Complain about a product or service

Priceline

Priceline • Air Travel • Wrong Airport! • Cruises • Hotels • Rental Cars • Compassion Policies • Cancellation Insurance • Disputed Charges • Defenders • Insider's View --- • Priceline Faces Class Action Suits

The idea of Priceline is appealing. It presents itself as auctioning off unsold seats, beds, etc. But the reality can sometimes be quite a bit different, as the complaints below illustrate. You may be able to get better arrangements for the same price by planning ahead and shopping around. Priceline tends to book travelers on flights that leave at odd times and that require multiple connections.

Other things to be aware of:

• There is little customer service when you are a Priceline traveler. If your plans go awry, it's not likely a quick call to an 800 number will help.
• The airline will not help you and will absolutely not let you exchange your ticket. You don't own the ticket, Priceline does. Even if the airline wants to be helpful, there's not much it can do.
• Priceline fees and surcharges are sometimes higher than those charged by travel agents and airlines, so you may end up paying more even if the ticket price is lower than you might find somewhere else.

Also, remember that Priceline's "secret" is that while the customer specifies what price he is willing to pay, he must commit to pay that price. There's no backing on once the other party accepts the offer. It's important to understand this upfront and to do your price shopping before you enter a bid on Priceline.

We have tested Priceline and found it to be a good way to get cheap airline tickets with just a few days notice. But if you have plenty of time to shop around and live near a major airport, you can probably do better by using Orbitz, Travelocity or a local travel agent.

Amongst all the complaints, we've heard from some Priceline defenders, and a Priceline employee.

Just be sure that what they're selling is what you want to buy -- and be sure you're not paying too much for it. Remember, nothing is free.

A few of the most recent complaints:

Susan of Woodbury,Mn MN (08/25/08)
I tried to make a reservation for my son who just returned from the service and was visiting a friend that he was in IRAQ with for the 4th of July he just returned home that week and I made the reservation for the plane ticket and the car rental but what they didn't tell me is that he couldn't pick up the car I had to because I paid for it even though it was in his name so after many calls along with the corporation consumer liaison I was told that even if he could pay cash because he didn't have a credit card he couldn't use that reservation so I cancelled it and the women told me that they would have to wait until the 10th of July the last day of the reservation to make sure no one showed up and then I would be refunded in 6 to 8 weeks so It's about that time so I called and they put it down as a no show and never cancelled it so I don't get the refund,they will pull the phone records from the 30th but that's not the last person I talked to.

I live on a single income and that 259 would pay a lot of my bills and in fact I was counting on them being paid with this money I denfinately will be short this month and with my son not working yet he can't help with that loss either in fact I'm supporting him also because he can't find a job and has some medical issues to deal with since he's come back

Derrick of Atlanta, GA August 18, 2008

Derrick of Atlanta GA (08/18/08)
I went on priceline to rent a vehicle. Priceline found a vehicle through Alamo rent a car. I selected the vehicle and paid for it with my debit card and got my confirmation and a note saying that Alamo only accepts credit cards but I only had a debit card. I immediately called back for a refund because i would not be able to pick up the vehicle. Priceline said they would not refund my money because I didnt check the LITTLE BOX that said I only had a debit Card. And yes the box is little.

I only needed the vehicle for one day and priceline would only refund if you subtracted a days rental. So basically I lost my money. I going to go on every consumer web page and report this.

Victor of Missouri City, TX August 17, 2008

Victor of Missouri City TX (08/17/08)
They locked me into a request I did not accept and when I called Jordan was apologetic and told me I was stuck with it.

Wheeling a crippled client I am traveling with to the airport for a 6:am flight when I need 3 hour to get her rdressed and ready

Victor of Missouri City, TX August 17, 2008

Victor of Missouri City TX (08/17/08)
They locked me into a request I did not accept and when I called Jordan was apologetic and told me I was stuck with it.

Wheeling a crippled client I am traveling with to the airport for a 6:am flight when I need 3 hour to get her rdressed and ready

Robert of Merced, CA August 16, 2008

Robert of Merced CA (08/16/08)
no refund from priceline insurance

i got different travel tickets the same day and they kept my insurance money i paid

Denise of Valparaiso, IN August 7, 2008

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