We needed to book a room somewhere in the south Seattle area. I had found a place on Orbitz, and found that the price was the same on Priceline, the taxes and fees were lower. So I booked the room for four nights (check in Monday, check out Friday). The plan had been to go hiking with my brother on the Thursday, and then head across the Puget Sound on Friday. But it looks like my brother might have to work on Thursday, so we may go hiking on a different day. If we aren’t going to go hikng, we may head across the Puget Sound earlier. And we hear from my sister-in-law that even if we don’t go across the water on Thursday, that we could stay at their house on Thursday night.
So when I checked into the Econo Lodge in Federal Way, I told him we only needed to stay 3 nights, and not the 4 nights that I originally booked. The desk clerk was great and had no problem with it. He charged Priceline for the 3 nights that we were going to stay. He also mentioned that we could have gotten a cheaper price if we had booked directly, and not through Priceline. Like about $10 a night cheaper! Ouch!
After we checked in, I booted up my laptop, and logged up to Priceline.com. I wanted to cancel that 4th night. I got the 800 number, and the trip numbers and etc. I called Priceline and asked to cancel that 4th night that we would be here. The guy told me I couldn’t do that because today was the check in day. I would have had to cancel more than 48 hours in advance. I explained that the single day I wanted to cancel was more than the 48 hours away. But apparently I couldn’t cancel just one night, without canceling the whole thing. And since I was calling on the check in date, I couldn’t cancel the reservation. I asked to speak to his supervisor. I ended up speaking to a “Customer Care Specialist”. And she told me the same thing. *grumble*
Will I still use Priceline.com? Heck yeah! But here is what I am going to do. I will find the cheap hotel prices using Priceline.com, then I will call the hotel directly, and save money by booking it cheaper!!!
Dear Hiren N.
Please clarify and escalate, because your email doesn’t make any sense.
Customer service should, at a bare minimum, follow logic. Below please see my questions regarding your prior correspondence:
You write: We apologize if the hotel had misinformed you regarding your reservation status.
>What does this mean? Do I no longer have reservation with them?
>Regarding
what, exactly, did they “misinform” me?
You write: We have contacted the hotel and have determined that they did not offer to cancel your reservation(s).
>The hotel said they would agree to cancel but I need to contact
>Priceline
(you) to successfully get the charges reversed. Which is exactly what I said in the prior correspondence. You are either mistaken or lying.
You write: Hotels are willing to offer great prices to Priceline customers because they agree that their reservations will not be changed, canceled, or
refunded.
>This was not a great price for this hotel. The Price was $15 more than
>the
hotel charges customers that visit it’s website.
You write: Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you!
>I find your self gratification from our exchanges particularly offensive.
You should not confuse what you’ve done to me as “assistance.” You have not extended assistance, I sincerely hope any “thanks” you’ve derived from our exchanges is not mistaken for genuinely helping your fellow man, quite the contrary.
Sincerely,
Barry
The vRA Advantage:—–Original Message—–
From: ‘Customer Service [mailto:OriginatesCR2@service.priceline.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 6:01 PM
To: barry
Subject: Your Hotel Request 52344433112 (KMM27119043V77224L0KM)
Dear Mr. Vanroden,
Thank you for your patience while we researched your issue.
We apologize if the hotel had misinformed you regarding your reservation status. We have contacted the hotel and have determined that they did not offer to cancel your reservation(s).
As we indicated on our website, we are unable to cancel reservations and cannot offer you any other options. Hotels are willing to offer great prices to priceline customers because they agree that their reservations will not be changed, canceled, or refunded.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you!
Sincerely,
Hiren M.
Customer Relations Specialist
Comment by barry — March 18, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
I used to be a fan of them. But lately they have disappointed me terribly to the point of anguish
F**K priceline. They made me pay the full amount of $400 for the hotel stay that I didn’t even bid for because of a f**King system glitch. I hate them and won’t ever use them again.
Comment by Julie — March 20, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
I had bad experiences (lack of refund or service) with hotels and priceline. I won’t be using EITHER in the future. Had I known hotels was masked as expedia I wouldn’t have done biz w/them. They charged my credit card when reserved - ridiculous!! Most hotels don’t charge until you leave.
The hassle is not worth the “money you save.”
Believe me!!
Comment by KMH — May 13, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
I need an e-mail address for Priceline.com. Or a normal website!!!
I asked for an $18.00 rate per day for an auto. They came back with a confirmed $26.00 rate per day w/Avis.
They should have come back saying $18.00 rate not available. Do I want an alternate.
Cannot just charge any amount, if requested amount is not available.
Of course I am disputing the charge. However, I rather have the opportunity to speak w/them,regarding their habits.
I am in the travel business & have not & will not now try to book anything w/priceline.
N. Lord
Comment by Nancy Lord — May 21, 2008 @ 1:55 pm