Hotel Brands Bullish on China

As Sofitel unveils another of its prestigious properties in China, the Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich in Guangzhou’s central Tianhe area, it marks the fourth Sofitel in that city alone. Sofitel’s 493 suites and rooms join the thousands of other new hotel rooms opening or planned in China by major international brands this year.

Sofitel’s 20th property in China — and the eight more it plans by 2015 — are part of the tremendous growth spurt that spans the market from luxury Sofitel to more modest Marriott Courtyards. Marriott, which already operates 56 hotels there, plans 44 more in the next three years to bring the total to 100 across its three brands. Starwood’s Sheraton plans nine new resorts throughout China by the end of this year.

Late last year, Hilton opened the 311-room Hilton Xi’an, its first in northwest China and 20th in the country, close on the heels of opening two Hilton properties in Guangzhou within a month of each other. More than 80 additional Hiltons are planned in China.

Why has China burst on the scene as such a hot market for international hotel brands? Apart from the obvious reason — China’s rapid economic growth as both urbanization and the middle class proliferate — leisure travel plays a major new role. China now welcomes more than 25 million international visitors annually, a number that grows each year, making it a prime candidate for investment in hotel beds. Along with the growing number of business travelers, these tourists will be looking for lodging, and Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich — with its five bars and restaurants, walk-through wine cellar, conference and meeting rooms and upscale spa — will have plenty of competition luring them.

In the Chips

Hope is on the horizon for American credit card users in France, England and the many other countries that use a chip-and-pin system instead of a magnetic strip. Chase’s British Airways Visa will offer American cardholders both technologies in one card, making it the only card of its kind. Where credit cards are scanned in the presence of a live person, the lack of a chip is merely an annoyance and a delay, as the clerk can usually override the refusal. But in unmanned kiosks in some European rail stations and many gas stations, it makes American cards useless. Will other cards follow? With enough pressure from frequent travelers, it’s a good bet.

Safer Scans

The European Union is banning the use of backscatter body scanning machines due to concerns about the safety of X-ray technology, which could potentially increase the risk of cancer, especially for frequent travelers. Millimeter wave scanners, which do not use X-rays, will be the only scanners approved for E.U. airports.

Sharing in Honolulu

American Airlines and Japan Airlines now jointly welcome passengers in JAL’s Sakura Lounge at Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The 7,000-square-foot shared Admirals Club/Sakura Lounge on the third level of the overseas terminal offers complimentary WiFi, massage lounge chairs and complimentary beverages and snacks. This announcement comes as AA expands access with other partner airlines, allowing Admirals Club members to use premium lounges where American flies but does not have an Admirals Club, including Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Budapest (BUD), Delhi (DEL), Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG). Members can now access 33 Qantas Club locations and 10 partner clubs worldwide by presenting an Admirals Club membership card along with a same-day boarding pass on an AA-operated and -marketed flight. Visit http://www.aa.com/admiralsclub

Merger Momentum

United Airlines began installing all-new flat-bed seats, on-demand audio and video programming and iPod connectivity in the premium cabins of 12 Continental Boeing 767-400 aircraft and 14 United 767-300 aircraft. Part of the $550 million investment to upgrade its fleet that was announced last year, the 767 cabin makeovers will give United Continental the most flat-bed seats of any U.S. carrier. The 26 aircraft, which primarily serve trans-Atlantic, Latin American and Hawaiian markets, will offer BusinessFirst and economy cabins. Other upgrades slated for 2012 and 2013 include new in-flight entertainment systems, increasing the number of economy-class seats that offer extra legroom and expanding overhead baggage space. Along with upgrades to the existing fleet, 25 new aircraft will be added in 2012, among them the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Visit http://www.united.com

Dubai and Doha Dailies

Emirates begins daily flights on its new route between Dallas (DFW) and Dubai
(DXB) this month, adding the daily Seattle (SEA) to Dubai service March 1. Visit
http://www.emirates.com/us

Beginning May 1, United Airlines will launch daily service between its Washington/Dulles (IAD) hub and Doha, Qatar (DOH), via Dubai. Doha joins Dubai, Kuwait City (KWI) and Bahrain (BAH) as the fourth city in the Gulf region served by United from Washington/Dulles. Visit http://www.united.com

Codeshares and Alliances

As airberlin prepares to join the oneworld airline alliance this year, passengers can already book codeshare flights with American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia Airlines, Malév Hungarian Airlines, S7 and Royal Jordanian. Visit www .airberlin .com. American Airlines signed codeshare agreements with OpenSkies, a premium subsidiary of British Airways, and Fiji-based Air Pacific. The former gives American’s customers more travel options to and from Europe and gives OpenSkies customers easier access to major business markets in the United States. American will place its code on OpenSkies flights between Newark (EWR) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY), with codeshares also extending to connections via Newark to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA). The Air Pacific agreement will give American’s passengers more access throughout the South Pacific, as American places its code on Air Pacific flights between Nadi (NAN) and Los Angeles (LAX), Honolulu (HNL) and Suva (SUV). Visit http://www.aa.com

