priceline review, hotel booking
TRANSCRIPT
Priceline.com
Hotel Booking
About Priceline.com
Since its early beginnings, Priceline.com has been cutting-edge and offered travelers low-cost airline tickets, hotel reservations and rental cars. The Name Your Own Price feature for which Priceline.com became famous remains popular even in the company’s 16th year of business. Fixed pricing is also available for travelers, which is often available with fewer restrictions – but at a slightly higher cost than may be found with the Name Your Own Price tool.
Why Priceline.com?
• Extensive search engine with many results and options available
• Last-minute travel deals can save travelers money for those quick getaways
• Customer service is friendly when answering questions but arrangements are primarily made online. Agents are available over the phone, via online chat and via email.
• Priceline.com can be used to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more
The Good
• Priceline offers low prices with the Name Your Own Price as well as their “Express” options.
• Priceline rewards gives travelers rewards for their travel which is booked via Priceline which an be accumulated and redeemed for future travel.
• Priceline offers a Rewards VISA which gives points towards future Priceline.com travel.
• Customer service is above average based upon industry expectations
The Bad
When working with third-party discount travel sites, there are many restrictions when needing to change/cancel reservations. In many cases (Name Your Own Price and Express Deals), travel cannot be changed or canceled. Points earned if a traveler is a member of frequent flyer or other membership programs do not apply for travel booked with Priceline.com. To get the best deals, travelers must have flexible availability and a sense of adventure, since they do not know all the details from their itinerary as they book travel.
When going into a booking with Priceline.com with both eyes open, and the willingness to surrender some level of control and planning (as well as the ability to change/cancel reservations), travelers can find good prices for their travel arrangements. For those needing complete control over their booking, it is better to skip Priceline.com and use a more traditional route to book travel.
Contract and Cancellation Policies
Most tickets purchased on Priceline.com are considered “opaque” and not eligible for changes, transfers or cancellations. (Name Your Own Price and Express Deals) “Regular” tickets are eligible for changes or cancellations, according to the rules set forth by the airline. Before booking, if there is a chance in which you many need to cancel/change your reservations, it is best to contact customer service to verify the specifics for your ticket.
Priceline Rewards
When completing a free registration with Priceline’s website (which is required to book travel with their services) one is automatically entered into the Priceline Rewards program which gives travelers 1 point for every dollar which they spend on travel reservations with Priceline. Using Priceline Rewards can offset the fact that when booking via Priceline, one cannot use their current travel rewards (airline, car rental, hotel, etc.) programs.
Better Business Bureau
• Accredited since 1998
• A+ rating
• 3077 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years
• 1016 closed in last 12 months • Most complaints against Priceline.com are a result of misunderstanding of the cancelation and change policies before travel is booked.
Social Media
Priceline.com has active social media accounts and offers many benefits to those following them. (trends, specials, etc.) Find Priceline.com on: • Facebook • Twitter • Google+ • YouTube
Mobile
Android users can download the Priceline Hotels & Travel app for on-the-go reservations. There is not currently an iOs app for Priceline.com
Contact Information
Phone number: 1-‐877-‐5807 or 1-‐800-‐774-‐2354 Priceline.com Headquarters 800 ConnecCcut Ave Norwalk, CT 06854
Summary
Priceline.com offers travelers an innovative way to save money on their flights, cruises, hotel and car rentals which can be purchased as packages or a la carte. For those who understand the contract and the lack of flexibility in booking with Priceline.com, securing their travel arrangements online is a great option. For those needing more fluidity in their arrangements, other choices are better suited for their needs.
