Z3R0

Most Express members don't even know they're Express until they call Hotwire about something and get told and transfered to another department. And yes, it's not by invitation, it's reserved for high frequency bookers. No one seems to notice the email received once they get Express status though. I'm a PRICELINE EXPRESS member with Hotwire. :)

That compensation was more than likely from a call received, complaint recorded and sent for follow up. As far as I know, post stay surveys are just used to evalute hotel star ratings and see if they need to be adjusted down. And I honestly agree with Kade. If you have a reservation and you call in a week later saying the hotel was horrible, you're not liable to get much consideration. After all, how bad could it have been if you didn't call immediately. You're best bet of getting assistance, is to request to see your room before checking in. If there's something seriously wrong with your room or the hotel, call in immediately and explain the situation.

Most agencies are also introducing early return fees as penalties for not using reservations as booked. After all, the way the low rates offered are secured is by guaranteeing vendors reservations will be used as booked. Any time you return a rental late(or even early) it's technically a violation of the booking agreement and you may be penalized by the agency. Another thing to bear in mind is, that if you return a car early, you're not going to get a credit or refund for any unused portions of a reservation. Your rate is valid from the scheduled pickup date/time to dropoff, whether or not you use it as booked. Hopefully this helps someone.

^ Indeed. Each hotel has the ability to open or close their availability. Most hotels have to do this manually to stop receiving reservation and showing up on listings, and get busy and forget, etc. It happens, and it is unfortunate. Most booking sites will work to provide whatever re-accommodations they can as well as a refund.

Not only that, but rates -are- based upon availability. Even if it were the same hotel, the rate could have increased due to the availability for that particular location running out. The less rooms there are remaining, the higher the rate usually goes.

Quite recently there's been a feature added to allow Bed Choice. This is available on some rates as a blue icon with a stick figure in a bed that says Bed Choice. You get to select how many beds in the room, for usually about $2-$5 more. Otherwise, all reservations go through as "run of the house" based upon availability at check in.

For anyone else looking to read about this, the rates shown in the promotional emails are usually rates that other people have booked recently. Because these rates are based upon availability, and may not be for the exact same details you're searching for, you may not always be able to find them when searching. You can choose which emails you want to receive or stop receiving by following the Subscription Manager link at the bottom of your email.

The way the rebate works is that you have to book through the rebate page, then print that page and sign it. Then print your confirmation email(after booking). Staple your Entertainment Book coupon, confirmation email, and signed form then mail them in. Couple of things to consider: - Travel usually has to be booked and completed within certain days. - Forms/Submissions have to be received within 30 days of booking. - These rebates qualify for only hot Rate hotels/cars and all air fair. Hotels and cars in grey display will not qualify. Any other questions, feel free to ask.