Some Hotwire travel deals you can find online are too good to pass up. After all, who wouldn’t want to save up to 60% or more on travel costs? There is always a catch, and when you book a great deal through a third-party site like Hotwire, you generally give up some of your freedom to change or cancel your reservation. However, there are a few things you can do that might help you get that ticket canceled and your money back.
Hotwire Cancellation Policy
Cancel Airline Tickets
The rules for plane tickets are pretty much the same. For those who made a Hotwire reservation at a Hot Rate price, they are now “stuck.” If you bought a non-Hot-Rate ticket, on the other hand, you will have to follow the airline’s own rules for changes and cancellations, which could be nothing at all, a fee, or not being able to make any changes at all.
There aren’t many airlines that are known for letting people change their tickets easily these days. Their policy may depend on the type of fare you booked; full-fare tickets usually give you more choices. Make sure you know the airline’s rules on changes and cancellations, even if you book through a third party.
Hotel Deals
Once more, Hotwire’s hotel return and change policy is split into two groups. Hotwire says that you can’t change or cancel your reservation if you bought the hotel through a Hotwire Hot Rate. If you reserved a regular hotel room (not a Hot-Rate room), the hotel will decide how to handle cancellations.
You can look at a copy of these rules before you confirm your Hotwire reservation. It will also be in the email that confirms your reservation and under that reservation on the My Account page.
Rental Cars
Hey there! The policy for rental cars with Hotwire actually depends on the type of rate you booked. If you’ve made a booking at a regular rate, don’t worry about any penalties for canceling. Simply log in to your Hotwire account, go to “My Account,” and choose the rental you wish to cancel. It’s as easy as that!
If you’ve made a reservation for a rental car through Hotwire Hot Rate, please note that their official policy states that once booked, the reservation cannot be cancelled, refunded, changed, or transferred. But keep reading, because sometimes there’s a bit of flexibility in that policy for Hot Rate cancellations.
Some Hot Rate Wiggle Room
Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that the Hotwire booking and cancellation policy for their Hot Rate deals is pretty strict. While there’s a small chance you might be able to talk to a sympathetic Hotwire representative and get lucky with a cancellation, most of them will honestly say that they can’t do much about it.
However, if you reach out to a representative from the hotel or rental car company directly, they might be able to provide you with a different answer. Hi there! Since you booked through a third party, the hotel or airline representative might not be able to assist you with the cancellation. But if the company representative agrees that you should be allowed to cancel, Hotwire is more than happy to oblige.
To cancel, it would be great if you could reach out to Hotwire. Just let them know that you have the company’s permission to cancel. When you speak to the Hotwire representative, please provide them with the name and information of your contact at the company. This will help them confirm the details you’re sharing.
What About Travel Insurance?
Even if the company representatives are hesitant to authorize a cancellation, there’s still a chance for you to recover your losses with the help of travel insurance. Look into your policy, especially if it includes trip cancellation coverage. Do you happen to have travel insurance?
But hey, here’s the thing: not every travel insurance company will cover every reason for trip cancellation or delay. Even if they cover your reason for trip cancellation or delay, the claims process can sometimes require you to pay the associated costs upfront. But don’t worry, the travel insurance company will then process your claim and reimburse you.
The reimbursement process may take around a month or even longer, but it’s important to note that all travel insurance companies have a limit on what they can reimburse. Sure, it’s always a good idea to consider getting travel insurance! Just remember to take a look at the fine print to understand the coverage they provide per day or per trip, as well as the specific reasons for trip cancellation that they do or don’t cover. For instance, many trip insurance companies typically provide coverage for cancellations due to bad weather. However, it’s important to note that they may not cover a complete trip cancellation solely because the event you were planning to attend got cancelled.
Conclusion
In summary, Hotwire offers attractive travel deals, but its cancellation policies vary depending on the type of booking. Airline tickets may have restrictions, while hotel policies depend on whether you book a Hot Rate or a regular room. Rental cars can be more flexible, and in some cases, contacting the service provider directly may help with cancellations. Travel insurance can also be a safeguard, but coverage varies, so it’s essential to read the fine print.
