Priceline.com – Page 47

I book trough priceline for name yours own price, but at the end..end up the hotel was not in the area i want. Plus the price is more higher than their price stated on their website if you book trough regular way. The advertisement name of yours own price is a cheating advertisement, it is not give you good price but help you SHORT AND CHOOSE THE HOTEL WITH PRICE YOU WANT. Do not name on yours own price ! You will get very cheap hotel in their lowest start rate just because you follow "name yours own price program". And the customer service is only said..oh so sorry not as what you wish...

I would like to warn ereryone against using priceline for hotel reservations. They are unwavering in the fact that they will not allow you to cancel or change reservations for any reason once made. I booked a 3 day hotel reservation through Priceline and 2 hours later discovered that I had accidently reserved the wrong weekend. Despite numerous calls to what they refer to as "customer support" (yea right), I was repeatly told that I could not change the dates of my reservations or cancel without paying the full price. My requests to discuss the matter with someone in management were ignored. I ended up going through the hotel chains website to make reservations for the correct dates. To add insult to injury the identical room at the same hotel was ten dollars less than the priceline charge and I was allowed to cancel up to 24 hours from check-in. Thanks to Priceline I ended up paying more, and for a room that I never used. Stay away from Priceline they are a total ripoff!

I recently booked/traveled to Mexico with my family, where we rented a car thru Priceline. I took the CDW insurance at $11 per day over the CDW through Alamo due to better pricing. Imagine my surprise when I got to Mexico and was told they did not accept the coverage and if I declined their insurance and anything happened to the car, I would have to pay out of pocket, and then request a reimbursement through the carrier. I opted to take the coverage in Mexico since I couldn't afford to replace a car if I totaled it and I did not feel like spending any time in a Mexican jail (if something happened and I couldn't pay). Upon my return I contacted Priceline via email and phone. Their response, call the insurance carrier to see why Alamo in Mexico would not accept their coverage.

I read the fine print on the disclaimer prior to booking, but I apparently missed the details that it was a reimbursement. In truth, I was lucky to have found the disclaimer on Priceline's busy web page.

Priceline's response was poor, in my opinion, since their website doesn't tell unsuspecting travelers the program is a reimbursement not simply coverage paid to the rental company. Some people might be able to cover minor mishaps, but what about those who cannot or those who have more than a mishap, ie, a totaled out vehicle? Who can afford to replace a rental car ($1000's) to then file a claim and hope for reimbursement? More disclosure on the website is needed. I plan to travel again but I will never again use Priceline. Their customer service response was downright horrible.

I may still complain to my state's attorney general or banking & insurance. Anynoe else who has had this problem might want to do the same.

I recently booked/traveled with my to Mexico. We had rented a car through Priceline and I opted for th CDW insurance instead of thru Alamo. What a mistake! Before hand, I read the fine print but I apparently missed the reimbursement via a claim form. So, when we got to Mexico, I was told by Alamo they did not accept the insurance and if I declined their insurance and anything was damaged on the car, I would have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed by the insurance company. Rather than risk having to pay for a totaled car (worst case scenario) or be locked up in Mexican jail, I took the coverage through Alamo, just to be safe. No issues or damage. Upon my return I contacted Priceline via email and phone. I was told to contact the insurance carrier to see why the coverage wasn't accepted by Alamo. I admit I should have read more, but it was a miracle to find the disclaimer on Priceline's website to begin with...I suggested they tell people up front that it is a reimbursement program. In many countries, you will have to pay for any damage yourself, including if you total a vehicle, to hopefully be reimbursed by the carrier. I for one will never again use Priceline. They were about as helpful as you know what on a bull!

I'm very very disappointed for the entire service by priceline. Infact I must say I didnt receive service from you. I had book hotel in chicago and got the confirmation through email 1 month before but to my shock after reaching the hotel I get to know that I have no reservation after calling a customer service and waiting for more than an hour on phone still there is no confirmation from your end to the hotel. Priceline holds no regret inspite of not providing service. Pathetic service would recommend people not to use Priceline. I was waiting outside the hotel more than 3 hours.

