nonexistent. We spent five days eating, drinking, and wandering. Total cost on points: $310. My only regret is not going sooner." — Margaret and Paul W., Ohio

Where did September take you? Reply and share your shoulder season story.

Not in the community yet? → [Join WanderWise Travelers →]

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📅 UPCOMING DATES & DEALS

  • Now: Last call for October travel bookings on points. Award seat availability narrows significantly after mid-September.
  • Late September: Holiday travel planning starts now. November and December award seats are already filling. If you're traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is your booking window.
  • September 15: Several airline programs adjust their award charts in October. Any trips you've been considering — book them before potential price increases.
  • October 1: Our next newsletter focuses on holiday travel planning — getting home (and away) without the stress.

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❓ ASK MICHAEL

"I've been earning Amex points for three years but I've never transferred them anywhere. I just use them for statement credits. Am I doing it wrong?" — Karen S., Texas

Karen, you're not doing it wrong — but you're leaving significant value on the table. Statement credits give you about 0.6 cents per point. Transfer those same points to an airline partner like ANA, and each point can be worth 2–3 cents. That's a 3–5x difference. For 100,000 Amex points, that's $600 as a statement credit versus $2,000+ in business-class flights. The transfer process takes about five minutes. If you'd like a walkthrough specific to your point balance, reply and I'll guide you step by step.

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September is proof that the best things in life don't require crowds, premium pricing, or perfect planning. They require showing up at the right time — and knowing what you have.

You have the points. This is the time.

👉 [Book a Free Consultation →] /concierge

Until next month — travel well.

Michael

P.S. — Of all the months I write this newsletter, September is my favorite. Because shoulder season isn't a compromise. It's an upgrade that most people never discover. The ones who do? They never go back to peak season travel. Welcome to the club.