If you're hunting for car rental deals that can slash your transportation costs by up to 60%, Hotwire's opaque booking model might be exactly what you need. This comprehensive guide covers everything you should know about renting cars through Hotwire, from how their Hot Rate system works to insider tips for maximizing your savings.
What Is Hotwire Car Rental?
Hotwire is an online travel booking platform owned by Expedia Group that specializes in offering deep discounts through a unique "opaque booking" model. For Hot Rate rentals, you won't know the exact car rental company until after you complete your booking and payment, but you're guaranteed vehicles from major agencies like Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, or Thrifty.
The platform has been operating since 2000 and has built partnerships with leading car rental companies to help them fill unsold inventory while passing significant savings on to travelers.
How Hotwire Car Rental Works
Hot Rate vs Regular Rate Bookings
Hotwire offers two distinct booking options for car rentals:
Hot Rate Bookings:
- Discounted rates as low as $8.99 per day
- Car rental company revealed only after booking
- Prepaid and non-refundable reservations
- Unlimited mileage included
Regular Rate Bookings:
- Standard pricing with company name visible upfront
- Cancellable reservations with no prepayment required
- More flexibility for changes
The Opaque Booking Process
When you search for a Hot Rate car rental, you'll see:
- Vehicle class (economy, compact, full-size, SUV, etc.)
- Pickup and drop-off location details
- Total price including taxes and fees
- Star rating and amenities
- General location information
Hotels and rental car providers who have unsold inventory will give Hotwire discounts to get those rooms or cars booked. This distressed inventory model allows Hotwire to offer prices significantly below published rates while helping rental companies avoid devaluing their brand with public discounts.
Partner Rental Companies
When you book a Hotwire Hot Rate, you're guaranteed a car rental from one of these leading agencies: Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar (International only), Hertz, National, or Thrifty. All of these are reputable, well-established companies with quality vehicles and good customer service standards.
For travelers interested in specific rental car loyalty programs, check out our guide to the best rental car points programsto see how you can maximize rewards even with Hotwire bookings.
Advantages of Using Hotwire for Car Rentals
Significant Cost Savings
The primary draw of Hotwire is the potential for substantial savings. Hotwire claims to offer discounts of up to 60% on hotels, 40% on flights and cars. In practice, many travelers report saving 30-50% compared to booking directly with rental agencies.
Quality Vehicle Selection
Despite the discounted rates, you won't receive subpar vehicles. Rental companies don't keep junk cars around just for Hotwire customers. You'll receive the same quality vehicles available to all customers, just at a reduced rate.
Low Price Guarantee
Hotwire offers a Low Price Guarantee where if you find a cheaper rate for the same hotel room on the same date you booked for within 24 hours of booking, Hotwire will pay you the difference. This policy extends to car rentals as well.
Last-Minute Availability
Hotwire excels at last-minute bookings when rental agencies are eager to fill empty inventory. This makes it particularly valuable for spontaneous travel or when your original plans change.
Disadvantages and Limitations
Non-Refundable Reservations
The reservation is 100% nonrefundable with no exceptions for Hot Rate bookings. This inflexibility can be problematic if your travel plans change.
Limited Control Over Rental Company
Since you don't know which company you'll be assigned until after booking, you can't leverage specific loyalty program benefits or avoid companies with which you've had poor experiences.
Additional Fees May Apply
Hotwire excludes additional charges you might have to pay at check-out like resort fees, parking fees, and energy charges. While less common with car rentals than hotels, some locations may have additional facility fees.
No Modifications Allowed
Hot Rate bookings guarantee that you will use the reservation as originally booked; refunds, exchanges, transfers, or changes cannot be made.
Payment Options and Policies
For rental cars booked at a Hotwire Hot Rate, your account will be charged for the full rental amount -- including applicable tax-recovery charges and fees -- when you complete your booking.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Discover
- American Express
- Diners Club
- JCB
- Debit cards (with some restrictions)
For travelers who prefer to earn maximum rewards on travel purchases, consider using a travel rewards credit card that offers bonus points or cash back on travel expenses.
Tips for Maximizing Hotwire Car Rental Savings
Book Through the Mobile App
Prices are typically cheaper on the Hotwire app (Android or iOS) vs. the website. Always check both platforms before booking to ensure you're getting the best deal.
Be Flexible with Timing
Since Hotwire specializes in filling unsold inventory, being flexible with your pickup and drop-off times can lead to better deals. Mid-week rentals often cost less than weekend bookings.
Compare with Direct Booking
Before committing to a Hot Rate, check prices directly with rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise to ensure you're actually getting a deal.
Monitor Price Changes
If you book a trip on Hotwire and find it cheaper someplace else, Hotwire's Low Price Guarantee allows you to get refunded the difference in price. Keep monitoring prices after booking to potentially claim this benefit.
Consider Alternative Platforms
While Hotwire can offer excellent deals, it's worth comparing with other travel booking platforms like Expedia or checking our guide on Hopper car rental deals for additional options.
When to Use Hotwire Car Rentals
Ideal Scenarios
- Last-minute bookings when you need immediate savings
- Flexible travel plans where you can commit to specific dates
- Budget-conscious trips where cost savings outweigh convenience
- Destinations with multiple quality rental options where any assigned company would be acceptable
When to Avoid Hotwire
- Business travel requiring specific vehicles or company preferences
- Trips with uncertain dates that might require changes
- Destinations where you need specific pickup locations not offered through Hotwire
- When you want to earn loyalty program benefits with a preferred rental company
Alternatives to Consider
If Hotwire's opaque booking model doesn't suit your needs, consider these alternatives:
- Direct booking with rental companies for loyalty benefits and flexibility
- Priceline rental cars for similar opaque booking options
- Traditional travel sites like Expedia for transparent booking
- Costco Travel for member discounts with full transparency
For international travel, our guide to Europcar rentals covers another solid option for overseas car rentals.
Bottom Line: Is Hotwire Car Rental Worth It?
Hotwire car rental can be an excellent tool for budget-conscious travelers willing to trade some flexibility for significant cost savings. The platform works best for last-minute bookings when you're comfortable with any of their partner rental companies and don't need to make changes to your reservation.
This is a tool I use myself, but only a couple of times a year… when I need to book a hotel or a car rental at the last minute, as noted by travel experts. The key is understanding when Hotwire's limitations align with your travel needs.
Before booking, always compare prices across multiple platforms and ensure you understand the non-refundable nature of Hot Rate deals. When used strategically, Hotwire can deliver substantial savings on quality rental cars from reputable companies.
For more tips on saving money while traveling, check out our guides on maximizing Hotwire hotel deals and Hotwire flight savings strategies.
