description Hotwire Overview
Hotwire is a pioneer in the opaque travel deal space, offering significant discounts on hotels, flights, and car rentals by allowing users to book without knowing the exact details until after purchase. Their 'Hot Rate' hotels provide substantial savings, while their flights and car rental deals are also competitive. The platform is user-friendly and caters to both spontaneous travelers and those seeking budget-friendly options. It's ideal for those comfortable with a degree of uncertainty in exchange for a lower price.
help Hotwire FAQ
Can you cancel or get a refund on a Hot Rate hotel booking?
No — Hot Rate hotel bookings on Hotwire are opaque deals, meaning the hotel name is revealed only after purchase and the booking is non-refundable and non-changeable. That inflexibility is precisely why the discounts are as large as they are.
How does Hotwire show you a hotel before you know its name?
Hot Rate listings reveal the neighborhood, star rating, guest score, and some amenities, and the specific property is disclosed only after you pay. Experienced users match these clues against mapping sites to guess the identity before booking.
Who owns Hotwire, and how did it start?
Hotwire was launched in 2000 by a consortium of major U.S. airlines to sell discounted unsold seats, and today it's part of Expedia Group alongside brands like Hotels.com. That lineage is why its airline-deal DNA still shows in the site's flight offerings.
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