Hotwire.com?

[Dewalt]

Hey guys

Anyone here every use www.hotwire.com to get deals on hotels? I am looking at slipping away for a long weekend and want a deal on a hotel (you would never guess we are in a recession with how the pricing is still too much!)

The only catch is you have to book it sight unseen or even without knowing what hotel you are getting until your credit card is charged.

Anyone have any experience - good or bad?

 

[insidevoice]

Check out this site for advice on hotwire bidding: www.betterbidding.com. It's an online community that tracks winning bids for both hotwire and priceline across North America. It has a very active Canadian section. I've used the valuable information on there countless times to get myself a great deals on hotels. Have fun!

 

[gurnblanston]

I've used it for rental cars without problem - picking up an SUV in 'Vegas on Monday for $29/day from Avis - saving about $12 a day.

I know a number of people who have used it for hotels without complaint.

 

[xix]

Careful

I've used it for rental cars without problem - picking up an SUV in 'Vegas on Monday for $29/day from Avis - saving about $12 a day.

I know a number of people who have used it for hotels without complaint.

I tried Hotwire for hotel and car, with National, the rep for National was kind of skecthy as to what type of insurance Hotwire gave me for car. Me been dumb paid extra insurance to National. I didn't have time to read the fine print from Hotwire what they covered. At the time my CC didn't cover Car Insurance, I switched CC because of this.

As for Hotels, my cousins uses it as if it was the last thing on earth. I tried it but found a better deal directly with the hotel. IT varies.

 

[Kyra.Graves]

I've used Hotwire for hotels a number of times and find it to be great, it was another lady on this board that recommended the site to me. In general I find the Hotwire rates to be really low and the hotel quality to be accurate in the listing. I've never been a big fan of Priceline as I think you spend far too much time bidding on rates where the Hotwire rate is comparable and you save a lot of time by just logging on and booking.
With hotwire I've been able to get the Westin Harbour for only $70 a night, the Hyatt Regency for $100 and the Radisson Skydome for $85.
When I'm booking out of town and want a better idea of what hotel I'll be booking at I will often cross reference the rate and star rating on Kayak.com, 9 times out of 10 I can find the hotel name before booking.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ig-88]

Priceline is usually cheaper, ime.

However, one advantage of Hotwire is that it is somewhat easier to figure out (with some research) which hotel you're going to get.

 

[iprint]

Just got two hotel rooms in Washington dc for two night for just over $200.00 total. and it is a 4 star hotel. Always use hotwire when I can.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Beware..I used hotwire for a couple of years now--and was quite pleased-but book 2 nights at a 4 star downtown hotel in Toronto for a upcoming trip..got the Delta Cheslie

AAA rates it as a 3 star hotel..same with others..I PM hotwire with my gripe and they write back how they reviewed it last May and its a 4 star hotel for them..

Who Delta Cheslie blackmailed IDK, lol.

 

[insidevoice]

I've used Hotwire for hotels a number of times and find it to be great, it was another lady on this board that recommended the site to me. In general I find the Hotwire rates to be really low and the hotel quality to be accurate in the listing. I've never been a big fan of Priceline as I think you spend far too much time bidding on rates where the Hotwire rate is comparable and you save a lot of time by just logging on and booking.
With hotwire I've been able to get the Westin Harbour for only $70 a night, the Hyatt Regency for $100 and the Radisson Skydome for $85.
When I'm booking out of town and want a better idea of what hotel I'll be booking at I will often cross reference the rate and star rating on Kayak.com, 9 times out of 10 I can find the hotel name before booking.

Enjoy your trip!

My last two successful Toronto bookings via Priceline were $45 for the Sheraton Centre (on Queen West) and $46 for the King Edward (fantastic hotel!). I made these priceline bids using advice on www.betterbidding.com. Tops it took me 15 minutes to do this.

 

[diverdown]

I have used hotwire and received better rates than the hotels would quote me online. Absolutely no problems once at the hotel re check in, stay, etc.