Complaint Review: HOTWIRE

Beware HOTWIRE bookings!

I just got burned by Hotwire!!! I booked a hotel for Ottawa while in Canada. After booking I learned (as is their normal procedures) that I would be staying at the Lord Elgin Hotel. Hotwire Total for 2 nights $510.26. That sounded fine to me until I received my Credit Card Statement and realized I ‘ve been  charged CAD $690. Nowhere in the Hotwire Reservation / Itinerary does it say that the rate is in USD$. You would assume that if you are booking in Canada and for Canada the rate is in CAD$ !!!!!

Given that I made this reservation well in advance, I called customer service and requested that this reservation be cancelled and they give me a different hotel downtown that would cost me around CAD$500 for 2 nights, which is what I am willing and able to pay. Customer service answers out of the Philipines and they refused!!!! VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
The worst part of it is that since I booked online I’ve been receiving offers for those same dates and for the same hotel. If I had booked thru Booking.com I would have gotten a much better rate, would not have had to pay in advance and would have been entitled to cancel with no penalty.

I was so burned that I will never use them again. Shame on you HOTWIRE!!!!