P3D Re: Get Reservations in Now!!!

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mary Ann & Wolfgang Sell wrote:

> Just wanted to be sure and remind you that we have
> a limited number of rooms in our host hotel this
> year.

We're going to have to have a chat with the convention
chairman.  Didn't we have *unlimited* rooms in prior
years???  ;-)

> You want to be sure and stay there (at $68
> a night, why not...right???).  Tell them you
> want the NSA rate so you get the best price.

Actually, this is not at all true.  First, I have been
offered a $68 per night rate when just calling inquiring
about rooms in general, specifically denying affiliation
with any group.  (I have also been offered a rate of
$99, so it's hit or miss.)

More importantly, there are ways to get a much better
rate.  If you have a AAA membership, ask for the AAA
Special Value Rate.  It is $55 per night.  If you are
an AARP member, request the AARP rate.  It is also $55
per night.  Both of these rates are capacity controlled,
so you must act early.  As of earlier today, rooms at
these rates were available.  (But all suites, except the
honeymoon suite, are already reserved, no matter what
rate you request.)

There may well be other ways to get the $55 rate (or
lower???).  If you already have a room reserved at the
NSA rate, the hotel will not reduce your rate.  You must
make a new reservation.  If you do, be sure to cancel
the old reservation afterwards.

Be forewarned, however, that if everyone reserves
rooms at the lower rates and the NSA does not fulfill
its contractual obligations, there could be adverse
financial consequences for the organization.  I'll
leave it to those closer to the NSA to explain in
more detail, if they so choose.

> Also, you want to send in your convention
> registration as well.  If you wait too long, you
> will miss out on the $10 early registration
> incentive!  This incentive discount only applies
> to folks who pre-register early.

Sound good to me!

Paul Talbot