Travelore News: Lufthansa’s Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Are Now Available For Booking On Flights Departing From March 29

As the partial certification of the new Allegris Business Class in the Dreamliner has made further significant progress in recent days, the seats – with the exception of three seats in the second row – are now expected to be approved even earlier. For travel from March 29 – and thus in time for the start of the summer flight schedule – bookings are now possible for 25 of a total of 28 seats.

On February 16, the Lufthansa Group announced that the seats would be available for booking from April 15. Now, Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 can be booked, with virtually no restrictions, for flights from the end of March. At least ten Dreamliners are expected to be in service from Frankfurt at this time. With 25 Allegris seats available for booking starting today, over 200 additional business class seats in the state-of-the-art and successful Allegris class will be available for purchase every day.

From Frankfurt, Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. From June, the destinations will be New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July. The Dreamliner will also fly to Toronto, Montréal, Lagos, and Malabo, initially with some flights featuring Allegris and others without.

The Boeing 787-9 has been flying with Allegris from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Nine brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 20 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

Travelore News: United Just Drastically Changed How Miles Are Earned

The move makes it easier for credit card holders to earn miles and signals a broader shift in airline loyalty, with rewards increasingly tied to an airline’s financial ecosystem.

Some United loyalists will be happy and some will not. Photo by Evan Wise/Unsplash

United Airlines is revamping how travelers earn and redeem miles, with changes that hinge on just one factor: whether you hold a co-branded credit card.

The Chicago-based carrier announced that members of its MileagePlus loyalty program who carry a United credit card will earn miles faster and gain access to more favorable award pricing. Those without a card, however, will see reduced earning rates, effectively widening the gap between occasional fliers and card-carrying members.

United’s move reflects a broader shift in airline loyalty, with rewards increasingly tied not just to how often you fly but also to how deeply you engage with an airline’s financial ecosystem. For travelers who book with United only a few times a year, that means earning miles more slowly and needing more of them to book an award ticket. That is, unless you’re willing to add a credit card to your wallet.

Here’s a closer look at the changes.

How earning United miles will change

It’s been a decade since United shifted from distance-based earning to revenue-based rewards, tying mileage accrual to how much a passenger spends rather than how far they fly. Now, starting with tickets purchased on April 2, that’s going to be segmented even further.

Overall, the new changes are a mixed bag. First, passengers without a United credit card will see their earning rates drop by as much as 40 percent. For instance, a non-status MileagePlus member previously earned five miles per dollar spent; beginning April 2, that rate falls to three miles per dollar. By contrast, that same non-status member with a United credit card will earn six miles per dollar.

The result is a wider earnings gap between cardholders and non-cardholders, with the latter accumulating miles more slowly for the same ticket purchase.

Breakdown of changes based on elite status and credit card

MileagePlus member (non-elite)

Previous earning: 5 miles per dollar

New earning: 3 miles per dollar

New earning with co-brand credit card: 6 miles per dollar

Premier Silver elite

Previous earning: 7 miles per dollar

New earning: 5 miles per dollar

New earning with co-brand credit card: 8 miles per dollar

Premier Gold elite

Previous earning: 8 miles per dollar

New earning: 6 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 9 miles per dollar

Premier Platinum elite

Previous earning: 9 miles per dollar

New earning: 7 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 10 miles per dollar

Premier 1K elite

Previous earning: 11 miles per dollar

New earning: 9 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 12 miles per dollar

In addition, starting on April 2, customers who book United’s basic economy fares will no longer earn miles, unless they have elite status or hold one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards. The move brings United in line with competitors such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have also restricted basic economy passengers from earning miles—although United’s policy is somewhat more flexible, given the elite and credit card exceptions.

For United frequent fliers who already carry a co-branded card, the updates could unlock faster earning and more accessible award space. For occasional travelers, however, extracting value from MileagePlus may now require a deeper financial commitment than simply booking a ticket.

https://www.afar.com/authors/chris-dong How redeeming United miles will change Under the new structure, United co-branded credit card members will get at least 10 percent off every United award flight they book. Members who hold both Premier elite status and a co-branded credit card will save at least 15 percent. Cardholders will see those savings clearly labeled on United’s app and website when making a booking. The airline also says it will make additional award seats available in United Polaris business class exclusively for credit card members.

