Hotwire Reviews
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
About Hotwire
This profile has not been claimed by the company. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review.
Hotwire is a travel and vacation website that offers deeply discounted deals on hotels, car rentals, flights and more. With Hotwire, you can book deals directly from the site or through the company’s app.
Visit www.hotwire.com- Deals in many categories
- Easy to book online or with app
- Significantly discounted rates
- No cancellations
- Doesn’t show hotel name until booked
Hotwire Reviews
Filter by Rating
- (18)
- (7)
- (5)
- (50)
- (1,779)
Popular Mentions
- 4,953,825 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Recent
- Recent
- Oldest
- Most helpful
A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.
- 4,953,825 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Reviewed Oct. 24, 2015
Please stay away from this company. I am not sure how they are allowed to be in business. As many of the posts I read here I booked a three star hotel in Savannah, GA and received a bait and switch. We paid over a hundred dollars for a 1 star quality hotel. I called them to cancel the booking and was hung up on by the first customer service employee after asking to talk with their supervisor. When I called back again the second employee informed me that the notes indicated that the customer hung up on the agent. I was furious and still am to be honest. Their call center is located in the Philippines and Hotwire really does not care about their customers. I was lucky enough to receive a refund. Or at least I hope so. I received a confirmation email indicating the refund but I will believe it once the money goes back on my card. Please stay away from this company at all costs.
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2015
This is my second bad experience with Hotwire so I must complain and request that this false advertising comes to an end. So when you book a hot rate non-refundable hotel it gives a list of hotels of the suggested 3 star rating - big names like Holiday Inn, Doubletree and similar good franchise hotels but once you've completed your booking... For the second time I've got a hotel that most would consider as a high quality motel.
My first time was when I booked a hotel in NYC and I had not purchased the "cancellation policy" so I was stuck with a non-franchised hotel. Most definitely not one of suggested names like Sheraton and Hyatt and for the second time now I booked a 3 star hotel with names like Holiday Inn and Doubletree, suggested I've got a Quality Inn hotel. To top it off the cancelation policy for which I paid additional $10 this time will not be of any assistance because a not satisfactory hotel is not in their list of valid reasons to cancel. My problem is not that I'm not satisfied with the QUALITY of Quality Inn but the fact that they advertise with hotel names that they DO NOT PROVIDE. If they had listed with honesty that they will provide Motel 8 of Super 7 or Quality Inn then I'm sure I would either pay the difference on a different site or stick to the budget price on Hotwire but the choice should be the customers.
This kind of false advertising should come to a stop. I've had very good experiences with them 3-4 years back but the customer service and quality of product has gone so downhill that I will never book with them again. Also their representatives when you complain about not satisfactory product they argue back instead of suggesting a solution. Whatever happened to customer satisfaction? Please shut this site down! I will be requesting my credit card company to be putting a dispute on this charge of hotel. Hopefully I get my money back. I feel bad for all the rest of us who also fell for Hotwire and got scammed.
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2015
Booked a last minute deal through Hotwire.com for one night. Requested room for 3 guests. They claim to not guarantee bed types but that room will sleep the amount of guests. We received a small handicap accessible room with a single bed and only one roll away allowed (no room for another anyway). Complained at front desk and attempted to call Hotwire.com with them for 1/2 hour, then gave up and went to continue trying in the room. Finally reached them at 4 pm. Had a wedding rehearsal dinner at 5. They said all they could do was try to move us. This was not possible. Stayed with one of us on the floor. Have since tried to get a refund. Have called 5 times, requested manager callbacks (they are not available), had callbacks with messages of denials and no callback numbers. Emailed, no response. Still no refund. They have no concern for their "guarantee" and no concern for their customers. Still trying for my refund.
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2015
I booked the Red Roof Inn Cedar Rapids, IA (3243 Southbridge Drive SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 364-2000) in the summer of 2015. This hotel was rated as 2.5 star and was nothing like what the hotel chains they described in this star rating. It was actually a motel. The room was dirty and the hotel was 98% used by a local trucking company with very shady looking guests. I was traveling with my family and we decided to stay in a different hotel on the other side of town. The manager of the Hotel would do nothing for me and Hotwire could not be reached. They would not reimburse my money later when I could reach them and were very unaccommodating.
Since then, I have had two occasions where I have been searching for a hotel on a particular date and then once choosing a hotel, the dates had changed during booking. This has caused me to miss a reservation and again Hotwire was very unaccommodating. They have horrible customer service and just blame everything on the Hotels they partner with.
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2015
On October 10, 2015 I made a reservation at Hotwire.com's website. The dates I selected are NOT what my email confirmation stated, so I immediately called Hotwire to remedy this problem. I was on hold for 20 minutes, then got disconnected. I called again, this time selecting the call-back option. After approx 20 minutes, I did get a call back. I explained the situation, but got disconnected.
I called again, waited the 20 minutes for a call back. This time I was transferred to a different department. I spoke to a non-English speaking person and explained the problem. She too transferred me to a different department. Someone else answered, I explained in as few words as I could the problem. The other end of the line became silent. I thought I was once again disconnected, so I asked, "Are you still there?" She replied, "Yes." Silence. The line once again was silent. I waited a few minutes noticing that we were still connected, and once again asked if she was still there. I heard nothing. After waiting on silent hold for about 30 minutes I ended the call. I've sent at least a dozen emails to Hotwire's customer service department. The last email stated they would cancel my reservation, but that there would be a $133.15 cancellation fee -- the amount of the room charge!
I should have read the reviews for this company before using their services. I found out that many others have had the same terrible experience as myself. So many reviews mentioned the fact that their reservation was SWITCHED for a different hotel, city, dates, etc. Apparently, when there are no rooms available to reserve, their website simply changes the dates, location or other details to make the sale. To make things worse, these reservations are non-refundable. I don't know how this company can stay in business, doing their own switch/bait scheme. I've filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, with the BBB, and opened a dispute with my credit card company. I'm horrified at reading all the reviews on this website, so many similar complaints. Please people, file a complaint with the FTC.
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2015
This was the worst experience I have had with Hotwire to-date. Previous purchases had been excellent with this company so this is why I continued to use them. Then I booked a hotel that should have been similar to the Holiday Inn as they say and it was a no-name motel with mold and cobwebs throughout the room. We could not even stay in this dump and had to book another room immediately! After 4 weeks communicating with the company and them telling me I would receive compensation for the atrocious conditions we had to deal with, I get an email stating that no compensation would occur. Beyond annoyed with this company and will never use them again!
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2015
It is unbelievable that this company is able to operate given the clearly illegal business practices it utilizes. I booked a hotel using their Hot Rate deal, where they withhold the name of the hotel until after you have booked but provide the names of "equivalent" hotels. The hotels they listed were Doubletree, Hilton, Embassy Suites. So what came back as the hotel I got? The nastiest Ramada I have ever seen! When I called the customer service department, all they said was that I used the Hot Rate deal and that was it. It is an absolute outrage that this company can so openly do this bait and switch. They "bait" using the comparable hotels, then "switch" into a dump. There needs to be a class action suit against them. Unbelievable!!!
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2015
I've used HOTWIRE since before 2010. My trip to San Francisco will be the LAST time I use it. What a shame, because my previous experience was positive. Hotwire claims it was a 3.5 star hotel. It's a 2 star at best. It's a MOTEL (exterior hallways - get the picture). We work hard for our family vacations. We got ripped off. HOTWIRE helped facilitate the theft. The free breakfast was in a steam bath, the restaurant attached to the motel was a junky Chinese place. They must been prepping for the day and the heat inside was unbearable. We had to eat on the sidewalk with the homeless men (yes the motel had homeless men coming onto the property - no visible security). The food they offered was awful. Over-ripe bananas, canned pineapple, bread, bagels, bread, and bread with a side of bread.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2015
I always go to Hotwire in hopes of having a satisfactory booking, and I have had those experiences earlier. I booked itinerary ** and found out I could not leave work as I am a student employee. I paid $380 for that fare. It was the so called Hot deals. I called them, and agent said she cannot cancel and refund because there was no duplicate booking. When I found out I cannot use that itinerary, I booked another for the evening #** and called Hotwire to get the refund. The supervisor, Fatima (**), said she cannot refund because the previous supervisor said no. I mean, is there no 1-time courtesy for a student who has been booking for so long with Hotwire? I was also ready to pay the fare difference. Well played Hotwire, keep my $380. That is the last business you will get from me. #Willneverusehotwire #thankyoufornothelping #usinghelplessnessasbusinesstactic.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2015
I have been using Hotwire for many years. I have had to cancel hotels before and have had no trouble as a long term customer. I recently tried to cancel a hotel room due to a tournament cancelation and needing to help my father in law who is 85. They flatly refused to cancel or even put a credit in my account. I was giving them 2 days notice enough for the room to be put out for resale. They clearly have changed their customer service and do not care about repeat business. The customer service people you cannot even understand when speaking with them. It has to be a call center in another country. I will no longer use them for future travel. Shame on you Hotwire. Mark.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2015
I booked online with my Visa Debit in August. And this month my entire account was emptied out due to fraud from an Irish company. I will never ever use Hotwire again in my life. This has caused so much headache because now it takes up to ten days to even get money back from my bank. Do not use Hotwire. They are terrible and you cannot trust them.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2015
We tried to book flights and they kept holding an amount on our card then booting us out of the confirmation part. Our card still had charges holding. When I called 3 times to get help it was like they were reading a response card then disconnected.... Three times I tried.... The last time the person claimed it was an Expedia site not the Hotwire. I was staring at the screen in disbelief. Now the prices are going up and my funds are tied up!!! Ugh!!!!
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2015
I booked a hotel in their "hot deals" and I have done that MANY times before so I knew what I was doing. In the past, I have always received a hotel in the same "class" or even better than advertised. For example, it may say you will receive a hotel similar to a Holiday Inn or a Best Western or a Radisson, etc. So, I booked what I thought was a "hotel" similar to the description of a Holiday Inn (as was stated before I hit accept), and I was booked at a disgusting no-name LODGE/INN!! I was on the phone for an hour with customer service and even offered to PAY MORE $ for them to switch me to a "brand name" hotel similar to a Holiday Inn as promised and they told me "no" I need to check-in, then complain, and they'll try to find another hotel. Why can't they fix the problem now? I will NEVER book through Hotwire again. Not looking forward to my first trip and stay near my son's college. :(
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2015
My wife and I were to be in Florence, AL for a funeral, and looked on Hotwire for a three star hotel (highest hotel rating available in the Shoals area). Using the 3 star filter hotel search, we saw Residence Inn by Marriott, a fine hotel with a listed price, Marriott Shoals, a fine hotel with a listed price, and Jameson Inn Sheffield, with no listed price, but listed as SOLD OUT. A 3 star filter on the Hot Deals tab listed a single unnamed three star and we, thinking we would get a great deal, booked it. Heck, a 3 star is a 3 star, right? NOT!
Upon arriving in Florence, after passing numerous other hotels with nearly full parking lots, we arrived at a nearly empty solitary old hotel in a dark, unpopulated, low traffic area, with first floor room doors opening straight outside onto un-kept grounds and a parking lot in need of paving and striping, containing two or three cars in a lot with room for a hundred. I have little doubt that this hotel probably rated three and maybe even four stars 40 years ago, but it was clear to see it's 1 star condition and poor location was the cause of its nearly deserted state. Our first thought was how can Hotwire say this 3 star hotel is Sold Out when it has ONLY THREE CARS IN THE LOT??? Clearly Hotwire knew this was no 3 star hotel which is why they would not let customers book it on a general 3 star filtered search, but only allowed something-for-nothing dummies such as myself to book it on HOT DEALS.
Well, we didn't even go in, but sat in the lot and called Hotwire to tell them of their mistake in listing this as a 3 star, expecting no trouble getting them to give us credit against a booking in a real 3 star hotel. We sat in that lot, on hold, having been twice disconnected, for a solid hour before finally being connected to a customer service representative who was obviously connected from India. It was like speaking to a brick wall, and during another 15 minute hold, we finally decided to toss the wasted money down the drain and we booked, on our own, Residence Inn, a REAL 3 star hotel. Having driven out of the giant, nearly deserted, sold out 3 star hotel lot, all the while on Hotwire hold, we arrived at the real 3 star Residence Inn, whose lot is so full we can hardly find a space.
After we checked in at Residence Inn, we receive a requested call from the supervisor's supervisor at Hotwire, and it was just like it was talking to the lowest tier person. While acknowledging that they have listed a lower star hotel as a 3 star hotel, they said that doesn't matter because it was a hot deal with no refunds and we didn't actually check in and take it up with the manager. But they, never were able to explain what those reasons had to do with misrepresenting (which the supervisor's supervisor eventually acknowledged) a lower tier hotel as a 3 star. Finally, they offered us a $25 credit which we will never use BECAUSE WE WILL NEVER USE HOTWIRE AGAIN.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2015
My man book a room with Hotwire and ask for a smoking room. After they guarantee him a smoking room. When we got there, the whole hotel don't have a no smoking policy...
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2015
Ok I just had the worst experience with Hotwire. I booked reservations for my husband birthday. Got off the phone, check my account, only to realize I've been charged almost $300 more than I had to. Wait on the phone for almost 4hrs just so I could get my money refunded back into my account. Now I wait. I did speak with a very nice rep. And she apologized for the mess. But I don't think I will book through Hotwire again after this.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2015
We booked two rooms for four person in Budapest including breakfast. In Budapest they told us that we have to pay for breakfast. So we contacted Hotwire and over 25 mails later they didn't, we're able to find a solution. Hotwire has a really bad customer service, they even didn't respond to a lawyer of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy. Therefore I can't recommend Hotwire and we'll never book again with Hotwire.
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2015
I rented cars using Hotwire.com several times and it was always good experience, and prices were better than other places I checked. My latest rental was a disaster though. I rented through them for a car in Chicago O'Hare airport a month ahead of my trip and got a rental with enterprise rent a car. When I got there, I took the shuttle from the airport to the rental place, and it turned out my booking is not the airport one and has no shuttle to the airport! The website did not warn me about it when I was booking.
I called them and the customer service couldn't do anything about it, but offering to make another booking at the airport location which was much more expensive. I ended up paying $30 for taking a cab to and from airport plus the inconvenience. The only thing customer service told me was that perhaps at the time of booking, no car was available at any airport rental place! Shouldn't they have at least warned me about it? I am very disappointed with their recent service and would have saved money if rented from other websites.
