Looking for last-minute demand to fill unsold inventory? Hotwire connects hotels to discount-seeking travelers through opaque bookings, offering 25-60% discounts without compromising retail rates. Part of Expedia Group with 25,000+ participating hotels.

Hotwire is an opaque booking platform founded in 2000, specializing in last-minute hotel deals where travelers book discounted rates without knowing the hotel name until after payment. The platform helps hotels sell unsold inventory at discounted prices while protecting brand integrity through anonymous listings.

Acquired by Expedia Inc. in 2003, Hotwire operates as part of the Expedia Group alongside Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and Orbitz. In recent years, Expedia extended Hotwire’s opaque model to Expedia.com, giving 25,000+ participating hotels additional distribution reach for discounted inventory.

Hotwire targets price-sensitive travelers seeking significant discounts (25-60% off retail rates) on last-minute hotel bookings. The opaque model appeals to spontaneous travelers, budget-conscious guests, and deal hunters willing to sacrifice hotel name visibility for savings.

With Expedia Group’s integration, Hotwire’s opaque inventory reaches nearly 2 million daily unique shoppers on Expedia.com, providing hotels with dual-channel distribution for discounted rates. Hotels maintain control over pricing and availability, allowing need-based discounting during low-occupancy periods without affecting retail channels.

Estimated 15-25% (typical Expedia Group commission rates)

1. (typically through Expedia Partner Central for Expedia Group properties)

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