I just experimented with Hotwire for a rental I booked directly with Avis in Calgary.

The cheapest HW gave me was a little over $1000. The Avis rate I have is $855... This is for a mid-size from August 20 to September 6. I don't think it's too bad a rate...

We're used Priceline for many years with great success and happiness. We are now in the frustrating process of trying to get a hotel in NYC for 2 nights in early August. I have bid for the last 4 nights on Priceline and have been rejected. I am now up to $180 for 3* and 4* -rejected. Hotwire is showing 3-1/2* for $179 for Downtown-Soho - I'm wondering if I should go for it. I've never booked with Hotwire before.

definitely try to determine which hotel it is at www.betterbidding.com.

if you have trouble through the amenities alone,(checking the hotel list at betterbidding) you can make a request with your dates, price, city and amenities shown. within a half day i am sure "thereuare" will kindly answer to which hotel it most likely is.

3.5 stars on hotwire is usually 3* on priceline. they tend to upgrade hotels on ratings by 1/2*.

I decided to try Priceline one more time tonight and just "snagged" the
Millenium Hilton for $185 plus fees and taxes. We stayed in the financial area during the NY Marathon and actually liked it so we are pleased with this (well, as pleased as one can be paying such high prices in NY!).
But then again, we are recently back from London where our modest b&b was even more expensive. Oh well!