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From the Supplement to the 123rd Annual Meeting |
Final Reminders about Housing, Travel,
and Ground Transportation
By
Housing Arrangements
Once preregistered, attendees must make reservations directly with hotels in the AHA’s block, the Hilton New York, the Sheraton New York, the Waldorf=Astoria, and the Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square.
Standard room reservations: As of November 3, the headquarters Hilton New York and overflow Waldorf have sold out. Approximately one-half of the 1,500-room block at the Sheraton is available as of early November. Reservations will be accepted until December 12, 2008; after this date, remaining inventory (if any) will be released for general sale. If rooms are still available in the AHA block after December 12, the Sheraton has agreed to offer the AHA’s meeting rate, $129 single and double with $30 each additional person, until the block sells out. See the AHA’s web site for the latest information on availability and contact information for each property. If all hotels sell out, additional housing options will be posted on the AHA’s web site.
Suite Reservations: As of November 3, suite inventory has sold out at the Hilton and Sheraton. To make changes or cancel a previously made suite reservation at these hotels, call the number listed on the suite confirmation.
Suites remain available at the Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square, with inventory added as needed. Once preregistered, attendees will receive information on making a reservation via the internet or toll-free number.
Travel Arrangements
Association Travel Concepts (ATC) has been selected as the official travel agency for the 123rd annual meeting. Special air, train, and car rental rates are available with American Airlines, Amtrak, Avis Rent A Car, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. To take advantage of rates and special benefits, e-mail ATC at reservations@atcmeetings.com or check for additional information at http://www.atcmeetings.com. Click on “Meetings” and go to “Air–Meetings and Leisure (TravelASP).” When registering, use the online booking tool and enter “AHA” in the Company or Organization or Association field. ATC is available for reservations from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Discounts apply for travel Tuesday, December 30, 2008 through Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Ground Transportation
Arriving by Air
New York City is served by three airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). All airports offer excellent ground transportation throughout the day with service available between airports to the hotels.
Taxi Service
Taxis are readily available outside the baggage claim areas at each airport. Exit the terminal and walk to the ground transit area, where the taxicab dispatcher will hail a cab. Approximate taxi fares from the airports to Manhattan are: LaGuardia, minimum $30 (rides are metered and bridge tolls and tip are extra); Kennedy, flat rate of $45 (plus tolls and tip); and Newark, flat rate ranging from $30 to $38 (toll and tip extra). Depending upon the airport, the trip can range from 30 to 40 minutes, though it can be much longer in rush hours.
Bus Service
All airports have bus service into Manhattan. At LaGuardia the New York Airport Service offers rides from the airport to midtown hotels, $12 one way. From Kennedy, New York Airport Service buses charge $15 one way. At Newark, Coach USA offers bus service (the Grey Line) for $14 from the airport to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. From this point, attendees can take the subway’s E train toward Jamaica Center to 7th Avenue and 53rd Street for an additional $2, or take a short taxi ride to the hotel.
Mass Transit
More often than not it is best is not to use the Metropolitan Transit Authority (the city’s public transit) when traveling to and from the airports. Although riders can save a few dollars, subways and buses that currently serve the airports involve multiple transfers, and riders must drag luggage up and down stairs. The one exception is the subway service to and from Kennedy, which connects the airport’s own train, the AirTrain, to the E train on the New York City subway; the E train goes to a station within a block of the Hilton and Sheraton. This trip takes at least an hour and a half and costs $7. The subway can actually be more reliable than taking a car or taxi at the height of rush hour. However, this isn’t the best option if bringing more than a single piece of luggage since there’s a good amount of walking and some stairs and there is nowhere to put extra bags on the subway train. If you are a seasoned—or an adventurous—traveler, you can map a ride from the airport to the hotel on the MTA’s web site, www.mta.info.
—Sharon K. Tune is the AHA's convention director.
Last Updated: December 15, 2008 2:00 PM