Message: DDTZ317J79 - Itinerary Number
Hotwire advertises deep discounts on hotel rates. Some of their banner ads read 40 to 70 percent off normal rates.
We used them to get a place in Branson for one night and selected a 3 star for 74 a night (with taxes it was 88.95) from their list. After we bought it, we found out it was a Best Western. Seemed a little high so we checked the Best Western website.
Imagine our chagrine... Best Western prices started at 69. But we thought, maybe its a special room, like the honeymoon suite. Or in the middle of the downtown area, Maybe it had two rooms with a view of a fountain. Hope springs eternal.
It wasn't. It was a one room, double bed, no microwave or refrigerator, one tv, no porch room. The receipt had highlighted on it 'DO NOT SHOW RATES TO CUSTOMER'. Unfortunately for Hotwire, we got to see it. When we asked the clerk if we got a good rate they seemed to have trouble formulating a reply.
We could have gotten a cheaper rate through the Best Western website for the SAME ROOM. There were many empty rooms. We could have gotten a cheaper rate at a different hotel by just SHOWING UP.
But every company gets a chance. So we emailed them. They have this program called DOUBLETHEDIFFERENCE. However, since we had already taken the vacation (duh, we thought we should know what we were complaining about before complaining) they said we didn't qualify.
After 3 or 4 successive and futile emails, we gave up. The company refused to do anything different, or even admit their advertising is deceptive and the price was a rip off, or even apologize.
We won't be using them again. This is a real Buyer Beware company, with absolutely No Customer Service.
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