Complaint Review: Hotwire.com - Internet

Annette, First of all, I do not work for, am not paid by, or in any other way receive perks from this reply. For now, there is not much you can do! However, it is only fair to note that hotwire.com is NOT a scam, nor does it act in a fraudulent nature ... here's why. (as always, read the fine print - but these are my 'general terms' of such vendors) First: Since the on-set of the internet many companies have made themselves available to purchase 'discounted' airfare. However, many of these companies act in different manners with respect to "how" you get the cheap fare. Some, like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, and Cheaptickets search databases and find the lowest fares for you, much like an inexpensive travel agent. They work directly with the airline companies. Others, like priceline.com allow you to enter a bid, of sorts, at a price you're willing to pay for the "product". Priceline allows you to enter the "bid price", and if it's accepted by a major airline - it will be honored. If you underbid, you may get a rejection claim from priceline. It you bid $300, but they would have taken $200, you pay $300. It also caters to the buyer who can fly "any time of day" as the times and airlines are displayed after puchase. (Note: I have purchased a 4 1/2 star, brand new Westin Hotel, room two days before New Year's, and received a $200 room for $65! I did not know the hotel until after I purchased but it worked GREAT!) Hotwire.com, acts a little differently. Here, you know "exactly" what the price will be and what you'll pay, but like priceline, you don't know the airline and the times until AFTER you purchase. See the difference? (Priceline you "bid"; Hotwire you SEE the best price.) Sometimes you can go to hotwire.com, see the best price, and then take that price and "bid BELOW" that for a ticket through priceline.com. Pit them against each other for your benefit! Hotwire works GREAT if, and ONLY IF, you are not limited to certain times of travel (ETD and ETA). For example. I purchased a ticket 6 weeks ago, for a flight 3 weeks ago to Denver, CO. Knowing fair-well that I had a function Friday and a function Sunday, in order to be safe, I chose departure and return flights for Thursday and Monday respectively. This way, it didn't matter what times my flights were, I was able to meet my scheduled events. Specifics: Again, why hotwire.com is great IF you are flexible with times. For this trip, which I've flown many, many times at a cost of $350 (average) up to $500, I PAID $165 FOR THE TICKET THROUGH HOTWIRE.COM! Plus, it so happened that during a connecting flight (which is to be expected) I willingly got bumped and received a $300 voucher. So, for a trip (airfare) that should have cost me $350+, I saved $135 on airfare, PLUS a $300 voucher! Essentailly, I got two flights for $165 (not that getting bumped is a great time, but I had the flexibility already within my plans, so another 4 hours for $300 was worth it.) Getting bumped doesn't happen all of the time, but be flexible and look for the opportunity. Also, I am booking a flight for next month and the advertised rates (Expedia, Orbitz, etc.) ... best rates are $362. Hotwire was just over $250 for the same days! I'll think I'll take it.

SORRY, NO SYMPATHY.......You got what you PAID for. You wanted something CHEAP & you got it. Remember the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR". THey sold you a CHEAP ticket from Point A to Point B. If you want to specify the times, then you have to PAY EXTRA !!!!! Next time, Book Direct with the Airlines or such & dont have these problems. You got what you deserved.