NEWS & OFFERS: New BA Singapore Lounge, ITA confirms Star Alliance and 15% off IHG Rededemptions

ITA confirms Star Alliance membership as Lufthansa purchase closes

ITA Airways has announced its entry into the Lufthansa Group, after the closing of the transaction in January. A new partnership between ITA Airways’ loyalty program Volare and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More has  also been announced. This collaboration allows the 2.7 million Volare members to earn and redeem points on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Similarly, the 36 million Miles 
During the 2025 summer season, starting on March 30, 2025, additional benefits will be available to passengers which include:

• Lounge Access: ITA Airways passengers will have access to approximately 130 Lufthansa Group lounges, while Lufthansa Group passengers will be able to use ITA Airways lounges.
• Terminals at Frankfurt and Munich Airports: ITA Airways will move its operations to Lufthansa Group terminals at both German hubs, making transfers for passengers easier and faster.
• Codeshare agreements will be introduced between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group carriers.
• Harmonized Connections: Flights between Lufthansa Group hubs (Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, and Brussels) and ITA Airways’ primary airports (Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate) will see harmonized frequencies and schedules, offering passengers a broader choice and shorter
  connections between flights.

It was also announced that ITA Airways has completed its exit from the SkyTeam alliance. The exit phase, which will end on April 30, 2025, has been designed to continue to offer benefits during the transition. ITA Airways will continue to collaborate with selected SkyTeam member airlines through existing bilateral agreements, maintaining the benefits available to its customers.

ITA Airways will shortly begin the process of joining Star Alliance with completion expected by early 2026.

New BA Singapore Lounge first look

You can find our guide to the Oneworld lounge available at Singapore in this article. BA reopened their revamped lounge in Singapore in mid-December 2024, but more details and photos have emerged.

The lounge is near the Qantas lounge on level 3 of Terminal 1 after security and is open from 3pm to midnight.

Like before, there are two sections with what used to be The Bar, now Concorde dining, and the main Club section. The lounge has all new furniture and artwork.

While the Concorde Dining area is still windowless, they have at least improved the lighting. Previously, it felt like the lift in a W hotel, it was so dark! The menu has also been enhanced, and now there are British dishes such as herb-crusted beef tenderloin and sticky toffee pudding alongside local dishes, including cashew satay chicken or Lion Mane mushroom curry.

In the Concorde Dining area there are three Champagnes including Joseph Perrier and Bollinger as well as three whiskies with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Glenlivet 18 year old, and Bowmore 18 year old.

In the main section, there is still a buffet, but there is also a QR code menu with champagne and cocktails. There is ample space to work with workspaces and power outlets. There are also some individual booths and rest areas. I have not seen it mentioned, but I would assume there are still some showers as well. 

15% off IHG reward nights

IHG regularly offers discounts on redemptions, but the latest offer only applies to new and renovated hotels. However, it is worth checking the list in case a hotel you are interested in is on the list.

You need to make sure you are logged in to your IHG One Rewards account before you book, and then you should see the reduced price. Note the expiry date of the offers carefully, as some you must book and stay by the end of February, some by the end of March, and the rest by 30 April. They are clearly denoted on the list as such. 

You can find a list of all the included properties on the offer page here.