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2015
I booked a room through Hotwire.com, however there was a guarantee stipulation that if the price was found online to be cheaper to let them know and they would refund the difference. Well I found it cheaper through the resort I booked and notified Hotwire and their response was we can cancel your reservation and you can book through the hotel directly. This is a ** business practice and I will never use Hotwire again.
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2015
I realized as soon as I completed a weekend car rental reservation that I had entered the wrong drop-off date, Monday instead of Tuesday. The rate Hotwire gave me through Alamo was $20 a day, total price $66. I called Hotwire immediately to explain the mistake, that I needed the car for another day. After waiting more than 10 minutes for the return call, I was told I had booked at a special rate, and it couldn't be undone but the "helpful" agent said she could arrange a refund of the original booking if I would re-book the entire weekend -- at a three-day price of $188, that is, an additional $122 over my two-day rental price.
I said that was crazy, and asked how much it would cost if I accepted the two-day rental but kept the car another day. She didn't answer that question, but instead told me I could book the car for an extra day -- essentially, a second booking -- for $63. Again I said that was crazy. I hung up and called Alamo directly. Their CONTRACT says it would cost $37 to keep the car an extra day, which of course I accepted.
So why didn't Hotwire know this? Because they figured they could use my error to soak me for more money unnecessarily. A normal customer-oriented customer would have just allowed me to correct my mistake and add the third day to my reservation. I can tell the difference between a company that is trying to help the customer and one that senses an opportunity to rip off a customer. Never again, Hotwire.
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2015
SCAM. Hotwire is agency for car rental. If you do reservation for the car rental, Hotwire will send you to Hertz Rental Car Company and if the reservation car not there you has to change or upgrade the other car. Hertz charge you full and Hotwire will not refund your money. I called Hotwire for this case. They promised to refund my money after I faxed the bill of Hertz and later they argued that I upgraded the car and they will not refund money. That is SCAMMER.
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2015
I've used Hotwire's hotel booking system for years and have found the hotels they use are always fine. But not this time! We had a room booked at the Spanish Trails Inn in Durango, Colorado. When we got there the exterior was rundown and really dated so we asked if we could check out our room. It was really bad. It smelled horrible. We checked another room and it was bad too. When we called Hotwire they could do nothing for us although I'm pretty sure they make their money from bookings. Hotwire says "you can trust that you will get a quality hotel." YOU CAN'T!
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2015
We booked a hotel with Hotwire for Glendale, CA. There were no additional fees listed on the reservation. When we checked in we were told there was a $25 parking fee per night. When we called Hotwire to complain, they were very rude, spoke poor English, and then told us that since FREE PARKING wasn't listed under amenities, we had to pay it. I asked for a supervisor and was put on hold 18 minutes. The supervisor came on and said that since it wasn't listed as an amenity, we had to pay. I said, "Free water isn't listed either, but you expect to get it!" They were very rude and told me they didn't care if we didn't use Hotwire again and they weren't doing anything about it. LAST TIME TO USE THIS HORRIBLE SERVICE! They used to be reputable... but apparently good customer service is no longer an "amenity!"
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2015
I booked a car rental through Hotwire app and was on the phone with a Hotwire agent while making the reservation. The agent walked me through the reservation. I inquired that if I can cancel the booking in case there are any changes in the future. She said it's fine and I can just call Hotwire. Now, the family I am traveling with purchased an SUV and we decided to use their new car. When I called Hotwire, the first agent asked me to call Alamo since he cannot assist me with my request. I called Alamo and the agent told me to call Hotwire again since I booked it Hotwire. Now, the second agent told me that she could not assist me since my reservation is non refundable.
I hope the next time your customers will ask for assistance in booking any reservation, kindly give them the correct information. Hotwire agents told me on the phone that I am misinformed by the agent who assisted me with my booking. You need to do more training with your personnel to give your customers reliable and consistent information. They unprofessionally told me that I cannot just used my booking but my credit card will still be charged or has already been charged with the booking. That's very great news... People can just throw money away. Maybe they have a lot but some people work hard to earn money. Be consistent and reliable.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2015
We live in Red Deer, AB Canada and are flying to Toronto Canada! We booked a flight & hotel package through Hotwire Sept 30th. We just called the toll free number and booked through an agent! We were quoted x amount of dollars, so proceeded with the booking. Next day, took a look at my CC and noticed it was in U.S. currency. So I called to ask about it on Oct 1 and I was passed back and forth and to 6 different people, then oh they couldn't help so next person. I was on hold for hour and half. Finally, had to work so I had to hang up.
Then, Friday night I went on to call and ask if I could talk to a manager about it. He took all my info and asked what the issue was. I stated we should have been told it was in U.S. Dollars but not once did that get mentioned and how we felt it was very unfair. We live in Canada, we are flying to Canada and paying US dollars for our trip! It's our first get away together and now the price just got a lot higher. Anyways, he said he was going to talk to higher up and put me on hold and I might be waiting a while but he would come back to update me! I waited 2 hrs on hold, NO updates and then it hung up, and it was already late in the evening so I didn't call back right away!
So I called Sunday Oct 4 and I was told she was a supervisor and from the beginning she couldn't find our itinerary number. So I explained the situation and she instantly got snotty and said "Well you know you called a U.S. Number." I said "No, we didn't. We just called the toll free number." So then said that "When you call, there is a voice prompt if you want Canada or the U.S." I said "No, it didn't. Honestly." She said "Well what number did you call?", so I told her and she said that the U.S. Number I said, it was a toll free. How am I to know ? I said then, "The person who helped us, why wouldn't they help us out and point us to the Canada number when they knew we lived in Canada?" She then basically wouldn't let me get a word in and kept saying there was absolutely nothing they could do to help us or they would have by now.
So they know I have been calling? Or was I lied to when I was on hold for 2 hrs on Friday? She couldn't answer the question, just kept on about how we called a U.S. Number, so we pay US funds. Called again the number, again to see if we missed something but there was no option for a Canadian number and I said "There is no option for the Canadian number and if you go to Hotwire.ca, it takes you to .com!" She kept saying it was not the representative's fault and I said "Why wouldn't he tell us to call the Canadian number then?" She didn't answer but insist on telling and interrupting me about this phone number.
So they're paying from US dollars to Canadian Dollars for what we booked! TERRIBLE CUSTOMER service all around right from the beginning. Also, not to be rude but English speaking people would be nice to talk to, not people who can barely speak it. PLEASE DO NOT book through them if you can. You can guarantee word of mouth can go a long way. I honestly did not expect someone to be so rude and say there was nothing they could do to help.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2015
Be careful. You choose the dates at the beginning of your reservation and then at the end they change them. You don't look again and you get wrong dates with no choice. Don't use it! It is super tricky!
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2015
I paid for a 2.5 star hotel and checked into an uninhabitable building. Fire alarm broken, door lock broken, roaches in three surfaces, a broken and sticky and black moldy shower, a gummy, badly stained carpet, a dead flea in the sheets, live and active bed bugs. A flashlight review of the sheets once I felt the crawling on me found a fresh, unwashed bloodstain and hair. Customer service dismissed me by filing a report internally and at nearly midnight leaving me to live with the consequences of trusting them. I had to sleep elsewhere and Hotwire pocketed my revenue.
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2015
I reserved a room through Hotwire on Sept 6th and I reached the hotel only to know that they don't have any rooms and Hotwire's reservation system just booked the rooms without checking the availability. This incident screwed our plan for that day and we drove to multiple hotels near by the one we booked and none of them had rooms available and finally had to compromise and stay in a motel. When I called customer care, they just kept transferring the call to separate team which never answered the call. I would give them a single star just because they process the refund.
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2015
I made a reservation for my mother through hotwire.com but they sent her to Enterprise and she don't have the requirements they need to rent a car from them. So they said they was going to cancel that reservation and refund the money back to me. And then we made a new reservation and he typed in his computer that the person would be using a debit card and they sent my mother through Hertz and she has all the requirements they want. But when she get her bank statement it shows they refunded the money but took it back off. And now this is the third time they did it again to her. I have the bank statements to show that they refunded the money but took it right back off. I want to talk to a head manager because that's like $600 dollars that y’all took.
I just want to fix the problem because my mother do like doing business with y’all. Please have a manager call or email me back. ** or **and ask for Edward. Thank you and have a good! These are the three time I was refunded. (1) $335.42 on August 8, 2015 - itinerary number **, (2) $195.08 on September 15, 2015 - itinerary number **, (3) $221.41 on September 25, 2015 - itinerary number **.

Reviewed Sept. 30, 2015
Someone obtained my credit card info and used it on Hotwire to rent a car or a motel room. Because I get notifications from my credit card company whenever it is used, I called them immediately (the same day the charge appeared). After spending well over an hour on hold and after being hung up on numerous times, I finally was able to report the 117$ charge as fraud. They still charged my card!!!! This is NOT a travel agency that anyone should ever do business with!! Buyer beware!!!!
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2015
My husband and I were making a car rental for July 11th on July 10th. We paid for it, and then an itinerary was sent to us for a car rental for July 25. We immediately called them to inform them they sent us the wrong dates. We were put on hold for 2 hours. They refused to cancel, refund, nothing. I called my credit company Capitol One. I disputed the charge. We rented another car from Enterprise for the 11th, the correct date we wanted it. Hotwire disputed our dispute and charged the money back.
We sent Capitol One our receipt of the car rental for the 11th, which was the date we wanted, (from Enterprise) along with 6 other customer reviews within three months of making the reservation, of the same "computer glitch" in their system with the same exact argument as ours. I told Capitol One why were we able to make the correct dates with Enterprise and not Hotwire? It is not an error on our behalf, but Hotwire's. Because we didn't take screenshots of everything leading up to our reservation, we couldn't prove that we did pick those dates. Unbelievable. Thieves. How dare they change the dates on the reservation and make you pay for it. We did not use their services, and provided a receipt from another REPUTABLE company with the correct dates. If anyone is filing a lawsuit against Hotwire please contact me.
Reviewed Sept. 29, 2015
I live in Ontario, Canada and wanted to make a reservation at the Ottawa Airport in Ottawa, Ontario. I researched online and found that Hotwire had a CAD price of $107 for one night on October 5, 2015. I had difficulty booking the reservation myself online so I called the Hotwire telephone number listed at the top of the screen. I informed the agent I was having difficulty with the reservation so he offered to make it for me. I told him the price was showing at $107 CAD. Since I am Canadian calling from Canada and booking a Canadian hotel and told him I was looking at a screen that said $107 CAD, I figured that is how he would bill me. No... he charged me in USD.
The reservation has now cost me an extra $60 CAD to reserve after taxes. Even when I look at the Hotwire website for Ottawa Airport hotels right now, today, the prices for the two choices are $119CAD and $108CAD. Customer Service at Hotwire will not do anything about this. In my opinion they are a bunch of crooks and I will never ever use them again. I will also do my best to inform family and friends of Hotwire's lack of Customer Service and I will be sure to spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. If I was an agent working there I would be ashamed of myself! Hotwire owners/shareholders should be ashamed of their service reputation.
Reviewed Sept. 29, 2015
I am based in the UK and have used Hotwire on many occasions throughout the world. On most occasions, bookings have been at good hotels at considerable savings. This is the very basis of their system, and benefits all parties concerned. It has been why I have continued to use them and not other companies. I recently bid for a hotel for two nights in Australia. The hotel was described as a 4.5 star hotel, however upon being paid for by me and revealed, it turned out to be a hotel which describes itself as a "mid-scale" 4 star hotel (from a chain that I regularly stay in). Hotwire describes a 4.5 star hotel as "Guests can expect attentive service, premium amenities, and stylish accommodation from these polished hotels. Unique touches will make your stay memorable." So the hotel Hotwire attempted to sell me was over inflated and in addition was more than the price that I would have paid had I booked directly with the hotel itself.
Had I booked directly with this hotel, I would also have received many benefits such as an upgrade and late check-out, if available, that I am entitled to due to my membership status with this chain. These benefits are not available if I book via a third party, such as Hotwire. I was very disappointed and surprised by this. Hotwire unilaterally decided to elevate the star rating for this hotel by applying their own methodology. They do this if they get good feedback from customers about a hotel. I argued that this was not fair. Simply because a customer is happy with a hotel, does not mean that it is of a higher star rating.
I have stayed in many good 3 star hotels - however that does not make the hotel a higher starred property. Crucially, by doing this they then can compare the hotel in question to higher rated and more expensive hotels in the vicinity and then claim that you are receiving a great saving compared to these other hotels. They in fact entice you to make a booking with the banner "save up to 60%," however this was not met in my case, as I received no saving at all, but ended up spending more money, once all of Hotwire's fees were included.
I then commenced an arduous process trying to engage with Hotwire by phone and email about this. I said that I wanted to resolve this matter with them privately before airing this in a public forum. The standard response was simply to provide scripted answers without referring to the key issues I had raised. At all times they continued to rely on the non-refundable nature of the booking. My arguments that they are only entitled to rely on such an exclusion clause if they comply with their side of the bargain fell on deaf ears.
The end result was that I was sold a lesser ranked hotel for a higher price than I could have obtained had I simply booked directly or with another third party. My assumption of risk therefore had no upside for me - and breaks with the fundamental decision to take such a risk upon finding that I was placed in a worse position. Even if Hotwire were to refund the difference in price, it would not make up for the fact that I was given a lower ranked hotel than I applied for.
I believe that this is very poor business practice. Hotwire promised one thing and delivered another and will not shift from this position, despite my well articulated and careful arguments to the contrary. My alternative now means that I have no choice but to accept their decision, unless I decide to spend further money on an alternative booking, which I am not prepared to do. I am extremely disappointed with this result. I feel that my loyal patronage to this company over many years is of little or no consequence, despite their disingenuous claims that I have saved money and obtained a great deal. Like others, I now will be very cautious in believing that they accurately and fairly deal with customers.
As a customer I fully understand that I take a certain amount of risk when entering a transaction such as this, but do so on the assumption that any sale is based on accurate information and correct pre-contractual statements. While I believe that this hotel will deliver what it promises on its own website, it does not meet the description of the hotel they provided. Hotels themselves need also to be aware of this when deciding to use Hotwire's service, and realise that their own brands can be impacted by this poor service to their eventual customers. While I have no complaint about the hotel itself, it concerns me if they continue to deal with Hotwire, and I intend to also let them know about this.
