Erik Szabo is “livid.”
HOTWIRE
When Brian Cross scored a “four star” hotel in Milwaukee recently through Hotwire, he assumed he’d be staying in an upscale property. But as I’ve noted in the past, Hotwire’s stars don’t necessarily compare to other established ratings systems.
Anna Johnson is unhappy with her Hotwire hotel room. Her problem: The site isn’t consistent with its star ratings, and now she’s stuck with a room at a property she didn’t want. Is she entitled to a refund?
Hotwire’s low-price guarantee says you can be “sure they’re the lowest prices you’ll find.” But that’s not what Carol McCoy discovered when she booked a hotel in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on a recent holiday weekend.
Here’s a relatively common problem with a so-called “opaque” booking site — with a relatively common resolution.
Hotwire offers Loretta Krahn a hotel room in Rosemont, Ill. She ends up in Elk Grove, Ill. Now she wants her money back, but Hotwire refuses. Is she out of luck?
The hotel Valerie Acosta booked through Hotwire.com isn’t what she expected. The site claims it’s a four-star resort, but the reviews say otherwise. How about a refund?
Half a star may not sound like much to the average hotel guest, particularly when there are no nationally-recognized hotel rating standards in the United States. But it means the world to Sandi Tanner, who is planning her 20th wedding anniversary in New Orleans.
Gordon Houston is offered a $9.80-a-day rate for a rental car in Mexico. But an agent refuses to rent the car to him without insurance, which more than doubles the price of the vehicle. Now neither his agent, nor the rental company, will refund the difference. Is he stuck with the bill?
One of the most frequently-repeated pieces of advice for bargain-hunters is that you’ll always find a deal on one of the so-called “opaque” travel websites, like Hotwire or Priceline.
When it comes to fixing travel problems, every happy ending isn’t necessarily a Hollywood ending. Consider the case of Samantha McCormick, a 23-year-old Hotwire customer whose car rental rate unexpectedly doubled.
Brian Perez-Daple rents a car in Mexico through Hotwire. But his car rental company insists he needs to buy extra insurance, which he doesn’t. Is there any way to get his money back?
Gerald Besses did not have a good stay at the Days Inn in Port Richmond, Calif. To put it mildly.
By now, my friends, you must know that these “in” box polls have a certain randomness and statistical irrelevance to them.
Here’s a common complaint from travelers who book through so-called “opaque” sites like Priceline and Hotwire: A customer who tried to buy a particular flight, hotel or rental car, but ended up with a nonrefundable reservation in the wrong place.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
I'm on Facebook: Please "like" 
WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? If you're having trouble with a travel business - any business - and you've reached a dead end, maybe I can help. Send me an