Comments on: No rental car — but they still have my money

By: Tbsbaby

Tbsbaby — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:32:00 +0000

I have used Hotwire many, many times and never had an issue. I have however been screwed over multiple times by Allegiant Airlines, has anyone else had an issue with them?

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:18:25 +0000

Hmmm, I have not used Hotwire before but after hearing about Hotwire horror stories and also about Bill Me Later, I would think twice about using them. I don’t see why I should book through them and not directly with the providers themselves. Ok, maybe some savings but the savings are not much in comparison to the hassle I would have to deal with later.

By: Jay Clark

Jay Clark — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:43:11 +0000

Paid $125 for a rental to be picked up in Atlanta using Hotwire. Was unable to make the trip due to a family emergency. Call Alamo in Atlanta and cancelled the car. Alamo was not paid and I confirmed that with them. So Hotwire has the full amount of the rental and Alamo has nothing. I only want to have what I paid for or a credit for my next rental not even a refund. They are giving me the run around. If they screw enough people their business will fail. I for one will never use them again because of this but hoped that they would do the right thing and just give me what I paid them for.

By: ez car rental

ez car rental — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:15:14 +0000

I suggest never using a 3rd party to actually book your flight/hotel/rental whatever, but use it instead as a price comparison tool. After you find who you want to work with, book it directly from the merchant. 3rd parties are always trouble.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:10:11 +0000

I agree with you, Mr Elliott, that when “you’re using an intermediary like an online agent, the odds of something going wrong certainly increase.”

There are so many terms and conditions, “non-refundable, non-modifiable and non-cancellable” come to mind when dealing with sites like Hotwire and Priceline. I’ve found many times that renters can get cheaper rates by going through the car rental companies directly, if they have access to a car rental discount code or coupon. There are hundreds of membership programs and professional associations that offer discount car rental codes for their members. It is also, much, much easier to modify or change a car rental reservation when dealing with the company itself.

By: Carver Farrow

Carver Farrow — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:47:44 +0000

Ditto

Booking through hotwire and its ilk seems like such a bad idea unless you have no other options.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:52:22 +0000

Haven’t we all learned a lesson yet from all the complaints about Hotwire and similar sites? Don’t book through them!! It saves time, money and effort in the long run.