Entrance/Exit Requirements
China is now accepting applications for 10-year visas for business and short-term tourism via the China Embassy website. Other visas will be extended for five years.
Currency News
The Argentine government has created a new agency, the Trade Operations Tracking Unit, to keep track of imports and exports. It also announced that it intends to keep tightening currency restrictions. At the same time, tax officials and Central Bank leadership have increased their attempts to crack down on black market dollar exchanges, including new raids on currency exchange houses and stockbrokers.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
Brazilian low-cost carrier Azul will launch service between the United States (Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood and Orlando) and Brazil next month. The carrier is currently offering several deals, however, reports say that the best prices can be obtained only via the airline's Portuguese website, and that travelers must already have a Brazil visa and fly to less-popular airports in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Reports also say that many of the best prices are only applicable flying TO Brazil, so passengers may pay more for a return, one-way flight or redeem frequent flier miles on another airline.
American Airlines' thrice-weekly service between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Rio de Janeiro will end on February 22, 2015.
Mexico and Central America
Aeromexico will reduce weekly flights between Mexico City and Madrid from 10 to nine as of January 1, 2015.
Avianca will introduce four weekly flights between Lima, Peru and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on January 2, 2015.
Caribbean
Virgin Atlantic will resume service to Tobago on March 29, 2015 with a weekly London Gatwick - St. Lucia - Tobago route.
Delta Air Lines will begin weekly seasonal service between Minneapolis/St. Paul (Minnesota, U.S.) and Montego Bay, Jamaica on January 18, 2015. It will begin seasonal weekly flights between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Nassau, Bahamas on January 17, 2015.
International Connections
United Airlines will launch twice-daily service between Denver, Colorado (U.S.) and Miami International Airports on December 19. Service will drop to daily on January 6, 2015.
British Airways has introduced Airbus A380 service between London's Heathrow Airport and Miami, while at the same time reducing weekly flights on the route from 17 to 14.
Airline Alliance News
United Airlines has launched codeshare service with germanwings, placing United's UA code on 19 European routes.
United Arab Emirates-based Etihad Airways and Air Europa have expanded codeshare service, placing Etihad's EY codes on flights between Madrid and the Spanish cities of A Coruña, Bilbao, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Tenerife North and Vigo.
Air New Zealand will resume codeshare operations with Singapore Airlines Group as of January 6, 2015. NZ codes will appear on Singapore Airlines service between New Zealand and Singapore and beyond to Europe, South Africa and Southeast Asia. NZ codes will also appear on Silkair service to Southeast Asia.
Other Airline News
Spirit Airlines wants to develop Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport as a base for Latin American flights by adding 10 new destinations from the airport (including three in Mexico and four in Central America) during 2015.
Delta Air Lines is looking to triple its gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with plans for 150 flights per day by 2017. The airline hopes to expand its West Coast hub and increase trans-Pacific flights.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will upgrade the interiors of its fleet of Boeing 777-200 planes in both business and economy classes with increased legroom, a new in-flight entertainment system,ergonomically-optimized headrests and full-flat seats in business class.
QANTAS has announced a new in-flight dining offering for economy classes, with a wider choice of meals, 50% larger servings and faster service.
Airport News
United Airlines is upgrading the technology within its terminal (C) at Newark Liberty International Airport by adding 6,000 new iPads in shops, restaurants and gate seating a - which travelers can use for free to check flight status, surf the web or order food. United has also installed 10,000 new power outlets. Renovations in the terminal are still ongoing.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport operators agreed to partner with airlines to invest $1 billion into the airport over the next decade.
Loyalty Program News
Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Emirates airline partnered to allow elite Emirates Skywards and Starwood Preferred Guest members to earn reciprocal benefits, including elite check-in, late check-out, free in-room Internet access and priority check-in and boarding on Emirates flights.
Southwest Rapid Rewards members can earn bonus points for purchases made through the airline's shopping portal through November 23.
Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn 500 bonus points for updating their spg.com membership profile and registering for the current "More for You" promotion before December 15.
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Hyatt Place Ciudad del Carmen
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Hotel News
As of January 1, 2015 Hilton will no longer allow same-day, penalty-free cancellations of reservations. Guests must cancel by 11:59 p.m. the previous night or will be charged for their first night.
The Hyatt Place Ciudad del Carmen opened in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico. The 140-room hotel is located next to Palmira Shopping Mall and national and international petroleum and energy company headquarters, and offers free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast, a 24/7 Gallery menu, 1,420 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 24-hour business center.
The former Dreams Puerto Vallarta will re-open in mid-December after a $20 million renovation as the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. The property offers tequila sommeliers, 24-hour in-suite dining service, an adults-only pool, swim-up suites and multiple restaurants.
The Caribbean's Harbour Village Beach Club on the island of Bonaire has completed a major upgrade and renovation, including remodeling of its The 5-star PADI instructor development center and dive shop and a new outdoor deck added to the resort's restaurant.
Ground Transportation Services
Airport van transportation company SuperShuttle has begun operating at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The service will provide to/from airport transportation from residential homes, hotels, offices and universities as well as for conventions and large business meetings in the Atlanta area.
