While the schedule for the October 12-14 Chicago frequent flyer seminar isn’t up yet, and registration won’t be available though will be shortly, booking of the event host hotel is now live.

What I do know to expect is talks from at least Rick Ingersoll (Frugal Travel Guy), Brian Kelly (The Points Guy), Ben Schlappig (One Mile at a Time), as well as Mommy Points and others — both new speakers and repeats.

With hopefully 500 spots at the seminar, and certainly over 400, registration shouldn’t sell out immediately. Two years ago it filled up almost entirely and very quickly, but the registration fee was lower and included less so folks made speculative reservations even if they weren’t committed to attend. Lots of folks dropped out, some didn’t even bother to cancel, the $20 fee wasn’t enough of a commitment. SO things got re-arranged last year, $75 was the fee with more meals included. Eventually the seminar filled up but that really cut down on no shows and speculative bookings which is important because those meant people who wanted to attend couldn’t.

That said, and while I expect registration to remain available past the first few days (!) though perhaps not as long as last year, what does sell out right away is the host hotel. The event will be back at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Villag, the entire hotel should be booked up completely by attendees at the event, and there will be at least one overflow hotel.

They’ve made hotel bookings available via the dedicated link for the event rate. Rick passed along to me that that link is now open. He’s also mentioned that any bookings made outside of the block (which isn’t supposed to be possible) will be cancelled by the hotel — the entire hotel is set aside for this group, and the only method by which you’re assured a room is booking through the dedicated link.

Available rates are:

• $79 per night plus tax includes one breakfast coupon
  
• $89 per night plus tax includes two breakfast coupons
  

Note that you won’t want to make speculative bookings for the hotel, since the first night is non-refundable. But this hotel will fill up completely, and when that happens they’ll open up reservations at the overflow Holiday Inn & Suites O’Hare.

More information and discussion of the event >can be found at Milepoint.