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2015
Used Hotwire to book a room. They asked for the amount of kids and their ages. I booked it and then arrived at the hotel to be told we had a king bed and would have to pay $20 more to get two queen beds as it was an upgrade. They said Hotwire always screws them like this. Hotwire would not refund my money so we had to pay the $20 to stay.
Reviewed Sept. 27, 2015
We used Hotwire to book our recent visit to New Braunfels, Texas. We used your hot deal option for what was advertised as a three star hotel with such comparable hotels as Embassy Suites and Radisson. The Ramada we were booked in was not even a one star. Motel was at least thirty to forty years old, shower rod was broken and numerous bugs in the bathroom. If I wouldn't have booked thru Hotwire and my payment not refundable I would have left the motel. I have stayed at numerous hotels in the area that Hotwire has rated two stars or less that are much newer and nicer. With this experience, I will never use Hotwire again.
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2015
I used to stay at hotels every weekend and I've always used Hotwire.com. They had this program called Hotwire Express for those VIP customers. As of Sept. 1, 2015 they no longer have it. Their customer service sucks. Before one was able to change the name of the person who was going to check-in, now you can’t. They tell you to call the hotel instead and try to make the change with them but if you call the Hotel they tell you to call Hotwire and make the change! The service with Hotwire has dropped tremendously. I had this bad experience and it will be the last one. I will never use this company again and I will like people to know about their bad service. NEVER USE HOTWIRE.
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2015
I live in Gresham. I booked a hotel in Seattle. We got there and they had no record of our hotel reservation. I spent two and a half hours in the hotel lobby trying to work with Hotwire with no success. They were unable to give the hotel the correct billing information and were unwilling to give me a Refund. After an additional 30 minutes I finally got my refund. I will never use.
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2015
I had booked a flight to LA back in May for 5 days. The trip was to take place in November. Recently I found out that my girlfriend had become pregnant and we had planned to continue with our plan to take that trip. Unfortunately, during a recent trip to her physician we discovered that the pregnancy was high risk. I had originally purchased the Travel Protection Plan and thought I would be ok to cancel the trip and receive a refund.
I contacted Hotwire's customer service and spoke with Kathy who was quick to get us in touch with the airline to cancel the flight. After being on the phone for almost 30 minutes, she advised me that the tickets were non-refundable. I inquired about the travel protection plan and she advised me that the trip needed to be cancelled per policy first and then she would provide me the number for the insurance company.
I called the insurance company and they advised me the package I purchased only covers illness where you're hospitalized and death. They advised me to contact Hotwire for a refund. I called them back and spoke with "supervisor" Christian who only stated it was against policy. I explained that the travel protection is misleading if you cannot cancel with a refund as it stated. He offered his manager who could call me back in an hour. After 2 hours had passed, I realized they would not call me back that evening.
I posted a comment on their Facebook page explaining the situation and wanting an explanation/assistance regarding my trip and not only had they deleted my post the next day, they also blocked me from posting on their page, essentially ignoring my situation and preventing me from sharing my experience, making things worse. I am beyond angry now and looking into whether or not I should pursue legal action over $800 which is a drop in the bucket for that company unless they make a living over misleading customers on their policy and packages. I will continue to reach out to them in hopes of getting this resolved.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2015
Their website for car rentals is very confusing and misleading. Customer Service Reps and their Supervisors, not well informed. Obviously Hotwire does not empower anyone to correct problems, streaming customers to one representative after another. Avoid them at all cost. Easier and cheaper to deal with rental agency on your own.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2015
I have used Hotwire for a number of reservations. Have been a loyal customer. At 3pm today, I made a car reservation - less than one hour later, I called to cancel due to a change in plans. No luck. They pocket the money and issue no refunds. At least with the airlines, if a mistaken reservation is made and it is dealt with within 24 hours, you are entitled to a full refund. They really have little care for their loyal customers. It was only $45.00 but still - it's the principle. First time shame on me - there won't be a second time.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2015
I searched for estimates for a car rental through Booking.com and the lowest quote I received was from Hotwire. My submission clearly indicated pick up at one spot and drop off at another. I received the quote and booked it. When I subsequently picked up the car at Dollar an additional $100 drop off fee was added. This had not been included on Hotwire's reservation but should have been because the different drop off information had been included in the search and was known to Hotwire. Customer service representatives at Hotwire were polite and unhelpful.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2015
Hotwire provides a list of hotel brands that are included in each of their 'star ratings'. I selected and paid for a 4 star hotel and then was given a hotel from their 3 star hotel list - the price was not discounted. I will NEVER use this service again - it's a scam. When I called to complain they kept me on hold for 15 minutes and then told me '"too bad you can't cancel".
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2015
Hotwire site display that they will put me in a luxury hotel but would not display which one until after I have paid. In my case, example given was the Double Tree by Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn, etc, and they offered a $10 cancellation fee... but after I purchased my room, they gave me a no named "Sunrise Inn" hotel. I did notice the no refund information before or cancellation before pressing the button to purchase the hotel, but I had already paid for a CANCELLATION FEE. They should not sell a cancellation fee if they will not cancel an order. The hotel had horrible reviews and the hotel looked horrible when I Googled the hotel name.
When I called to use the $10 cancellation fee I paid, they said I could only cancel in case of emergency. That was not stated on the page when I purchased the cancellation fee. After Googling the hotel, I found that other sites offered rooms at that hotel for $10 to $15 less. I am very disappointed with Hotwire. I will never use them again. I think they false advertise. They should include that customers just may get a dump instead of the hotels they listed that we should likely receive. False advertising at its best... They should be liable in court.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2015
I have been a Hotwire customer for many years and given them thousands of dollars of business. Never again, after the horrific customer service I received from them this go-round. Last night, while on a road trip, I booked a room through them, and upon arrival it was clear that it was not anywhere near a two-star property. The Super 8 across the street looked like a palace comparatively, to give you an idea. It was so bad that we didn't even feel comfortable getting out of the car.
After calling Hotwire "customer service" three times, being hung up on twice, generally given the runaround by rude agents, and then finally getting a call back from an equally rude and dismissive manager the next day, the short version is Hotwire absolutely refuses to issue a refund even though the hotel was so bad we never checked in. We will be filing complaints on Hotwire wherever possible, and they will be losing out on hundreds of dollars of future business from a longtime (and now former) customer for their refusal to issue a refund of less than $100. Terrible business practice, and absolutely abusive to the consumer.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2015
Bait and Switch Scam on Rental Cars -- Booked a full-size rental car for 5 days, inputted my dates of 9/22/15 - 9/26/15 at $9.99 per day off their email to us and Hotwire booked the car for me with Enterprise Car Rentals. Great deal but... After they ran my card the final itinerary showed 9/27/15 - 9/29/15. Called Hotwire and they advised the offer only good for the dates listed. Told them I fly out on 9/26 so please fix the error. Nope. Said that was only days for that special. Asked why their system accept the dates I inputted instead of arbitrarily booking me to the dates they wanted, their only response was they would be happy to refund my $50 and book me with their partners, Enterprise Car Rentals, at well over $300, higher than all other offers on the market, even renting directly from Enterprise. If I didn't book the $300+ deal then they would simply keep my $50. The judicial system calls that BAIT AND SWITCH.
So Enterprise and Hotwire have created a new profit center. My recommendation is DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH ENTERPRISE CAR RENTALS or HOTWIRE. Do a SEARCH ON HOTWIRE SCAMS and you will understand. Disregard any positive reviews. They are paid to post them. If anyone else has suffered from this scam please continue to review this site and other scam reporting sites to provide your information for a potential class action lawsuit.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2015
I am very disappointed and discouraged by your lack of customer service. Today, September 17, 2015 at 11:30 am I called to cancel a flight reservation that was made about 10:00 am. As I navigated your website, I booked a flight for September 22, 2015 from Philadelphia to Atlanta, overlooking the time of the departure and confusing the hour from 7 am to 7 pm. I noticed the instance I clicked the booking, and a few minutes later called the agency to cancel. Hotwire representative stated that the agency will not reimburse my flight, but can be cancelled. I asked if I could speak to a supervisor and I was transferred to a woman that did not identified herself as supervisor. She stated that I will not be reimburse. I explained that thinking the purchase did not go through I bought a second flight on a different website for the same dates during the evening.
I also asked them to call the airlines and explain my situation, they stated to have spoken to DELTA and that DELTA rejected the request.. Yes, I accidentally bought two tickets for the same date and spent a total of 660.00. I should have spent only half of this amount. I am completely stunned and insulted by the response of Hotwire to my individual situation. Which I am sure has happened or could happen to many customers. I think Hotwire's policy of no reimbursement or changes after booking leaves no room for human error, and very insensitive to people's economic situation.
I am sure that I will not use Hotwire website to buy any products in the future. It honestly hurts me to lose 300 dollars because I am single mother with a very limited monthly income. The three hundreds that was refused to be reimbursed is part of my monthly budget and survival needs. Do I need to mention that my intention to buy the flight on September 22nd is to visit my aunt who is battling with cancer and chemotherapy. Again, I ask that Hotwire consider my request to reimburse me. There were two round trips booked, one for me and my two year old daughter the same day. I will update two documents that provide evidence that there were two tickets bought the same day to the same location. I called twice and sent an email and I have not been heard.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2015
I booked a hotel online through Hotwire. It was one of their best deals at three and a half stars. They said it was the equivalent of a Doubletree. When I got here the entire place is under construction and the place is like a ghost town. I am in the hotel room and I'm afraid for my safety. I will be surprised if my car is still there in the morning or isn't stripped. This hotel is completely ghetto. I am a 62 year old woman staying alone. The hotel was not what it was represented to be. I needed a place to stay as my husband is a veteran and is in the hospital. I will never use Hotwire again.
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2015
This was by far the worst experience I have had with a so called customer service. If I can give them less than zero stars I would. First I call the representative and book over the phone and pay a hundred dollars extra to assure that everything was accurate. First, the rep never tells me anything about needing a visa to Brazil. Whether that is my responsibility or not, the rep should clarify EVERYTHING. We get to the airport and we are told that we cannot get on the flight because we don't have a visa.
We call Hotwire customer service over THIRTEEN times and every time they "accidentally" get disconnected. We finally reach a manager who was able to help, he then connects us to another rep who will verify the transaction and she "accidentally" hangs up again. We did not even request a refund all we asked for was a change in flight. We have been on the phone with them for at least four hours. Every time we ask to speak to a manager we are on hold for at least thirty minutes. This is definitely the first and last time we are booking with Hotwire. They are the most unprofessional customer service I have EVER dealt with.
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2015
My husband just booked a one night hotel stay through Hotwire today. The hotel offered has the original retail price of $206 plus 69% off, so the net is $63. This hotel was listed as a 2.5 star. After I booked, Quality Inn was given but it only costs $63 for the advance purchase rate if I booked directly through Quality Inn for the same date today. Priceline rated this particular Quality as a 2 star at a rate of $74 with free cancellation. We thought that we would be saving 69% on a 2.5 star hotel. In actuality, we did not get any savings but felt taken advantaged of and helpless.
If we were to book directly through the hotel we would at the very least know exactly where our family will be staying. For the sake of saving money because we are on a tight budget and will be traveling with two young kids, we gave Hotwire a chance and regret it deeply. The reviews at this particular Quality Inn was very bad due to lack of cleanliness, poor customer service, and a sketchy neighborhood. We just pray that our family comes home safe from the trip.
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2015
I am going to the UK for a wedding in central London next month and was looking for an inexpensive hotel to suit my needs. I trusted Hotwire, before confirming the booking with payment, when it said that the hotel would be similar to Holiday Inn and other such hotels but discovered, immediately after booking and looking at the reviews online of what they had given me, that it was NOT A HOTEL AT ALL but rather cheap flats with NO RECEPTION ON SITE, also no phones in the rooms and I would have to collect the key from an entirely different place. While some reviews were positive, others warned about going there complaining, among other things, that there was bad mold and a rancid smell in some of the rooms.
As I am planning on staying at the hotel by myself I am concerned for my security with no reception on site and no phones to contact any staff, who apparently aren't on site anyhow - and also for my health with the possibility of mold, especially when some reviews said there was thick dirt and grime in the bathroom and around the shower head. This is potentially VERY DANGEROUS for anyone who is unlucky to get such a room which clearly has a mold issue!
After spending a whole morning trying to change my booking [having booked it less than 24hrs before], even offering to pay more to be moved to another hotel and explaining very clearly and politely my concerns and saying that the information on the website was misleading, the manager told me that my booking couldn't be changed. While I have had some positive experiences with Hotwire in the past, this experience has left me angry and very disappointed with Hotwire. I don't feel a valued customer at all and will not use them again or recommend them as I have in the past. I FEEL HOTWIRE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING MISLEADING INFORMATION ON THE WEB!
Reviewed Sept. 16, 2015
Booked a hotel in Carlsbad end up in Oceanside, 20 to 30 min. from wedding, cheap rates. Hotwire sucks. Called that minute after booking. Sorry sucker click, sorry click. Hotwire is scam trickster. Rebook to a new hotel, sure 48-hour hold on card plus new charge 50 bucks higher **. I learned don't trust Hotwire. It is a scam trick.
Reviewed Sept. 16, 2015
Went online to Hotwire to book a trip to Miami beach for Oct. 10th-14th, 2015. Total package for airfare and hotel came up $1,194.00 trip was never confirmed to my e-mail or itinerary, however $572.00 was taken out of my bank account twice. As of now its been difficult to speak to a supervisor to get the monies back in to my bank account at Amalgamated bank. I did not authorize them to take that money from my account.
Reviewed Sept. 15, 2015
I swear this company makes up the rules as they go along. The refused to give me a rate difference reimbursement when I found the hotel cheaper on Expedia and Travelocity. First they show me a comparable room to the Hilton and then when booked, they put us in a hotel in a bad neighborhood in a Rodeway Inn. When we requested the price difference refund they asked us to send them a screen shot of the lower price. When I did, they said because it was not in the same currency they denied it. What do you mean same currency? I booked it in U.S. Dollars and I paid for it in U.S. Dollars! That's stipulation is not even in the reimbursement policy anywhere! I'm calling my credit card company and refusing payment! DON'T USE THEM!
