Housing,Travel and Tourism
Housing,Travel and Tourism
 
Print


Housing and Travel:
Tourism: 

Make a Hotel Reservation

Registration and housing are open.

Registration and housing must be done simultaneously. In addition, your AERA membership must be current through 2015 in order to receive the discounted AERA rate. Once you complete your registration, your registration summary will include a link to make an online hotel reservation. The link can be accessed from the online registration summary screen or the email registration confirmation. In the online registration summary screen, select the button “Hotel Reservations” that appears in the upper left side of the screen. In the email confirmation, select the link “Hotel Reservations” in the upper right side of the email.


How to Register and Make a Hotel Reservation:
  1. Login
  2. Click ‘My AERA’ at the top of the page. 
  3. On the ‘My AERA’ page, scroll down to the 2015 Annual Meeting.
  4. Click ‘Register and Make Your Hotel Reservation Now’. 
  5. Once you complete your registration, you can make your online hotel reservation by clicking the Hotel Reservation button in the upper left side of the registration confirmation summary screen. 

Special meeting group rates and exclusive AERA promotions and incentives have been negotiated with hotels near the Annual Meeting events. Register and request housing early as rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please reserve your hotel room through the Official AERA Housing Bureau to obtain the special group rates. Do not contact the hotels directly; the hotels will not accept reservations directly.

In order to qualify for the AERA member rate, your membership must be current through 2014. This means that if your membership expires in December 2014, you must renew your membership at the time of registration in order to qualify for the member rate. AERA will not refund the difference in your registration rate if you register before renewing your membership.


Housing Information and Policies

AERA Official Housing Bureau Customer Service
For housing assistance or to modify your reservation, please contact Housing Customer Service at email: aera@connectionshousing.com or phone: 800-262-9974 or 404-842-0000.

If you are booking your reservation online and would like to make a reservation at a hotel you do not see listed in the available hotel options that appear as your choices, please contact the housing bureau for assistance.    

Deposits
Reservation(s) must be guaranteed with a credit card or check in the amount of one night’s room and tax for each room reserved in order to be processed. The hotel at which you have placed a reservation, not the AERA Housing Bureau, reserves the right to charge a deposit of one night’s room and tax on March 16, 2015. Deposits for hotel reservations may be charged to American Express, MasterCard, or VISA and cards must be valid through April 2015. Purchase orders are not accepted as payment. If you wish to pay by check, you may hold the room with a credit card and then mail a check to Connections Housing/AERA, 950 Scales Road, Bldg. 200, Suwanee, GA 30024. Checks must be received by March 16, 2015. Make checks for housing payable to AERA Housing Bureau in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank.

Changes or Cancellations in Hotel Reservation
All changes and cancellations must be made through the AERA Housing Bureau March 16, 2014. After this date (subject to change), contact the hotel directly for changes and cancellations. Reservations cancelled within 72 hours of arrival will forfeit all deposits or be charged applicable cancellation fees.

Reservation changes can be made online or by phone, e-mail, or fax. Cancellations must be made in writing to the AERA Housing Bureau by fax at 404-581-5913 or by e-mail to aera@connectionshousing.com.

Please be aware that AERA registration and AERA housing are operated by two separate entities. For registration changes or cancellations, please call 800-893-7950 or 484-751-5136.


Travel Discounts

Airline Discounts

Ground Transportation Discount
GO Airport Express offers airport shuttle services between O'Hare and Midway Airports and downtown Chicago hotels at remarkable savings. These fares are only available through this reservation portal. Click Here to make your airport shuttle reservation/s. 

WEB SPECIAL:  20% discount on all shared-ride shuttle service.

Amtrak Discounts
Amtrak offers a 10% discount off the best available rail fare to (Chicago, IL) between (April 13, 2015 – April 19, 2015).  To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1 (800) 872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. 

Conventions cannot be booked via Internet.  Please be sure to refer to Convention Fare Code
X45U-915 when making your reservation.  This offer is not valid on the Auto Train and Acela Service.  Fare is valid on Amtrak Regional for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts.  Offer valid with Sleepers, Business Class or First Class seats with payment of the full applicable accommodation charges.


Hotel Listing, Rates, and Map

Headquarter Hotels

For the 2015 Annual Meeting the headquarter hotels where sessions will be held are the Fairmont Chicago, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Intercontinental Chicago,  Marriott Magnificent Mile Chicago,  Sheraton Chicago, and Swissotel Chicago. The Intercontinental Chicago is the headquarter hotel for NCME.

