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4.0 1904 Reviews

Hotwire Complaints Summary

99 Resolved
422 Unresolved
Our verdict: With Hotwire's very poor resolution rate, careful consideration is needed. Research their service comprehensively, and read up on how they handle customer disputes. If you face issues, be prepared for potential challenges in obtaining resolutions and explore other service providers as backups.
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8:33 pm EDT
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Hotwire Refund policy

hotwire refused to change my rental car dates to match my new flight dates when I had to push my trip back a week. when I first called they said they would reimburse me the 131.38 and change the dates to match my new flight dates and charge whatever the fee was for the new dates. I was undecided about exactly when I needed to take the trip, so i called back the next day to finalize everything. I changed my flight o.k. but they refused to change the date for the car rental. they also refused to refund my money. I have to eat 131.38!

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James Blaylock
El Dorado Hills, US
Oct 18, 2011 6:45 pm EDT

My wife accidentally booked 2 rental cars for a trip to Georgia. When she understood what she had done she contacted Hotwire and was told it could not be cancelled because it was a hotrate. We admitted our mistake and made it very clear that she only needed one car since she was the only one going. They said they would reschedule one reservation for a trip we would be makeing later in december but would have to charge us now for it. We could not afford to have both charges at that time on our credit card. Hotwire refused to work with us in any capacity.

Hot wire will be losing all of our business over a rental care mistake.

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TRUTH_TELLER0317
Damascus, US
Nov 05, 2012 7:07 am EST

NYGURL, I too have found myself in a similiar situation with Hotwire. Due to the affects of Hurricane Sandy, Hotwire Customer Service is refusing to refund any portion of the $218.62 paid towards a rental card for 5 days. These Hotwire SNAKES are trying to wiggle there way through a loop hole saying that my family was in an area where there were no emergency warnings issued. However, of the five states that were issued emergency warnings, we were one state up and needed to get home. They told us that we would turn the car back in, rent another car, and NOT BE PROVIDED WITH ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION. DO NOT USE HOTWIRE! These types of services are NOT NEEDED. Book directly with the people who are providing the service. Signed AN AGRY CUSTOMER!

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Mrknowitall
Philadelphia, US
Oct 18, 2011 8:42 pm EDT

I think this review shows the need to avoid marrying a stupid broad more than avoiding Hotwire. I doubt Hotwire will miss your business.

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1:51 pm EDT
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Hotwire Fraudulent, lies, and deceit

Hotwire is nothing but a joke. I booked a hotel with them in, vancouver, b. C., and they literally lied about the star rating. I booked a 3 star hotel and got a 2 star, at best, and that's being polite. I sent them pictures of this hotel which was, best western plus uptown, in vancouver, and then sent them pictures of other, best western plus, hotels in the same area, because they are so far apart from each other, and they still stood by their star rating. Anyone with a set of eyes could see the vast difference in quality between the hotels. The hotel I received, honestly, looked like a, super 8, motel. I swear on the holy bible, as god is my witness, it was really that bad.

I also understand that mistakes do happen, but, hotwire, took no responsibility after reviewing the photos and other reviews sent via email to them. I thought to myself, there is no way anyone could deny this mistake, it was just that obvious, but oh no, they denied it.

After trying to deal with a bunch of degenerates over the phone at hotwire and sending many, many emails to them, they have now chosen to ignore me completely. Great customer service (Said in my most sarcastic voice). It's actually appalling, how a company chooses to handle situations like these. It somewhat makes me sick.

I will never book with hotwire or their sister companies again. And, soon enough, they will crumble to the ground like so many other companies that thought they were untouchable. I can't wait to toast the moment.

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9:45 am EDT
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Hotwire Misrepresent hotel room quality

“Horrible, dirty, old room!”
My wife and I tried Hotwire for the first time. We trusted that we would not have problems with a 4-star+ hotel. Well, we were wrong. We booked with the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Ft Lauderdale. The hotel room was not clean. The toilet bowl and floor had pee stains. The shower head sprayed water everywhere (ceiling, floor, walls, mirror), except in the shower itself. The carpet was dirty and worn. And, we had difficulty turning on/off the lamps. The hotel refused to provide another room. They said they were fully booked. Someone cleaned the toilet and that was the best they could do.
Hotwire is a mechanism for hotels to sell rooms that are sub-quality or in need of renovation. They would not be able to sell these rooms directly to Customers at the rate they would normally command. I supposedly received a 50% rebate by using Hotwire. I say that I paid double what I should have paid. The room quality was equivalent to a low-budget hotel. But, the food and beverage prices were definitely at 5-star levels!

