Midsized cities dominate the top ten this month as they continue to adjust to the economic downturn, with Jacksonville, Orlando, Portland and Indianapolis all making an appearance (percent drops of 24, 21, 20 and 16, respectively). Canadian cities have also seen large drops in hotel rates this month, as Toronto rates dropped 15 percent and Vancouver, which is on the Hotel Rate Report for the sixth consecutive month, saw a drop of 22 percent. — Photo by Hotwire.com

Hotwire.com , a leading discount travel site, today announced the results of the September 2009 Hotwire Hotel Rate Report. This monthly report features the top 10 cities in North America where hotel rates have dropped the most. When combined with Hotwire's already discounted prices, the Hotel Rate Report helps guide customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars. Minneapolis, which was ranked 10th in last month's Hotel Rate Report, has skyrocketed to the top of the list with a 25 percent drop in hotel rates.

Midsized cities dominate the top ten this month as they continue to adjust to the economic downturn, with Jacksonville, Orlando, Portland and Indianapolis all making an appearance (percent drops of 24, 21, 20 and 16, respectively). Canadian cities have also seen large drops in hotel rates this month, as Toronto rates dropped 15 percent and Vancouver, which is on the Hotel Rate Report for the sixth consecutive month, saw a drop of 22 percent.

Hotwire is able to find great deals, especially in these cities where prices are unseasonably low, because it works with hotels, airlines and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory. This means that customers will find deals that they won't see anywhere else.

When compared to the same time last year, the top 10 hotel price reductions for September 2009 include:

                                      Example of a Current Hotwire Deal,
  Rank   Hotel Market       Price Drop              US$/Night
    1    Minneapolis, MN       25%             4-star        $72
    2    Jacksonville, FL      24%             4-star        $72
    3    Vancouver, BC         22%             3-star        $78
    4    Orlando, FL           21%             4-star        $59
    5    Portland, OR          20%             3-star        $57
    6    San Francisco, CA     18%             3-star        $88
    7    Indianapolis, IN      16%             4-star        $78
    8    Toronto, ON           15%             4-star        $92
    9    Oahu, HI              15%             3-star        $73
    10   Philadelphia, PA      15%             3-star        $70

"The new deals in the U.S. this month are concentrated in many of the larger midsized cities," said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. "Larger cities like New York, San Diego and Miami, were first to discount rates during the initial stages of the economic downturn in 2008, so the drops don't look as big even though prices are still way down. Cities like Orlando, Portland, and Indianapolis are now following suit."

For more information about the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report, visit:

About the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report

The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report will run results during the first week of each month. Results are calculated by looking at Hotwire stay dates for select regions in the current month, and comparing prices in the current month against Hotwire prices in the same month in the prior year. Prices are compared within the same star rating categories for consistency, and the percent change in price for each region is generated as an overall average of the changes in those categories. The prices in the chart above are examples for a particular star rating category within that market, and actual prices may be higher or lower than the example that is provided.

About Hotwire | Hotwire.com is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Independent Travel Web Sites, Three Years in a Row." Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit .

Hotwire, Hotwire.com and the Hotwire logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. 2009 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. CST# 2053390-40.

Chris Fucanan
Atomic PR for Hotwire.com
+1-415-439-4219
Hotwire.com