Housing, Travel, and Tourism
Housing, Travel, and Tourism
 
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Housing and Travel:

Tourism:


Make a Hotel Reservation

Registration and housing is currently open.
Registration and housing must be done simultaneously. In addition, your AERA membership must be current through 2016 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.

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 2016. This means that if your membership expires in December 2015, 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 14, 2016. Deposits for hotel reservations may be charged to American Express, MasterCard, or VISA and cards must be valid through April 2016. 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 February 22, 2016. 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 14, 2016. 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

Amtrak Discounts
Amtrak offers a 10% discount off the best available rail fare to (Washington, DC) between (April 5, 2016 – April 15, 2016). 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 X86Z-941 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 2016 Annual Meeting the headquarter hotel where sessions will be held is the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. The Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown is the headquarter hotel for NCME.

Hotel Map, Rates, Descriptions, and Amenity Chart
View the Map of Official Hotels, Hotel List and Rates, Hotel Descriptions, and Hotel Amenity Chart. Information will be posted in mid-December when registration and housing open. Hotel room rates will range from $210-$280 with the average rate around $250 exclusive of 14.5% tax.

Registration rates for members will remain the same. The early rate for an AERA member will be $195 and for a non-member $430. Non-members can join AERA for $180 and save on the registration fee.

Accessible Rooms and Shuttle Service

AERA will be providing a shuttle service for persons with disabilities. Shuttles will travel between the Marriott Marquis, Renaissance, and the Convention Center. 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 Housing Customer Service at email: aera@connectionshousing.com or phone: 800-262-9974 or 404-842-0000 for assistance.

Ground Transportation

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 3 miles south of downtown Washington, D.C. Approximate time to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center ranges between 20 - 30 minutes depending on the time and day and mode of transportation. For more information on airport transit, visit the website for the Reagan National Airport: http://www.metwashairports.com/dca/reagan-national-airport.

Taxi: There are Taxi Stands at the curb front (outside of baggage claim) at each terminal. Taxi service is available to the city of D.C. 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 DCA to downtown Washington, D.C. is $20-25.

For current fare information, please check the Reagan National Airport Taxi Fares.

For wheelchair accessible vehicles, passengers are encouraged to contact the taxicab dispatch office 24 hours in advance, please call: 703-417-4333.

Car Rentals: DCA’s Airport offers a variety of options for vehicle rentals. On-Airport rental car counters are located on the first floor in Terminal Garage A. Proceed directly to the rental car counters if you have an existing reservation or need to make a reservation. If you are a rental car club members, proceed directly to the 2nd or 3rd floor of Garage A to pick up your keys.

There are two ways to reach the pick up location for rental cars from the airport.

  • Ride: Board the “Parking / Rental Car” shuttle which stops at each terminal outside baggage claim. Get off at the Terminal Garage A/Rental Car stop.
  • Walk: Follow signs towards Terminal Parking Garage A, approximately 10 minutes from Terminals A & B and 15 minutes from Terminal C.

Please visit the website below for a list of all Rental Car agencies and phone numbers available at DCA: http://www.flyreagan.com/dca/rental-cars.

From Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. Approximate time to downtown ranges between 40-60 minutes depending on the time and day and mode of transportation. For more information on airport transit, visit the website for the Dulles International Airport: http://www.metwashairports.com/iad/dulles-international-airport.

Taxi: Simply follow the signs for Ground Transportation or Taxi to the lower level of the Main Terminal (down the ramp to Door 2 or Door 6) where a customer service representative will be available 24 hours a day. 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 Dulles to downtown Washington, D.C., is $60-68.

For current fare information, please check the Dulles Airport Taxi Fares.

For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: United Dispatch at 703-572-8294.

Car Rentals: Dulles International Airport offers a variety of options for vehicle rentals. Free shuttle buses take customers between the rental lot and the Main Terminal. Contact the rental company directly to make or change a rental car reservation. When picking up your car go from the Main Terminal baggage claim level, exit down the ramp towards Door 2, 4 or 6. Rental car shuttle buses are operated by each individual company. Look for company's logo on the bus before boarding. Please visit the website below for a list of all Rental Car agencies and phone numbers available at IAD: http://www.flydulles.com/iad/rental-cars.

From Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
The Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is 32 miles northeast of downtown Washington, D.C. 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 Baltimore Washington International Airport: http://www.bwiairport.com/en.

Taxi: The taxi stand is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the BWI Marshall terminal. Please note that this service is available from BWI Marshall only. For cab service to BWI Marshall, please consult your local cab company. BWI Marshall taxicabs are prohibited from charging flat rates. Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from BWI to downtown Washington, D.C., is $90.

For current fare information, please check the BWI Taxi Fares.

For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: BWI Dispatch at 410-859-1100.

Car Rentals: BWI Marshall Airport has opened a spacious, rental car facility providing one-stop rental car shopping for our customers. The facility is located at Stoney Run Road and New Ridge Road. Free shuttle service carries customers to and from the airport approximately every 10 minutes. Passengers arriving on flights should take the free shuttle from the lower level terminal for a ten-minute ride to the new facility. When returning a vehicle, look for highway directional signs to the facility. The Car Rental Facility is located at: 7432 New Ridge Rd. Hanover, MD 21076. Please visit the website below for a list of all Rental Car agencies and phone numbers available at BWI: http://www.bwiairport.com/en/travel/ground-transportation/trans/carrental.

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
Washington, D.C. is in the Eastern 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 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Average low is 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to Wear
Dress in layers because Washington weather in April can be unpredictable and temperatures can change throughout the day.