Hi, Just wondering if anyone has tried Hotwire for flights. I just heard about it and would love to know how they work and if it's worth it.

Hello,

I use Hotwire all the time for hotels, cars and sometimes flights.

Lately, I have not seen any real good bargins for flying which is odd considering the current condition. Last time I booked DCA-ABQ for 159. We booked my great aunt this weekend from DCA (now IAD)-ELP. I find the fares are better at the expensive airports. I was checking for WAS-AUS and the quoted 200 I booked on Southwest for 109 RT.

Last time I booked NYC I was in the Waldorf for 135!!

Try it, it is better than Priceline.

Chris

Note: I do know that Marriott does not use the service because they cannot pay more to be booked more often. A friend woks for Marriott Corp.

Hi Chris, is it like priceline, where you don't know what airline or hotel till you accept. Also, do you have to give your credit card number in advance. Thanks

Chris,

Do you give code breakers with your posts?

xyz

Unlike Priceline, you do not have to give the credit card # in advance but you do have to register as a user at the site (free). The major advantage is that with Priceline you bid a price and are committed - if you win the bid you made the purchase. With Hotwire you get the price first (but not the travel time of day or the hotel name)and then have up to 24 hours to decide. I check Hotwire regularly and find that the deals vary form 50% less to as much or more than going through other more conventional fare finders (Orbitz is my favorite). Always check and double check before comitting. I have not used them for airfare because I rarely have flexibility on my time of day to travel but have used priceline for hotels and had great success in getting spectacular deals.

After seeing the ads for Hotwire, I tried it once a few months ago to see how the airfares compared with internet sites. It was actually slightly higher. So I wrote to their customer service and asked them why they were higher just to see if, when and how they responded. They did respond but it took three days and they basically said that it happens from time to time. That is my one experience.

I used them for my flights to Maui from Chicago, we flew American and saved over $200 per ticket. You cannot earn frequent flyer miles though.