I'll give some specifics on my experience with Hotwire Star inflation.... April of 2007 I selected a 3 star hotel in Dallas for ~$85 and paid for it with my AMEX card. I had debated going with a 2.5 star as they were going for ~$50 but I looked at Hotwires' list of 2.5 star properties on their website and decided to go with a 3 star full service hotel rather than a Holiday Inn express/ Amerisuites type of property. Booked my room and got an Amerisuites. I called Hotwires' service line and got a response that the Amerisuites I booked is considered a 3 star even if the Hotwire website says Amerisuites properties ar 2.5 star. I went to Priceline/Expedia/Travelocity/Hotels.com and all had that specific property in Dallas listed as 2.5 stars.. (Hotels.com is owned by the same company that owns Hotwire) I called Hotwire back and advised them that all other sites rated that specific property as a 2.5 star and requested a refund or adjustment but was told the sale was final and I had no recourse. I called AMEX - sent them my documentation- and they took the Hotwire charge off of my Card. I had used Hotwire a few times previously but I haven't used Hotwire since --- and intend to continue avoiding using them. I was just browsing the threads here and see that I'm not the only one who has experienced their arbitrary assignment of Star ratings.