Skier Special

Porter, the 5-year-old Canadian airline, launched its first non-stop route between Newark (EWR) and the ski resort of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec (YTM), with weekly flights through April 8. These flights join Porter’s twice-weekly seasonal Mont-Tremblant–Toronto (YTZ) and Toronto–Burlington, Vt. (BTV), service. Visit flyporter.com

New Auto Leasing Options

Wheels in Europe, the American agent for Renault’s popular Eurodrive buy-back leasing program, has added Volkswagen’s comparable program, giving drivers choices ranging from the Polo to the Passat. For those traveling three weeks or more, leasing is not only less costly on average but also offers a number of benefits over traditional car rental: a brand-new car, complete new-car warranty, fully comprehensive insurance with no deductible, no one-way or second-driver charges, 24/7 multilingual roadside assistance and support by a network of thousands of service agents all over Europe. Visit http://www.vwdiscovereurope.com

More in Munich

Lufthansa reopened its Business and Senator Lounge in Munich International
Airport (MUC) Terminal 2 after renovations adding seating space for 100 more
passengers; a relaxation room; and a new bar offering coffee specialties, non-alcoholic
drinks and cocktails. Visit http://www.lufthansa.com

Taj Temptations

Book and stay at a Taj hotel in the United States through March 31 to earn double Avios points, plus take advantage of 50 percent off the second night — and each alternate night for longer stays. Available to British Airways Executive Club members only, the offer is good at The Taj Boston, The Pierre New York and The Taj Campton Place in San Francisco. Or take advantage of a special rate for three nights in a Superior Room at The Taj Cape Town in South Africa, with magnificent views of Table Mountain, and earn double points, too. Included are daily breakfasts for two, tickets for a Table Mountain tour, and complimentary transfers to Cape Town’s vibrant waterfront. Members must quote their British Airways Executive Club number when reserving at http://www.tajhotels.com

Points for Fun

Hilton HHonors has partnered with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, allowing members to redeem HHonors points for admission to SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, as well as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Awards cost from 11,000 points for a child’s single-day admission to SeaWorld San Antonio or Busch Gardens Williamsburg to 16,000 points for an adult (ages 10 and up) single-day ticket at SeaWorld Orlando. Hilton HHonors points are also redeemable at Disney properties, where multiday passes range from 90,000 points for an adult Disneyland 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket to 250,000 points for an adult Walt Disney World 7-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper. Visit hhonors1.hilton.com

Drive, Save, Earn

Book a car rental with Avis or Hertz any time through March 31 at http://www.united.com to save up to 35 percent on rental fees and earn 75 United MileagePlus award miles per day plus 150 bonus award miles. Elite members earn an additional 50 bonus award miles per day and 150 bonus award miles. No flight is required to earn miles. Visit http://www.united.com

Maine Stay

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s snug and cozy inside Maine’s Inn by the Sea, overlooking Crescent Beach on Cape Elizabeth, 20 minutes from the dining and arts scene of Portland. And a winter package makes it even cozier. The Winter Warmer Package begins with two nights in a Spa Suite — an ocean-view duplex with a fully equipped kitchen, loft bedroom and oversized marble bathroom with an air-jet tub. Added are daily full breakfast for two, spiked hot chocolate in the Fireside Lounge, two pairs of L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers, two 60-minute hot stone massages at the SPA and Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich’s cheese fondue for two. It’s offered through March 31, and no winter driving is required: Major carriers fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM) from JFK, and Amtrak serves Portland from Boston; New York; and Washington, D.C. Visit www.innbythesea.com.

Winter Wonderland

Revel in winter with ice skating, bonfires with marshmallows and hot cocoa, and snowshoe and cross country ski trails, all within minutes of the Northeast’s best skiing. New Hampshire’s Mountain View Grand packages through April 13 include three nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, a historic tour and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow-covered mountain landscape. National Trust for Historic Preservation members book through http://www.historichotels.org for a further 10 percent off. Visit http://www.mounainviewgrand.com.

Indulgence in India

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts offer two special packages to guests traveling in India before March 31. Oberoi Exotic Vacations includes a premier room for two, transfers between the hotel and local airport or railway station, daily breakfasts and a 25 percent discount on spa services. Oberoi’s India in Luxury package offers experts to manage travel, sightseeing, spa experiences and shopping in India for stays of 10 to 22 nights. Included are a premier room for two, transfers between the hotel and local airport or railway station, transfers between cities, all meals at the hotel, spa therapies, domestic air travel, entrance charges to attractions and guide fees. Oberoi properties are located in Udaipur, Ranthambhore, Agra, Jaipur, Shimla in the Himalayas, New Delhi, Mumbai and Gurgaon. Visit http://www.oberoihotels.com