Hotwire.com Reviews

Hotwire used to be my "hot hot hot" travel planning website, about 7 or 8 years ago.  Now, not so much. This travel site does offer options for booking airfares, car rentals, and hotels and is often quite competitive but there are some things about the site I just can't get past. 

When booking with Hotwire.com:

• I don't get my Frequent flyer miles 
• It is like priceline where you can't see the airline or company name until you book your adventure 
• the site has made some improvements along the way but it still is a bit of a pain to search and use, especially when going through your booking process ...

Hotwire used to be a great site for booking hotels. Back in 2004, If you researched your area well you could make some really great bookings - eg. Embassy Suites Manhattan for $135 in August or the Paramount at Time Square for $109 over Easter weekend. You had to realize that the sale was final and that some of the "Star" ratings varied from one travel site to another, but you could get some excellent hotels at the absolute lowest rates around.  Despite the odd disappointment I felt representation was fair and I still got value for my dollar.

A recent Hotwire experience has really changed my...

Hotwire.com is a vacation travel web site that helps customers find discounts on their vacation related needs. This web service is useful for travelers who are more flexible with their travel plans and are willing to tolerate a little bit of uncertainty in order to obtain the lowest possible price.

Web Site Commentary:

Hotwire.com offers many travel services. Flights, Lodging, Vacation Packages, Car Rentals, and Cruises are offered for sale here, with several different ways to narrow your search and find exactly what you want.  

I have used Hotwire.com on and off again since first signing up...

I used Hotwire.com for a car rental in Kailua-kona , HI.  When I read their disclaimer about not disclosing which company I would be using prior to reserving, I was concerned as I surely didn't want the terrible service of Alamo.  I took the gamble and lost.  

This was the first and last time I will use Alamo.  The vehicle was infested with roaches.  The staff was rude and unprofessional in satisfying the matter.  A replacement vehicle was provided upon request and a meager $20 "Quality Service Program"...

We booked our hotel via Hotwire.com for our anniversary trip to Chicago - this is the first time we used Hotwire.com.  Though we were very happy with the confirmed hotel, the Palmer House Hilton, we were not happy to find out about the small print for Hotwire.com.  The hotel took it literally and did not provide us with a bedroom on our first night, as they were full.  We had roll-in beds in a conference room!  If this is how a hotel of the Palmer House calibre can treat Hotwire.com customers, what will hotels of lesser stars for example do!  We will not be using Hotwire.com ever again.

If you like adventure AND mystery, and love a bargain - try Hotwire. The price savings are genuine and collecting on the prepaid voucher is problem free. There are SOME circumstances when you can have a reservation changed, but do not count on it.

The "pig is a poke" aspect is not as awful as it seems - the star ratings have been reliable; and we've done 5 star, 4 star, 3 star and 2 star.

Got a problem? Call 1 866 468 9473

I recently used this website to complete a car rental using a debit card.  The verbiage on the site as I started to book the car under the heading "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" was as follows:

The rental agency will require a credit card or debit card in the primary driver's name. Sufficient credit must be available for a deposit. Funds used for debit/check card deposits cannot be accessed until the car is returned. Amount of available credit required depends on car type, rental period, and optional items. If using a debit card for your deposit, contact the rental agency for its policy.

After...

Hotwire.com and Homestead Hotels (Hotel in Houston, TX Willowbrook area)

First time user of Hotwire.com, but never again. Booked my rooms days before my trip, of course you had to book your reservation before they would tell you what hotel they booked you at. Once I had the name of the hotel I went online to see what it looked like but once there I was very, very upset with the rooms. Went back to the Hotel Office who then told me I had to call Hotwire.com which I did who then told me sorry no refund. Even the hotel clerk informed me that she had other complaints from customers checking in or...

I went with Hotwire based on my brother's suggestion.  Mistake!  #1. There are no cancellations or changes (which is ridiculous).  Due to the current swine flu outbreak, I first wanted to cancel my reservations to San Antonio, but that was to no avail.  Next, I tried asking if I could change my reservation to another state (not so close to Mexico).  This was a no go also.  What jerks.  I was concerned about my son who has some breathing issues already.  The company is very unflexible and unwilling to work with people even in a pandemic crisis.  I will NEVER, EVER, EVER use such a company...

I have used hotwire.com several times with good results.  The hotels matched the general description given by hotwire (star rating etc.) but realized that I get treated differently by the hotel because I booked with hotwire (or another discount site, like Travelocity or Priceline).  This really isn't a review of hotwire so much as it just a warning... if you're booking a 4 or 5 star hotel and not paying full-price you might get treated poorly by the hotel staff.

For instance, I stayed at the Benson hotel in Portland, OR and paid full price and was treated like a queen... ended up there again...