Reviewed Sept. 15, 2015
Scottish inn. 2 star for 166 total American dollars. After Hotwire app glitch. Spent an hour and a half on the phone with them and they only took a few buck off my bill!! WTF! SO GROSS THERE! First the room key would work, went a room that REEKED of stale cigarettes! And the toilet would flush and everything looked dirty. I tried to just check out and leave but he would take no for an answer at the desk so we looked at the third room, his best room and really didn't want to throw away 166 dollars for our HARD earned money and it "looked" "tolerable" but.. bugs, dirty floors! OMG the floors! 7 channels all bad. (Suppose to have cable?!) Shampoo in a packet. Hard pillow, squeeze bed. Jacuzzi tub but turned dark water when turned on. Fruit flies - a lot of them! Food left in fridge that looked like it was in there for a week! I seriously just said old food!
Outdated comforter, slept with our blanket, scared what inside. Online for 127 a night total of 166 & for 2 stars wifi didn't even work! Small parking lot. ** stain towel! Huge chucks of dust on lamp! Yelling and pounding from other people all night. Scared for my life a little... black out curtains were none existent either. My fiancé's back is killing for sleeping on the bed. We were only here for about 11 hrs, just to sleep and I feel physically and mentally sick! ** Hotwire for not fixing their app glitch, we were suppose to be a 4 star hotel relaxing on vacation from our hard working jobs! Super squeeze bed, and floors! And the blow dryer doesn't work! Got acne on my face a day later from sleeping in filth! After Hotwire's glitch!
Reviewed Sept. 14, 2015
I booked a flight in the wrong date by mistake. With less than 20 minutes I call them and they don't want to return my money or do any deal to fix it. Worse call service ever. Don't do any deal with them!!! I've called to my card company and I hope that they can resolve that problem.
Reviewed Sept. 13, 2015
I booked a rental car online. At some point during the booking process the reservation dates were modified to some random dates after I had originally entered the pick up and drop off dates. I never noticed the change and booked at the surprisingly good rate. On review of the booking I saw the dates were far different from what I had entered. Miraculously after contacting customer service (on hold for 20 minutes) the rate quoted for the date I had originally requested, and not the random dates, had tripled. How about that? Somehow the come on rate was nowhere in sight only the prevailing rates available anywhere. The whole thing is a scam. They randomly change something in the online booking process to ultimately force a change resulting in a huge up-charge. It's not like I haven't booked reservations online before. Moments before this I booked airline tickets for six different flights and somehow got it all right. Hotwire is a scam outfit. BEWARE.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2015
Please do not reserve any services from this company. Do yourself a favor and do not use their services. I recently booked a hotel in Las Vegas for 2 days. After finding out that an event I was attending to got cancelled, I went online and processed a cancellation. I got an email from Hotwire saying my hotel room was cancelled and my account was going to be refunded $882.56. 2 weeks later, 6 phone calls talking to 6 different reps and 3 supervisors and the amount has not been refunded yet. One of the reps even told me the hotel where I was staying at did not refund cancellations. I explained then that I have an email from Hotwire saying that my cancellation was processed and that I was going to get my money refunded, but they seem to not care at all. Bluntly, I will never use their services again and hope that if you are reading this post at least you don't have to go through all this horrendous experience.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2015
I stay at hotels twice a week. Mostly I use Hotwire. I take a photo of the deal every time. They use wrong pricing of hotels all the time. They say you are getting a better deal but I call a hotel with them on the phone and the hotel said that their highest price was never the one Hotwire was showing. I have used Hotwire to stay at the same hotel several times but the price for the hotel is different every time. They say I was saving 62 percent one time, 22 percent a different time. They lie.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2015
I searched for a reservation at a particular address because it was a hotel I wanted to stay in. It searched and found that address for a very good rate. I clicked book now and filled out all the information and booked. When I got the confirmation it was for a different hotel at a different address. When I called customer service and explained they hung up on me. I called again and after 38 minutes talked to someone who tried to book me at the hotel I wanted for twice the rate. I informed them I could call the hotel directly and get a better rate. In so many words they said too bad.
I said to cancel the reservation at the wrong hotel. They said in so many words too bad it is not cancelable. I asked for a supervisor who wasted a number of minutes and said the same thing. The Hotwire website is about the worst I have seen anywhere. Their customer service is the worst also. I cannot believe a company like this is allowed to stay in business. What they do should be illegal.
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2015
Booked hotel through Hotwire. Confirmed indoor and outdoor pool. There was no pool.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2015
Booked a hotel at the end of April 2015 through Hotwire. We fundraise money to fight cancer by running the Women's Nike Race every year. My wife sustained an injury in August and was told no excessive running. I called Hotwire and asked the customer service rep what would it take to cancel my reservation and get a refund. After being put on hold, the rep came back and said "all you have to do is send the doctor's notes from your wife why she can't attend the reservation, and it has to be on the doctor's letterhead then we'll review it for a refund." I stated, "Is that all I have to do?". And she said, "Yes it's in the email I just sent you."
After hanging up, I read the email that stated my reservation was cancelled and cannot be reinstated and we need to send in all documents. That's an invalid cancellation since I never actually instructed the rep to cancel the reservation and she never asked my permission to cancel the reservation. We decided we'll just go anyway and still fundraise in San Francisco. After calling Hotwire again, a manager got on the phone and was very rude and told me there's no refund and they can't reinstate the reservation. I have to wait 7 days for them to review the tape to see if I told her to cancel the reservation. I got a call the next day, 9.9.2015, stating they reviewed the tape and I authorized her to cancel the reservation. I demanded to hear the tape and to play it back for me thru the phone proving that either I asked the rep to cancel the reservation or she asked my approval or authorization to cancel the hotel.
Hotwire said they can't do that. I said, "It's just your word to stop me from calling". The supervisor said she's not going to relisten to the tape. She said, "I'm not going to play back the tape." I asked to speak to a manager above her. She said, "They'll tell you the same thing. There's no refund and no reinstatement." I said, "I still want to speak to this person." Ok Consumer Affairs, with all of the complaints against Hotwire, I'm assuming this will go nowhere anyway, but thank you for allowing me to voice my complaint.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2015
I booked via Hotwire for a Hertz car rental. When I returned home from the trip, Hotwire AND Hertz charged me for the rental even though Hertz was very familiar with me when I checked in and even referenced my Hotwire reservation. When I returned home, I contacted Hotwire. They asked me to fax in all receipts and that they would gladly issue a credit for the duplicate billing. One week later, with a fax confirmation sheet (print-out) in my hands, Hotwire is claiming they never received it. Five (5) emails later, I'm being ignored my Hotwire. In a word... RUN! There are many other options out there. Hotwire simply has too many complaints filed against it. I would steer clear. I wish I would have read this site prior to booking.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2015
I booked a hotel through hotwire, my first time. It was for a one night stay at a hotel. Hotwire charged me and the hotel charged me for the one night stay. Hotwire strung me along for weeks saying they would contact the hotel. After 6 weeks of calling Hotwire several times and waiting on hold for over 2 hours for a manager that never answered, I gave up! I am now working with my credit card company to see if I can dispute one of the charges. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Reviewed Sept. 8, 2015
I made a blind reservation through Hotwire.com on 9/5/15 at the Lemon Tree "Suites." What a joke. I was charged almost $200 for a "three star" hotel that was so disgustingly FILTHY and decrepit. I could not spend the night there - I didn't even feel safe as a woman alone there. I arrived in Anaheim on Saturday afternoon for a charity half-marathon. I was to run in Disneyland the next day at 5am only to find that my hotel was sleazy, run-down, had no central a/c, the room STUNK of mildew. And, they were not even capable of accommodating a simple request for hypo-allergenic bedding despite my calling ahead to alert them that I have a severe allergy to down and did not want to end up in the emergency room, the night before my race.
I tried to call Hotwire to see if they could transfer me to another property but I remained on hold for an HOUR AND A HALF and was disconnected! Then I called back, spoke to a person to whom I explained the whole story. Was put on hold and told she was going to "look up my account"- she left me on hold for over 45 minutes and NEVER CAME BACK!!
In the meanwhile, I drove ALL over town going from hotel to hotel - all of which were sold-out due to the holiday and the marathon. As a consequence, I missed my team dinner with the charity group I was running with and was forced to drive ALL THE WAY BACK to Los Angeles - mind you, on a night I was supposed to be RESTING and preparing for a 13 mile race. Then I had to wake up at 3 AM in the morning so I could drive ALL THE WAY BACK to Anaheim for my 5am reporting time.
Needless to say I was in tears, furious, and beyond frustrated the entire evening. I have NEVER had such a HORRENDOUS experience. Nor have I ever received worse customer service in my life. To make matters worse, I emailed Hotwire relaying the entire story and they responded that there was nothing they could/would do to ensure my satisfaction or get me my money back. No credit - NOTHING was offered in the way of reparation for my abysmal experience. I am utterly horrified by how Hotwire handled this situation and think I deserve a full and complete refund.
Reviewed Sept. 8, 2015
Hotwire by far has the worst customer service I have ever seen in my life. I booked a hotel through them and the wrong information was given to the hotel. I was unable to check in because of this and was left on hold for over 3 hours literally.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2015
If it is possible to get less than 1 star, Hotwire has earned it. Website is awful, and the customer service is disrespectful as well as incompetent! My issue was never resolved because of the runaround they gave me between the supervisors and the hotel I booked with.
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2015
Today was the last time I ever used Hotwire.com for my travel reservations. We booked a very important connecting flight during our vacation in Greece through their website. Only by chance we found out just a few days before leaving the U.S. that they had completely cancelled our reservation without our consent. They claim that they have in their records that the cancellation was requested by us, which is a LIE!!!
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2015
My bookings did not got thru so I called them. I gave them reference number but they refused to acknowledge that the hotel was still available on the site meaning it was not sold out as they claimed. Agents said they can't change anything about the availability of hotels and transferred me to a manager which I never talked to because the put me on hold for 1 hour and another time for 40 mins. Felt being ignored and it was a very frustrating experience. Ended up going with Airbnb. I'm done with Hotwire.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2015
Yes I was look for hotel find that website. I was think maybe I found a good hotel in Mississauga Toronto. They showed me a Hilton hotel and another one very good so I get the deal then they give a hotel close by the airport a will bad 2 star smoke place, plus I will used tram and bus and that is far from everything. I call a minute after then they took my number call me back. I explain my situation and she's told me we can cancel. I am very upset and disappoint. I don't know what to do now, my trip will be on September 15 to 21.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2015
I booked a hotel through Hotwire 6 days ago. It was supposedly a 2 - 1/2* rating similar to Holiday Inn/Express. To my surprise a certain CRANBROOK HOTEL popped up. Upon check in I realize that this was a trashy smelly barracks not even a half star rating. I could not sleep a single day. To think that I made a booking for 13 days. Both Hotwire & the hotel refuses to refund my booking. It's a rip off. Daylight robbery. I would not sleep in that hell hole.
Reviewed Sept. 3, 2015
I booked a "hot rate" deal for a hotel in Arlington, TX. I understood the "all sales final, no exchange, no refund" policy. However when I clicked the buy button, it showed that I purchased a 3-night stay at a "motel," not a "hotel." I called Hotwire to argue my case. I explained the difference between a hotel and a motel. I was transferred to a supervisor, and that's when things escalated. The supervisor was pompous, and told me that he was a travel agent for 14 years and knew the difference was between the two, and that I was wrong. Thank goodness my credit card company is handling it from here, and I am clear of the charges. I do not recommend Hotwire.com!
Reviewed Sept. 2, 2015
Beware - Just found out that after booking 2 business trips that needed adjustments, there are absolutely no modifications they will offer. I will be paying them for 2 days on one trip and 4 days on another trip. I told them I will happily accept a credit for a future purchase of their Hotwire services. After they denied that I confirmed with them that they were just going to take my money and give me nothing in return. The response from their customer service center manager was, "yes, but I apologize".
You decide for yourself - would you really take a gamble on this kind of service? I will be doing my due diligence to spread the word on Hotwire and their underhanded deceitful practices! Hope it was worth the $220 dollars you just stole from me and my company. I've copied this comment, and you will see it posted everywhere I can give a consumer review! Thanks, have a nice day.
Reviewed Sept. 2, 2015
We booked through Hotwire to stay in a Hotel in Los Angeles and they didn't want to give the Hotel's name. They only gave us a misperception of what we are going to get and that did not look bad at all. After you made full payment they show you what you have paid for and it was Coral Sands Motel Los Angeles. We immediately informed them that is not at all what we had in mind and paid for - can they give us something else or a refund and they refused. Thus we already paid in full. We had no other place to stay. We went there and it was dirty and smelled very bad and the room also wasn't clean. I would never recommend this place. We then had to drive around and paid again for a hotel. This is not right at all.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2015
Be careful before you book. The policy on page may say you can cancel anytime, and it's not true. If you try to cancel online, it never works or give you any confirmation that you already cancelled. If you call customer service, it will put you on hold forever for some kind of post service dept, which doesn't exist. If you select confirm online booking, auto voice will tell you the reservation can't be cancelled. It's very deceiving website.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2015
Hotwire is a hot mess. I booked online, didn't realize that were options to cancel, just miss the "GRAY" box. They still will not cancel reservation.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2015
My fiance and I used Hotwire to book a hotel in Kansas city. We are moving from Chicago, to Portland OR and are road tripping our way back. We used the deal where you book the hotel and then once you've paid they reveal the hotel you've gotten. We picked the 3.5-star option and paid $90. A few minutes later our hotel was revealed to be the Crowne plaza hotel. So far so good. I decided to call ahead to let the hotel know we'd be traveling with a service animal only to find out that we had accidentally booked the hotel for the wrong day. The girl from the hotel was very nice and helpful and said that we would need to call Hotwire to change the day of the reservation and she did confirm that they had availability for the correct day. I immediately called Hotwire, as we were already on our way to the hotel, and was put on hold for about 20 minutes.
When the phone was finally answered I explained our situation and said that I had already spoken to the hotel and I just needed them to change the date of my reservation. The lady proceeded to tell me "I'm sorry we don't offer refunds. All sales are final." I told her again that I was not looking for a refund, I only wanted to change the date of the reservation. She continued to say that all sales are final and that we could not cancel, be refunded, or change the dates. After a few minutes of making zero progress she proceeds to tell me that the only thing she can do is help us to book another room on the correct night for another $90. I explained that we are on a tight schedule with new jobs waiting in Portland and she told me that I would just have to rebook for the correct night and then cancel my incorrect reservation with the hotel with no refund.