Hotel Listing

View and download full size (PDF)
1. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile*+

540 N. Michigan Ave.

2. Courtyard by Marriott Magnificent Mile
165 E. Ontario Street

3. Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North
30 E. Hubbard Street

4. Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park*+
200 N. Columbus Drive

5. Hampton Inn and Suites
33 W. Illinois Street

6. Hilton Garden Inn
10 E. Grand Avenue

7. Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown
40 E. Grand Avenue

8. Hotel Chicago, A Marriott Autograph Collection 
333 N. Dearborn Street 

9. Hyatt Regency Chicago*+ 
151 E. Wacker Drive 

10. Inn of Chicago Magnificent Mile 
162 E. Ohio Street 

11. InterContinental Chicago*
505 N. Michigan Avenue 
(NCME Headquarter Hotel) 

12. Residence Inn Chicago Downtown River North
410 N. Dearborn Street 
13. Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers* 
301 E. North Water Street 

14. SpringHill Suites Chicago Downtown/River North 
410 North Dearborn Street 

15. Swissotel Chicago*+ 
323 E. Wacker Drive 

16. Westin River North+ 
320 N. Dearborn Street 
   
* Denotes Co-Headquarter Hotel
+ Hotel offering special incentives to guest that make reservations by certain dates. See “Special Promotions” for details.


Hotel Map, Rates, Descriptions, and Amenity Chart

Hotel room rates will range from $175-$285 with the average rate around $225 exclusive of 15.5% tax.

Registration rates will remain the same. The early rate for an AERA member will be $195 and for a non-member $400. Non-members can join AERA for $150 and save on the registration fee.


Accessibility Rooms and Shuttle Service

AERA will be providing a shuttle service for persons with disabilities. Shuttles will travel between the Fairmont Chicago, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Intercontinental Chicago,  Marriott Magnificent Mile Chicago,  Sheraton Chicago, and Swissotel Chicago Hotels. Shuttles will depart approximately every thirty minutes and will loop continuously throughout the day. AERA signs will be posted at all boarding sites identifying the location as an AERA Access Shuttle pick-up and drop-off site. To reserve an ADA compliant room at one of the hotels on the shuttle route, please contact our office for assistance.


Ground Transportation


Special Discount
GO Airport Express offers discounted airport shuttle services between O'Hare and Midway Airports and downtown Chicago hotels for AERA Annual Meeting attendees. Learn more

From Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is 21.8 miles outside of downtown Chicago. Approximate time to downtown ranges between 50-60 minutes depending on the time and day and mode of transportation. For more information on airport transit, visit the website for the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Taxi: There are Taxi Stands at the lower-level curb front (outside of baggage claim) at each terminal. Taxi service is available to the city of Chicago and suburban destinations. Please make sure to use the designated Taxi Stands to ensure you have a licensed driver. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.

Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from O'Hare to downtown Chicago is $30-40. For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website. For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: 1.855.WAV.1010

Shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip. Shared ride fares from O'Hare include:

  • Downtown ($24 per person)
  • Midway International Airport ($37 per person)

Car Rentals: O'Hare International Airport offers a variety of options for vehicle rentals. Each rental car company offers free shuttle service. The shuttles pick up at the arrival curb front located at the lower level outside of baggage claim. Each terminal has designated areas an the out-most curb front where shuttles board. Please visit this website for a list of all Rental Car agencies and phone numbers available at ORD.

From Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

The Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is 10.8 miles outside of downtown Chicago. Approximate time to downtown ranges between 25-30 minutes depending on the time and day and mode of transportation. For more information on airport transit, visit the website for the Chicago Midway International Airport.

Taxi: Taxi stands are located on the lower level curb front of the terminals, and taxis are available on a first come, first serve basis. To ensure you have a licensed taxi driver, please be sure to use the taxi stands.  All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.

Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from Midway to downtown Chicago is $28-30. For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website. For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: United Dispatch at 1.800.928.1010


Shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip. Shared ride fares from Midway include:

  • Downtown ($18 per person)
  • O'Hare International Airport ($35 per person)

Car Rentals: Midway International Airport offers a variety of options for vehicle rentals. Midway’s New Rental Car Facility hosts all of its rental companies in one convenient location. The New Rental Car Facility is located at 5150 W. 55th Street. Passengers can access the rental car shuttle pick up at the arrival curb front which is located at the Lower Level door #3 outside of Baggage Claim. Please visit this website for a list of all Rental Car agencies and phone numbers available at MDW.


Travel Tips

Phone Numbers:
You may want to keep the following phone numbers at hand:

  • Emergency: 911
  • Police/Fire/City Services non-emergency: 311

Time Zone
Chicago, Illinois is in the Central Time Zone. Daylight savings time is in effect from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November.

Weather
Average daily high temperature in April is 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Average low is 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to Wear
Dress in layers because Chicago weather can be unpredictable and temperatures can change throughout the day. Remember to pack boots or galoshes to keep your feet warm and dry, don't forget a lined spring coat as well as sweaters and scarves.