HotwireReviews 770

I purchased one of their "hot rate" deals today. One night for $98. The ONLINE confirmation showed the $98 plus "Mandatory hotel fee" plus taxes. The email confirmation showed the $10 fee as a "service fee." No problem with the taxes but the undisclosed "hotel fee"? I had a long conversation with their customer service about misleading advertising. The best they would do was to give me a $10 for a future booking. LOOK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BOOK A NONREFUNDABLE ROOM WITH THEM... LURKING AND UNDISCLOSED FEES.
There are many alternatives which I will be using in the future. I should have gone to Booking.com, my usual favorite. MY RECOMMENDATION: HOTWIRE IS NO LONGER THE DEAL IT ONCE WAS. LOOK ELSEWHERE AND SAVE $$$$

I rented a vehicle through Hotwire and was given a price of $346 for the 5 day rental. Unfortunately, the flight was delayed nearly 6 hours so my pick up time was delayed accordingly. (The vehicle was originally going to be picked up at 12:30pm and was picked up at 6:30pm that day.) upon returning the vehicle the total charges were nearly $150 more than expected. When I inquired I was told that because I was late to pick up the vehicle I only rented it four days, not five which changed the rate so I was paying $150 more for less time with the vehicle... what a gimmick! Alamo was kind enough to remedy the situation but Hotwire would not comply. The micro fine print that no one sees (if it's even there at all - still looking for it) will gouge your pocketbook. I will never use this service again and I encourage other travelers to do the same. I had no control over a delayed flight and the circumstances that led to my 6 hour delay and to get hit with an additional $150 is such a rip off. Not worth it folks! We use services like Hotwire to reduce our travel expenses, not be hit with ridiculous charges...(a 5 day rental was $46 per day plus service fees, but the 4 day rental was $90 per day plus service fees rented the car for the same days but picked up 6 hours later than expected and dropped off around 4pm on the agreed upon return date... 2 hours cost me $150? Really? Don't give Hotwire your business.

WIsh I would have read the reviews before using them. I'm a long time customer and never had an issue, because I never had to change anything. We knew the amount was not refundable for our car rental, but when my husband couldn't make it because of a family emergency, they would not even allow us to change the name. Basically, we ate the entire amount for no reason - I'm still taking the trip - but my name wasn't on the initial reservation, so they will not allow me to pick up the trip. So stranded and fully paid. Will never use them again. If I could give them ZERO stars, I would

This place is disgusting! I booked Royal Beach Palace, also a s*#! Hole, and they switched me to this place without my consent. The room and property are not on the beach, are nowhere near a palace, and look NOTHING like the photos advertised. I could not get a refund. Beware of the bait and switch fraud fraud perpetuated by this hotel and chain. Just bc I have to stay here doesnt mean u cant do better. The hotel is listed on hotwire as 3.5 stars but everywhere else as 2 stars and that is kind. Hopefully this review will lose them enough revenue to compensate for my time, stay, and inconveniences. Should have gave me the $100 refund. The review will cost you much more.

I recently booked a room thru Hotwire to stay at the Wyndham Hotel on VA beach. They offered a beach front view for 103.00. Upon arrival at Wyndham I discovered I had no reservations for Wyndham but for Mar Jac. Never heard of them. Upon checking Hotwire I discovered they don't even list a Mar Jac on their site. I was furious as to how when I booked for one hotel they booked me with an unknown hotel/motel! Hotwire spoke to both hotels. Wyndham said they don't have beach front rooms at that price and Mar Jac refused to refund my money! I will be reaching out to the better business bureau on this bait and switch.

Hotwire should not be advertising a company where all fees are not being disclosed. You tell a customer (myself) this is the rate with fees and taxes included. However when I go to pick up my rental. I am told I have to pay more. Hotwire is ONLY about making money. It is not customer friendly at all and you know it. How many customers like myself get caught up in your web of lies. I don't appreciate booking for one rate and have to pay another. STOP ADVERTISING FOR COMPANIES.