Shame on me for trying Priceline again..I booked hotel 3 years ago, It was horrible though listed as a Resort..it was under construction, not geared toward families, pool closed etc.. Used Priceline again without naming my price and got a very nice Hotel, though price wasn't great.. Decided to try it for Memorial Day weekend..Got the same crappy property from 3 years ago! Fine that part is my fault..the complaint I have us that when I called their robot customer service agents, I was transfered to their outsourced customer relations., the first girl cut me off and hung up on me.. I wasn't angry or rude at all..then when I called back, the second girl was ruder than the first.. They actually sent me a survey about my customer service experience, which I gave the lowest marks..BIG DEAL, this is simply their way of trying to placate me..they never followed up with me..I am disputing with my bank and will never use them again..it's such crap!

Beware of Priceline First Class tickets... apparently First Class tickets purchased through Priceline are not honored as truly First Class by the airlines in the advent of delays or rescheduling by the carrier. The carrier, in this case Delta Airlines, codes the tickets as a coach fare with multiple upgrades. If ( and when) there are scheduling issues on the part of the carrier the first class ticket designation devolves to a coach seat with a first class price.

Be careful when bidding for a room! I wanted a hotel in Seattle airport area. I first check three star hotels and disccovered poor reviews for a couple (in the $90 range). The Red Lion especially had poor reviews.
So, I bid $110, hoping this would avoid the low priced hotels and get me one with better rating.
Guess what? I got Red Lion. Now I am stuck with a $110 rate, and I could have booked it on Priceline for $89.
This just isn't right. I emailed Priceline and was told I would get response in 2 hours. That was three days ago.
Very disappointed in this service by Priceline. I have used them for several years with good results, but it just isn't right to bid higher than the rack price and get stuck with an inferior property.

HISTORY:
On 3/25/2011, I started to search for flights from my area Greensboro, NC to the Tampa, Fl. area. After MANY hours of research (8 or so), I went on Priceline.com and started to present a "Name Your Own Price". After a few hours, I raised my price to $190.00, then haggled as to which airport to fly from/into and it was accepted.
It was around 9:00pm and I was exhausted, so I decided to Call it a Day and wait till the next day to 'Name My Own Price' for a rental car and hotel on the next day.

On 3/26/2011, I went on Priceline.com to book a rental car. Unlike other travel brokers, I was unable to book a 'Package' (hotel/car), so I just started w/a car. I clicked on the rental car link and was redirected to a list of cars. I clicked on the absolute lowest, scrolled down and clicked on "Buy this Car". I did anticipate going to a "Summary Page", like I was the night before w/airline bookings, but instead, was directed to a "Your Offer Was Accepted"?!
There was NO link giving me the option of "Name My Own Price" as advertised?!

My heart sunk...

When I contacted a number on the website, a recording informed me that this "Program had Ended."? I went on my email to inform and to ask them that I wanted to Name my own price and to CANCEL the transaction.
A return email was sent, informing me that this transaction could NOT be changed or canceled.

I don't recall if it was an email or if I googled for Priceline, but I ended up calling. I cannot say that these people were unprofessional, but I received the same "Song & Dance" explanation as depicted in the email...NO REFUNDS OR CANCELLATIONS!
I was STUMPED!

I even contacted Avis and was told that I had to deal directly with Priceline. I was FUMING!

I made EVERY attempt of canceling this reservation within MINUTES of the booking. It was based on HUMAN ERROR that I booked this car, based on previous dealing w/airport bookings that I would have the option to "Name My Own Price".
It wasn't like I waited to the last minute to cancel, inconveniencing businesses and/or others that needed to rent a car. I made EVERY attempt in minutes!

I reside in North Carolina and if Memory serves me right, I thought there was a 'Clause' which allowed me 3 days to 'Change my Mind'. It's clear that Pricelines' only concern is to profit, regardless. Priceline uses their terms & conditions verbatim and they follow it to the letter.

