Who's Sleeping on the Couch This Thanksgiving? Big Guest List and Cramped Quarters Expected for Thanksgiving, But Surprisingly Few Arguments.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002

A combination of indigestion, a cricked back and long hours spent with relatives seen infrequently could normally be a recipe for a Thanksgiving disaster.

Yet, the majority of Americans (65 percent) say their families are not likely to argue this Thanksgiving. More than ever, this year Americans are looking at the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as a time to enjoy friends and family.

For many Americans, "close ties" can also mean "close quarters." Exactly how close? According to a survey of 2,400 American families conducted by discount travel site Hotwire, American homes are as stuffed as the traditional turkey:

-- The average American household seats 10.9 people around the Thanksgiving dinner table, with one quarter of American families (26 percent) feeding 15 or more hungry mouths!

-- Regionally, Midwesterners are the most sociable, with an average of 12 holiday revelers, and one third of households (32 percent) hosting 15 or more.

-- As a result, 33 percent of Americans surveyed say someone usually ends up sleeping on the couch or floor.

Along with family, food tends to take center stage at American Thanksgiving celebrations. Hotwire's survey also revealed:

-- A whopping 75 percent say they tend to eat way too much food.

-- Even still, leftovers are likely. Sixty-five percent say they

tend to cook too much, leaving extra turkey and stuffing for

days.

Rather than crowd extra bodies and stuffed bellies into one house for Thanksgiving, families can take advantage of Hotwire's deeply discounted hotel rates in their own cities and neighborhoods. Hotwire partners with top hotel brands to save travelers up to 70 percent off published hotel rates in more than 300 U.S, Canadian and Caribbean destinations. Hotwire Hot-Rates(SM) are guaranteed to be the lowest available, backed by Hotwire's "Double the Difference" low price hotel guarantee.

Hotwire offers the following tips for searching and booking hotel rooms this holiday season:

-- Urban areas and airport locations often have the most hotels,

which can mean more available rooms and better deals. Search

several neighborhoods in a city to compare.

-- Arriving on a Thursday or Sunday can often score a better deal

than the traditional weekend booking.

-- Including a Saturday night stay can bring down the price.

-- The best rates are found at least two weeks in advance -- book

early for lower prices.

Below are examples of Hotwire hotel Hot-Rates(SM) recently booked for the week of Thanksgiving*:

-- Miami, 3-Star hotel, South Beach: $54/night (saved $99/night)

-- Boston, 3-Star hotel, Boston Common: $68/night (saved

$104/night)

-- New York City, 3-Star hotel, JFK: $46/night (saved $90/night)

-- St. Louis, 3.5-Star hotel, downtown: $48/night (saved

$98/night)

-- Chicago, 3.5-Star hotel, North Michigan Avenue: $77/night

(saved $111/night)

-- San Francisco, 3.5-Star hotel, Union Square: $84/night (saved

$129/night)

-- Dallas, 4-Star hotel, downtown: $69/night (saved $106/night)

-- Houston, 4.5-Star hotel, Houston Galleria: $94/night (saved

$147/night)

-- Atlanta, 4.5-Star hotel, Buckhead: $78/night (saved

$113/night)

*All rates listed represent actual purchases recently made by Hotwire customers. Savings listed are off published rates. Hotwire rates shown do not include taxes and fees, and are nonchangeable, nonrefundable purchases. Because prices change all the time, Hotwire customers are encouraged to check rates for themselves.

Hotwire's "Double the Difference" low price guarantee applies to hotel purchases only. Within 48 hours of a Hotwire purchase, the customer must find a lower pre-tax rate for an equivalent room type in the same hotel on the same dates.

NOTE TO TRAVEL EDITORS: For sample hotel rates in your city, please contact Amy Bohutinsky at 415/343-8502 ([e-mail]) or Kim Tarantino at 415/348-2631 ([e-mail] ).

About Hotwire

Hotwire (www.hotwire.com) is a leading discount travel site where flexibility means savings for leisure travelers. By only partnering with trusted travel brands, Hotwire allows travelers to buy higher quality travel for a lower price. It works because Hotwire matches the needs of two groups: customers who can be flexible about their choice of airline, hotel and rental car company in order to save money, and suppliers who have excess seats, rooms and cars they want to fill. Hotwire works with more than 30 domestic and international airlines, including all seven U.S. full-service major airlines: American Airlines, America West, Continental, Delta Air Lines, Northwest, United and U.S. Airways. In addition, Hotwire partners include more than 6,000 top hotels in 300 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean destinations, and several major car rental companies. Hotwire is a private corporation based in San Francisco, California. The company launched its services in October 2000, with investments from the Texas Pacific Group and six major airlines.