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4:47 pm EDT
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Hotwire Wont help me change my typo and refund my tickets with 4 day pier my trip.

I booked a plane ticket from sf to bogota and I immediately realize their was a one letter typo in my last name. After I purchased the ticket I call hotwire they said they will put an pnr to notify the airline... Today I recieved a phone call from hotwire they said they have to cancel my ticket and tell me to buy another one for 300 more... But I call hotwire and other two airline like 10 times to try to make that adjusted but both side bouncing the to each other. Than I call lan they said hotwire had the ability to adjusted bc and lan willing to help. Right now hotwire is totally not helping their customer to get the best of their purchase... Its a human honest mistake but why they give such a hassle to the customer. I understand their is policy but a letter typo correction is not like my whole name change. Just simply one letter costing me such a anxiety... And now I cant even sleep that why I writing this complaint.

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1:19 am EDT
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Hotwire Steal your money

Do not buy the cancellation insurance from hotwire and allianz. It is a scam. They do no refund your money for personal or business reasons if your trip has been cancelled. It is an emergency situation only in which they will refund your money, so don't waste the $8.00.

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helpingoutlilguy
los angeles, US
Apr 21, 2015 7:48 pm EDT

I bought the 3rd party insurance on hotwire.com from Allianz regarding my car rental. Absolute worst experience to date with any insurance company. Since you're a one-off (meaning you don't have an existing policy with them) they could care less about satisfying any claims. "Good Faith Doctrine" does not apply to them.

I was in an accident and satisfy all of their documentation requests, which was lengthy and detailed. They counter offered the car agency a low ball sum, which of course Dollar denied. 3 months in, they still have not settled and the amount Dollar is asking for has increased due to interest. And guess what, in another 15 days I will be sued by Dollar, which if that happens, will accrue attorney fees as well.

If you want to buy car rental insurance, ALWAYS buy directly at the counter with the rental agency themselves. It'll cost you a bit more, but at least the insurance will be useful if you do get into an accident. Allianz mantra should be "deny, delay, deny, delay"

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Jeff from Indy
Lebanon, US
Jul 22, 2012 10:00 am EDT

Dan is correct. It's a complete waste of money if not outright scam. Wow! They provide a link so you can read the fine print. In this internet day, it would be quite easy to provide a quick bullet list of exclusions as a pop up window.

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AAHelpTeam
N/A, US
Apr 19, 2012 2:03 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi -
Jackie from the Help Team here. We’re sorry that your insurance program may not provide you with coverage the coverage you had hoped it would. While we have designed our products to cover a number of unforeseen situations and events, we are not always able to meet the full expectations that our customers may have.

Our programs are like any other type of insurance in that there are terms and conditions that determine if a claim is payable. We, as well as our partner Hotwire, want consumers to make informed decisions when it comes to travel insurance. When the insurance is offered, we make sure that we indicate that “Limitations apply” and provide a link which consumers may use if they want to review the terms and conditions.

Also, we encourage all of our customers to take advantage of our 10-day Satisfaction Guarantee, which provides the opportunity to go over the insuring agreement we’ve provided and make sure that the insurance will meet the customer’s needs. If our customers have any questions after reading the policy, we’re here 24/7/365 at 1.800.284.8300. We can guarantee that one of our dedicated representatives will be available to answer any questions. If consumers then find that their purchased policy doesn’t meet their needs, they can cancel it and receive a full premium refund.

Regards,
Jackie, Help Team

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3:15 pm EDT
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Hotwire False advertising on website

Their website advertised a hotel as being 4.5 out of 5 traveler rating (Tripadvisor)
When i booked the hotel, I got a hotel that was rated 2 out of 5!
They said it was a glitch in their system (YES, THEIR SYSTEM) and would not do anything for me except give me $30 in Hotwire money.

LIKE I WOULD EVER BOOK WITH THEM AGAIN!

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8:17 pm EDT
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Hotwire Misrepresentation

