The AAS and AGU Warn about Housing Pirates

A housing pirate is an unauthorized housing provider that often claims a vague affiliation with a conference and offers reduced rates to attendees. The AAS Executive Office is the official housing bureau for the TESS 2015 Meeting in Indianapolis and only they can guarantee room reservations and rates.

Be careful when entering into a financial agreement with any unofficial companies, as their legitimacy and policies may be questionable and show management will not be able to provide a resolution to issues related to such reservations. If another company besides the AAS contacts you, please contact the AAS Executive Office immediately at 202-328-2010 x106. Use the direct links below to ensure your reservation.

The AAS/AGU has secured a block of rooms for our meeting attendees at the following hotel.

All rooms rates are subject to 17% per room tax per night.

Reservations must be made by 4 April 2014 to ensure the group rate.

Frequently Asked Questions?

• Why should I book at these hotels?
  The hotel rates that the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and American Geophysical Union (AGU) has negotiated include many benefits for you and for AAS/AGU. Based on the number of rooms in our block of hotel rooms, the hotels provide complimentary meeting room space, event space, staff accommodations, and reduced food and beverage charges. These savings are passed on to attendees through AAS’s/AGU's inexpensive registration rates. If AAS/AGU is unable to meet its room-block commitment because attendees are making reservations at other hotels, the hotel may either charge us an attrition fee or remove some of the concessions to make up the lost revenue. If this were to become a trend, registration fees could increase.
   
• Is it important for me to let the reservations agent know that I'm associated with the TESS 2015 meeting?
  Yes. AAS/AGU receives credit only when registrants tell hotel staff that they are attending the TESS 2015 Meeting. Please make sure the reservations agent knows you are attending the TESS 2015 meeting — whether you or someone else makes your reservation — or make your reservation through the link on the TESS 2015 site and it will be handled automatically.
   
• Why does AAS/AGU reserve a block of rooms?
  AAS/AGU reserves a block of rooms to assure availability of rooms for meeting attendees, especially during the tourist season, when it can be very difficult to find an affordable hotel room. In addition, if AAS/AGU didn't reserve a block of rooms, we would be subject to room rental fees and full food and beverage costs, which would greatly increase the cost of holding the meeting.
   
• What is AAS/AGU doing to reduce these attrition fees and still keep the meeting affordable?
  
  AAS/AGU tracks sleeping room reservations and cancellations at the meeting so that it can more accurately block a number of rooms that will be filled by attendees in the future. However, every discount we receive at a hotel is based on the number of room nights we block, so as we reduce our block, we are consequently paying more for other services at the hotel. Reducing the block means that attendees will either have to pay a higher registration fee or possibly that the level and/or quantity of services and events will be lowered.

Please stay at The Westin Indianapolis!

Roommate Search Forum

Are you looking for a roommate to share the lodging expenses at the TESS 2015 Summit? Take advantage of the Roommate Search Forum to locate a match.