Hotwire is Non-Refundable

[KatiesMom]

I agree with Michael. A lesson to be learned here is do not book through priceline or hotwire if there is a realistic chance your travel plans might change. Under the original poster's circumstances there were far too many variables (sick dogs, sick parents) which could cause emergencies at any time, and change travel plans.

As Thereuare has pointed out many times...book something fully cancellable and refundable to give yourself a hotel reservation and peace of mind, and as the trip draws closer try bidding priceline or buying hotwire, with the undestanding that once bought, you own it.

[FOFT]

I totally agree as well.

Personally I've had to eat the cost of a booked trip because of medical reasons, which cost me close to $1,000. The advice is simply to get cancellation insurance if there's a reasonable chance that you might have to cancel, or if you don't want to do that, don't book on an opaque site. I would think that it would be a reasonable precaution to take if you had pets on medications, or if you have to care for elderly parents.

Sure I wasn't happy about it, and I inquired as to what I could do about it, but Hotwire or Priceline can't be blamed for this, in my opinion. And that's coming from someone out a thousand bucks! [as an aside, a friend of mine who booked through Priceline had to cancel - called the hotel in New York explaining his situation - and he got out of it somehow - maybe the hotel arranged it with Priceline, I'm not sure. But it can be done, though I wouldn't count on it]

Although our 'medical condition' was that my wife got pregnant, and now I'm writing this with my little boy looking on as I type. So, all things considered, I'd eat the trip any day.

FOFT

[ufjoe21]

^ the hotel has nothing to do with refunding, if a refund comers from anywhere it comes from priceline, bottom line

[Phaelon56]

Although the OP states that he's left this board and discussion there are some worthwhile issues to be discussed.

This statement:

I'm a poker player...I play hundreds of hands every single day...and I understand the risk I take when I gamble.

This was NOT considered a gamble.

Hotwire is NOT a gambling site

appears to have two true statements and one that's incorrect. Hotwire and Priceline may not "bettting sites" as on-line casino's are but everyone who participates takes a gamble. If illness or any other sort of unforeseen circumstance interferes with the planned travel one can assume that the money is lost.

I research my travel plans and other significant purchases extensively. PL and occasionally HW are services I avail myself of regualrly and nto only do I save some mony but I get to stay in nicer properties than I coudl typically afford (or would choose to pay for).

I have on more than one occasion been unable to travel and had to eat the cost of that hotel stay. But if I add up the money I've saved over time using these services I'm still way ahead of the game and am comfortable enough with the winning vs. risk ratio to keep playing the PL and HW game.

That said - I've never booked PL for a stay that cost more than $500. For anything of longer duration or much higher $$ outlay I alwways look for refundable or reschedulable options.

I have had HW refund my money once but that was because the hotel was closed when I arrived despite HW's verbal assurance the previosu day that the property was open (post hurricane issues).

On another occasion my colleague and I had to reschedule a business meeting and she convinced the hotel manager to credit our pre-paid PL stay to a different arrival and departure date. But that was done at the hotel's discretion - not PL's - and they were accomodating because we were renting a conference room, buying food for our clients etc.

[MRVEGAS711]

Everyone........HOLD YOUR HORSES!!!

I just received a 100% from Hotwire.

9 night stay ($78 per night = $742.00)

Checked in at a DUMP in Portland, Maine

1 Star property (Portland Travelodge)

If this place wasn't a crack house, I haven't seen one! We refused to stay.

It took 4 calls to Hotwire and they we saying we were stuck with it, but reasonable heads prevailed over there as we had 5 witnesses and a camera full of film to prove that it was inhabitable.

The stench of urine masked by mothballs filled the air!

I told Hotwire thats it most certainly didn't meet any 1 star rating in terms of at least being clean (if not anything else)

Regardless of any terms and conditions or contracts stated, it must be at the very least a safe and clean place to stay even if it didn't have any amenities.

I think they knew I was serious about contesting it with the credit card company at the very least and they must have realized that they had no case.

So......let it be known that under some situations, they can and do refund purchases.

[floridasunshine]

MrVegas711, I consider your situation much different from the original poster's. When using hotwire, a reasonable yet unwritten & unspoken (to my knowledge) 'rule', is that Hotwire only contracts with reputable hotels and will 'assure' you of a relatively clean,safe lodging based on star level. Even a 1 star should not be a total dump.

I too was recently 'refunded' for a very nasty hotel (dead roaches in between mattress and box springs, dirty floors, smoke and mildew filled room, bad area, etc). I assumed I would eat the cost of the one night's lodging and did not even bother to complain, until they sent me a 'comment' email questionnaire. To my surprise, they gave me a credit for the room. I did not threaten them or request any refund but just responded the facts about the hotel in my comment card. But I guess Hotwire felt that they did not uphold their end of the contract, even though it is not written.