Hotwire was advertising a 4 star hotel on their site on the South strip in Las Vegas at an un-named hotel. I called the Hotwire phone number and talked with an online agent. I specifically asked the person, who's name was Leah that the offer was indeed a 4 star hotel located on the Las Vegas south strip, She said yes. I again verified with her that is was a 4 star hotel located on Las Vegas Boulevard. Again she said that was correct. After I went ahead and made the online purchase. It came back and identified the hotel as the Westin Casuarina Hotel & Spa, located on E. Flamino Rd. This is about 2 blocks off the strip. Secondly, after reading the reviews of other patrons to get fooled like this, the majority stated there was no way this was a 4 star hotel. It appears Hotwire only rates this 4 star because of the "Westin" brand name. I felt duped. The next day I called the Hotwire agent line and tried to get the sale reversed on misrepresentation. The agent said she was sorry that I felt they misrepresented the location of the hotel, but all sales were final. I explained that the hotel was not on the strip because it was not on Las Vegas Boulevard. This agent Carol stated they were within their rights because the Westin Hotel is located in the green circle they show on their hotwire map. I explained that I specifically asked the agent Leah last night if the hotel was located on Las Vegas Boulevard and she had said yes. Carol stated that even the agents do not know exactly where the hotels are located and the agent and she probably just didn't know that much about Las Vegas. I asked to speak to a supervisor to plead my case and Carol said even though she understood my issue their was no way they could refund my purchase, because others have complained previously and Hotwire never reversed the purchase, so it would be futile. I can't believe they can continue to take advantage of patrons like that and never have to pay for their misrepresentations. I hope that somewhere they will have to change their ways. If you can help in any way I would appreciate it.

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12:26 pm EDT
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Hotwire Flight booking incorrect - refuse to resolve

I recently booked a flight on Delta through Hotwire. Hotwire misspelled my name, my email and then sent me a confirmation that never arrived. I called and was put on hold twice for 55 minutes, 45 minutes, and then just called again as if to book a reservation and got right through. They then corrected the email and said they corrected the name on the ticket. I then received the original email with the ticket confirmation. I checked in with Delta to confirm the reservation and they did not have it. Back to Hotwire, same hold issues, then again with the name spelling and this time they sent a note to Delta documenting the mistake. It is now the day before the flight and Delta has the confirmation number, but does not have the correct spelling of my name and confirms that I will have problems with security when I try to check in. They said to insist that Hotwire re-issue the ticket with the correct name. Hotwire says it can't and its Delta's problem not theirs.

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natet
San Jose, US
Apr 19, 2012 2:07 am EDT

I have learned a costly lesson, over a $1000 dollar, purchased tix on Hotwire. Emergency came up, missed flight. Funds from unused, still "open" ticket gone, Delta can't do anything, Hotwife don't refund or cancel unused tickets. .. oh and a few hours waiting on phone to learn that.

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6:40 pm EST

Hotwire Lied and mis presented the terms of the agreement would be an understatement

I booked a rental car with the stipulation that I needed an infant car seat. Prior to booking, I repeatedly stated I HAD to have an infant car seat. Because of their "no-refund, no cancellation" policy, I told the agent several times I HAD to have a car seat. She said, "no problem -- when we're finished with this reservation, just call Alamo to reserve the car seat." She gave me Alamo's phone number, and went on to say, "We require all our car rental agencies to have infant seats and GPS". SHe assured me I could call the car rental agency and reserve the infant car seat. After I completed the booking, I immediately called Alamo and was told they I could NOT add a car seat to the reservation because "the reservation belongs to Hotwire". I explained that I HAD to have one for my 10-month old grandchild, and Alamo basically said "tough". I then called Hotwire back to cancel the reservation, because I had been LIED to, and they basically said "tough."

So, to say they LIED and MISREPRESENTED the terms of the agreement would be an understatement. The girl who took my reservation flat-out liked, made a false, deceptive, and misleading claim when she told me that reserving the infant car seat would be "no problem". She repeated several times, "no problem, no problem, no problem." When I asked for Hotwire's corporate headquarters, I was told "I'm not allowed to give out that information." SCAM. I am filing reports with BBB and California Attorney General Office demanding a refund of my $357 car rental.

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5:09 pm EST
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Hotwire Bait and switch

Avoid hotwire at all costs
My wife booked 2 nights on hotwire in northern michigan for us and our two sons... As one of hotwire's "hotdeals" you dont get to see the hotel, but get the amenities... Pool, jacuzzi, etc. This was a "3 star hotel" according to hotwire. When she ordered and paid for it with no refunds as an option, we found that the hotel was a best western motor lodge with exterior doors. We went on their website and the self described facility by best western was 2 stars! I called hotwire and explained that in late february in northern michigan we cannot have boys running outside to go to the pool, vending machine, game room, etc... And that their "3 star hotel" was really a "2 star motel". All I wanted was a refund of a purchase made 30 minutes ago, but no such luck. After escalating through 3 supervisors, and explaining that we had used hotwire for 20 years, and that a refund will be issued to me by amex anyway, they would not cancel the reservation... My duty is to now tell you all what a bait and switch you risk with this non customer friendly company... Do not use them... I wont after 20 years of doing so...

