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Comments (4)
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Save/ShareHotwire's blind-booking service for hotels—in which you don't find out precisely where in town you'll be staying until your credit card is charged—isn't for everyone. But as flexible travelers, we're fans of using the site, which is owned by Expedia.
Today Travelocity launched a rival service: Top Secret Hotels. The company says travelers will save up to 45 percent off the retail rates for upscale hotels.
Priceline offers a similar service, of course, using a bidding system in which you name-your-own-price.
The trade-off with all of these services is that your hotel's location will be something of a surprise. But in many big cities, it doesn't really matter which neighborhood you're staying in, because you're hopping all over town sightseeing anyway.
MORE
Travelocity's Top Secret Hotels
Think you know Priceline?
Is Hotwire a safe bet for European hotel bargains?
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I think it matters very much where you are staying in a city which is why I would never use this kind of service. One street off and you can be in an area you might not want to be near - rough area, financial district area closes down earlier so fewer people around, noisy hospital or fire stations, etc.
Posted By FlyCat on March 25, 2010, 6:21 PM
I just had a terrible experience using Travelocity's "Secret Hotels" feature. The star ratings are SO not what you expect! The issue at hand: Comfort Inn is somehow in the same hotel class as Hilton, Doubletree, Courtyard by Marriot, Drury Inn... Huh??? Very disappointing.
Called customer service, was told no one in the entire company had the authority to help me. (I spoke with the original person, the supervisor, and the supervisor of the supervisor.) I have used hotwire and priceline before to "blind book" hotel rooms and was very satisfied. Unfortunately, it looks like Travelocity's Secret Hotels can just not be trusted.
Posted By Mindy on November 17, 2010, 6:23 PM
Ok, I have to update my last comment: after complaining on their Facebook page, Travelocity finally canceled my reservation and refunded my money.
Posted By Mindy on November 18, 2010, 5:13 PM
Ok, I have to update my last comment: after complaining on their Facebook page, Travelocity finally canceled my reservation and refunded my money.
Posted By Mindy on November 18, 2010, 5:22 PM