Travelore Tips: Why International Travelers Should Enroll In The STEP Program

Whether you’re a seasoned digital nomad or a first-time international tourist, safety is often the last thing you want to think about while packing. However, as global conditions can change in an instant, having a direct line to the U.S. government is one of the smartest moves you can make.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that keeps you connected and informed while you're abroad. Here’s why it should be at the top of your travel checklist.

1. Real-Time Safety Updates

When you enroll in STEP, you receive the latest Travel Advisories and Alerts for your specific destination. These aren’t just generic news clips; they include critical information on:

Security alerts (civil unrest, protests, or crime spikes)

Natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, or volcanic activity)

Health alerts (disease outbreaks or local medical crises)

Routine messages regarding U.S. embassy services, such as voting or tax information.

2. Emergency Assistance & Evacuation

In the event of a major crisis—like the geopolitical tensions currently affecting the Middle East—the U.S. Embassy uses STEP data to account for citizens in the area.

Repatriation: During large-scale emergencies, enrolled travelers often receive priority for information regarding special evacuation flights.

Direct Contact: If you are caught in a disaster zone, the embassy can contact you directly with instructions on where to find safety or how to reach the consulate.

3. Help for Your Family at Home

If a family emergency happens back in the States while you are off-grid or in a remote area, the State Department can use your STEP information to help your family reach you. It serves as a vital bridge when standard communication channels fail.

4. Lost Passport? No Problem.

Losing a passport is a traveler's nightmare. Because the STEP system stores your travel and contact information, it can significantly speed up the process of verifying your identity and issuing a replacement at the nearest embassy or consulate.

How to Enroll (It Takes 5 Minutes)

The State Department launched an updated version of STEP in late 2024. If you haven't traveled recently, you may need to re-enroll in the new system.

Visit the official portal: Go to step.state.gov.

Create an account: You can use a Login.gov account for easy access or sign up as a guest.

Enter your itinerary: Add your destination(s), travel dates, and a local phone number.

Stay Updated: If your plans change, simply log in and update your locations.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to pair your STEP enrollment with comprehensive travel insurance. While STEP provides the information to stay safe, insurance covers the costs of medical emergencies or trip interruptions.

Travelore Cruise Tips: 10 “Hidden” Fees Cruise Lines Are Adding in 2026

Cruise fares may appear clearer thanks to new pricing transparency rules, but 2026 brings a different challenge. Several major cruise lines are introducing new onboard charges, service limits, and booking restrictions that reshape what a base fare actually covers.

Credit: Getty Images

These confirmed changes affect dining, room service, island visits, and reservation terms, which add costs that travelers may not expect when booking next year’s sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing a $5 fee for any entrée ordered beyond the first two in the main dining room on 2026 sailings. The company frames the policy as a measure to reduce food waste. Passengers accustomed to unlimited ordering now face direct per‑plate charges in standard dining venues.

Norwegian is also reshaping in-cabin dining. Breakfast orders include one hot and one cold item per guest. The all-day menu allows two items per order. Delivery fees stay the same. Additional food means placing another order and paying another delivery charge.

Specialty dining reservations on Norwegian cruises now come with a new consequence. A $10 per-person fee applies if guests skip a reservation without canceling in advance. Specialty restaurants already carry cover charges. This adds a reservation accountability fee on top. It mirrors airline no-show penalties and signals a more structured dining system at sea.

Cunard is adjusting a long-standing tradition. Complimentary room service will only run through breakfast hours until 10 a.m. starting in 2026. Orders later in the day will include service fees. Cunard built part of its brand on old-world luxury touches. This marks a shift toward modern cost control even in premium cruising.

Beginning March 1, 2026, Norwegian beverage packages will no longer be valid on Great Stirrup Cay. Guests with prepaid drink plans must purchase beverages separately once ashore.

Silver Cove villas on Great Stirrup Cay will cost $950 per person per day in 2026. A group of four pays $3,800 for one day of private access. The rate covers the space and exclusivity. Food, drinks, and other island services remain extra.