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Marisa13
San Diego, US
Jun 26, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

I arranged a pre-paid car rental through Hotwire and National car rental. I received confirmation that the minivan I paid for would hold seven adults and five suitcases. After flying cross country, we were told that to get a vehicle large enough for seven people and five suitcases, we'd have to upgrade from the prepaid reservation, at a cost of $22 a day. Since we had three tired small children and it was VERY hot, we decided not to argue, and paid for the bait and switch operation of Hotwire/National car rental. I'll never use either company again.

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AJ Green
DEnver, US
Feb 16, 2011 2:32 am EST
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I reserved a car through Hotwire and received a confirmation. When I appeared at the airport to pick up the car, the rental company (Budget) refused to honor the price. I was forced to rent a car at a much higher price because by then it was too late to reserve with another company. I complained to Hotwire and was told that they "rely on the staff of [their] car rental partners" and are "unable to resolve specific issues on behalf of our car rental partners. In other words, the confirmations / contracts you make with Hotwire mean nothing!

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kimwyntoboe
lav, CA
Jul 12, 2011 6:15 am EDT

Booked a hotel through Hotwire, so they and the hotel got my money already, right? So, I get to the hotel Sunbrite Apartments where I was greeted by the manager who says there's a "problem" with some of their rooms. So she sends me to another hotel The Shelley that belongs to a group including the original hotel that I wanted which has lovely condo-style rooms with a kitchen and Wi-Fi. Instead, I was sent to the Shelley hotel in the group that had tiny rooms with no Wi-Fi, no kitchen which I really needed to save money. It ruined my vacation plans in this respect and eating in restaurants was very expensive. Curiously, the room became available on my fourth night in Miami. I was already bitterly disappointed by this hotel, but wanted to get out of the Shelley. I think Hotwire doesn't care what happens to the customer after booking and taking your money. I think the scam is to allow hotels to bait customers and get paid for the service. Prepaid reservation, never again! I decide what happens to my money before I spend it and no one hijacks it!

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mybabydaddy
Sunnyvale, US
Jul 15, 2013 7:14 pm EDT

I was given a choice of making reservation at a nice 3 star hotel in Redwood city, ca. After I made the purchase they switched me to a 1.5 star hotel. The price of that hotel on their site was much cheaper than going through hotwire. I called the customer service to cancel the reservation. They denied any bait-and-switch and kept parroting that it is a non-refundable purchase. Called Visa, they said they will give the money back for something I did not get any service. After a few weeks the credit card dispute was declined. So the way Visa handled the issue is also shady. If they had told me I would not get my money back, I had the choice of staying in the dump for a few days instead of spending money again on another hotel stay during the same period. Hotwire misleads it's customers on their site. I don't know how long they can continue to rip off people.

Lesson I learned for $350 is don't use Hotwire. Stay away from them. They are just like Priceline which charged me for a hotel room and left me on the street with no where to go. I will never use Hotwire or Priceline. Just become a loyalty member of a nice hotels. You will be treated much better and you will travel with no stress.

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DownwithHotwire
Sarasota, US
Jun 12, 2012 10:21 am EDT

I had the same situation with Hotwire.com. I was told the hotel was on Ft. Myers Beach, FL when in actuality (after I confirmed), it's more like a place called Captiva Island, which is about 4 miles south of where I wanted to be. I tried to fight incessantly, but I keep being ignored and mistreated. I am a lawyer, class action suit anyone?

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Maria Rebelo
Trenton, CA
Feb 21, 2012 12:32 am EST
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TO to any one thinking about booking a hotel with HOTWIRE PLEASE DONT DO IT. If you think their price is too good to be true is because it is. I made the Mistake to book a hotel in Santo Domingo and since you don't know the hotel name or the location until you agree to their term they have all the right to take your money. In my case there was not hotel confirmation and not hotel name or phone numbers. I sent several email to HOTWIRE BUT THEY NEVER REPLY. After a few days of frustration my boyfriend and I book another hotel but yes HOTWIRE STILL CHARGED $185 Dollars for the 2 night we never received. They told me they send me an email but I never received anything from them. i Contact my email provider and there was not email sent by HOTWIRE. I still give them the opportunity to provide prove so I ask them to provide me copy of that email with the day and time they send but I still haven't received anything. That was almost two month ago. According to them there is nothing we can do because I AGREE TO THE THE TERMS. So be aware of what you are agreeing and read before you say yes to HOTWIRE OR THEY GET YOUR MONEY AND YOUR HOLIDAY WILL TORN IN A NIGHT MARE.

