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Priceline...good or bad?

The best price we have found is on Priceline, but I've never dealt with them before. Any one else?

Posted by
7209 posts

Just don't expect service after the sale when dealing with Priceline. They'll sell you a ticket or hotel room anywhere, but if you need assistance or modifications you will no longer be a satisfied customer!

Posted by
423 posts

I have had success booking and saving money on flights with Priceline. The only bad thing I recall was that the Airline did not allow me to collect frequent flyer miles (this was AA booked through Priceline). I was disappointed that I didn't get those miles.

Posted by
9099 posts

Are you talking about Priceline for Hotels or Airfare? I've used it several times for hotels in expensive places like London. I've gotten some phenomenal deals; 4 & 5 stars hotels four around $80 USD a night. For bidding strategies and other tips check out this site: http://tinyurl.com/36hzf8

Posted by
576 posts

I have used Priceline countless times for flights, rental cars&hotel rooms.I've always gotten deals far below any published prices.You give up control over flight schedules,but if your schedule is even slightly flexible,you save tons of money.On LowestFare (the first part of Priceline that does not involve the blind bidding process)you don't save as much $,but you get to choose exact flight times &airlines.I always check LowestFare against all the other airline websites and sites like Travelocity.Usually Lowestfare has the best rates.This past summer I had to change a flight I had booked on Lowestfare,and they told me to just call Delta directly, just as if I had booked it on Delta or any other third party site.I've never had any problems with Priceline.So often I've enjoyed staying in $300 a nite hotels for $70.Sometimes,whether or not we go on a trip is determined by the flight deal I can score on Priceline.I think it's fun to bid and I always start REAL low!

Posted by
61 posts

I just booked a flight with them. I did the first option with Priceline where you chose the exact flight you want. It was better than what I found elsewhere, so I went for it.

Thanks!

Posted by
576 posts

LowestFare (the first, non-blind bidding part of Priceline)does allow you to earn frequent flyer miles.It's just that Priceline is so incredibly cheap that the airlines aren't going to give you extra rewards for flying with them.It's the trade-off for such low prices.(sort of like when you use your ff miles, they don't give you more miles for flying free!)Again, when I had to cancel my mother's flight and get a full refund (for health reasons on supposedly non-refundable flights) and change my tickets,the LowestFare part of Priceline just instructed me to call the airlines directly and my problems were easily addressed by Delta.I have always been happy with Priceline.I have also heard that hotels can be rude to Priceline customers and I have NEVER experienced this.In fact, one 4 star hotel that I got 2 rooms for $70 each actually upgraded my daughters and me to two incredible SUITES for that same price since their hotel had lots of vacancies!I LOVE Priceline (travel well, spend less).

Posted by
504 posts

I have used Priceline many many times for hotel rooms (never for a flight) and have always been treated well by hotel staff. As others have said, the trade-off with "name your price" is you are locked into your reservation. I've never had to try to change as I always make 100% sure of our dates and plans before I book. As linked above in a previous post, biddingfortravel.com is a great reference for Priceline bids and bidding strategy!

Posted by
5471 posts

I've also used Priceline a number of times for hotels. I always use the name your own price. I've only ever had one minor problem. About 6 years ago, a Hilton billed my credit card for the room that I paid for on Priceline (the hotel takes your card for incidentals). I wrote to the Hilton and they immediately apologized for the error and credited my account. I've never tried using them for flights.

I think Priceline is great when you know the area where you want to stay and don't really care which particular hotel you stay in.