Once a year, a bunch of miles, points, and travel rewards nerds gather in Chicago to swap tips and tricks, learn about miles and points, and see their friends that they’ll usually see once a year. The Chicago Seminars is a unique gathering of the travel rewards community that I try to attend every year.
A few days ago, the organizers of the Chicago Seminars announced the new dates and location of the Chicago Seminars in 2024. If you are into travel rewards, this is a must-attend event. If you can make it to Chicago for the seminars, do it. You won’t regret it.
When are the Chicago Seminars in 2024?
The Chicago Seminars are going to be held on September 20-22, 2024. The seminars officially start at 5:30pm on Friday, September 20th with opening remarks and a reception and conclude at 4:00pm on Sunday, September 22.
I highly recommend showing up on Friday mid-day to mingle with the people who show up early. Plus, book the latest flight you can out of Chicago O’Hare on Sunday. The after-parties in the airport lounges are always a hoot.
Where is Chicago Seminars being held in 2024?
This year, the Hyatt Regency Chicago O’Hare is hosting the event. I’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency several times—it is my go-to airport hotel at O’Hare and it will surely be an upgrade over the Holiday Inn Elk Grove.
The Holiday Inn Elk Grove has hosted the event since its founding, but the event’s needs have grown beyond what that hotel can handle and the staff that worked so hard to make the event a success in its early years have moved on. It was past time for a change of venue.
How much will it cost to attend the Chicago Seminars?
In 2024, the admission price of Chicago Seminars jumped up to $299 for early bird tickets. That’s quite a leap from what it has been in the past, but it is not unreasonable in my view. In 2022, I was one of the people who stepped in to help organize the event when it was at risk of falling apart at the last minute and I got plenty of exposure to the kinds of things that need to be done to put on an event like this.
Putting on an event like this is expensive. There are so many small expenses that add up—registration system, marketing, nametags, lanyards, table coverings, catering, A/V equipment—and that’s before you pay the expenses of the speakers.
This is the conference that taught me pretty much everything I know about maximizing travel rewards programs. I’ve crisscrossed the globe several times in business and first class on some of the world’s best airlines. And I’ve stayed in luxury hotel suites on points that would have otherwise cost a month’s salary. And all of that was made possible by what I learned at Chicago Seminars. And even as an expert, content creator, and presenter at past Chicago Seminars, I always learn something new. For the value that I’ve gotten out of the conference as an attendee in the past, $299 is a steal.
How to register for the Chicago Seminars
There is a registration link on the home page at chicagoseminars.org.
Will Cards and Points be at the Chicago Seminars 2024?
Unfortunately, the Cards and Points team won’t be able to make the Chicago Seminars in 2024 due to a hard commitment that weekend. But you should still go. You will undoubted learn a ton about how to use miles and points over the weekend. And I’ll be jealous that you got to go!
We are in contact with the organizers and will definitely be at the 2025 event if it is at all possible.
Bottom line
The Chicago Seminars is one of the best miles and points conferences happening this year. Registration is now open. If you’re into travel rewards and available on the weekend of September 20-22, 2024, you should absolutely make the time to go to this event.