Princess Cruises now makes non-refundable deposits the standard choice for 2026 sailings. Guests get a lower upfront fare. They lose deposit protection if plans change. Refundable bookings still exist but cost more.

WiFi, gratuities, spa access, and specialty dining are increasingly being excluded from base fares on major lines. Advertised cruise prices may remain stable, but travelers must budget separately for services that were once included in the core fare.

Norwegian’s delivery fees stay at $4.95 for breakfast and $9.95 for the all-day menu in 2026. The new item limits mean those fees now cover fewer dishes. Guests pay the same delivery price for smaller orders and pay again for second deliveries.

Major cruise brands are expected to follow Princess by tightening refund rules for 2026 bookings. Flexible cancellation is now available only for higher-priced fare tiers. Travelers who want peace of mind must pay more up front. Budget fares come with stricter commitment.

https://farandwide.com/s/author/jordan-omalley/

Step Inside History: America's First Hospital Transforms Into A Museum This Spring!

History buffs and medical enthusiasts, get ready for an exciting new destination in Philadelphia! America's first hospital, the venerable Pennsylvania Hospital, is set to open its doors as a brand-new museum this May. Just in time for the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations, this transformation promises a fascinating journey into the origins of modern medicine in the United States.

Apothecary Shop: The left image shows a historic pharmacy or apothecary, likely from the early 20th century, featuring shelves filled with medicine bottles. Nursing Education: The right image depicts a nursing class, showing students in vintage uniforms receiving instruction, likely from the same era.

Imagine walking the same halls where groundbreaking medical care was administered centuries ago. The historic Pine Building of Pennsylvania Hospital will house eight captivating galleries and exhibits. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore the meticulously preserved historic library, offering a glimpse into the medical knowledge of the past. The impressive surgical amphitheater, where students once observed pioneering procedures, will also be a key highlight. And don't miss the newly restored apothecary, showcasing the pharmaceutical practices of early America.

Exclusive Sky Garden Floor Opens At Four Seasons Philadelphia With Eight Ultra-Luxury Suites

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center announces the official opening of Sky Garden, unveiling a residential-style floor that redefines luxury living in the sky. Designed by award-winning 1508 London, Sky Garden brings together three defining pillars—art, wellness, and epicurean—into a deeply personal, immersive experience available exclusively to guests of this floor.

More than a collection of amenities, Sky Garden was envisioned as a composed environment—where proportion, materiality, light, and landscape work quietly together to shape emotion. This residential-style floor privileges calm over spectacle and intimacy over scale, inviting guests to experience luxury in a way that feels personal and unforced.

Featuring four guest rooms, two one-bedroom suites, a two-bedroom suite and an expansive two-bedroom penthouse, each accommodation is tailored to the discerning traveller and delivered with Four Seasons signature hospitality and intuitive service. The garden-in-the-sky concept draws inspiration from the floor’s Wildflower Green Roof, offering a lush backdrop to city views and enhancing the expansive private terraces featured in select accommodations.

Art: A Curated Collection Above the Clouds

Curated by Hanabi: Art and Artists, a premier art consultancy, and drawing on inspiration from Philadelphia’s design heritage and cultural identity, the Sky Garden art collection was conceived to evoke the feeling of a private home. From eclectic groupings in the foyer to tranquil spa works and bespoke pieces in every guest room, the pieces express a dialogue between past, present, and future—reinforcing Sky Garden’s role as a refined sanctuary in Philadelphia.

Featuring works from both local and internationally sourced artists, the collection draws on themes of geometry, natural materials, and bold line work, blending timeless elegance with unexpected details. Central to the artistic narrative is the influence of Alexander Calder, whose legacy is deeply rooted in Philadelphia. Inspired by Calder’s dynamic exploration of movement, form, and balance, the collection incorporates strong lines, vibrant contrasts, and unexpected forms—creating a modern interpretation of his iconic style within an elevated residential setting.