I'm not sure why this company even has a customer service phone line because they definitely don't provide any customer service to you. I decided that speaking with this woman was like beating my own head against a brick wall so I hung up and called the hotel back. The same girl answered the phone and I explained my experience with Hotwire. She said that she had heard a lot of negative feedback about Hotwire and that if we had used any other third party to book we probably would have had no problem making changes to our reservation. She was able to change it to the correct day so that we didn't have to pay double what we were planning on for a hotel room that we couldn't even stay in. Thank goodness that the hotel was so much easier to work with. This will be the last time I ever use Hotwire for any travel service.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2015
I was biking thru Williamsport PA last week, 8/25/15. I arrived at a local hotel and I was trying to book thru Hotwire.com trying to save a few dollar. However, I accidentally clicked the wrong hotel on the Hotwire iPhone app. I realized it right away and I called them to cancel. After I explained the problem, they told me they have policy that all the booking is not refundable. That is ridiculous. Then I called the hotel I booked incorrectly. They told me they don't hold my credit card info. They can't do anything about.
I didn't go to that wrong hotel that night, so I ended up paying a service I didn't use only because I clicked the wrong one. Plus, I seriously doubt I caused Hotwire.com or the hotel any trouble by placing the wrong reservation cause I was going to cancel it 5 mins after the booking. Businesses don't care about customers and don't have the ability to handle false orders. I wouldn't recommend to anyone. Thumb down for Hotwire.com.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2015
I work at a hotel, and the worst third party booking is Hotwire. How third party booking works is a guest will book through Expedia or Hotwire, they take a commission for the reservation and give the hotel a one time use credit card to charge them for the rest. These are called prepaid rooms because they are paid for the second you book with them. Well, I had a guest who booked 5 rooms with them and gave us an invalid credit card. When this happens you have to call them and work things out. They absolutely refuse to help me and I'm a front desk agent!
They also told me it was my fault for not getting the guests credit card (which we had for incidentals only) and I had to keep explaining the rooms were already paid for. Once they finally grasped that, they told me to charge the guests credit card! Meaning the guest would have to pay for those rooms twice! Unacceptable! None of them could help me. They got sick of dealing with me and kept transferring me and putting me on hold. I asked to speak to someone who could help me or someone in charge and they would just keep putting me on hold.
The last person I talked to said I called the wrong number (which I didn't) and gave me a phone number to a different third party booking company, altogether! As someone who works at a hotel, never book through Hotwire, you might get charged twice and they will refuse to help you! I felt like they were trying to scam this guest. I know outsourcing is cheaper but it's bad for business. None of those people can do their jobs and can communicate with the public very well. Never choose Hotwire!
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2015
Booked a 2 1/2 star HOTEL thru Hotwire. Was placed in a welfare motel! Took pictures of this firetrap and posted it on Hotwire facebook. Customer service didn't even look at them! No refund. We took pictures of the room and promptly gave the keys back. Theft by deception! No reasonable person would give the motel a half star rating. Comparable to Comfort in or Country suites? A true hell hole. Customer service claims to have investigated and claims we didn't complain. We LEFT the hotel.
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2015
I booked a car rental for SFO today and carefully selected all the options including Alliance insurance. I fully paid on my card and printed my confirmation. When I confirmed it from my email the confirmation, I noticed it was for pickup at Oakland Airport and NOT SFO. What the heck. I called Hotwire customer service and he cancelled it and reentered but wanted more money.
I said "it's your fault" but he said to me (in heavy accent - gave me his name [??] of Phil) that it's MY FAULT many times. I said "no way" and he said since I paid for insurance I also have to call them to cancel it. NO CHOICE. I had to do it and not HOTWIRE. I concur with all the reviews I read about their POOR customer service - I don't believe they care since they're big enough to NOT care, but I have to vent anyway. I will be searching out Expedia or others as others suggested. Also will write them up on YELP.
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2015
We have booked a stay in Tahoe through Hotwire website and we're given a hotel that had really low rating. When we called the hotel, their prices were 20 dollars cheaper than what we paid Hotwire. Hotwire mentioned on their website, however, that they were giving us a deal of 28 percent off which was not the case. I called in to cancel the deal, and as usual we were routed to Philippines. The person on the other end of the line told us that the transaction was final and that we couldn't do anything about it. I told them that they ripped us off and that I wanted to speak with a manager. She did not give us a manager to speak with and also refused to identify herself. I told her that I will be calling my credit card to make a claim, since Hotwire ripped us off. We are really dissatisfied and disappointed that Hotwire could do this to us and I am sure other people. This is truly inhumane!!! We will never use Hotwire again!!!
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2015
I booked a 7 night stay in Taipei, Taiwan on Hotwire. It was a good rate of $56 a night. The description said "similar to Hilton, Sheraton and Crowne Plaza". So after booking, it revealed "SLV MOTEL". Hotel was not comparable to a Sheraton or Hilton. I called in and spoke to a girl named Yanie **, in Manila Philippines. She made sure I understood she was not changing or refunding due to their policy. When I asked to speak to a supervisor and for her name, she angrily hung up on me. I called back to speak to a supervisor and I got someone named "Dan" (refused to provide last name). He sarcastically helped me change and rebook. So I saw this other rate of $42 for a hotel "similar to Sheraton or Hilton". So I booked it while he rushed me on the phone.
I got a "hotel" called "Go Sleep Hankou". I hung up and looked at this hotel. It was nowhere near a Sheraton or Hilton. The entrance is part of a slim building stored away on a street filled with slim buildings. I called Hotwire back to speak to a supervisor named Jazel also in Manila, Philippines. I told her this was not even close to a Sheraton and Hilton and made her look at pictures of this hotel. She reassured me this was just like a Sheraton and Hilton and for me to go "try it out". She refused to let me speak to anyone higher than her. I asked if I can pay more to achieve what I was promised online and she refused. So therefore, formal complaints will be made. It's not about the money, it's about the principle.
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2015
Hotwire advertised a price for a single night with no restrictions. When billed they billed for 2 nights. Even when disputed they would not refund the second night and when a dispute was filed with the bank, it took over a month to get it settled. This is FALSE ADVERTISING. USE this service at your own risk. I would not recommend it or ever use it again.
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2015
Website offered great $1.99/day rate plus taxes and fees. Unfortunately, the taxes and fees quoted were triple what they should have been. Hotwire had the correct fees available, because they charged them correctly on their more expensive rentals. A supervisor told me to verify the taxes and fees with Payless, which I did. But when I called Hotwire back they refused to honor the correct rate. Their excuse - "we're a big company, so what we're doing must be OK"... The worst customer service ever. I'd hate to imagine how they'd deal with other problems.
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2015
After several unsuccessful attempts redeeming a Hotwire offer for $20 off a hotel booking, I called to resolve the online issue. I spoke with 3 ineffectual agents who were useless in helping me and took over 2 hours to accomplish nothing.
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2015
Since 5 Years I booked all the hotels and car rentals via Hotwire for all the employees of my company. I booked a hotel last Friday announced at 52% off and when I paid and I discovered the name of the hotel. I checked for the deal of the century as the representative did not stop to remind me on the phone. I noticed that the official website of the hotel have a better price than I paid without 52%, breakfast included and no prepay. I called just after to Hotwire to explain the situation. After 1hr fighting on the phone: The policy is no refund without any exception. The team in Hotwire is very incompetent and not professional at all and I will never book anything via Hotwire and I don't recommend this website to anybody. Hotwire lose a big client as me that book all the hotels and car rentals for all our big company.
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2015
I booked a night at the Travelodge in Montreal, and was charged $69 plus tax. Sounds like a good deal until I signed a waiver at the hotel which stated that my regular room rate was $55. Hotwire had it listed as a 3 star, but there was a bucket in the hall to collect the water which was coming from the several removed ceiling tiles on the floor. Our room had a rusty drain in the bath and peeling paint in the room. Hotwire is a ripoff.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2015
Booked a rental car and insurance through Hotwire.com - $118 for the rental, $46 for the insurance went to Hertz. Hertz said they didn't honor Hotwire's third party rental agreement and were not going to rent to me. Contacted Hotwire, they said "All sales are final. We do not do refunds." This is fraud in the 1st°. Why they can get away with it I do not know.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2015
Stayed three nights at a luxury 4* in Toronto with a pool, spa, etc. Arrive to massive construction & a large sign stating pool/fitness area undergoing construction. Elevators also being renovated. As it was a leisure stay, all the relevant fun activities Hotwire advertised were not available. Upon speaking to hotel staff and reading TripAdvisor, the facilities have been closed since the spring of 2005 and will not reopen until October 2015 earliest. In late July, when I booked, Hotwire still had not corrected the listing.
Wrote to Hotwire the day we returned politely requesting a modest 10% credit of the stay for a future booking given their misleading & clearly false advertising. Was ignored. Wrote again a few days ago (after waiting 3+ weeks without a reply). This time, was given a form letter in BOLD (like one is an idiot) within 48 hours indicating since the trip had passed, there was nothing they could do.
Here is Hotwire's exact wording (in BOLD): "We expect a high level of quality from our hotel partners, ensuring our customers receive a clean room in working order. As this hotel stay is complete, our options to work with the hotel to resolve this situation are limited. Hotwire appreciates your feedback regarding your experience. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and we regret we did not do so on this occasion. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to reply to this email or call us directly at 1-866-Hotwire (468-9473). Thank you for choosing Hotwire."
Love the part of "being of further assistance," as it implies they have already been of assistance! Given that Hotwire did not even respond to my inquiry on the day of check-out, the honest consumer is set up to fail. Be warned, Hotwire expect you to waste YOUR vacation time hoping they will respond. Evidently, they operate like an insurance scam, where they take your payment in full and provide zero customer service, or make it such a grueling headache even the most thoughtful customer will give up. Now August 25, 2015, I see the Hotwire listing for this hotel is STILL up on their website with the same misleading amenities that have been shut down since early 2015.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2015
My fiance and I were taking a trip up the coast and were trying to find a nice place to stay in Portland, OR. Unfortunately I was unable to make it to the hotel in Portland for a medical condition that I cannot control. I thought we were fine because we had opted to buy the insurance. WRONG. I tried to cancel on the day we were supposed to check in but they did not cancel the reservation and "had no record of it". I then went to put in a claim and they were so rude and put me through such a run around. I also had to file a claim that at the end asked for a letter from my doctor. What a pain. I don't even know if it is worth the headache of getting the money back at this point. I do know that I will NEVER work with Hotwire again! They are terrible!
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2015
Worst customer service. I have been a customer for a long time and book most of my trips through Hotwire. I'm planning a San Diego trip and looking for a hotel at La Jolla area. Hotwire gave me an option for $75/night deal. Suggested hotels were Sheraton, Hyatt or Embassy Suites. But after I booked the hotel, they book my reservation to an INN!!!! I understand the choice they show are not guaranteed but an INN, instead of an hotel?? For 2 days I'm almost paying $200. The reviews of the hotel were bad and when I called the customer service, they try to educate me that INNs are actually real hotel and the reviews were old and there's nothing they can do.
I explained to them that I don't want the refund, but at least they book me to a hotel which they actually suggested. The rude supervisor kept on educating me about INN vs Hotels and after a while I just hung up. This is totally cheating and deceiving as well with customers. USE ORBITZ OR EXPEDIA INSTEAD. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER.
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2015
Booked online, got a decent rate until 10 seconds after finalizing my booking realized that I made a small error in the date. I called the company and they refused to cooperate or change the date. I will never use this service again. This is the second time I had to call them for two separate issues and they never actually help you. They read off this policy chart like robots. I can barely understand them, they couldn't even find my account, then she asks me my name again. I escalated to senior manager, she refused to help as well. ** horrible service.
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2015
I booked a room that was supposed to be 11 to 14 miles from Port Clinton OH. The hotel was actually over 25 miles away in Fremont. They compared the hotel that I would receive to Comfort Inn but it was Travelodge by no means a comparison. The hotel room had muddy footprints on the rug, mold in the bathroom, and smelled horrible. Spoke to the manager "Jackie". I had to ask to be changed to a different room as she looked at me like "what am I supposed to do about it attitude". I got another room and it smelled so bad my stomach turned. It was also filthy, not a place I would feel safe. I complained to Hotwire and they said it's non-refundable. I couldn't transfer to another hotel so basically I was sold. That answer came from management. I will never use Hotwire ever again!
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2015
I booked one night hotel through Hotwire. The hotel offered has the original retail price of $404 plus 62% off, so the net is $153. After I booked, Crowne Plaza was given but it only costs $187 per night if I book directly with Hotwire and even $170 directly through Crowne Plaza. Hotwire even charges me higher tax than other travel agencies. It took me more than one hour wait on the phone to be connected to Hotwire's customer service and they refused to issue me a refund. I filed a complaint with BBB but Hotwire refused to refund. BE AWARE and DO NOT USE HOTWIRE!
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2015
My fiance and I had a horrible experience with Hotwire. First we were given a great deal for the purposes of renting a car. The first time we went to go pick it up from the airport the man said we didn't even have a reservation and sent us to a different company then we were told we couldn't use my debit card to pay for it. We called Hotwire back and Justin my fiance explained what happened so they booked us through a different company and gave us the total price it would cost and that I would be able to use my card even though the car would be in his name. This took almost an hour for them to figure out.
We went back to the airport and went to Thrifty and told them we just booked and the lady said they could not take my card unless the rental was in my name. So long story short the price we were quoted was actually doubled, the protection plan they told us on the phone was not even part of Thrifty's plan. Hotwire screwed us over and wasted our valuable time. Just go through a rental car service yourself and save the headache from it all. We will never use Hotwire again!
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2015
Just had the WORST customer service EVER!! I couldn't believe it! I had to cancel a reservation since there was a death in the family and I would not be able to use the car rental. Even though I know it says no refunds, for customer service sake, you would think there would be some exceptions! The representative told me that I had to provide a DEATH CERTIFICATE in order to get a refund and to cancel!!! Are you kidding me?! How awful! She even was so rude to ask me if I was sure that someone had died. On top of that, when I asked to be transferred to a supervisor she flat out refused and begged me not to ask again. Just spend the extra money elsewhere!
