Hotwire hotel booking - I can't go. Can anything be done?

[Ember]

I have a three night stay booked at a 4 star hotel in Boston. Due to the recent diagnosis of my mother having terminal cancer, I won't be going. Does anyone know if there's anything that can be done? At the very least, can the reservation be changed so that someone else can use my already paid for stay??

 

[ryanshana]

I have a three night stay booked at a 4 star hotel in Boston. Due to the recent diagnosis of my mother having terminal cancer, I won't be going. Does anyone know if there's anything that can be done? At the very least, can the reservation be changed so that someone else can use my already paid for stay??

Hi, I have not a clue to your answer...but I wrote on your other post about your mom.....I wrote a really long one. My mom passed away young also and was only given 6 months also. And one of the best things for...well...both of us. Was making as many memories as we could. Could maybe you and your mother make like a girls trip to Boston instead?

Just a thought.

Maybe if you call Hotwire and explain the situation they would be understanding?

 

[Bren's Mom]

I'm sorry about your mom.

Seems to me there's no harm in trying. Call Hotwire first and see if they'll cancel it and refund (you could even offer a doctor's note maybe?) or just give you a credit toward a future Hotwire stay.

If that doesn't work I'd try the hotel directly to see if they'd allow you to change the name on the reservation.

 

[AndreaDM]

If they're anything like Priceline, forget it. I had a hotel booked through PL a few years ago, then my niece passed away - I called and tried to plead my case, but no go. I'm sure they get a lot of bogus excuses from people trying to get their money back, so those of us who have had real reasons to cancelled, can't. At least mine was just one night around $40. I did have 3 theater tickets that didn't get used either that same week, no refund.

So sorry about your mother!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

If nothing else you may be able to call the hotel directly and ADD someone else's name to the reservation so that at least they can check in and use the reservation.

So sorry to hear about your Mom.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you give someone else the reservation, it should be able to be used; as it is completely paid for in advance. Unlike the airlines, hotels are normally quite OK with one person paying for a room that someone else will use (as long as the someone who uses it is not an unaccompanied minor.) I wouldn't try to sell it at auction, though -- THAT they might balk at.

You won't be able to get any sort of refund or credit.

 

[librarygal]

Most hotels don't ask for a driver's license for prepaid reservations just a credit card for incidentals. I have a different last name than my DH and have presented my cc to the front desk with no problem. If you can find someone to go it should work especially if they are a couple. If the reservation is in a man's name have the woman in the other party check in and say the DH is parking the car and vica versa.

 

[torinsmom]

Does Hotwire offer insurance? I know Priceline does, because I got it for $5/night just in case. It is good if someone in your party gets sick and you can't go. Otherwise, I think the rule is no refunds or changing dates. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, and I would hope they would be understanding in your situation.

I am really sorry for your loss.

Marsha

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am so sorry to her about your mom.

Nothing to lose by calling the hotel directly and asking for a Manager, perhaps going after future credit would be easier too.
I would then call Hotwire direct and see if they can do ANYthing.

Again, I am so so very sorry for your situation with your mom, you and your family are in my thoughts!!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Most hotels don't ask for a driver's license for prepaid reservations just a credit card for incidentals. I have a different last name than my DH and have presented my cc to the front desk with no problem. If you can find someone to go it should work especially if they are a couple. If the reservation is in a man's name have the woman in the other party check in and say the DH is parking the car and vica versa.

Actually... I am always* asked for ID for prepaid reservations (whether Priceline or Dispatch), as recently as 2 weeks ago.


* "always" is defined as 99.995% of the time in deference to Jestocoast's policy on absolutes

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I've always been asked for id as well. I also have inquired about the cancelation policy due to my hubby being in the military. I was told that reservations cannot be transfered. It has to be the person whose name is in the reservation. Also, there are no exceptions or refunds. I'm sorry if this isn't the answer your looking for. Good wishes for your mother.

 

[kelleigh1]

So sorry to hear about your Mom.

Do you know exactly which hotel it is yet? I don't think it will hurt to call Hotwire to see what they can do. If there's a "no exception" policy, I would try calling the hotel directly to see if they can work with you for perhaps transfering the reservation.

 

[Ember]

Thank you, all. I appreciate everyone taking the time to answer.

 

[hmdavid]

So sorry to hear about your mother. My prayers are with you and your family.

I think that you should be able to be refunded for your hotel. Last winter we had a weekend booked at a hotel through Priceline. My 7 year old came down with pneumonia and we were unable to go. After talking to a supervisor at Priceline, they asked for the phone number of our Dr. so that they could verify and said that after doing so they would refund for the hotel. This was a Saturday morning. By Monday morning the money had been refunded, so I don't think they even verified with the Dr. Definitely call Hotwire and ask to speak with a supervisor. Hopefully in light of the situation they will work with you. Best of luck.

 

[lh193]

I think you are out of luck. There are always people who have managed to get a refund, but they are a rare case and got a lucky exception. Think about it...your low hotwire/priceline price is due to the fact that it is a non-refundable advanced purchase reservation. If you book a hotel room through the hotel chain they often offer you two choices 1.) a lower rate but non-refundable or 2.) a higher refundable rate. That is the choice you make while booking.

Things happen that force vacations to be cancelled. That is why they sell travel insurance. The travel industry hears so many sad stories but they can't afford to give everybody refunds...they would go out of business. People think the hotels are heartless and should understand, but they would be totally taken advantage of by people making up stories to save a few bucks. Lots of people think "I'm healthy, I won't have any problems". But there are always sicknesses, accidents, etc., so I always get travel insurance when making big ticket non-refundable travel purchases.