fantag Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I wanted to report my winning bid. I'm not happy with it all all, based on the awful TripAdvisor reviews (only 25% would recommend). But as a help to others and so that the Hotwire Hotel list may be updated here are the details: It claims it's still gathering reviews, but list that it had 2.5 out of 5.0. I'm infuriated because this was not added just a day ago when I booked this room. No reviews, no ratings, not even the indicator of the original retail being $68 which is now slashed to show $45. The amenities that displayed: Free ParkingFree InternetAirport ShuttlePool(s)Restaurant(s)Self service laundry Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BID FOR THIS CATEGORY OR DESCRIPTION. Now I'm left to look for an alternative and potentially consider this one a loss. Someone suggested I call Hotwire and advise I picked the wrong area. He said they may allow me to do a rebooking refund on the phone where I pick a different area (probably MIA Airport this time) and they credit what I spent towards the difference. Link to comment
fantag Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've just been burned by Hotwire on a 2* hotel in the FLL Airport areae. Turned out to be Red Carpet Inn. At the time I bid, it did not offer any reviews or TripAdvisor ratings (which is only 2.5 of 5.0). Well, a day later they've added this. Okay, enough with that...moving on. Now I have my eyes set for a Miami Airport hotel. Here was my search criteria (2 Adults), Aug.1, 2014-Aug.2, 2014 (one night) 2* for $71 (80% recommend) Amenities: Free Parking Free Breakfast Free Internet Pet friendly Self service laundry When I change my search criteria to (2 Adults, 1 child), Aug.1, 2014-Aug.2, 2014 (one night): 2* for $71 (65% recommend) Amenities: Free Breakfast Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Business Center Self service laundry When I change my search criteria to (4 Adults), Aug.1, 2014-Aug.2, 2014 (one night): 2* for $76 (60% recommend) Amenities: Free Breakfast Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool(s) Business Center Self service laundry Internet access I'm so utterly confused. Does this mean they actually have 3 different hotels you may win based on number of occupants? I would prefer the one with the best feedback BUT it does not list an airport shuttle, which we need. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment
yellowdog Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thank you for sharing your result with the board. Also thanx for the addition for this new property to the BetterBidding Hotwire Hotel List Sorry to see that you didn't like the outcome. Airports and lower rated hotels can be a bad combination. Good to see that HOTWIRE let you choose a new zone for your stay. They are pretty good with that. I believe there were likely more amenities then what you have posted above as HOTWIRE has a new interface that does not show the complete set of amenities unless you click thru a few extra links. For future searches/bookings you can do the following to ensure you're seeing the complete list: 1) use the EASY VIEW tab of our BiddingHelper.com and click the green 'See All Amenities' button OR 2) search HOTWIRE (or use the HOTWIRE tab at BiddingHelper.com) and... · click the offer · on the next page click the BOOK NOW link · in the TRIP SUMMARY box click the 'See more' link at the end of the amenities Please use the board's PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your purchases and searches Yellowdog. Link to comment
fantag Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I just did as you advised and it only added one more amenity, which is a repeat of one I already posted. Not sure why 'Free Internet' and 'Internet Access' would be listed as separate amenities. How can you have free internet without the access? But here you go. Full Amenities: Free Parking Free Internet Airport Shuttle Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Self service laundry Internet access (newly added) Link to comment
yellowdog Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thanx for the follow-up! Yellowdog. Please use the PRICELINE and hot.wire links on the board to begin your purchases and searches. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Please start by reading your messages. Does this mean they actually have 3 different hotels you may win based on number of occupants?Yes, it is quite possible and appears to be the case. As you were not happy with your recent 2 star Hotwire hotel purchase, i would suggest searching for a higher rated hotel, which are only a few dollars more than those above and are much higher rated. When searching for your dates i see: 3.5* Airport hotel for $86/nite with a 4.0/5.0 TA rating: Free Parking Free Internet Shuttle Fitness Pool Restaurant Business Laundry Hi-Speed Internet Blind Accessible Deaf Accessible Travel Accessible Room Accessible Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom Accessible Handicapped Parking Roll-in Shower ... my guess would be the Best Western Premier Miami International Airport Hotel and Suites 3* Airport Condo with a 4.0/5.0 TA rating and 100% recommended by previous HOTWIRE guests: Complimentary Breakfast Free Internet Studio Smoke Free Shuttle Daily Housekeeping A/C Fitness Pool Business 24hr Front Desk Laundry Kitchenette Blind Accessible Deaf Accessible Travel Accessible Room Accessible Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom Accessible Handicapped Parking Roll-in Shower ... not sure of this property but odds favor it being any of the three you listed above 3* Miami Airport for $80 with an 85% recommendation from previous guests: Free Internet Shuttle Fitness Pool Restaurant Business Laundry Hi-Speed Internet Deaf Accessible Travel Accessible Room Accessible Bathroom Accessible Handicapped Parking ... my guess here would be the Airport Regency Hotel (or a secondary guess of the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport South) I think the ~$10 more for the hotels is a small price to pay for a BIG jump in star rating, and given your disappointment with your last 2* purchase, i think these are much better options (and a better value) Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Your thoughts? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
fantag Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I would LOVE to upgrade my search to a higher star rating, especially since the prices seemed to have dropped and the options expanded from 4 options to now 7+ for the dates we're going in the MIA airport area. The only 'gotcha' is the fact that Hotwire stipulated in order for me to do the rebook refund, I would have to pick another hotel in the same star category and simply change the location--as this was the exception to even allow for any sort of change to the non-refundable hotel. I can 'bid' for another unpublished in the same 2* class or I can go with the retail, published rates, but I was told the same 2* was the one constant. Along with the same dates, of course. At this point, it can't get any 'worse' than my previous option, especially since we fly into MIA and need to move locations. The irony is, our flight doesn't land until 12:15am and we're hopping on a cruise that starts to board at noon the same day. This was just supposed to be a quick and easy place to lay our heads for a few hours before shuttling off to the port. The other motivator was some of the hotels in that 2* category on their site are places that offer a complimentary shuttle to the port (while our cruise line wanted to charge up to $30/pp one way for the same service), so it wasn't just the expense of the room we considered. I appreciate your help and your response. I'll use the links and report back with any details. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I would first specifically ask them if you can take a higher rated hotel, as now that you see what they consider to be a 2* property, you'd like something nicer (since you consider the Red Carpet Inn to be 1 star rated). Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
fantag Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thank you for the additional suggestion. So I just got off the phone with them and they agreed to let me upgrade the star rating AND pick from the list of published fares. I seem to have spoken to a very helpful agent today. We ended up booking the Embassy Suites Miami Int'l Airport. It was nearly triple the cost of the original 2*, but this one is a 4* and has the 24-hr shuttle and offers a discounted port shuttle too. I was pleased with the upgrade and I'm grateful they allowed me to do the refund rebook. Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Glad to see it all worked out in the end and that we were able to help. Feel free to ask for help before your next opaque purchase. Please start by reading your messages.2x Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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