However, if there are discrepancies, accidental typing, if mitigating circumstances arise, etc., there is NO 'WIGGLE ROOM' allowed. I can completely understand if Priceline established an 'Inconvenience fee' for modifying an 'agreement', BUT not forcing people to remain, despite the reason(s). This way, they can benefit from changes or modifications and penalize those again, regardless of the reason, but not FORCE the public into a Contract!
However, because of Human error AND even though it was MINUTES after my 'Buying of a Car'--which in itself is a 'Questionable' term as opposed to 'Renting' of such--then I should have been (in the least) refunded for a simple mistake.
Priceline was aware of my dilemma, also requesting a hotel. Priceline could have arranged for a "Package Deal" (as Expedia does) and this wouldn't have been a problem. They even refused to negotiate in a "Package"?!

After going through an angry rampage w/customer service and threat of legal recourse, I placed a "Stop Payment" at my bank by the end of the day.

Today, I received an email from my bank stating that they were unable to comply to my request being that I used my Credit Card and that I was advised to contact a Dispute Charge department.

The Bottom Line...

Priceline Lures customers into their site via Banner ads showing that you can rent a car for $13.95 but doesn't disclose where/when, promises via TV ads to give consumers a "Name Your Own Price" deal. Clearly, this isn't the case here. This is Defrauding the public, with deceptive ads.

Understandably contracts are "Legally Binding", yet the consumer is not advised with a clause double checking and asking via an additional page displaying: "IF I WAS SURE OF MY DECISION?" w/a link giving me the option of YES, NO, CANCEL or even "Name Your Own Price".
Instead, it ONLY flips the unsuspecting consumer into "Your Bid Was Accepted" unlike the bookings under the Airline section that gives you an option to Name Your Own Price. Theoretically, ALL pages should be the same format and anything different is 'Trickory', to say the least.

Theoretically, this is not considered a "Legally Binding" contract by any means. Simply entering initials on a website doesn't warrant a legal contract. Anybody can book and type in initials.
This in itself is a questionable practice when a corporation considers this as a 'Contract' when you don't actually sign on a dotted line! Thus, it is NOT legally binding.

Now, I have a hotel booked with Expedia and if this stands, a car that costs me $425.24 for 8 days. I had a car w/Expedia for $177.00 / 8 days (Package deal w/hotel).
This is a travesty. Many consumers are unaware of the trickery used by companies such as Priceline. Law should be amended to further protect consumers including even family members of YOURS when you decide to take a trip.

I purchased airline tickets and ground transportation vouchers from priceline.com. My first issue was that one of the passengers name was mispelled by 1 letter and they would not make any changes to the ticket info and directed me to the airline but the airline stated that priceline would have to make the change since the tickets were purchased through them. I can only hope there will not be any problems at the airport. The SECOND complaint is today is the date of travel and our flight was cancelled because of a problem at the airport. The airline was able to rebook our flight for tomorrow. I called priceline to change our ground transportation to tomorrow and AGAIN they would not make any changes to our voucher and directed us to the ground transportation who directed back to priceline to change the date on the voucher. No one would help and basically told us we were out of luck and out of the money. Priceline's customer service sucks and I will never use them again. Things happen in this world that we dont have any controll over like a cancelled flight and they dont care and will not make any changes unless you want to pay extra or repurchase what you already paid for. They are a ripoff!

We purchased our tickets through Price line from LAX to Acapulco. The itinerary we chose (from what we were offered) was absolutely impossible for us to arrive from Acapulco to Mexico City on Azteca Airlines, pick up our luggage, run to the Continental Gate, check in our luggage and be shuttled out to the plane in time to catch the 2nd leg of our flight plan. Thus, we spent all night in the Mexico City Airport, having to keep an eye on our five bags, and worrying about how we were going to get back to L.A. the next day.

Priceline, being our Travel Agent, should not have offered a schedule that was impossible for us to meet. They should have known about our luggage not being sent through from one airline to another, the shuttle taking passengers out to the plane, and even the huge distance between the airline carriers.

We were not offered any food vouchers, much less a hotel voucher, or even an apology from Priceline, Continental, or Azteca. We were, though, charged an extra $100 a ticket for having to change our schedule for no fault of our own.

