Hotwire Mystery numbers????

[JVSovel]

These mystery "reference no. XXXXXXXXXX" show up in a hidden area of each page, I don't know if they mean anything. To uncover these secret numbers, highligth to the right of the ameneties with your mouse and as you highlight, you will uncover these numbers.

I have no clue if there is somehow a master list we can uncover??? Maybe the reference number is the same each time, and by using the reference number we may be able to get the hotel name??? If anyone books a hotel, post the reference number and lets see if this works!!!

Just a thought.....

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I believe the reference number is a way for their system to keep track of your session throughout your browsing their website... it gives them a way to keep track of your search results and not confuse them with another user.

If you make a purchase this reference number is given to you in case you ever need to call customer service it is an easy way for them to access your purchase.

I just did a seach for the same dates and zones on two different computers and came up with entirely different refernce numbers.

[lowballer]

Priceline has something like this too. While you're in "wait" mode there's small text that reads "PHR:" followed by what will become your hotel reservation number.

[rstarobi]

<delurking>

I'm not sure how useful this is, but I just noticed that Hotwire has hidden text next to each of its hotel listings that contains a reference number (just to the right of the icons representing amenities - if you highlight the are, it will appear in reverse). I'm not sure if this is randomly generated, or if it represents an actual way of determining which hotel is which in their system. Hope this is useful to everyone.

PS - thereuare, this is a great site. Glad that you've created it, and I've made passive use of it several times to great effect.

[warzbiz]

Just Curious...

When I went to copy & paste from Hotwire, I noticed that there is a hidden Ref No. right after the amenities icons. Anyone else seen this before?

Do you think this is a way to tell for sure which hotel is which?

[ufjoe21]

Just Curious...

When I went to copy & paste from Hotwire, I noticed that there is a hidden Ref No. right after the amenities icons. Anyone else seen this before?

Do you think this is a way to tell for sure which hotel is which?

unfortunately this won't work

just test it.........pick a city find your hotel then just change the date.......and you'll see it's the same hotwire hotel (matching amenities), similar price for a similar date, but the reference number changes

most likely the reference number is unique for each time a room is actually purchased

I thought of it too when I first saw it though :)

[runNgun]

its a feature they have added in case someone wants to call in to book instead of doing it online. You call in and give the reference #.

[warzbiz]

Thanks for the feedback. I figured it was too good to be true!

I wonder why they have the Ref No. text the same color as the background - why wouldn't they want people to see it?

[ufjoe21]

It COULD be just a mistake in choice of font color, or it could be done purposely to make it look more aesthetically pleasing............point is there's no secret number which will tell us the identity of the hotel.

[artvandelay]

Maybe this has been discussed before but I searched and could not find anything.

I noticed today that hotwire has a reference number for hotels which it places directly behind the amenities section but it is invisible unless you highlight the listing. (by dragging your mouse over it) Perhaps this would be something people should place in their Hotwire wins, it would make them much easier to track...if the numbers are constant (ie stay with the hotel over multiple days etc.)???

Worked for cars as well, it is just beneath the picture of the car and some writing.

(edit by thereuare: merged with existing thread)

[ufjoe21]

unfortunately this won't work

just test it.........pick a city find your hotel then just change the date.......and you'll see it's the same hotwire hotel (matching amenities), similar price for a similar date, but the reference number changes

most likely the reference number is unique for each time a room is actually purchased

I thought of it too when I first saw it though :)

see the above quote please

[happysaver]

Also when you click on "Continue" button, you'll see the text:

We can help you

book this trip

Call us toll free:

1-866-468-9473.

For faster service,

mention ref.

followed by the very same reference number. So there is nothing secret about this number, it just identifies this particular price quote.