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4:09 pm EST
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Hotwire Poor service

We booked a vacation pkg for 2 adults with Hotwire Vacations on Dec 4, 2011 for flight, hotel, and car rental from Moncton to Ft. Myers Florida for Jan 18 - Jan 27th and paid in full $2478 CAD the same day. Received an email Dec 8 advising a flight schedule change to our return leg on Jan 27 necessitating an overnight in Toronto (at our additional cost). When we checked in with Air Canada @ Moncton, we were advised the connecting flight to Ft. Myers FL for 8:15PM had been cancelled, and the 'other connecting flight fromToronto departed at 2:45PM'. Since this was 3:00PM Atlantic - we had already missed the connection flight. When Hotwire Vacations was contacted and informed tht no prior notification of this outbound flight change had been received, all we got was a speedy transfer to Air Canada, who re-booked us on a 9PM flight from Toronto to Orlando. When we again called Hotwire Vacations to arrange to revise the car pick-up from Ft. Myers to Orlando, and switch hotels for 1 night, we were told they can do nothing on the same day. We once again had to pay the additional accommodation and car rental cost for this 'failure to communicate;' All subsequent attempts to talk to a Hotwire agent resulted in an immediate disconnection. Once we returned home, we sent an email to Hotwire advising of our disatisfaction and requesting some explanation for leaving us in the dark, and hopefully and offer of reimbursement for our additional costs. We received the standard 'someone will reply within 12-24 hours' response. Well as of Feb 15th, no one from Hotwire has replied, and an additional charge of $434.67 has been processed to our credit card. So far this $2500 all in package has cost us in excess of $3000 without any response from Hotwire. What a HotMess!

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Update by smacmurphy
Feb 16, 2012 2:31 pm EST

'Thanks for using Hotwire" pretty well sums up the response to our numerous telephone calls. Nothing offered by way of resolution or extended to ensure customer satisfaction.

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12:23 am EST
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Hotwire False advertising/bad service

I booked a hotel through hotwire last night. They were advertising a 3star hotel that showed a retail price of 113/night for 65 a night. I ended up getting a crappy hotel that I could've booked online directly at the hotel's website for cheaper! I immediately called hotwire to explain what happened and they wouldn't do anything to fix it. The whole point of using them is to get a discount by not seeing the hotel until after you pay for it. Yet, I got no discount, actually paid more, oh and they gave me a smoking room when i'm traveling with my two small children. My call was escalated to a supervisor who also told me the booking was final. When I told him this was false advertising, he basically dared me to prove it by telling me to show him a printout showing that it showed me 113/night on the site. I have that printed which still didn't fix anything. False advertising at its best! I will never use them again, not for myself, or anyone else I book travel for.

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DownwithHotwire
Sarasota, US
Jun 12, 2012 10:24 am EDT

I had the same situation with Hotwire.com. I was told the hotel was on Ft. Myers Beach, FL when in actuality (after I confirmed), it's more like a place called Captiva Island, which is about 4 miles south of where I wanted to be. I tried to fight incessantly, but I keep being ignored and mistreated. I am a lawyer, class action suit anyone?

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jill Smith22
Oyster Bay, US
Feb 25, 2012 2:20 am EST

Will never use Hotwire again. They show a 3 1/2 hotel for $74 regularly $174.
I ended up with a Best Western that I could book on the hotels website for $72. Best Western is not a 3 1/2 star hotel but they rate their hotels by their customers ratings.
Therefore if their customer rates the Super 8 hightly, that can be considered 5 star.
What a scam! Never again.

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10:00 am EST
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Hotwire Failure to guarantee services

I paid Hotwire for reserving me a car in Dallas. As I asked for an upgrade, I was told that I would only pay the difference between what I had already given Hotwire and the total cost of the rental. The two forms of payment were written in the contract. However, the rental company charged my credit card the entire amount. When I complained to hotwire I got this response:
Dear Bernard,

Thank you for contacting Hotwire Customer Care regarding your travel arrangements on Hotwire Itinerary Number [protected]. I understand you feel you were billed twice for your rental car.
In order for us to review your situation, your immediate attention is required. Please provide the following documentation:
- Credit card statements showing the payment to Alamo.
- A copy of the rental car receipt
- A copy of this email
Please fax your documentation to us at [protected] immediately. If you do not have access to a fax machine, please send your documents to:
Hotwire Research Department
P.O. Box 22154
Green Bay, WI 54305
Please note, we are unable to accept email attachments for review.
After we complete our review - which may take up to 10 business days - we will notify you of the outcome via email. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific resolution.
If we can be of further assistance, please feel free call us directly at 1-866-HOTWIRE [protected]). Thank you again for choosing Hotwire, we appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Krista F.
Hotwire Customer Care

Although they realized that there could have been the possibility of a double billing, they still affirm that: "we cannot guarantee a specific resolution." Hotwire was happy to take my money over the web, but I would have to fax all the papers to them. What kind of company is it that fails to guarantee that their client would not be billed twice?

