For International Visitors - Chicago 2005 - page 54

companies include Alamo ( & 800/
462-5266; www.alamo.com), Avis
( & 800/230-4898; www.avis.com),
Budget ( & 800/527-0700; www.
budget.com), Dollar ( & 800/800-
3665; www.dollar.com), Hertz ( & 800/
654-3131; www.hertz.com), National
( & 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.
com), and Thrifty ( & 800/847-4389;
www.thrifty.com).
If you plan to rent a car in the United
States, you probably won't need the
services of an additional automobile
organization. If you're planning to buy

or borrow a car, automobile-association
membership is recommended. The
American Automobile Association
(AAA) ( & 800/222-4357 ) is the coun-
try's largest auto club and supplies its
members with maps, insurance, and,
most important, emergency road serv-
ice. The cost of joining runs from $63
for singles to $87 for two members, but
if you're a member of a foreign auto
club with reciprocal arrangements, you
can enjoy free AAA service in America.
See “Getting There,” in chapter 3, for
more information.

FAST FACTS: For the International Traveler

Automobile Organizations Auto clubs will supply maps, suggested
routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency
road service. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the major
auto club in the United States. If you belong to an auto club in your home
country, inquire about AAA reciprocity before you leave. You may be able
to join AAA even if you're not a member of a reciprocal club; to inquire,
call AAA ( & 800/222-4357 ). AAA has a nationwide emergency road serv-
ice telephone number ( & 800/AAA-HELP ).
Business Hours Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Banks
are open weekdays from 9am to 5pm or later and sometimes Saturday
mornings. Stores typically open between 9 and 10am and close between 5
and 6pm Monday through Saturday. Stores in shopping complexes or malls
tend to stay open late, until about 9pm on weekdays and weekends, and
many malls and larger department stores are open on Sundays.
Currency & Currency Exchange Currency-exchange bureaus are relatively
rare in Chicago, so plan accordingly. When arriving in Chicago, you can
exchange international currency in Terminal 5 (the international terminal)
at O'Hare Airport. In the city, there are American Express offices at 55 W.
Monroe St. ( & 312/541-5440 ) and 605 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/943-7840 ).
Most banks will not exchange foreign currency. If you find yourself in need
of a foreign-exchange service while in Chicago, the Chicago consumer Yel-
low Pages lists names and numbers of foreign-exchange services under the
heading “Foreign Exchange Brokers.” In the Loop, try World's Money
Exchange, Inc., 203 N. LaSalle St. ( & 312/641-2151 ). Also see “Money”
under “Preparing for Your Trip,” earlier in this chapter.
Drinking Laws The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic
beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars,
nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when
you go out. In Chicago, beer and wine often can be purchased in super-
markets and large drug stores.