I purchased a hot rate hotel 3 star for my family. I chose this purposely over the 2 and 2.5 star. I wanted certain amenities and wanted at least a 3 star hotel. When we got to the Hotel, we couldn't have been more discussed. The not being able to get into our supposed room, then sent to one people were in, then sent to one that was dirty. No ice machine, horrible customer service, besides GM... but still couldn't make up for the issues. Walking the halls was a cloud of smoke. How can you promote a 3 star and not have any idea you are sending people to an absolute dump. Then call, lady was nice enough however I can send you to a 2.5 star... but I will have to pay 120 more to go to a less rated hotel. Where would my family end up... are you serious I have a 4 month old baby. Took the refund and moved hotels at 10:20 at night so my family could be in a hotel that we actually could be comfortable in. Then get a call please remember the survey and I will give you a 40.00 credit on your account to use towards hot rate... are you kidding me! Not happy at all and beware if we can't even get a truly decent hotel when you pay more for one. It is very sad that that is okay to do to customers for a guarantee of that level. Refund of money doesn't change the experience or the fact I was asked to pay more for an suppose to be less of a hotel! No thank you! Angel

This company is cheating by not telling you all you need to know on the booking day.

I am living in Canada, I booked a car in Vancouver Canada, pick up and drop both in Vancouver, and dollar means Canadian dollar in Vancouver.
But at the time that I was piking up the car they tolled me that the booking amount is US dollar so they charged me x 1.33, and it was midnight and I had no choice.
They are big liers, why should I pay US dollar when I am in Canada?

And THEY DID NOT SAY that on their booking process.

If the deal looks to good to be true... then it is! Spend a bit more and use a consumer trusted company. 65% of people that used Hotwire gave the a rating o 3 or less. You have been warned by many other travel before me... The decisions is now yours have a great vacation with another company or just settle on what Hotwire deems appropriate for your hard earned money. One last thing, forget about asking for changes or upgrades... not happening!

I booked the room for Econo Lodge 3343 North Military Highway in Norfolk Virginia I drive 12 hours from Kentucky get here military Affiliated might I add I don't have the right room non-smoking room on top of that your parking spot for me to even carry my my bags up the ice machine didn't work I get inside the room bedspread is nasty as hell Andrew is a hot mess and they want and then I asked for a refund they want to charge me $140 for the first night when I only paid 51 for each and every night that I was going to be here so I'm stuck in this room for right now and I'm just going to just bite the dust and and lose my money and hot wire should be very careful who they do business with this hot mess and you got a bad lot of bad reviews I'll never use hot wire or Econo Lodge again I called corporate office and they had the nerve to hang up and then send me back through to the hotel so they're not any good either don't call the corporate cuz they don't give a damn who they franchise their businesses do. I tried to add a simple photograph and your website won't even let you upload a small picture cuz I got pictures

I booked through Hotwire the other day not really caring where I stayed but simply because it would save me some money. While some of the "Hot Deals" warned of extra charges with regards to Resort Fees, there was no warning at all that the hotel I was assigned was a Valet Parking only hotel and that I would have to pay an additional $33 to park Valet, not to mention the tip for the valet guys. When I called Hotwire they said it was my fault because I didn't select "Free Parking". I told them that I didn't want to limit my selection in a city where there are a lot of hotels that charge for parking. My argument was that when the hotel is "Valet ONLY", that should be disclosed just like they disclose resort fees. Now, I am paying more to stay at this hotel than if I had just booked the one right next door that does have free parking and is just as nice.

POOR CUSTOMER Service! POOR Policies! POOR admitting when you are wrong! PLEASE! JUST PAY THE EXTRA $ AND USE SOMEONE ELSE...

NOT EXPEDIA or HOTELS.com as they are all affiliated with each other.

I WILL NEVER GO BACK!

Andy
Las Vegas

So I used hotwire many times but I decided to double-check the hotel rate I receive last two times. So hotwire sometimes actually ends up charging you more than the actual room goes for... so once you made the booking and know the hotel, make sure to go on hotel's website and double-check their room rates because can be the same or hotwire's rate will be few dollars more. If this happens to you, take screen shots of the actual room rate and call Hotwire immediately. Also, I booked a room once in cape cod and they had a hurricane that weekend and hotwire wouldn't refund any money. I think bad weather is even covered by their guarantee but they said that the hurricane wasn't deadly enough to warrant a refund.