Wellness: A Sanctuary in the Sky

Nestled on the floor is an exclusive treatment room designed as a private refuge where mind, body, and spirit are nurtured—empowering guests to restore clarity, replenish energy, and elevate vitality in everyday life. The concept, High Vitality, is guided by three curated pillars—Reset, Rest, and Rise—offering restorative journeys that go beyond a traditional spa visit to deliver personalized treatments focused on longevity, resilience, and sustained vitality.

Partnering with leading wellness experts and select brands, High Vitality gives guests access to tools, techniques, and rituals that can be continued long after their stay—offering not just a moment of renewal, but a blueprint for balanced living. Guests may enhance treatments with advanced wellness technologies including a PEMF mat, red light therapy, and an infrared sauna blanket, supporting optimal performance, recovery, and long-term well-being.

To further integrate the wellness experience, the Sky Terrace Penthouse accommodations also feature a private studio, equipped with a Peloton bike, Echelon Reflect Fitness Mirror and a Technogym Home workout bench.

Culinary: An Elevated In-Room Experience

The floor features exclusive culinary experiences that redefine in-room dining. Guests staying in the Sky Terrace Suite and the 4,000-square-foot (375 square metre) Sky Terrace Penthouse will have access to menus curated by Philadelphia’s celebrated chef partner restaurants—Vernick Fish and Jean-Georges. Bespoke touches, such as curated flatware and custom glassware designed by a local glassblower, transform the suite into an intimate stage for exceptional gastronomy, blending world-class artistry with the privacy of a sky-high setting.

Select accommodations also include spacious kitchens and a dedicated butler’s pantry, offering ease and flexibility for those traveling with private chefs, hosting lavish dinner parties, or enjoying extended stays with full kitchen amenities.

An Intimate Expression of Four Seasons Luxury

With its residential sensibility, curated art collection, exclusive wellness concept, and bespoke culinary moments, Sky Garden represents a new expression of luxury at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia—one that prioritizes a residential-inspired lifestyle, personalization, and purposeful design.

“The Sky Garden floor commands a new standard of luxury in the region,” says Cornelia Samara, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center. “Every element was designed to anticipate our guests’ desires—offering personalized touches, elevated comforts, and a sense of home that reflects the warmth and care at the heart of Four Seasons hospitality. The concept of Sky Garden lies not in what is added, but in what is carefully composed, creating an experience that feels deeply residential and effortlessly refined.”

Sky Garden unfolds as a sanctuary above the city—an environment where art, wellness, and culinary excellence converge in harmony, prioritizing calm over spectacle and intimacy over scale.

Be among the first to discover the newest accommodations by calling +1 215 419 5000 or emailing res.philadelphia@fourseasons.com to reserve.

Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Now Available For Booking

With Allegris, Lufthansa introduced a completely redesigned cabin concept for long-haul flights in the summer of 2024. The Allegris cabin has been flying around the world from Munich in the Airbus A350-900 for over a year and a half, and since October 2025, Allegris has also been flying from Frankfurt in a brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

After further important milestones in the certification process were reached in recent weeks, nothing now stands in the way of the approval of Allegris Business Class in the Boeing 787-9 – with the exception of three seats in the second row of the compartment. As of today, 25 of a total of 28 seats in Business Class can be booked for travel from April 15.

When booking, travelers have the option of selecting special Allegris seats in Business Class. Reservations for Classic Seats remain free of charge and offer all the benefits of the new travel class. Passengers can also book seats with additional comfort (the Business Class Suite, the Extra Space Seat with extra legroom, the Privacy Seat by the window, and the Extra Long Bed with a 2.20-meter lying surface) in advance via seat reservation for an additional charge.

From Frankfurt, the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. New York JFK and Los Angeles will be added in June, followed by Delhi in July.

Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Airlines: “Our guests love Allegris. More than one million passengers have traveled in the new cabin since summer 2024. We are delighted to be able to offer significantly more passengers this top-of-the-range product for bookings from Frankfurt starting today. Allegris is an experience in all classes; the approval of the majority of seats in Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 is an important milestone for Lufthansa – and above all, great news for our customers!”

Allegris has been flying in the Boeing 787-9 from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Eight brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 21 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.