Starting to check into flights and hotels. Airlines don't open seats until 11 months prior, and hotels seem to be the same. I expect it to be a competitive free-for-all amongst all the revenue seats, travel groups, other frequent fliers. Does anyone have any tips? For air, my preference is to fly direct from USA to mainland without having to connect, so United and Continental seem to be only choices so far. For hotels in Beijing, I'm focusing on the major point-earning franchises, such as Hyatt, Marriott, etc.

Thanks