I recently made a flight reservation for my boss who will be traveling to Paris, France. Flights were booked last Saturday and on Tuesday, May 5, (which was only a couple of days later) I called HOTWIRE to request a change on the return flight as my bosses' meeting date was delayed for an extra day. HOTWIRE took down all our change information and told me that someone will call to confirm if our requested flight is available. Someone from HOTWIRE did call the same day, but unfortunately, I was not able to answer my cellphone because I was driving (California law). As soon as I got home, (which was about 20 minutes later), I called them back. The HOTWIRE agent said that because I did NOT answer the phone when they call, I have to make a NEW change request. I have to repeat all the information I gave earlier and of course, the agent said that I will have to wait again for them to call back to confirm if the requested change flight is available, and if we have to pay for any price differences plus $250 change fee. I have been waiting since the evening of May 5 and finally I get a call from them at 11:49 am (PDT) today. They told me that the return flight requested is available but that the price of the new flight would be $3, 975.20 plus the $250 change fee. We only paid $658.60 (return) for our original booking. I call this MODERN DAY HIGHWAY ROBBERY! When I search on HOTWIRE for the departure and returning flights that we want, it is showing only less than $800!. Why should I pay HOTWIRE almost $4, 000?

Therefore, the lesson here is if you are firm with your flight dates, Hotwire is good. However, watch out if you should need to change anything.

Just a heads up on the 'discount' travel website Hotwire...Hotwire advertises that their website can save you substantial amounts on travel bookings by making deals with the hotel, airline, or car rental facility you may potentially be booking with to give you a low rate. The trade off is that the name of the company remains anonymous until after payment is received by Hotwire for the booking.

When the payment is received you then are confirmed for the booking and the name of the company is revealed. You may then google the company and compare prices...I just recently used this website (having used it once before) and found that there was no savings on the hotel I booked in Dallas/Fort Worth.

I challenged Hotwire as to why I should use their service again, when I received no savings and didn't know the name of the hotel. The manager, Chad, told me that they guarantee the lowest available rate. He said they could not advertise that this rate may be equal to that of the actual company's rate because no one would use the service. I told him that was exactly my point. Who wants to not know the name of the hotel you will be staying at and pay the same available rate that the hotel has on its website. Chad offered no compensation and no compassion or concern for brand loyalty.

Please be aware of this stipulation if using Hotwire.

Join the campaingn: DO NOT USE HOTWIRE!!!
Hotwire takes advantage of people.
Hotwire left me on my own after a completely irresponsible action of one of their hotel partners (OAK PLANTATION RESORT, Kissimmee FL). I was refused of the hotel room I had paid for in advance to Hotwire. I was left without any accommodation at 2:00 am in a city unknown to me. I was forced to look for hotels at 2:00 am in a place that was all booked up because of the irresponsible actions of OAK PLANTATION RESORT and because HOTWIRE did not assist me on getting an alternative place. I lost all morning and part of the afternoon recovering from a nightmare my family and I will never forget. I had to pay from my pocket for another hotel and after sending countless emails and making even more phone calls HOTWIRE agreed to pay only for the money that I had to put from my pocket, not without a catch: I have to wait for up to 60 days to get it. In compensation HOTWIRE offered an apology and 25 Monopoly dollars (they call it HotDollars and they are only good for buying stuff from Hotwire). Yes, you read correctly: 25 Monopoly dollars was what they offered to compensate for their irresponsibility and incompetence.
That's HOTWIRE for you.

My wife and I are going to Florida in two weeks. We live in PA and were looking forward to going to Florida to lay out by the pool and catch some sun. After booking my hotel with Hotwire I get a hotel with an INDOOR POOL. Now this is southern Florida, Fort Myers, not the northern section. They mislead me by having the Pool icon on thier listings and now me and my wife are stuck in a room with a pool and a hot tub. They will do nothing and I am on the hunt to speak to the office of the president.

Checked Hotwire.com for ticket prices to Guatemal from LAX for two seniors. Their site said Mexican had just what we wanted, dates and times for $300 per person round trip. Called my travel buddy next day and we agreed to purchase.

Next day Hotwire told us airline had raised prices by $100 per person round trip. We foolishly believed them and booked the flights.

This was all at the end of December, 2008. Curiosity caused me to check with Mexicana Airlines (on which we were booked) and saw that their price was still at the $297 round trip per person. I asked if they had raised their price since the end of December and January 15, 2009 and they said NO.

Called Hotwire and they said rates change all the time and no refund or adjustment could be made.

THEY LIED. I CAUGHT THEM. FRAUD!! RIPOFF!!