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2015
These guys are not good to deal with. I booked a hotel with them and they shafted me by not including breakfast in the price which I thought I was getting. I checked the hotel after and I could have got the same room for the same price directly. There was no actual deal and I missed out on the hotel points because I booked through Hotwire. I called them to see if they'd refund due to there being no deal on the booking and they refused. Do not use them as they do not really have any value deals.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2015
I booked a hotel room deal for a hotel/motel near OAK international Airport. I specifically said, 3 times, I wanted park and fly. You know, where you park your car at the hotel, leave your car there while you are on your trip and take a shuttle to the airport and then once your trip is over the hotel shuttle takes you back to the hotel. Because the Hotwire Operator was not divulging exactly what hotel she was booking for me I decided to purchase the cancellation insurance she offered me. After I paid via credit card, she divulged the name of the hotel. Which I never heard of, then she gave me the phone # of the hotel so to get more info. I tried calling the hotel she booked me at on 2 different #'s for an hour straight (30x ea.) with nothing but a busy signal. Then I looked up online that the hotel they booked me at had NO SHUTTLE!!! She knew this!!! Hotwire does this every day!!!
I don't! I then called Hotwire back to use my cancellation insurance and complain that the girl purposely booked me a room that was not what I asked for. Then the kind voices changed to very unkind voices. I talked to 5 different people at Hotwire. None of them would give me my money back or even let me speak to a supervisor. Or even change the reservation to what I did ask for! They said they would review the recorded phone call within 10 days and then decide whether or not the operator who helped me was wrong, or made a mistake.
Also, they never informed me that the insurance was exclusively for if you are sick and can't make it to the hotel. I even called the insurance company and they said to call Hotwire and speak to a supervisor. But.. you already know how that went! They just gave me the runaround. I am reporting them to the BBB! And I am having the charges reversed through my credit card company! I'm telling you right now... RUN THE OTHER WAY! Do not use HOTWIRE under any circumstances!!!
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2015
ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS!! Thinking I'm getting a good deal via Hotwire, I reserve, schedule and pay for my car rental. Call the number given to schedule my pickup for the next morning and find out that the HOTWIRE rep made a mistake and set it up in the wrong town, 45 minutes away - and this after giving all of my info AND ZIP CODE several times. Because of this Hotwire rep's mistake, I'm informed that I cannot be picked up because of the distance. I immediately called Hotwire back - as told to do so by the car rental place because Hotwire is the booking agent and therefore RESPONSIBLE (using that term loosely) - to get resolve and I am informed by a cocky, disrespectful and rude rep (that laughed at the situation) that there is nothing he can, nor will, do to accommodate me, let alone resolve the OBVIOUS mistake other than make another reservation THAT WILL COST ME MORE MONEY...REALLY!!
He's "following procedure" he says! How is this business practice acceptable or even allowed!?! Especially with NO DISCLAIMER WHATSOEVER!! So, because of the Hotwire rep's mistake I'm out my "good deal", my rental car, had to put up with a rude & disrespectful rep and 1 manager for over 45 minutes, a multi day setback AND, I don't get my money back for several days!!! Priceline here I come! CONSUMER BEWARE.
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2015
Regarding a hotel reservation - for 2 adults and a child, according to the hotel the reservation and order were valid only for 2 persons. I was requested to pay for another person - "full rate". All the mails and phone call to Hotwire were useless, just wasting my time and money. Very disappointing.
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2015
I purchased $21 protection plan with my airline ticket and had to cancel and reserve my trip in 2 weeks. I was asked to file a claim to get $200 off my flight cancellation back. Now when canceling I asked several times from the agent that if I can cancel, I get full refund and he said yes! Anyways the outsourced company that deals with the insurance denied the claim! Not mentioning it was impossible for me to reserve the trip using the rest of credit I received from Hotwire.
When you call Hotwire the agents are in Philippines with no knowledge of US flights and how to reserve a trip. I was on the phone for 70 minutes talking to the supervisor and no success. They asked me to call American Airline directly when I asked to talk to someone in US. Now American Airline in 5 minutes could reserve the ticket for me but they charged me $25 for handling the reservation!! Overall awful, will never purchase a ticket by Hotwire. Don't buy the trip protection. It only covers if you die, have a heart attack and can't make it to the airport!!
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2015
I purchased a hotel room with "insurance" thinking if I had to cancel I would be covered. And I did have to cancel 8 weeks from my travel date due to my daughter taking a out of state job as a PICU nurse. Insurance meant nothing!!! Except for injury why do I pay for Obama care, what a bunch of you know what!!! Just a way to get more money upfront. Take advantage of people. Never again. Hard and expensive life lesson.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2015
I reserved a rental car on Hotwire with a debit card. When I got the the rental car counter, they would not take a debit card. I paid with a credit card. I called Hotwire and after a looong conversation was told the charge on my debit card would be refunded in 10 business days. I was given a confirmation number for the refund. After 14 days, I had not received a refund. I called Hotwire again. I explained the situation, was put on hold and disconnected. FOUR TIMES. Eventually I was told I would not get a refund.
The representative from Hotwire refused to explain why I was charged when the car rental company did not receive payment from them. I paid for the rental car twice. Throughout the entire multiple conversations, I was told it was my fault for 1) using a debit card though their website provides that option, 2) not calling Hotwire from the counter when I was told the rental agency would not use a debit card and 3) not holding on to the rental agreement though I had confirmation numbers from both Hotwire and the rental car agency. I referenced the confirmation number I had from the initial call to Hotwire, they said no such number exists. Avoid Hotwire like the plague.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2015
I booked a 3-night stay at a hotel in Roseburg, OR. The website offered me a what seemed like a very good deal on aue 2-star hotel, much better than through other sites like Orbitz, with the catch that the website picks the hotel for you. OK, I thought. After entering credit card info and booking, however, they billed me the advertised room rate and an excessively high (over 20%) taxes and fees rate. When I arrived at the hotel, the manager informed me that the area hotel tax is only 9% and Hotwire does this to collect extra fees. The total room rate was no lower than on other travel sites. So you get the hassle of not knowing your hotel without saving any money. I called to resolve this issue the night of the check-in. They wouldn't answer the phone. They wouldn't answer the hotel's phone inquiry. I then called on my buddy's phone (a number unrecognized by Hotwire), and they answered the phone immediately.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2015
I booked twice a booking through Hotwire website, twice it failed without the company bothering to advise me about it. I called them the first time, telling them that I did not receive the confirmation. After waiting 20 min someone was able to confirm the fact that it failed and that all I can do is to call my bank with an authorization code to have the funds released. The person blamed on "internet" as it was a divine power. This was not an issue from their system but "internet" which is beyond their control. I finally called my bank to find out that I don't have to right to release the fund and that they have to speak directly to Hotwire. I tried my luck a second time, 5 days after the original booking, booking whose funds I'm still waiting on getting it released (only 1800$ so maybe nothing in Hotwire standards...)
Again it failed and again the same circus. The customer representative managed to tell me that it failed because I booked it by myself and not through them, just like we were talking about 2 entirely independent companies. I naively thought that Hotwire customer service has something to do with Hotwire website?! Incompetent and almost funny to hear. I managed to get to the supervisor after shouting for 15 min (and getting hanged up on the phone on my first try) which finally admitted that it failed because the fare was not available anymore. I asked them to find a solution as my card has now been blocked by 3500$. She finally admitted that except from collecting my feedback she cannot do anything.
So to summarize, a customer representative that does not know his processes which makes me waste more of my time chasing my bank, does not know the concept of internet, two booking that failed that I had to find out by myself, 1700$ held every time on my card (booking fails but somehow they manage to get into your bank account), and most of all no solution because it turns out.. the fare offered never exists and never been updated within 5 days (which we can easily describe this as misleading and a fake advertisement). It did not seem to bother the supervisor to lose a 1700$ booking so I guess I should just remember this and try my luck with more honest company!
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2015
I booked a hotel through them thinking that this was just like any other third party booking system. When a family member passed for the person I was supposed to meet for a business meeting, I had to cancel. I downloaded my itinerary ** and it state no changes no refunds. I called to demand a refund, I tweeted and emailed. Not one person picked up, ever. I used the call back system. Then I go online to realize that this company probably will not call back and that there is no customer service. How can a company like this be allowed to operate? I want to be able to take them to court. I want this to be possible.
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2015
We booked a hotel through Hotwire secret rates. The description showed the following: Hotel was supposed to have a pool and indoor pool - it does not. The hotel was supposed to be worth $197 per night - I paid special "hot rate" of $121. Found it all over the internet for $108. I checked with the hotel to see if I was given a suite or higher priced room, but they said the booking was only for an economy double room. Hotel was supposed to be in Shinjuku - is actually in Kabukicho - a red light district!
I called Hotwire and spoke to a customer service agent. They told me they could/would not do anything. I asked to speak to a supervisor. I said the hotel did not fit the description and I wanted to book a different one - this was 45+ days before we were traveling. They would not change or cancel the booking. They also would not change or refund despite fact hotel was misrepresented. The hotel does not have the same rating as they had posted and lack the features that were listed on the hotel description.
Bait and switch methods of advertising are not legal and I am the victim of this practice by Hotwire with respect to both the price and description of the product they offered vs. the grossly inferior product they actually intended to deliver. We ended up having to book a different hotel in a safer neighborhood and still got stuck paying the $600 for the Hotwire hotel even though I contacted them and the hotel directly to try to cancel or change it.
Hotwire works for the hotels not consumers. Their purpose is to dump inventory that is hard to sell so you buy without knowing what you are getting, thinking it is a great 'deal' because you believe their description. Then they give you whatever they want to get rid of and you are stuck. Their argument is that it was still rated 4* even though it did not have a pool or other amenities that fit the description. You are better off booking with an agency that stands behind their service and will allow you to make changes. With Hotwire, there are no real savings, just potential pitfalls. I will never use them again.
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2015
Don't book any hotels with Hotwire. Despite a disclaimer that "these are the types of hotels that you will be confirming", when you book one of our "secret", you get the shock of your life. I was traveling to Burbank, California and found a 3 star rating at a $131 per night rate. I was told the equivalent hotel would be Hilton Garden Inn, Radisson, Embassy Suites or Sheraton. The minute I accepted, I was booked at a 1950's hotel called the Safari Inn. I knew I did not want to stay at this hotel! Regardless of numerous attempts to have Hotwire cancel the reservation, complaint to the Better Business Bureau, complaint to the Hotwire corporate office, I was told under no circumstance would the reservation be canceled. As a result, I was forced to stay where I did not want to stay. I will never use Hotwire again for myself or for my business travel.
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2015
I recently booked a Hotwire Hot Rate Hotel for a 1 night stay in Dallas. My flight was getting in late and my other flight left early next morning so I had to get somewhere close to the Airport. I found a good deal on Hotwire for $62 for a 4 star hotel. What really makes me mad is that Hotwire claims that the original price of the hotel was $199, yet after I booked I checked the hotel's actual price and it was $81! Furthermore, Hotwire refused to pay me back the difference, like Priceline if you get a hotel that has less savings than promised, you will get the difference paid back. All in all, I am never booking a Hot Rate hotel off Hotwire again.
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2015
It happened to me and for the first time I felt lost after paid my round trip ticket. I had a round trip starting Sunday August 9th 2015. The plane in the morning had a 3 hours delay. My connection in London was lost. What happened? I called HOTWIRE and they told me that the air company office was close and they could not call so they could not do anything for me so NO HELP because Sunday. I flew to London and I start to call all company involved in my round trip and who knows why I could reach all and speak with them. All companies said that HOTWIRE supposed to help me because ticket provider.
So we called (the airport office) 6 times HOTWIRE and they put on hold all time. No help come from them. The problem was that the ticket for come in USA was 1380 pound almost 2000 dollars... what you think about it when you supposed to fly home instead you are stuck in another country different from yours? OK. I found solution - thanks a old woman helping me... this is another story. What HOTWIRE did for me? NOTHING!!! Just HOTWIRE didn't help leaving a person alone in the worst moment could be: losing connection in another country. Thank you HOTWIRE I'LL NEVER MORE GIVE YOU MY MONEY AND I'LL ACCEPT YOUR SERVICE.
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2015
I purchased a R/T ticket for my mother in law from Los Angeles to Manila. She was unable to make the original dates. I was told 200.00 to change the ticket later. I called back to book a new flight and to change the dates and I was told 300.00 change fee plus now the tickets are more expensive than the original tickets by at least 500.00 Never buy a ticket from HOTWIRE unless you are 100 percent sure you can make the flight.
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2015
When booking a reservation I was told the hotel was regularly priced at 109.00 and I was receiving a 58% discount. When the hotel came up it was a dump. I spoke with the manager that informed me that they never had a hotel prices for 109.00, and she didn't understand why I was even told that.
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2015
Typically, Hotwire is great for car rentals, but HOTELS rely on blind acceptance based on "highlighted areas" they indicate & a price range. AFTER, you accept & are COMMITTED to uphold regardless I accept that requirement, BUT not if the hotel is not located in the highlighted area!! To make matters worse, when I call to tell them that the location on their map didn't match MAPQUEST, their customer service team had to send me to their "Express" team & waited 20 min before hanging up! I did it twice before saying "Screw it," & "Don't plan to use their hotels again."
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2015
DO NOT USE HOTWIRE. I made a reservation and on my original searches the correct date was requested. Somehow, the reservation was made for the wrong, very random date which did not show until I confirmed. I have made 6 calls with wait times of 30 minutes each (one was for 42 minutes). As soon as customer service answered and were aware of the problem, they hung up all 6 times. How is that customer service? I am currently trying again and have waited 24 minutes. Unbelievable. I have tried and tried to fix the error. HOTWIRE is not able or willing to do anything. Do not use this company!!!! I have used other companies with satisfaction. I, therefore, have spend $185 on a room that I cannot use and cannot afford to lose the money. It is very distressing to me. They don't care!!! I have emailed a comment and request for help to their "customer care" and no response either. I do not want to cancel, I just want to change the date.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2015
While booking my car reservation the information about no refunds did not appear until after they had my money and as fate will have it the event I booked the car for was postponed. I did not want to cancel my reservation, I just wanted to push it back. No such luck. This organization just takes your money with no negotiation. It would have been ok if they charged for a change but they wouldn't consider it. I also book other portions of my trip through Travelocity and they took care of me - no problem as long as I re-booked with them. BookingBuddy also allowed me to book with no financial commitment. I wish would have used them for my car. No more Hotwire for me. They should be call blow your money.com.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2015
Well, after looking for airfare I decided to try Hotwire, found several choices and one that was low fare but didn't show the flight times until you booked the flight. I was flexible so I thought why not. So I pick my days to leave and return, after booking and paying for the flight. I get the schedule for the flight times, and to my shock the return flight put me back the day after I wanted to get back. Called customer service. Was told that because I choose that cheap flight It was non refundable, non changeable and I was out of luck.