Yes, we chose that agenda. But we are the consumer. It isn’t our job to know about the Mexico City Airport and the different requirements of it. It is Priceline’s, through whom we put our trust, and gave our money.

I am a hotel owner who witnessed several situations with Priceline refusing to refund a traveler after being forced to change their plans due to an emergency. These passengers had purchased a cancellation insurance policy from priceline.

I found Priceline particularly discriminant against travelers who do not speak English as a first language. I tried to help the traveler and they gave me the biggest run around. They refused to find me a department head to speak to. I talked to 8 different people from priceline and I eventually gave up. They are blatantly dishonest and non accommodating their clients.

This was not the first time but would be the last.

It appears that they forgot who made them successful. They make some tourists leave our beautiful country with a very bad taste about the way we do business. Their cancellation insurance is a fraud. They often try to get out of it.

If you can avoid using Priceline you would do yourself a favor

I submitted a bid on Priceline. I checked the website which said the bid was accepted and gave me flight numbers and times.

I never received an e-mail confirmation.

The week I was to start my trip I called the airline to confirm. They had me on no flights. I called Priceline. They had no record of my bid being accepted.

They said only that it had not been confirmed. With Priceline the bidder is not supposed to confirm.

The ticket is bought the moment the bid is accepted according to Priceline's own warnings on their website.

I had to buy a high priced to keep my travel plans.

Priceline.com withholds information that if you knew would prevent you from dealing with the company.

They may give you a good fare but you can likely get it as cheap elsewhere.

I purchased tickets and was given a ticket but at what I feel where the worst possible times and flights.

If you deal with this company there is a high likelihood you will not be satisfied with the service you get.

I had difficulty reaching a real live person to complain. I suspect this is because they are use to getting complaints.

Named my own price of $8.00 and the company changed it to $15.00 a day. Issued a contract that I didn't ask for at $15.00 a day. Asked them to cancel incorrect contract and they refused and tried to charge my credit card co. I will not pickup and use a car from them

Ronald Frye

So today there is a severe winter weather warning for New England and most of the US... can't even get the car out of the garage let alone make it to the train staion and into NYC. I booked a room with Priceline. The hotel was willing to change my reservation to another night, as long as I paid a bit more (okay, get it) but Priceline would not do it! It's a severe winter storm! I've NEVER cancelled a trip before and travel frequently! Priceline had no room on thier list of policies for good customer service... they passed me back and forth... 3 times to Priceline, twice to the hotel who's hands were tied without verification that Priceline cancel the reservation. I may have just been played all afternoon by both parties.. Never again...

I too got the blown off by Priceline, I was a strong supporter of Priceline for the last 8 years until now. I spent over $400 for tickets for Disneyland Park in Anahiem and was sent a voucher to use. It states right on the voucher word for word" Voucher may be redeemed for the Disneyland Parks. Voucher will be required for redemption. The Guest Services told me they dont have any info on their system regarding my tickets for admission to the park. They check a total of six times and nothing, even the manager tryed and still nothing.

So I have to turn to my 7 year old son and tell him we flew over 3000 miles to Disneyland and cant go in the gate because our "Priceline Voucher " is not valid . All priceline can say is we can get back to you in 7days with a answer to why the voucher is not valid. Luckly I am a parent who has the financil means to dish out another $460 dollars to enter the park, but what about the families who don't have this fianancial mean, could you imagine. Shame on you Priceline!

So they get back to me 5 days later and blow me off saying I purchased tickets through them (Priceline) that are non-refundable and its my problem not theirs. Is it me or am I in the wrong, you got to be kidding me Priceline. Believe me the fight is not over, you have picked the wrong family to blow off and STEAL my 7 year old sons money, are you kidding me!

fyi, another trick that priceline uses that folks should be aware of. I recently booked a rental car through them and specified that I wanted a mid-size car with an infant car seat for my 8 month old son. I was quoted a price and went with the lowest price car rental agency-Budget--through my priceline search.

