Hotwire inventory problem

[WillTravel]

I have been doing searches on Hotwire and bidding on Priceline unsuccessfully for a stay from Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Seattle. Obviously there's no hurry, but I do know this time period can be expensive.

I looked at the 2* that comes up in the University district zone on Hotwire. If I enter "1 adult, 3 children" it comes up as $44. If I enter "2 adults, 2 children" it comes up as $45. (Actually I want 1 adult, 1 child, but want two beds, so I've been entering more people. When I enter "1 adult, 1 child", though, it comes up as $49.)

With the amenities of Pool and Continental Breakfast, I figured this is most likely the Seattle University Travelodge, and we could certainly handle that for a couple nights.

So I went through Savingsbarn as usual, did the search to get the $44 rate, entered my details, and clicked Purchase.

I got this message:

We're sorry, but the itinerary you selected is no longer available. Your card has not been charged. We apologize for the inconvenience.

You may retry your search by modifying your date, neighborhood or select another hotel within a different star category and we will search all other hotels to find the best available hot-RateSM.

Note that this price is not guaranteed until the purchase is complete. Hotwire Customer Care Associates will not be able to assist you with this problem.

I changed it to "2 adults, 2 children" and got the $45 rate, and tried again, and got the same message.

I phoned up anyway, and the CSR said that because the date is so far out, Hotwire probably can't confirm the inventory with the hotel. That doesn't really make much sense.

The direct booking rate for this hotel (if my guess is right) is $62 - so this isn't a huge savings - but it's as cheap a deal as I feel comfortable with, plus I have the $50 HotDollars from my previous Hotwire purchase in the wrong zone.

I do have plenty of time, but it's frustrating. I guess the moral is that if you are counting on being able to get a certain Hotwire hotel, it's not a done deal until you get your confirmation!

[thereuare]

I doubt the dates have nothing to do with it (regardless of what the HOTWIRE rep states). Sometimes there are computer glitches, either from hotwire to the booking system OR the booking system to the hotel and i suspect that is what is at issue here.

I'd try again in 24 hours.

Good Luck (and thanks for trying thru the S-B link :) )

[WillTravel]

I tried several more times at various times of day since I wrote that post, and failed with all of them.

Then I sent a complaint email to Hotwire.

I hadn't gotten a response a couple hours later, but decided to give it one more try.

And success!

I'll post on the Washington Hotwire board.

[thereuare]

They must have known you were getting ready to give up :)