Bilt's September Rent Day transfer bonus could get you to London for just 3,000 Bilt points. On Sept. 1, Bilt Rewards is offering up to a 100% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red, with the size of the bonus depending on your Bilt status. Virgin Atlantic awards from the East Coast to London can be as low as 6,000 points one-way in economy, so a full 100% bonus could cut the points cost in half.

United is also offering a shortcut to airline elite status, with a special challenge for members in New York and Chicago. Members can get matched elite status for 120 days, then lock it in through next year by completing just two qualifying flights.

And Google is making it easier to see award pricing for programs including Alaska, American, and Hilton through AI Mode. It's helpful when it works, but the results can be hit or miss.

You don't need a Bilt credit card to earn Bilt Points. Join Bilt Rewards for free and earn points on purchases you're already making while still earning rewards from your credit card.

Take Lyft, for example. Link your Bilt and Lyft accounts to earn 2X Bilt Points on eligible rides. You can also earn bonus points at participating restaurants, Walgreens, and fitness studios through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits.

Can't get a Global Entry interview? If you're conditionally approved, you don't need one. Look for Enrollment on Arrival next time you clear U.S. customs, and you can finish the whole process right there.

Have a travel or points question? Submit it here and it may be featured in a future episode.

Tomorrow is Sept. 1, which means summer is basically over, and suddenly pumpkin spice drinks are back on the menu. But there’s a points angle here.

We’ve got a big Bilt Rent Day transfer bonus, a shortcut to airline elite status, and Google’s latest attempt to make booking travel with points a whole lot easier.

Let’s start with Bilt, because Rent Day is tomorrow.

If you’ve never heard of Bilt, it’s a rewards program that lets you earn Bilt points through housing payments and everyday spending, then use those points for travel and transfers.

You can join for free, link your credit cards to your Bilt Wallet, and earn points on eligible everyday spending, like dining at participating local restaurants and Lyft rides. So, no, Bilt isn’t just about rent anymore.

Tomorrow’s headline is a big one.

Bilt is offering a transfer bonus of up to 100% to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red. Your bonus depends on your Bilt status, from 25% for Blue up to 75% for Platinum, and Platinum members can use $200 in Bilt Cash to unlock the full 100%.

This transfer bonus is only available tomorrow.

Now, don’t transfer points just because you see a giant bonus. A transfer bonus is only a good deal if you already have a good way to use those miles.

And Virgin points can be really useful. Virgin Atlantic flights from the East Coast to London can start at just 6,000 points one-way in economy, or just 29,000 in business class. Virgin points can also be used to book Delta flights. A short nonstop like Los Angeles to San Francisco can start at 7,500 points one-way.

Just remember award availability varies, and taxes and fees can apply.

There are also some fun Rent Day perks that have nothing to do with travel. Bilt members can also book free SoulCycle and Barry’s classes, plus some unique dining, comedy, and other experiences in several cities.

If you don’t have a Bilt Rewards account yet, we’ll put a link below so you can sign up for free.

Now for another travel shortcut: shortcutting elite status.

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about airline or hotel status and thought, okay, but what does that mean, here’s the quick version.

Basically, elite status is how airlines and hotels reward you for giving them a lot of your business. Depending on the program, it can mean free checked bags, upgrades, priority boarding, better hotel rooms, free breakfast, or lounge access.

Normally, you’d earn it by spending a lot or traveling a lot with the same company. But there are ways around this.

A status match lets you show one airline or hotel that you already have elite status somewhere else, and they may give you comparable status for a limited time, instead of starting at the bottom with a new program.

United actually has a status match program open to anyone, but there’s a particularly good version happening right now if you’re in New York or Chicago. The general challenge requires more qualifying flights, while this version only requires two.

Eligible members can get matched status for 120 days after an eligible United flight, then lock it in through next year by completing those two flights.

And no, you don’t need to become that guy in the Patagonia vest who’s at the airport more than he’s home. Some premium hotel credit cards will even give you elite status automatically, or help you earn it faster through elite-night credits.

If you already have airline or hotel status, search “status match” plus the program you’re considering. You might be leaving a shortcut on the table.

Speaking of searching, Google is making a pretty big move into the world of points and miles.

Google’s AI Mode can now show award pricing for programs such as Alaska, American, and Hilton, with more coming soon. Instead of logging into five different accounts to figure out your points options, you can just ask Google and see everything in one place.

There’s one asterisk, though. I’d still verify everything before transferring points or booking. I’ve tested these searches, and sometimes the award space it shows doesn’t exist when you click through.

For now, treat it as a starting point. Tools like Points Path are still better for comparing cash and points side by side in real time.

Alright friends, that’s it for today. Go check your Bilt account before Rent Day tomorrow, see if you’ve got a status match sitting around, and let Google help with some of the searching.

Have a great start to your week, and I’ll see you Wednesday.