Upon showing up at the rental car counter, I was told that the infant car seat was not included in the price (but was just a "requested option") and that it would be $16/day extra (for a total of $128 over an 8 day rental). I think that priceline is practicing blatant false advertising--I would never have booked the car through them if the incremental $128 had been included in the price I was quoted. Be careful--these guys are very deliberately deceptive.

I would advise all consumers to look at Priceline.com's current legal proceedings info per their 10K, annual report filing with the SEC for fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2009 BEFORE booking with this service. They have approximately 17 pages of legal proceedings, with 2 consumer class action lawsuits in the past (see page 47 for consumer class action lawsuits).
Link:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=72780&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2lyLmludC53ZXN0bGF3YnVzaW5lc3MuY29tL2RvY3VtZW50L3YxLzAwMDExMDQ2NTktMTAtMDA4MDAyL3htbA%3d%3d#Item3_LegalProceedings_123550

Consumer Class Actions: (per Priceline's 10K SEC filing, for fiscal year ended on Dec 31, 2009)
Here is text directly from that Priceline 10K filing:

"Two purported class actions brought by consumers were pending against us":

"Marshall, et al. v. priceline.com, Inc.: On February 17, 2005, a putative class action complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware for New Castle County by Jeanne Marshall and three other individuals on behalf of themselves and a putative class of allegedly similarly situated consumers nationwide against us. The complaint alleged that we violated the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act, Del. Code Ann. Tit. 6, § 2511, et seq., relating to our disclosures and charges to customers to cover taxes under city hotel occupancy tax ordinances nationwide, and service fees. We moved to dismiss the complaint on April 21, 2005. On June 10, 2005, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that asserts claims under the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act and for breach of contract and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. On October 31, 2006, the court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss. The court dismissed all claims arising under the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. The court also dismissed all claims for breach of contract and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing that relate to our charges for service fees. The court denied our motion to dismiss the breach of contract and implied duty of good faith and fair dealing claims as they relate to our charges to consumers to cover taxes under city hotel occupancy tax ordinances. On February 1, 2008, two of the four plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against us. On February 29, 2008, the remaining plaintiffs moved for leave to amend their complaint to assert additional claims for breach of contract and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing alleging that we included a hidden fee within the room rate charge. On August 28, 2008, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint on September 12, 2008, and we answered that complaint on September 26, 2008. The parties’ summary judgment motions have been submitted and a hearing was held in January 2009; we are awaiting the court’s ruling."

"Chiste, et al. v. priceline.com Inc., et al.: On December 11, 2008, a putative class action was filed by plaintiff Matthew R. Chiste and two other individuals on behalf of themselves and a putative class of allegedly similarly situated consumers nationwide against us, Lowestfare.com, Inc. and Travelweb, LLC. The complaint alleges the defendants overcharge consumers by collecting Hotel Occupancy and sales taxes over and above that necessary to pay the actual taxes on the hotel room reserved by the customer. The complaint asserts claims for deceptive business practices, declaratory and injunctive relief, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on March 6, 2009. Briefing was completed on July 3, 2009. The parties are awaiting the court’s decision."

I booked a car rental on priceline for pickup on Nov 20th 2010. When I arrived at airport, no pick-up. After calling hotline a shuttle was sent to pick us up. I was told the computer was down, they would give me car, but needed me to write down my ssn#, birthdate, place of birth and current address. The gentleman handed me a note pad, and asked for my credit card and ID to copy. In the corner stood, what I assumed to be a lot attendant, who was shaking his head. I was told that a credit check was needed, and they could do it when, the computers came back up. It was midnight and I'm sure they wanted to go home. I expressed my concern with providing my identity, especially when a reservation had been made, and credit card information provided thru priceline. I called a cab, location was a old car lot, many miles from the airport, and went to several other rental companies, but no rental cars were available as this was Thanksgiving Holiday. This transaction was cancelled. 2 days later Priceline.com charges my card for $ 66.00. I have spent many hours to no avail, talking to priceline.com personnel. I have not received any Service, Product or Goodwill from Priceline.com, yet am charged $66.00. I have contacted the Rental Company who states that the charge is Priceline.com not theirs. Where is my money...HELP !