Anyone use hotwire?

[amy-momofthree]

We have to go out of town for a wedding and I'm trying to find the best rates for a nice, clean hotel.

Hotwire is offering great rates on the area ($40 less a night than what I'm finding), but it doesn't give you a hotel name, it just says comparable to ....and gives examples.

Anyone ever use them?? You
have to pay upfront so that's why
I'm hesitating and you don't get the hotel name until after you've paid.

Thanks!

 

[QuickRewardsBecky]

Amy, there's a really cool website called BetterBidding.com that will help you figure out what hotel you'll get! When you go to their site, scan down to the Hotels - United States Priceline and Hotwire Winning Bids section, and look for the state where you're wanting to go. Click on it and there will be a forum called something like, Priceline/Hotwire Hotel Lists and Tips for (State). Inside, click the post for Hotwire (or Priceline, if you decide to go with them instead). This will tell you which hotels have been reported as being won in each city for each star level.

Once you have that information, back up and click on Hotwire - (State). Read that forum and you can read what people have bid to win that hotel.

There's another forum like this that specializes in Priceline, called BiddingForTravel.com. I've used that forum quite a bit and it's never steered me wrong!

Good luck - hope you get a great deal!

 

[amy-momofthree]

Wow! Thanks Becky! Very helpful! Going there now.....

 

[seven dwarfs]

I have used hotwire several times and have no issues using them. I always book a 3 star or above. It has saved us money for sure.

 

[bpesch]

The only reason I would tell you to be cautious about Hotwire or Priceline for that matter, is that the type of bed is not guaranteed. So if it's important to you to have 2 beds, you run the risk of not getting what you want. Other than that, I've used both sites many times with good luck.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Also, remember you can earn points thru mypoints or sunshine rewards with the hotwire purchase!

 

[Tinknalli]

The only reason I would tell you to be cautious about Hotwire or Priceline for that matter, is that the type of bed is not guaranteed. So if it's important to you to have 2 beds, you run the risk of not getting what you want. Other than that, I've used both sites many times with good luck.

Priceline will not guarantee the number of beds. However, Hotwire books and provides beds for the number of people on the reservation. We book 2 adults and 2 children on Hotwire and get 2 beds every time.

 

[leebee]

I have had wonderful luck with Hotwire by checking everything through BetterBidding.com as described above. Also, I've never had an issue with the beds, remembering that in some of the bigger, older cities (mostly NYC and Boston), there are many hotels that have rooms with 1 double bed, and Priceline will only guarantee bedspace for 2, which means you could end up with such a room. I believe Hotwire asks about the number of beds, or at least the number of people, so if you wanted to GUARANTEE two beds you could list 3 adults in your bid.

I always place a request on Hotwire, but before accepting I check the betterbidding.com site (I actually place my requests through the Hotwire link on BB's page). I get a good lead on what the hotel might be, then I check the hotel's webpage to try to determine whether they hotel might only have single-bedded rooms. (FWIW, BB has always been able to correctly predict the hotel I have ended up staying at.) I have NEVER had a bed problem with Hotwire (or Priceline, for that matter), and to make sure I usually FAX the hotel several days before check-in requesting 2 beds or 1 king, depending on what I want.

 

[amy-momofthree]

Thanks! I'm feeling better about it.

One question though, am I placing a bid when I put my info through on hotwire? After all that, am I not guaranteed that price? Can it be higher than what it says? Will they charge my card for a higher rate?

 

[Jeafl]

Priceline will not guarantee the number of beds. However, Hotwire books and provides beds for the number of people on the reservation. We book 2 adults and 2 children on Hotwire and get 2 beds every time.

This is correct. As long as you put in the correct number of people in the room you are guaranteed the correct number of beds.

I've used Hotwire probably 20-30 times and have never once had a problem. I usually choose a minimum of 3 or 4 stars and almost always get a Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson or Sheraton.

We needed a room for the first 3 nights of our December WDW trip and ended up getting the Caribe Royale for only $69 a night. That's a really good deal for Christmas week!

Incidentally, I use it for rental cars as well. It's a win-win situation because your credit card isn't charged until you actually return the car, and you can cancel and rebook as many times as you want with no penalty. I just keep checking back for better deals. The hotel bookings do NOT work that way though. The charge goes through when you book it.

 

[Jeafl]

Thanks! I'm feeling better about it.

One question though, am I placing a bid when I put my info through on hotwire? After all that, am I not guaranteed that price? Can it be higher than what it says? Will they charge my card for a higher rate?

No, you are not placing a bid. The price you see is what you will pay. They will even show you the cost after all taxes before you actually book. Priceline is the website where you bid. Hope this helps!

 

[amy-momofthree]

No, you are not placing a bid. The price you see is what you will pay. They will even show you the cost after all taxes before you actually book. Priceline is the website where you bid. Hope this helps!

Thank you

 

[amy-momofthree]

Thanks everyone so much!

I just booked and saved $45 off the nightly room rate! And they gave me a GREAT hotel that got GREAT reviews!