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touristforaday
, PH
Oct 21, 2015 10:08 pm EDT

My God! The company is not giving you a false promise. It's just stated as it is for formality or business purpose. Of course, upon its approval you will get your refund. Dont make it a big deal!

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7:57 pm EST
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Hotwire Price match

I reserved a vehicle from Hotwire on Tuesday January 10. On Wednesday January 11, my friend went directly to Budget and reserved the same vehicle for the same dates for $144.37 less. Wednesday evening, called Hotwire and explained the situation. Trevor said I fell within the 48 hour Price Match Guarantee and send in the paperwork. I offered to email but was told to mail or fax. I faxed the paperwork Thursday morning with my phone number to call.

I received an email back Thursday afternoon stating that I was not eligible for a refund because the document showed a different time. The pickup time showed 4:00pm. Mine said 4:30 pm. But everything else was the same. My friend called Budget and had her pick up changed to 4:30 pm. It was still $144.37 less. I called Hotwire Thursday evening and told them there is no price change and my paperwork shows 4:30pm and I could email to them right away. I was told I could not email and would have to fax or mail it in, but it did not matter because I was beyond the 48 hour time limit. Spoke to 2 supervisors.

Now correct me if I am wrong, but had I mailed this in, I would have been automatically denied because it would have been received beyond the 48 hour time limit regardless. How much more deceitful can this be?

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2:27 pm EST
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Hotwire Bait and switch pricing scam

I was going to book a full-size car for $37.88 bu the website link appeared to be "broken". So I called the number and gave them the reference id for this price. The guy on the phone said I could book the car at that price and then right before payment said "oh that car is no longer available... you can book the same one for $66 though."

I asked him why the price increased almost 90% during checkout and he said the deals change by the minute and that the $66 was still a very good price and that I should book it. I told him I wanted nothing to do with these bait and switch scams and that I'd never do business with them again. Not out any money but they did waste 45 minutes of my life .

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6:16 pm EDT
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Hotwire Ripoff even with travel insurance

In mid August 2011, I booked two rooms in Biloxi for Labor Day weekend (September 3-5, 2011). I purchased the Travel Insurance, just in case. We planned to drive from Houston to Biloxi. Tropical Storm Lee hit the New Orleans and Biloxi area that weekend so we were unable to drive there. I turned in a claim to the travel insurance company, Access America. They denied the claim saying this was not covered! I guess that driving through a Tropical Storm to get to the hotel and then spending the weekend in the Tropical Storm isn't a problem. The Hotwire website states that you can purchase travel insurance to cover you in the event of among other things, a natural disaster. I'm out $400+

I have used Hotwire before but won't do it again. The chance to save a little isn't worth it. I found that many hotel websites will give you rates that are only slightly more and you can cancel if needed.

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Access America Help Team
, US
Nov 09, 2011 4:12 pm EST
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Hi Sharon –

Access America’s Help Team here. We’re sorry to hear about any frustrations you may be experiencing. We’d like to find out more about your case, so please email us your policy number and additional details at help.team@accessamerica.com so we can best assist you.

All the best,
Access America Help Team

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Sharon Shumate
Rockford, US
Nov 08, 2011 6:11 pm EST
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Don't EVER use HOTWIRE for your travel bookings! Do not purchase "Insurance", What a mess Fiasco trying to get a hold of someone to use the insurance in case of EMERGENCY! Does not work! Rip Off! Told to call Airlines, Airlines said to get a hold of hotwire. Finally got a Tele# from airlines for Hotwire. Finally got a hold of someone at hotwire. Bottom line SO SORRY! Would I like to book another flight? AAGGHHH! Frustrating to say the least! I needed to use said "insurance" I purchased. Hotwire had the gall to ask if I wanted to re-book!? NEVER purchase the so called "Insurance" RIP OFF! Don't purchase! Do not use Hotwire!

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Sharon Shumate
Rockford, US
Nov 08, 2011 5:59 pm EST
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Hotwire RIP-OFF Don't and wont use ever again. I too got the insurance policy in case of need for change. DOES NOT WORK! So, I tried using this {insurance} for need Guess what, NO GOOD! Called airline transferred to another airline then finally got Tele. # for Hotwire. Explained situation and was referred back to airlines! Called Hotwire once again and told them that it originated with them. I purchased through them {Hotwire} Well, "So Sorry" Would I like to book "Purchase" another ticket! AAGGHHh ! NEVER AGAIN ! Don't EVER fall for the insurance scam. I've told everyone DO NOT USE HOTWIRE!

