Hotwire Hotel: Need advice on using Hotwire

[melancholyem]

Hi, I'm new to using Hotwire, and it makes me nervous for several reasons. 1 being there are no refunds, 2 being they don't "guarantee" the amount of beds?? If I put in 4 persons, is there a chance I'm going to get a single bed? I found this: 2.5-star hotel in Burr Ridge - Hinsdale - Willowbrook for $48. Can anyone give me any ideas on what hotel I would be looking at? I need to hurry and get a room, and I just want to put my mind at ease. Thanks in advance!

[melancholyem]

this is probably a really dumb question, but what is meant by bidding? if i go to hotwire.com, and buy a room at that advertised price, is that the price i'm going to get, or not?

[dahammer]

welcome!

HOTWIRE is non refundable, but you can sometimes identify the hotel through the amenities listed before purchase. These might show up as pool, fitness center, and so on. What are the amenities shown for your stay?

As fare a bedding is concerned, if you put in 4 adults, you will get at least a room with a double bed and a pull out sofa bed. At best, you should get a room with two beds

[Romelle]

this is probably a really dumb question, but what is meant by bidding? if i go to hotwire.com, and buy a room at that advertised price, is that the price i'm going to get, or not?

With Hotwire, the advertised price is what you are going to get (plus their fees and taxes and stuff). The only unknown is which hotel, and this site usually can give you a pretty good guess beforehand. It isn't "bidding", although sometimes people call it that.

With Priceline, there are two separate sides. One is just like Hotwire where you know the price but not the hotel. This is sometimes referred to as the "retail" side. The other side is the one where you actually bid. You submit a dollar amount, along with city/star level/zone/date(s), and the is a pause. Eventually, PL comes back and either tells you that amount is successful, or it isn't. PL of course also has the various fees and taxes to add on to your original bid amount.

If your bid is unsuccessful, you can change something like zone or star level or date and bid again. You can't make exactly the same bid until you have waited 24 hours.

Romelle

[melancholyem]

the amenities are breakfast, fitness center, internet, and nearby golf.

seeing as how i'd be risking not getting two beds, i'll probably have to pass this up. is priceline a better option?

[AaronJB]

PRICELINE does not guarantee 2 beds. At least with HOTWIRE you are guaranteed bedding for the amount of people you indicate are in your party.

[thereuare]

Where exactly is it that you need to be in the Chicago area... as sometimes booking two rooms via PRICELINE can result is a highier class hotel and be cheaper (or just a few dollars more) than booking one room direct.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Lastly, as you seem to be a little confused between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, this is a good place to start: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire as it describes the similarities, and differences, between each service.