Hotwire.com Reveals Shoulder Season Secrets

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Savvy bargain hunters know that amazing travel deals are just around the corner.

According to discount travel authority Hotwire.com(TM), demand for hotels typically drops by almost a third from September through November compared with the peak summer travel season of June through August.

During this off-peak "shoulder season," travel demand typically declines, leading to unbelievable deals for flexible travelers. Once summer ends, savvy consumers can save on travel while enjoying great weather and fewer crowds at popular destinations. Hotwire.com reports significant savings in the early fall this year on both domestic and international travel.

"This is one of the best times of the year to travel," said Barbara Messing, vice president and travel expert at Hotwire(R). "The travel industry wants to fill their empty rooms, cars and planes, and they are offering great deals for anyone who can escape for a little rest and relaxation."

For consumers looking to save money on travel beginning in September, Hotwire offers the following recommendations:

    -- Finally take that European vacation. Fares to Europe drop substantially
       during the shoulder season. To save even more, Hotwire recommends
       visiting Eastern and Central European countries not on the euro, such
       as the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

    -- Don't rule out the Caribbean. Despite recent storms, Hotwire has seen
       Caribbean hotel bookings increase by more than a third this year, and
       with good reason: Travelers are seeing bigger discounts in 2007. By
       traveling to the southern Caribbean, vacationers will be more likely to
       stay out of the path of seasonal storms, enjoying beautiful weather and
       huge savings.

    -- Hit the road. After Labor Day, car rental rates typically fall because
       rental companies have excess summer inventory. In fact, September rates
       on Hotwire.com are as low as $15.95 a day. So instead of putting more
       miles on your car, rent for much less and hit the road.

"Go now before prices start going up for the holiday travel season," Messing said.

Below are examples of domestic and international hotel deals recently booked on Hotwire for travel during the shoulder season:*

Domestic deals: $83 / night 4-star hotel, Washington, D.C., Dupont Circle $84 / night 4-star hotel, Orlando, Disneyworld $92 / night 4-star hotel, Los Angeles, downtown $92 / night 4-star hotel, Miami, South Beach $102 / night 4-star hotel, Beverly Hills $104 / night 4-star hotel, San Francisco, Union Square International deals: $61 / night 4-star hotel, Prague, Czech Republic $79 / night 4-star hotel, Cancun, Mexico $84 / night 4-star hotel, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic $94 / night 4-star hotel, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico $109 / night 3.5-star hotel, Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas $124 / night 4-star hotel, Aruba, Oranjestad and Palm Beach, $143 / night 4-star hotel, Barbados, Kaya For more information, visit http://www.hotwire.com. * Hotel rates shown are based on actual bookings made on Hotwire.com for stays beginning September 7 - November 10, 2007. Hotel rates shown do not include applicable tax recovery charges and fees. However, total cost, including all applicable tax recovery charges and fees, is shown before bookings are made on Hotwire.com. All bookings are non-changeable and nonrefundable. Rates subject to availability. Because rates change all the time, Hotwire customers are encouraged to check rates for themselves.

About Hotwire.com

Hotwire.com(TM) is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire(R) negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking "Highest in Customer Satisfaction For Independent Travel Web Sites." Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) . CST: 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit http://www.hotwire.com/.

(C) 2007 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. Hotwire and Hotwire.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Jamie Soper
    Fleishman-Hillard for Hotwire
    Jamie.soper@fleishman.com
    415.318.4184