How to Uncover the Identity of Priceline and Hotwire Mystery Hotels Before Purchasing

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Published · 1 min read
Profile photo of Reyna Gobel
Written by Reyna Gobel
Profile photo of Mary M. Flory
Edited by Mary M. Flory
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Purchasing hotel room nights from Priceline or Hotwire without knowing the hotel name can be tricky. I’ve found a formula for getting hotel rooms for up to half off without ending up at a hotel you wouldn’t want to stay in.

Here’s what you need to know to get the best hotels possible from both sites, while still getting the mystery hotel discount.

» Learn more: Looking for more travel hacks? Visit our travel community

1. Always look at reviews

I always look at the recommendation rating and the neighborhood before booking a hotel. If you have to take a cab because you booked too far away, you’re adding time and money to the price. I never book a hotel with less than a 70-80% recommendation rate on Hotwire. Priceline uses a scale of 1 to 10. I won’t book a hotel with a rating less than 7.

2. Priceline and Hotwire will tell you the last hotel that was booked under the deal

As soon as you click on a hotel, both Hotwire and Priceline will tell you the hotel the last person booked when choosing the mystery hotel option. Hotwire will also give you a sampling of four hotels it’s guaranteed to be. One trick to finding out what is likely the exact hotel is remembering that the mystery hotel will always say a percentage off the initial price you saved. If you look at the four hotels it could be that when purchased as a non-mystery hotel, you can add back the discount and see which hotel matches.

3. Know your nonnegotiable amenities

I book only pet-friendly hotels as I have a miniature schnauzer. Since these special deals are nonrefundable, it’s important you check the amenities list for any items that are absolutely necessary for you such as free breakfast, free parking or location. Also, remember that being pet-friendly doesn’t always mean there isn’t a charge. If you can figure out the hotel name first, call it quickly to check on its pet policy to make sure it doesn’t forbid your dog’s size.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

😎 Metal Travel Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-10x

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
See our best metal cards
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.