After 5 tries at customer service and no help just the same story. I have come to the conclusion that there is no customer service. They didn't provide me with the dates I booked and will not cancel the flight and rebook and new one even at a higher cost. So I will never ever do any form of business with Hotwire again. Oh and by the way Hotwire is owned by Expedia. Buy directly from the vendor. Better service. So I am out $500.00 for the flight because I can't sell it or change it or use it. Very upset.
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2015
I booked through Hotwire looking for a hotel and I specifically choose to get a hotel from the 3 star collection and when I saw the examples of the three star collections I saw that it was an acceptable list so I went ahead and booked. Only to find out the "3-star hotel" I got was actually not a three star at all and it was not even a 2 star. The hotel had horrible reviews, the rooms were very dirty with hair on the pillows. I called and spoke to three different people plus a manager from Hotwire, all of which were very insensitive, did not help me at all and all they did was repeat themselves over and over.
Hotwire is a business that lies to the customers. They do not care about their customers at all, and they have some serious false advertising. Please please please beware of the scams they pull on people and please do not do the same mistake and I did and lose your money because they have no shame lying or stealing innocent customers money.
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2015
I thought I rented a car from Hotwire for 08/10/2015. However when I got to Hertz they said it was actually for 08/24/15. They refused to help me or make any changes or give me credit So I am stuck with a 198.00 credit card charge and when renting at the counter it increases considerably so my new rental was 265.00. Needless to say the car cost me $463.00. I was told both by Hertz and Hotwire that this is how Hotwire makes money. They offer low rates because they know they will make a lot of money on people's innocent mistakes which now I think is a ploy. I have used them a lot in the past however I will never use them again and I would suggest you do not.
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2015
Hotwire promises (from their website): "From top-rated hotels, to last-minute savings on cheap hotel rooms, Hotwire offers thousands of hotel listings each week to choose from. Whether you need hotel reservations close to popular destinations, or if you're already en route we negotiate deep discounts from great hotel brands to help you save. So whether you're looking for a five-star hotel, a mid-range listing, or just need cheap hotel rooms to be a crash pad on your city break, pick Hotwire. You'll get the name of the hotel right after you book, and at a ridiculously low rate. You choose the neighborhood, star rating and amenities. What's not so secret is the awesome deal you're getting. And sometimes you'll even find a higher star rating for the same price you would pay on retail sites."
Rewards.
I think that just shows what you can expect. That was my experience and obviously others have had similar experiences that they have listed here. I asked them to live up to their promise. I received the same standard response message to my requests (literally, copy and paste response). I contacted BBB email address for their tier 3 support. No response yet.
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2015
I can honestly say I have never felt the need to write an official complaint about any company until today after my recent nightmare with Hotwire regarding my itinerary # **. Shortly after booking my trip with Hotwire on May 22, 2015 I noticed I used my nickname Jay for the booking instead of using my passport issued name Jason. Noticing my mistake and wanting to avoid any issues with international travel, I called Hotwire on May 26th. I spoke with the service rep Amitch, whom agreed that it shouldn't be an issue to change my name. After a 45 minute call, and a transfer to a supervisor Teddy, I was given case ID ** and the assurance that this change would be made.
Fast forward to July 31st, yes 2 months after I originally called, and still no confirmation or call back from Hotwire. So I decided to call back to confirm the changes were made. To my surprise, nothing was changed. Luckily, I got to spend another 1 hour phone call with supervisor Kerzuah and another assurance that she personally made sure this would be corrected. At least I got a new case ID ** out of this and a promise of a call back to confirm the changes. Surely, by August 7th, you would think I would have received a call. NOPE, not from Hotwire. So, I guess you could say I wasn't surprised when I called Hotwire AGAIN to confirm the changes and nothing was done. This time when I called, I got to speak with "service" rep Allister, where I had the pleasure of waiting on hold for 40 minutes until the call was dropped. Again, no call back after the call was dropped.
Seeing as my trip was less than a week away, and not wanting any hassle at the airport, I called Hotwire again August 7th afternoon. The service rep Winter was really good at understanding my situation, and as much as I wanted to be frustrated with her, it wasn't her fault that her company is full of false promises and inept management. An hour after talking with Winter, I was transferred to her supervisor Chad. Chad seemed to know what he was doing (and yes, haven't we heard this before haven't we). At the end of another hour long call, Chad gave me his word that I would get a confirmation email within 3-4hrs.
Guess what, it's Monday August 10th and still NO email or even a phone call. This is what I have learned is the Hotwire way. And just to be sure, before posting this long and detailed post, I did call the airline, WestJet, directly to make absolutely sure before I had to escalate things further. In a 20 minute phone call, I was able to confirm with Carla at WestJet that my tickets still have not been changed (wow, good customer service for once). So it's come to this... I am actually writing my first complaint ever in hopes to advise everybody about the Hotwire way. Poor customer service, false promises, and a whole lot of inaction. I am extremely disappointed and have given up hope in Hotwire's supposed services. TL:DR: Hotwire customer's service sucks.
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2015
I got a room through Hotwire. When it showed the hotel it was only a 3 star hotel even on their list - Quality Inn. So I called Hotwire. I got a representative who put me on hold to wait for a customer service representative. I waited over 15 min and hung up. I called back and told the person what had happened. She (Maggie) put me on hold again. I waited 20 min with no response and hung up. We got to the hotel. The check-in person was barely civil. We went to our room which looked nice and clean until I went in the bathroom. The shower had soap scum all over. The handles were even very scummy. Hotwire is joke! They do not have 4 star for a 2 star price as advertised. I call that false advertising!
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2015
I booked a room in Nashville for $ 334. I read the reviews of the address of the hotel and it had many reviews of being filthy AND having bedbugs!!! I tried calling the number on itinerary and got an offshore agent (judging by the accent). When I told her the problem she said please hold and AFTER 40 minutes I hung up and called back. I stated I would like a stateside agent not offshore and the agent promptly hung up on me! At this point I have not had my room cancelled or my payment refunded! I had a problem earlier with week with my reservation not being sent to the hotel and check-in took an hour of calling and facing the reservation. DO. NOT. USE. THIS BUSINESS!!! Very very dishonest people and they are not on American soil. BEWARE.
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2015
Hotwire refuses to credit money to my account after an error was made on their end by one of their agents. Records indicate the error and due to the error I have received an access of bank fees. I am seeking a refund of $60 and they refuse to assist. The hotel that was book initially was not the star rated guarantee I booked for and upon cancelling that reservation I was informed my refund would be immediately credited back to my account so I could book somewhere else. 7 days later I still don't have that refund.
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2015
By putting in the fine print HOT RATE - That's a lie. It's nothing HOT about it! It's a blatant rip off!! You are telling me I'm getting a great room for a Discounted price!! Well yes that would be a HOT RATE. THIS IS NOT THE CASE!! A one star room with a HOT RATE policy that states oh well that you don't agree with bed bugs And that the hotel has no idea of my reservation! I can safely say that on the reviews for this hotel there are numerous of complaints that prove this site to be a Gimmick.
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2015
First time I've used Hotwire. I've used Expedia, TripAdvisor and other sites with reasonable results. NOT Hotwire!! I clicked on the 50% off button (sales speak was that big hotels didn't want people to know they rented so cheap). I selected the deal when it said the reviews were 4.5 approval from customers. Then they give you your hotel's name once you pay. Not only did I not save 50% - It cost me more to go through Hotwire than to go through the hotel's website AND only a 3.5 approval rating from customers. SO BAD!! Save yourself the frustration and run. Don't walk away from Hotwire.
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2015
I bought a ticket to go to my god-daughter's wedding in Chicago. The morning of my trip my car was stolen so no way to get to the airport. I live 3 1/2 hours from Albuquerque. I called Hotwire and got the proverbial no refunds, exchanges etc. My brother, (father of the bride) had to buy me a new ticket at the last minute which cost over $700. I asked "can I use the back half of the ticket from Chicago back to ABQ" and again "no, when you missed your flight we cancel the whole reservation." Never again. This $372 trip cost me over $1000, no thanks to Hotwire.
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2015
I booked a room with Hotwire for the night I needed the room and once I put all of my information in an error message appeared stating that the system was having issues and no charges would be made to my credit card. When I checked my bank account the $75.00 charge from the room had been drafted from my card, however no room reservation was provided to me. I immediately called Hotwire and was on hold for a long while and then when the representative answered, I explained the issue and she immediately again placed me back on hold and did not return to the call. I was on hold for 40 min with no resolution. I now have to dispute the charge with my bank.
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2015
I booked a hotel in San Clemente, CA. When it was revealed what hotel it was after purchase, I found that it wasn't a hotel at all, but a room in someone's house. I called them immediately and asked to cancel the transaction. They said no. On Google I found someone's post that said the hotel manager had called Hotwire on their behalf and canceled their transaction and it worked. I did the same. Several days later I received the refund to my credit card.
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2015
I was getting ready to book a room online at the Best Western. My son came in and suggested I use Hotwire.com. He said I could get a 3 star hotel and after I picked the price I agreed to, I would see which hotel I got. It sounded like I could get a deal so I did it. I chose a 3 star hotel in a certain town. After agreeing with the price, I was shown the hotel I received but I was shocked to find out that the hotel was not in the town I specified. The hotel was 25 miles away from where I was going!
I called them back and after several wait times finally was able to speak to someone who said they could help me. The original service rep. I dealt with claimed she could not change the reservation. But after 40 or so minutes of waits and finally getting to someone who acted as though they could help me, I was finally told they would refund my money and re-book me in the town I wanted. They insisted over and over that I had not picked the correct town in the first place and refused to just refund my money. The only way they would refund my money was if I re-booked with them. So, I had to go ahead and do it though I was very hesitant to work anymore with a company that clearly refused to admit their mistake and give me the refund I deserved. I will not do business with them again. I am waiting to see if I get the refund too. If not, I will write another review.
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2015
I booked a hotel from Hotwire for $222. When my credit card was charged $358 it didn't make sense. I attempted to call their call center and after waiting for over two hours on hold the person just hung up on me. I called back, waited again for a ridiculous amount of time. After getting through I was asking how did the price go up by almost $140!? The rep told me it's a pending charge and will go away within 3 days, if not then call back. (When I asked what the pending charge is and how much and what for he had absolutely no answer for me.) So I have received no payment back. I was on the phone again for over two hours, the rep refused to put me through to the manager and claimed that I didn't have a Hotwire account and I need to call Expedia. (My credit card paid HOTWIRE... not Expedia!!!!) Clearly not considering I spoke to you 3 days ago and my itinerary number was found.
After repeatedly asking to be transferred to a manager I once again get hung up on! Hotwire will rob you and then leave you stuck because there is no one you can address this issue with. I will never book with Hotwire or Expedia for that matter ever again. It went from an amazing day to a day in hell within 5min. Next time I will be going directly through the hotel, it's definitely cheaper!
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2015
Hotwire.com -- Never use this company unless you want to be stranded. I booked 2 rooms for Myrtle Beach, SC on 8-1-2015. I got my email confirmation for the rooms so 8 of us headed out. After getting to Myrtle Beach, Hotwire called and said the rooms were not available so they was going to put us in a different hotel. So they charged our credit card a second time totaling 1,100 dollars and then told us there were no rooms anywhere in Myrtle Beach and it was going to take them a few days to credit back the money. We had no place to go and had to drive an hour outside of Myrtle Beach to find a place to stay on our own. I was on the phone for 4 hours with this company trying to fix the problem with no results. They ruined my vacation!!!
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2015
I just rented a car and since the very beginning the service was horrendous!! The guy on the phone is totally unrespectful and he is the same guy on the counter, answering the phone in a very bad mood the whole time. To complete the fact they charged me with extra mileage when the confirmation clearly stated unlimited mileage. So instead of being charged for 60CAD a day I ended up paying 140CAD. Totally unacceptable. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in this situation. I feel this "Payless Company" is stealing my money. Do not use!!
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2015
I went online to book a hotel, as I was going to have few extra guests in my house, and I placed the date for the next day, and once I processed the payment with my credit card, the date came for 3 weeks later!!! I called immediately the Hotwire. And after they placed me on hold for 55 minutes, yes almost one hour, they said they couldn't change the date or refund the money. I explained that I did NOT want the money back, only the correct dates, and even after talking with the supervisor, they seems to not understand as they speak Indian with a very heavy accent that I barely couldn't understand! They asked me to a $500 extra (the 2 rooms were $800) to change the dates!!!
This is a rip off. It was NOT my mistake! It was the website who regenerated a different date. I will call my credit card and stop this payment as I didn't get what they charged me for. The customer service is the worst! They keep reading a paper without understand what they are saying. I was expecting a solution for THEIR mistake! How frustrating. Should had called the hotel directly.
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2015
I spent a total of 5 hours trying to get this resolved so they could do nothing for me. I was on hold an hour a time when I called them, recorded on Skype so no exaggeration on the time. They placed me on hold for other departments twice then a supervisor. The supervisor would only help me if I could send a Screenshot of the exact reservation showing me it said CAD on the site when we log in from Canadian IP's. What happened is you log in from Canada to Hotwire.com and it shows prices with a big CAD beside it. I saw a good price, clicked book, it still showed CAD and when I booked it sent a confirmation showing just $127.58. The price I expected but they then billed my Canadian credit card as USD and it cost me $170.00 CAD. They say I should have know the final bill was US as they are a US company but as it said CAD all along I did not know this and they wouldn't help.
I feel scammed but at least the awesome hotel has noted the incident. Will consider dropping them due to the poor advertising and charging practices and will give me a great deal if I could stay again and book direct (I probably will). I just feel people should know how bad the customer service here is and watch out if you are logging in from Canada.