But when I booked for a 3 day stay in Fairfax, VA in July that I had to cancel because my job schedule changed, I did not even think of complaining or requesting a refund. I broke the contract and knew I was out the money. The original poster's situation is similar and should not be refunded in my opinion.

And even though I have to cancel a paid reservation here and there, or get a 'dud' maybe one out of every 20 bookings, I still love Hotwire and have gotten to stay at some really cool hotels that I could not have afforded otherwise. Usually I am VERY pleasantly surprised at some of the nice hotels I have gotten in the past (Marriott Rennaissance for $45 in Atlanta, Sheraton in New Orleans for $48, Hilton Head for $76 etc,etc). And I truly don't think I would book anything over maybe $500 that was not refundable through a non-refundable website or agreement.

[versley]

^ the hotel has nothing to do with refunding, if a refund comers from anywhere it comes from priceline, bottom line

No true. We had a hotel on New Years Eve that was taken over by drunken young people and their security could not handle it. Talked to front desk the next day and they gave me a number for a person to call at the hotel after the holiday. After talking to her, she directed PL to refund my money, not only for that nite but for my entire stay! It was immediately credited to my account by PL who also sent me an email that the hotel had directed them to refund my money. Hotel handled it unbelievably well!!

[floridasunshine]

I had a similar situation in Nashville... the hotel had a popular bar in it... The noise was unbelievable, but at about 2 am i finally get to sleep, only to be awakened about 2:30 am by the sound of a large window or mirror crashing in the room next to me and a couple screaming obscenities. I had to call the desk and then listen to them evict the couple and vaccuum glass until 3:30 am. The hotel was NOT a 3 star like I paid for and the floor was dirty, area not very good area, and we actually got stuck for 10 minutes in their elevator.

I complained to the manager and he personally refunded me $100, which was about what I paid for the two nights. I did not even have to get involved with Priceline or Hotwire (not sure which I used), except to reply with a negative 'would not recommend' review ....

[byeloe]

Unfortunately the airfare and hotel were all in one purchase, otherwise you could have not cancelled and the hotel might have rescheduled you. I had this happen in Toronto once , just a hotel though.

At least you got vouchers for the flights, although it might have been better to lose the flights and get a rescheduled room.

As soon as you tried to cancel, hotwire saw a big profit opportunity way above their standard fee( although it was their right)

If I ever have to cancel(I won't call hotwire, I will just call the hotel and try to check-in over the phone) I would rather the hotel get the $ than hotwire.

[mcberry]

I've never had to cancel with Hotwire, but I had an 'oops' with Priceline. During planning a trip to Hilton Head for a wedding I somehow got mixed up and thought that we were going 8/13-8/21 and booked a hotel for this week. Turns out I'm an idiot and we actually are going next week 8/20-8/28. Priceline refunded our money, less a $75 cancellation fee, which was in turn refunded when I rebooked the hotel for the following week. They said they won't do that again, but at least they do offer you one screw-up. Too bad hotwire doesn't do this, but fortunately I didn't book my hotwire rental car until after the hotel screw up was resolved!

[thefool75]

I once made a typo on the date on a hotel with Hotwire. Didn't catch it until after I clicked purchase but caught it as soon as I got the confirmation. I immediately called Hotwire (I was just a day off) and they kindly switched me to an equivalent property on my exact dates -- it was maybe $20 more.

I think the key part was that I acted immediately.

[PinkRhombus]

I have probably done 20+ hotel stays (mostly just a night or two) between Priceline and Hotwire....and I've never done anything that I wasn't willing to eat it if something came up. If it was something that important, I wouldn't allow someone else to decide where I'm staying.

Not to be insensitive, but couldn't they have left the dog in the kennel at the vets while they went?

[DaveMode]

I once made a typo on the date on a hotel with Hotwire. Didn't catch it until after I clicked purchase but caught it as soon as I got the confirmation. I immediately called Hotwire (I was just a day off) and they kindly switched me to an equivalent property on my exact dates -- it was maybe $20 more.

I think the key part was that I acted immediately.

Similar story here. Booked a room at 9pm for the following day. I had accidentally booked it for that same night. Called them immediately and they refunded my money, and then booked me for the correct night. I suppose they can see if the booking was created just a few minutes ago.

[travelingperson07]

this is fantastic, i love hotwire and i think its nice that so many people stick up for them.

its not that they dont have pity like everyone states its pre paid rate and non refundable.

keep up the good work people!