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AAHelpTeam
N/A, US
Oct 20, 2011 2:43 pm EDT
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Hello,

Access America’s Help Team here. We’re sorry that you are unhappy with your travel insurance. While I don't know the full details of your case, what I can tell you is that most of our products that offer trip cancellation coverage provide consumers with coverage for a number of unforeseen situations related to health, environmental, legal and other issues.
It’s important to remember that like any other type of insurance, there are terms, conditions and exclusions that affect coverage. You can see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about exclusions and other limitations here: http://bit.ly/azRs8b.

Please contact us if you have any further questions: help.team@accessamerica.com.

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Hotwire Cancellation refusal

I purchased tickets to Cincinnati, OH for the dates of 11/12-11/15/11.

The class I was supposed to attend was cancelled and Hotwire told me that they couldn't cancel the flight - they couldn't issue a credit for the ticket price - and I could not carry a credit to travel at a later date. They also informed me that I was the ONLY person who could travel on this ticket - I couldn't transfer the tickets to even my HUSBAND!

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Hotwire Airlines ticket price assurance guarantee

did my research online fare compare came up brought up many vendors for my choosing each vendor offered price assurance guarantee till the date of travel to ensure you get the lowest price. upon picking one and it happened to be hot wire.com, first question was do you have price assurance guarantee and if i purchase these tickets today and two weeks from now if the price goes down do you guarantee the new price I was told yes I booked it and now they are not honoring what was said it misleads customers into purchasing and the agents barely can speak good english who knows what other lies do they use to lure people in for business.

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Hotwire Theft

I booked a room with Hotwire but accidentally chose the days the week before my vacation. I checked the confirmation 48 hours after I made the reservation and discovered the error I phoned Hotwire to change the dates. They told me no, that there was nothing they can do "sorry buddy your out 400.00". If I had of called 24 hours after making the reservation they would of been able to help me, but 48 is too long. I am trying to have visa reverse the charges through the resolution centre. I hate Hotwire ! I would never book so much as a ### through them even if they were the last sit down toilet on earth. HATE!

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Hotwire Unfulfilled promises

Hotwire is the worst! Don't use them ever! I booked a hotel in San Diego and when I got to the hotel with my confirmation in hand, they didn't have my room available and was rude! It was an hour later that Hotwire representative said "sorry, but the hotel didn't honor our agreement" and said they would refund my money leaving me without a hotel - passed midnight and still no room. So I paid the hotel the only money I had left to get a room, meaning I was stuck in this non-friendly/unsympathetic hotel for 3 days with NO MONEY to go anywhere but the vending machine. When I got home, I explained to them what happened and they said " we can't go back in time". They promised me all my money back - its been over a month a got nothing! On the phone for hours just to hear "theres nothing we can do at this point". They are absolutely incompetent and customers are paying for it.

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Hotwire Customer Reviews Overview

Hotwire is a popular travel booking website that offers discounted rates on flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. Our analysis of Hotwire reviews reveals that the website is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and reliable customer service.

Many customers appreciate the ease of use of the website, which allows them to quickly search for and book travel arrangements. The website's search filters are also praised for their ability to help customers find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Hotwire's competitive pricing is another major selling point, with many customers reporting significant savings compared to other travel booking websites. The website's "Hot Rates" feature, which offers even deeper discounts on hotels and rental cars, is particularly popular among budget-conscious travelers.

Customer service is another area where Hotwire excels, with many customers reporting positive experiences with the company's support team. Representatives are said to be knowledgeable, helpful, and responsive to customer needs.

Overall, Hotwire is a highly recommended travel booking website that offers great value and reliable service. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Hotwire is a great place to start your search for affordable travel arrangements.

Hotwire In-depth Review

In summary: Hotwire is a travel website that offers competitive pricing on hotels, flights, car rentals, and vacation packages. With a user-friendly interface and a variety of travel services, it is a convenient option for travelers looking to book their trips at discounted rates. While the site provides value for money and often has deals and discounts, the opaque booking process may not appeal to everyone. Customer service experiences vary, and the cancellation policies can be restrictive. Overall, Hotwire is a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers who are flexible with their plans.

Overview of Hotwire: Hotwire is a travel service company that specializes in offering discounted rates for hotels, flights, car rentals, and vacation packages. By keeping the details of the hotel or airline a secret until after purchase, Hotwire can provide lower prices than many competitors.

Website Usability and Design: The Hotwire website is clean and intuitive, with a simple layout that makes it easy for users to navigate. The search functions are straightforward, allowing users to filter and sort results according to their preferences.

