Anybody use hotwire?

[momtoamulan]

Priceline is only for two adults..we are bringing our two children...i heard hotwire can be families...

 

[jeepwreck]

ya i would like to know too. i saw a commercial for them tonight and was wondering the same if they are any good

 

[Northstar]

Well, I've used Hotwire about 3 or 4 times (for 1 or 2 night stays at hotels in Orlando, Vancouver, and Detroit).

I used it instead of Priceline because of the family thing... didn't want to get a room with a single queen bed that would leave my DD sleeping on the floor! I also didn't want to mess around with bidding. I like that you can see the prices they're offering.

Also, you might end up paying extra fees (parking and/or resort fees) when you check in to your hotel. Hotwire has nothing to do with these fees and they can't make the hotels take them off.

Anyway, all of my experiences worked out fine BUT I've heard that in the last year or so, there have been more complaints and problems, especially with the car rentals and flights.

Why not check the boards over at betterbidding.com? They'll have the most up-to-date information on what kinds of experiences people are having.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Northstar covered my thoughts on this. I use hotwire when I'm 2+2. But I've never rented a car or taken a flight through them.

 

[alohamom]

I find I get incredible rates doiing the Hotwire vacation combo. We have used this a few times, including last march to California and the May before to Orlando. What I like is the total flexibilty with the vacation option, you can pick your hotel/condo and your flight time - it is not a wait and see what we give you type of thing and for a destination like Orlando there are tons of options. Check it out before you book just the hotel

 

[glenpreece]

Well, I've used Hotwire about 3 or 4 times (for 1 or 2 night stays at hotels in Orlando, Vancouver, and Detroit).

I used it instead of Priceline because of the family thing... didn't want to get a room with a single queen bed that would leave my DD sleeping on the floor! I also didn't want to mess around with bidding. I like that you can see the prices they're offering.

Also, you might end up paying extra fees (parking and/or resort fees) when you check in to your hotel. Hotwire has nothing to do with these fees and they can't make the hotels take them off.

Anyway, all of my experiences worked out fine BUT I've heard that in the last year or so, there have been more complaints and problems, especially with the car rentals and flights.

Why not check the boards over at betterbidding.com? They'll have the most up-to-date information on what kinds of experiences people are having.

I love Hotwire I use it all the time. Do a google search and there's a forum out there that lists each city and each area with what hotel you are possibly booking. Just match up the amenities. Each time I've booked I've figured out my hotel before I booked it and it's been right every time.

 

[damo]

I love Hotwire I use it all the time. Do a google search and there's a forum out there that lists each city and each area with what hotel you are possibly booking. Just match up the amenities. Each time I've booked I've figured out my hotel before I booked it and it's been right every time.

www.betterbidding.com

 

[momtoamulan]

One night stay with 3 stars in Buffalo during the night we want...i will hold off a little longer..we have two weeks to find a nice room for a night..lol.

 

[baby_tran]

Try hoteldealsrevealed.com too.

 

[jeepwreck]

through hotwire they dont show you any of the hotels names or where they are located, how do you know what hotels you are looking at if they dont tell you?

 

[baby_tran]

For example, if I look up Orlando, the first listing I see for this weekend is a Downtown Orlando hotel. Its 3.5 stars for $54. Some of the amenities say "smoke-free, pool, fitness centre, etc."

If I go to www.hoteldealsrevealed and check hotwire listings for Downtown Orlando area, there's only 1 hotel thats 3.5 stars that is smoke-free....that would be the Crowne Plaza. There could be other possibilities too. Knowing what the possibilities are, then go to tripadvisor and read reviews about each of the possibilities.

Some of the other sites allow people to post what they got...for example, someone might post saying they got a 3.5 star in Downtown Orlando for this weekend for $54, it has a pool and smoke free rooms...they ended up getting the Crowne Plaza...this would verify what you suspect.

I usually prefer to choose something 3 stars or higher for longer stays. If its just one night, then I can survive on 2.5 stars as long as it has free internet and free breakfast.

 

[webworm]

Priceline is only for two adults..we are bringing our two children...i heard hotwire can be families...

I have booked through Priceline and Hotwire but I would say that 8 out of 10 times the savings are greater with Priceline. While it is true that Priceline does not guarantee 2 beds there has only been one time in many many bookings that I got 1 King bed. Even with that there was a pull out sofa in the room so it worked out with 4 of us travelling. I always call the hotel directly after booking once my bid has been accepted and I have never had a problem getting 2 beds in the room with no extra charge.

 

[momtoamulan]

I looked at some of the hotels that they said I might get, and while some might save 20 dollars...some are actually cheaper on the hotel website...now, I am really confused!

 

[doris1976]

I have used Hotwire for everything, rooms, flights, cars. I generally do these separate in some way as I get a better price then booking all three at the same time as one package. Never had any problems and generally get the best price overall.

 

[webworm]

One night stay with 3 stars in Buffalo during the night we want...i will hold off a little longer..we have two weeks to find a nice room for a night..lol.

I have gotten the only 3.5*hotel in all 9 geographic zones when bidding on priceline for a hotel. It is the Buffalo Marriott Niagara and I got it for $60 just a few days before my actual stay. The best part is that I could leave my vehicle there for 10 days parking with no charge and took the free shuttle to the airport. We got 2 beds in the room without any problem. You can bid up to 9 times within a 24hr period just by adding another geographic zone. The 3.5* is under Buffalo Amherst. Betterbidding has not been updated yet since it has the Hotel Indigo as a 3.5*. It is now a 3* Hotel and is the Hilton Doubletree.

Buffalo - Niagara Falls (Buffalo - Amherst)
3.5* Hotel Indigo (previously 3*)
3.5* Marriott REVIEW

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bufny-buffalo-marriott-niagara/

 

[michelle1]

I have used Hotwire many times over the last 5 years and have gotten some really cheap rates on hotels. Another site I use is called Lastminute Travel and it works the same way as Hotwire, however, it shows photos of the hotel rooms, pool area etc so it's easy to figure out what you are getting by matching the photos posted on the hotel websites.

 

[jeepwreck]

ok thanks that one is good you can see pictures and even in a few cases the actual hotel

 

[FayeW]

I have used Hotwire many times over the last 5 years and have gotten some really cheap rates on hotels. Another site I use is called Lastminute Travel and it works the same way as Hotwire, however, it shows photos of the hotel rooms, pool area etc so it's easy to figure out what you are getting by matching the photos posted on the hotel websites.

I was fooling around with Hotwire earlier in the week checking prices for a trip to Orlando in Feb. Someone recommended lastminutetravel.com and I was able to match up the photos + the number of tripadvisor reviews and figure out that the hotel I was interested in was Buena Vista Suites. I booked it for just under $90 per night, which was comparable to the Hotwire rate (although I can't be sure if it was the same hotel on Hotwire!)

What I really liked about lastminutetravel.com was that although you pay in full at the time of booking, the reservation can be cancelled up to 3 days before arrival for a full refund. It's great to have such a terrific rate locked in 5 months in advance, but still be able to get a refund if your plans change. That eliminates the need for trip insurance for the hotel portion as well.

 

[momtoamulan]

And then call the hotle, if you won the bid to change the amount of guests? Our girls our 9 and 5.

 

[momtoamulan]

They didnt have a three and a half star for a family of four..i was charged 90.00 for the millenium...a little disappointing, as I only save 10.00...i thought that i would have saved more....sigh.

I dont get park and fly...free brekkie...dont know if I will try hotwire again.