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2015
I've been waiting 3 hrs to talk to someone. Never again!!!!!! Booked a room that stated was a 2 and half star but gave me 2 star. I got "disconnected" and haven't been able to get anyone on the line since.
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2015
I was interested in making a reservation through Hotwire in France. The website didn't have enough information about the hotel. So I called a customer representative for Hotwire to inquire whether the hotel had air conditioning which is a necessity for me. I also wanted to make sure the bedding situation was going to be adequate for my husband and me. The representative assured me that the hotel had air conditioning and that the bed would be adequate. The representative also said that for this reservation I had 45 days to cancel the reservation without penalty. After I found out the name of the hotel and looked them up I discovered the hotel did not have air conditioning and only had sofa beds or bunk beds in the room.
I immediately contacted Hotwire by email to cancel my reservation. The response was that I had to call a customer representative to discuss it. I called the number indicated and was on hold for an hour without any luck in reaching a representative. I called back again and was again on hold for 20 minutes and no representative picked up the phone. I emailed again but had no response. If the representative was honest about the hotel I never would have booked it. Now I cannot reach anyone at Hotwire to cancel my reservation and get a refund. I will never use Hotwire again.
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2015
I booked a car rental through this rip off site. My wife had an accident so I canceled the rental 12 hours before she was to pick up the car. The rip off site said not only wouldn't they return my $270 dollars but I also could not reschedule. Hotwire sucks and I hope they go out of business ASAP.
Reviewed July 31, 2015
My boyfriend and I traveled across Canada this July. After driving for over 24 hours from the west coast we decided to stay the night in Thunder Bay on our way out to the East coast. We booked online with Hotwire who linked us to the Travelodge hotel. We paid approximately 60 dollars for a room with a double bed. When we got to the hotel, the lady at the front desk said that she had no rooms available and that "this happens with Hotwire sometimes." She was nice enough to call another hotel nearby who accommodated us for the same price. However, I had to pay again at this new hotel. THEREFORE, I was encouraged to call Hotwire, and let them know that Travelodge didn't have any rooms available for us. My boyfriend and I called and we're on hold for over 45 minutes THREE times.
When we FINALLY got a hold of someone, he told us he would make sure our story checked out by calling the hotel, and then we never got a call back.. that's professional. I emailed Hotwire several times to let them know what we were going through and it took them a week to respond, only for them to tell me to "please call"?!?!? I am honestly so frustrated that I am just going to pay the 60 dollars and never use Hotwire again.. and urge everyone in my life to follow suit before they get scammed. Like many of us, I work hard for the money I make. I am a 23 year old student in university, working at a pub during school so I can pay my bills, and I like to spend my money on travelling when I can. I don't have 60 dollars to spend on a hotel room that was never used. Don't use Hotwire, and if you do, you best call the hotel yourself first to make sure you're not about to flush your money down the toilet.
Reviewed July 31, 2015
Made a reservation for one night, paid $180. When arrived to the hotel management told us no reservation was made on our behalf. Tried to reach Hotwire for two hours - Hotwire never ever gave any response. Contacted them by their message system - no response. Result - had to leave, after having paid $180 per night. STAY AWAY! Use Expedia instead. Never had any problems like that with them.
Reviewed July 30, 2015
I have a major complaint about Hertz and it may be the reason that I never use Hotwire again. I reserved a car for my wife and daughter. Since you can only put one name as a driver on Hotwire I put my wife. When she went to pick up the car she wanted to add my daughter (age 29) as an additional driver since she would be doing the majority of the driving. The additional cost was a staggering $13.00 a day, a 65% increase in the daily rate of $20. This is 100% BS since the only thing their website says is you can add drivers for a charge. They should say for a significant charge. If auto renters are going to rob the patron then people should know about it or they should not use them as a preferred provider. I have used Hotwire for years but next time I will start going direct to the service provider.
Reviewed July 30, 2015
I booked a room last minute through Hotwire. When we got there everything was fine. We ended up going straight to bed and I woke up a little over two hours later due to being itchy. When I began to look over my body and noticed bites all over my body I went straight down to the front desk and let the man know. He then proceeded to look at a list that was hanging on the wall and said, "We haven't had a report of bugs in that room." To which I replied, "so you have had reports in other rooms." He then said "um um um um I can't say" and asked if we would like another room.
I had to decline and find another hotel. When asking the hotel about a refund he told me it was Hotwire's responsibility. I called them right that second and waited on the line for over an hour before I talked to someone and was told that they had to call the hotel and see what the problem was. I'm yet again on hold. The woman comes back on the line and says they need to have someone check the room for bugs and that I'll get a callback tomorrow at nine in the morning. By 10 in the morning I'm back on the phone calling them to see what the situation is. In this time a higher up is calling me and it's closer to 11 am but I'm on the line with a representative trying to get in contact with a higher up.
Half way through she begins to tell me that someone has contacted me to which I reply, "No, that never happened." I've now wasted another hour. They then tell me that the room has been checked and there are no bugs. To which I reply, "Then why do I have bites on me and my friend who came from different places." All the woman kept doing was telling me she was sorry. I asked why they would work with a hotel that if you google you can see they have a bedbug problem. I'm told, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but we can't refund you and that's final."
So the front desk has a list of rooms that bugs have been reported in. I have bites on me and no one can call me to resolve this problem. The lady then tells me I can put in a request to talk to a higher up In 24 hours and when is the best time to call. I tell the woman 9 am, that I need to be at work at 11 am. I received the call at 11 am when I could not take it and was at work. I Wrote a few emails and was told that their decision is final and that they can't refund me. I've yet to get the call back and this is now four days later.
Reviewed July 30, 2015
I tried to book a flight on Hotwire.com on 1/15/15. It refused to finish processing due to the "Verified by Visa" page failing to connect. I called the customer service number on the "Contact Us" page and followed the prompts to get assistance with "Flight Reservations." The woman I spoke with first assumed I was calling about a hotel, then told me repeatedly they don't handle flights on the phone and I should use the website. When I requested some recourse because the website wasn't working, I was put on hold for approximately five minutes, and then hung up on without further response. Several attempts to call back led to an excess of five minutes waiting and no one answering the phone. I put in a complaint to the BBB and lo and behold, received a prompt response. I was given assistance in purchasing my flight and was told that $25 would be added to my account for my next flight in apology.
Now, 7/29/15, I go to purchase a flight and I can't use the "Hot Dollars" in my account. So I send an email query to the support email to request assistance. The next day (7/30/15), I get a response that "Hot Dollars" are only for cars and hotels. So I called the posted support number and explain my problem to the person who answered who said she had to check with her manager. Almost 15 mins on hold later, she comes back and tells me that no, I can only use the money for cars and hotels and besides, my flight is already purchased, so they can't do anything else for me. I updated my complaint to the BBB.
Reviewed July 29, 2015
I booked a car rental reservation with Hotwire in July 2015. I was given the amount in which I would be charged for during the booking. When I returned the vehicle, my wife and I were charged separately by Hotwire and Hertz Rental Service. I contacted Hertz to resolve the issue and they stated they honored the reservation. I was charged $268.00 by Hertz and $370.00 by Hotwire. After being hung up on multiple times by Hotwire, I filed a complaint with the BBB. Only to find that Hotwire feels that it is okay to charge their customers two times and refuses to give me a refund for $370.00. Is this even legal? I will never use Hotwire or any third party for bookings again. Hotwire is a scam!!
Reviewed July 27, 2015
Booked a hotel reservation five months in advance, for seven days stay in a hotel in Jamaica from July 30th to August 6th. Unfortunately my husband had an citizenship appointment on August 5th, as soon as we were made aware of this we contact Hotwire to cancel our reservation. They told us our hotel was non-refundable because we got it at a discounted rate. The fee for the hotel was $1500. I contact the manager for the hotel, he told me the money was refunded back to Hotwire so I would like to know why haven't Hotwire refunded the money back to me. I have called customer service so many times they still can't give me an answer. They told me the researching team will contact me. It has been three weeks.
Reviewed July 27, 2015
I booked 2 rooms for 2 night with Hotwire. The 1st part of the experience was horrid, I was in tears. I get my confirmation only to find they have booked for the wrong nights. We are still on the phone and he tells me he can not change them. I request 2 doubles in each room, I am told to call the hotel. Hotel says "You have to make those requests through Hotwire." I call Hotwire in tears. They correct the dates and add my request, advise me to purchase the insurance (and I do) but the changes increase the price by $100.
Today 1 1/2 months later I call and try to cancel my rooms only to be told I cannot cancel because they are Hot Deal prices. I made sure I asked if I could cancel my rooms if needed. Due to our vehicle breaking down and needing repairs we can not use the rooms and we can not get a refund. We are out over $300. I am reviewing Hotwire everywhere I can. I am telling my friends and family, posting on Facebook, and on the Website for the World's Longest Yard Sale. The worst part, I called the hotel and they would love it if the rooms were available.. They are turning people away.
Reviewed July 27, 2015
I called Hotwire directly to book a hotel during a very busy weekend in NYC. I called as oppose to doing it online because I wanted to make sure it would be handled properly. I was very surprised that the specialist was able to find a room. I asked her to make sure she had the accurate information, and she assured me all was good. When I arrived at the hotel with my family, confirmation number in hand, we were horrified to learn the specialist booked it for a different weekend altogether. I immediately called Hotwire. There was a 30 minute wait. When I finally got someone on the line, they "accidentally" disconnected me.
I called again, this time the wait was 40 minutes. I used the call-back option. When they called back, the connection was so poor I could not understand a word that was being said. I called again, and waited the ridiculous waiting time. Once again I was "accidentally". These "accidental disconnections" happened several more time. 4 hours later I was able to get a refund, but no hotel room, and no offer to compensate. They ruined our family weekend.
Reviewed July 25, 2015
If I could rate zero I would! The biggest scam site! Clicked on the hotel that said available to book and it went ahead and charged my card to soon find out that hotel was never available. Talked to multiple reps about getting my funds back immediately and nobody could help saying I have to wait 24 hrs. And since it's a Saturday I have to wait 48 hrs! I'm now stuck out of town with no hotel and no more money bc they took all I had. Spoke to reps who called themselves supervisors and still got nothing resolved! They were extremely rude. I'm appalled at the customer service. Terrible.
Reviewed July 25, 2015
I have yet to go on my vacation but I'm so angry. Wish I would of searched up the reviews here. I made the reservation with a agent on the phone. They have the same deals as they do online. Anyway I was told a different price on the phone and was charged another on my card. When I called these people it took 5 hours! And the worse part with no resolution the guy blamed me. He asked me if I found it cheaper after the fact and he wouldn't understand or acted like he didn't understand that the lady overcharged me without my consent. Anyway I had to report this to my card. Makes me so upset that these people think they can get away with this!
Reviewed July 23, 2015
Book a flight and hotel - hotel great, flight over charged by $300 from Hotwire through Spirit Airlines. All I said and people who was on the flight with me was never again. On the same flight I paid triple for others paid $89 for round trip. Was misrepresented by a Hotwire rep when ask how was airline - horrible leg room, charge $52 for carry on and checked in bags. They don't even give you a drink of water. Flight may be on time, may be not and you're told "Oh well", I just can't believe Hotwire.
Reviewed July 23, 2015
I reserved a flight with Hotwire.com, and I was quoted a price of $337.99. I was told that Hotwire had to check to see if the ticket at $337.99 was still available. I was told it could take up to 24 hours to confirm. I checked back twenty minutes later, and I got a response that the price of the ticket had changed. I expected the price to be higher, so I was curious as to how much the price had risen. When I went into my reservation to check, I saw that the price had dropped by about $45, and that I was actually charged the updated price of $293.37. I thought to myself, how nice, Hotwire is true to form where they try and get you the lowest price. Just to confirm, I contacted their customer service department, and my adjusted price of $293.37 was indeed confirmed, and I was told that if there was an issue that it might be from my bank because they were only charging me $293.37. Great! So I thought.
Fast forward two days, and I see that my card has been charged $337.99. I contact Hotwire customer service, and here is where my nightmare began. I began speaking to one rep and going over what had transpired, and she confirmed that I was overcharged by about $45. The rep told me that she would refund my money, and that she had to put in a request for that. I was like, okay. When will I hear something back. I then asked her to send me a confirmation email with a reference number so I could reference that information myself, and she places me on hold for twenty minutes, then came back and said that there was a confusion on my part, and that I was going to pay the $337.99, and that I could speak to her manager if I'd like. Of course I would!
So, me and the Manager, Freddy go over the exact same details, and Freddy tries to tell me that I wasn't supposed to see the price of $293.37, and that there was a glitch in the system. I told Freddy, "okay that's fine and all, but that's not my fault nor my problem, and I'm not going to pay for your glitch in your system", so he needed to refund my money. Freddy then tried to convince me that I had to pay for the difference. I then demanded Freddy to prove to me in writing where it said I had to pay for the difference. Nowhere did it say that I had to pay above and beyond the final price I was given for my ticket. The only extra cost I was advised I would or could incur was for baggage. That I understood plain and clear because it was also in writing.
Freddy then stated that he just wanted me to understand how they can afford such great rates, and I told Freddy that I didn't care about how they could get such great prices. I just wanted my money back! Freddy then accepted fault and stated that he would refund my money. I was on hold for nearly an hour when another rep came back on the phone and asked how he could help me. I was dumbfounded and said that I didn't need his help and that Freddy was already taking care of my situation for me. This rep goes right in and tells me that I need to pay the higher price.
At this point, I have had enough. I told this new rep that the whole situation was **. That they needed to quit fighting me for my money, and give me my money back. I told this new rep that Freddy had already admitted the mistake that Hotwire made, was taking accountability for it, and was supposed to be resolving the issue for me. I told this new rep that this phone call was going on two hours, and that he was the fourth rep that I had been passed to. I told him to just send me to the top guy because I wasn't going to be doing this runaround ** that they were giving me any longer. I told him that each rep needed to quit flip flopping and that the whole situation was ridiculous. After about ten more minutes of going back and forth, this new rep refunded my $45. WTF. Great prices, but horrible customer service and lack of integrity.
Hotwire Company Information
- Company Name:
- Hotwire.com
- Year Founded:
- 2000
- Address:
- 655 Montgomery St.
- City:
- San Francisco
- State/Province:
- CA
- Postal Code:
- 94111-2627
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.hotwire.com