Booking Process and Ease of Use: Booking on Hotwire is generally straightforward. Users can easily select their travel dates and preferences, and the site provides clear instructions at each step. However, because some details are only revealed after booking, it may not be suitable for those who prefer to know all the specifics upfront.

Range of Services Offered: Hotwire offers a broad range of travel services, including hotel bookings, flight reservations, car rentals, and vacation packages. This makes it a convenient one-stop-shop for various travel needs.

Pricing and Value for Money: Hotwire is known for providing good deals, especially for last-minute bookings. The value for money is generally high, although this can vary depending on the specific deal and travel dates.

Deals and Discounts Availability: The website regularly features special deals and discounts. Users can access these through the "Deals" section or by signing up for the Hotwire newsletter to receive notifications about current promotions.

Customer Service Experience: Customer service experiences with Hotwire can be mixed. Some users report satisfactory assistance, while others have faced challenges when dealing with changes or issues with their bookings.

Cancellation and Refund Policies: Hotwire's cancellation and refund policies are often seen as restrictive, particularly for the Hot Rate deals where changes or cancellations are typically not allowed. It's important for users to review these policies carefully before booking.

User Reviews and Ratings: User reviews and ratings on Hotwire can be found on various external review platforms. These reviews are mixed, with some customers praising the deals and others expressing dissatisfaction with customer service or specific bookings.

Mobile App Functionality: The Hotwire mobile app is well-designed and offers the same functionality as the website. Users can search, book, and manage their reservations on the go, which is convenient for travelers.

Loyalty Programs and Benefits: While Hotwire does not have a traditional loyalty program, frequent users can benefit from exclusive deals and promotions that are occasionally offered.

Transparency and Fees Disclosure: Hotwire's opaque booking model means that some details are not disclosed until after purchase. While the total price is shown upfront, the lack of transparency about the specifics can be a drawback for some users.

Travel Destinations and Accommodations: Hotwire offers a wide range of travel destinations and accommodations, including hotels ranging from budget to luxury. The variety ensures that there is something for every type of traveler.

Rental Car Services: The rental car services provided by Hotwire are comprehensive, with options available at numerous locations worldwide. Users can compare prices from different providers to find the best deal.

Travel Insurance Options: Hotwire offers travel insurance options to protect users' bookings. This can provide peace of mind, especially for more significant travel investments.

Comparison with Competitors: Compared to competitors, Hotwire's main advantage is the potential for lower prices due to its opaque model. However, competitors may offer more transparent booking processes and flexible cancellation policies.

Payment and Security: Hotwire provides secure payment options and takes measures to protect users' personal and financial information, which is essential for online transactions.

Accessibility and Language Support: The Hotwire website is accessible to users with disabilities, and language support is available for a variety of languages, making it accessible to a global audience.

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability: Information on Hotwire's corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts is not prominently featured, which may be a consideration for socially conscious travelers.

Final Verdict and Recommendations: Hotwire is recommended for travelers who prioritize savings and are flexible with their travel details. It's particularly useful for last-minute bookings and those who don't mind the lack of transparency in exchange for lower prices. However, travelers who prefer knowing all the details before booking or who require flexible cancellation policies might want to consider other options.

How to file a complaint about Hotwire?

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1. Log in or create an account:
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2. Navigating to the complaint form:
- Locate and click on the 'File a Complaint' button on the ComplaintsBoard.com website. You can find this button at the top right corner of the website.

3. Writing the title:
- Summarize the main issue with Hotwire in the 'Complaint Title'. Be concise and clear about the problem you are facing.

4. Detailing the experience:
- Provide detailed information about your experience with Hotwire.
- Include key areas such as transactions, nature of the issue, steps taken to resolve it, personal impact, and the company's response.
- Offer ideas and guidance on what information to include for users struggling to articulate their concerns.

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- Remember to attach any relevant supporting documents to strengthen your complaint.
- Avoid including sensitive personal data in these attachments.

6. Filling optional fields:
- Use the 'Claimed Loss' field to state any financial losses incurred.
- Utilize the 'Desired Outcome' field to specify the resolution you are seeking from Hotwire.

7. Review before submission:
- Review your complaint for clarity, accuracy, and completeness before submitting it.
- Ensure all details are accurate and effectively convey your concerns.

8. Submission process:
- Submit your complaint by clicking the 'Submit' button after reviewing it.

9. Post-Submission Actions:
- Regularly check for any responses or updates related to your complaint on ComplaintsBoard.com.
- Stay engaged with the platform to track the progress of your complaint.

By following these steps, you can effectively file a complaint against Hotwire on ComplaintsBoard.com.

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