Beware of Hotwire!!!!

[Poorman]

I joined HWSC in March and ordered a bunch of vouchers and gift cards. Before the month was up I decided to cancel. Before I cancelled I called and asked the phone rep. if I would get my rewards and she said yes but it may take up to 90 days. I just got off the phone with a supervisor and he said I cacelled so I will not be getting my rewards. You have to be an active member to receive the rewards. So the free trial is not free if you want to just by gift cards, you have to stay on for at least one additional month to receive the rewards. (Which I would have done if I had known.)

I must have missed the part where it says you must be active.

If you just want to buy vouchers it is fine, but anythink you want to get rewards for be carefull you will be charged an additional month to get your rewards.

Live and learn. It didn't cost me anything out of pocket . But it isn't as it's billed.

I do have their consumer affairs Fax and address, but I don't know if I would get anywhere with them either.


Be careful.

 

[Disney Debbie]

You did miss that part. If you click on the link on the Restaurants page that says "Click here to learn how to save with gift cards/certificates" - you'll see this:

As a member of Hotwire Savings Club, you may participate by purchasing gift card(s)/certificate(s) online or by calling Hotwire Savings Club.

This is an exclusive offer of Hotwire Savings Club. In order to save, gift card(s)/certificate(s) must be purchased through Hotwire Savings Club. Credits are not available for gift card(s)/certificate(s) purchased through participating retailers. You must be an active member of Hotwire Savings Club at the time your credit is processed. Your credit will be made to the credit card used to purchase gift card(s)/certificate(s) and it will appear on your next 1-2 billing statements.

It would have been nice if they'd put this on the very first page - but I've learned to click on everything on a page before I buy anything! I ordered some Target certificates and got my credit the next month.

 

[Poorman]

It would have been nice if the rep I talked to about cancelling told me I would not be credited with the rewards if I cancel. I am posting this to make Dis'ers aware of the ramifications of canceling the free trial after they bought gift cards. I maintain the free trial isn't free if you expect to get rewards back, from purchases you made ,but have to continue to get the rewards.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I'm not trying to argue with you honey! I'm just saying that you DID miss that part on the web site. I completely agree - it would have been nice if the rep on the phone had told you that. They obviously DON't shout it from the rooftops or it would have been on the first page - as I said in my first post - instead of on the second page you have to click to read.

As with ANY web-site ordering - (any buying of any kind for that matter!) - it's buyer beware. I read absolutely everything - terms and conditions, shipping charges, etc - on everything before I order to make sure I'm not caught by surprise. That was the purpose of my post - it's not just Hotwire that makes it your responsibility to find out all the details and conditions of your purchases - you should beware of the so-called "small print" in any business dealings.

 

[Robinette]

Hi Rich

Thanks for the warning. Never looked into purchasing the gift cards but that is definitely a helpful tip. I plan on joining Hotwire soon to mainly purchase the Q & C vouchers.

Hope all is well with you and your family!!

 

[Poorman]

Hi Robin,

We thought Hotwire was great for the vouchers and I guess it was my own fault not reading the contract, but I thought if I asked the phone rep. I would get a correct answer. I posted so no-one else would get burnt by cancelling too soon. All is well here I hope the same is true out there.


Dad