SocialAdept

PL isn't made of robots. I've heard how some people have manged refunds on PRICELINE / HOTWIRE as well. If you can't honor a stay you should ALWAYS call customer service and calmly and politely explain that due to unforseen circumstances outside of your control you just can't make it. There's really nothing to lose.

The world has recovered more from the economic crisis this year compared to 2009. This affects business as well as leisure travel.

I can't source this, but I remember reading in a newspaper article one day (just recently) how travel prices (ie plane tickets not neccesarily hotels) drop linearily until two weeks before the aimed date. I would appreciate if someone recogniced this model and could source it.

EDIT: Nevermind, misunderstood original poster. The Room Mate hotels has given me some of my best hotel experiences, you should be doing great with your choice.

What dates are you travelling? I got the W barcelona for $164 (at HOTWIRE) for June 20-22. Kind of a big gap between the two services.

I agree with WillTravel, that is one of the most expensive real estate areas in the entire world after all.

Well maybe I overdid it, my point is that you should be suspicious and act as a major nuisance for anyone handling your credit card info this way.

Thanks. I actually made a forum search before creating the (now merged) thread but couldn't find that piece.

Not to those extreme for a company like PL no, but in practice the bit about them granting themselves a short term loan applies. They could just put them on a savings account for that short time and the accumulated percentages of 1000 such shorts every year eventually add up. Likely? No. Possible? Certainly. In the end it doesn't really matter what they are doing with the money, it's the general practice of double charging that is unacceptable. Giving out your credit card info is something you only do to reliable, serious businesses. Unless this is just a mistake (which is perfectly possible since we haven't heard of anyone else reporting this) it would make me wary of using PL again with large amounts of money.

Has anyone ever had any luck upgrading a hotel stay purchased by way of Hotwire/PL? Either by usual means or the sandwich trick? Personally I'm always out to try this (haven't got anything to lose) but I can imagine that the rules change somewhat when you're buying off-the-rack rooms like with HOTWIRE /PRICELINE. Somehting that is now a first time for me.

That's very troubling. That extra double charge is basically a very short term loan PL has granted themselves. In today's faster-than-light stock exchange markets a company could use that double charge on an investment for those 4 days and sell at a profit and give you back your charge. Not saying that's exactly what's actually happening but it's possible and I'm sure something in that vein is taking place.

To me these hidden fees are an insult to the customer, just what is the actual rationalization for resort fees? Is it something used exclusively by resort hotels in remote places or just some name they've slapped on to an extra arbitrary charge?

With those amenities I am pretty sure that we are looking at Hesperia Tower. A very nice hotel, I stayed there for 7 nights last year. HOWEVER, at $92 you are not getting a good deal. Hesperia Fira suites right next door can be had for $64/night at Hotels.com (with -10% less with the promo code TA10SEPROMO). And let me tell you that's the best 5* suite accomodation you are ever likely to get for this price! The reason for this is that Hesperia Tower/Fira suites is mainly a conference hotel that is now going in to low season with a reduced staff. And if you do end up staying at either place you simply MUST visit the hotel

Is it even possible to get suites with HOTWIRE? The way I understand the booking information the hotel makes no other guarantee than to host the specified number of guests in whatever lodging they choose.

Correct, there was a business icon as well. I made sure to count 7 icons but somehow missed adding the business one on this summary.

Location: Barcelona - Downtown - Marina - Les Ramblas Star rating: 5-star Check-in date: Tue, Jul 20 Check-out date: Thu, Jul 22 Amenities: Near Beach, Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, High speed internet, Spa Hotel rate per night: $164.00 Subtotal: $328.00 Tax recovery charges & fees: $33.48 Total price: $361.48 ----- From the great resources at this forum it was a no-brainer figuring out that the hotel was W Barcelona which is exactly what I've been coveting since I was in Barcelona 1 year ago. Still it adds some confirmation... Oh, and I used the forums link for HOTWIRE for buying my stay. Just me giving back...

As long as you pay with a major credit card you have very little need for additional travel insurance. The credit card insurance usually give you more coverage than the travel sites.

The lack of 5* hotels is somewhat disappoining and Travelocity offers nowhere near the same number of destinations as PRICELINE and HOTWIRE. Still, as mentioned above the service will probably mature and expand.