Is Priceline Legit for Hotels? Find Out

Travelling is rewarding but it can become a huge expense especially when you have not done your math right. When planning my trip I often go through the internet searching for best offers on accommodation and flights. Priceline is one the travel agency that surprised me with their cheap travel deals.

On their website, Priceline claims that their customers enjoy over $1 billion yearly discounts through its campaigns that includes Pricebreakers, Express Deals, Tonight-Only Deals and even more for their VIP loyalty members. Isn’t it captivating to trust them with your travel plans?

Understandably, online bookings are marred with scams. Many people easily fall victim to attractive deals, resulting in loss of money and personal information. This guide explains if Priceline is legit, how it works and how to use them in saving money during your traveling.

Is Priceline legit?

The short answer is Yes. Priceline is a legit online travel agency offering discounted rates for flights, hotels, cars and cruises. Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States, the company was accredited in 1998, meaning it has more than 20 years in business.

What’s more, Priceline is wholly owned by Booking Holdings, one of the largest travel companies in the world, which also runs Booking.com, Kayak.com, OpenTable and others. The company operates in more than 200 countries, partnering with various airlines and hotels.

However, Priceline has a rating of “B” on Better Business Bureau and customer reviews averaging at 1 out of 5. This doesn’t stand well with such a big player. It’s probably due to their restrictive cancellation and refund policies affecting some of their deeply discounted offers.

From my point of understanding, Priceline is a third-party player acting as a middleman between you and the service provider. So, whether your travel can be refunded is up to to the provider’s policy. This is a common problem with many other agencies including Super formerly SnapTravel.

Tip: If you are booking through Priceline, double check with the accommodation provider and avoid last-minute changes on your reservation.

How does Priceline work for hotels?

Priceline acts as an intermediary between travelers and service providers in the industry. They have a dedicated website and a mobile app through which customers are linked to discounted travel deals worldwide including hotels, rental cars, flights and even luxury cruises.

Using their website or app is a straightforward process. You simply key in your destination and travel dates, and Priceline lists all the available deals. This includes their prices, ratings, and other relevant details. You can compare these options and choose one that best fits your needs and budget.

Once you have made a selection, proceed to the booking process where you’ll provide your payment information and complete the transaction. After the booking is confirmed, a confirmation email is sent, with all the details of the reservation. The process is no different from using Hopper, one of my favorite alternative.

What’s amazing, travelers can get a deal for flight, accommodation and a rental car just in one transaction, rather than separate.

Priceline discount deals

Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” was one of the popular features in their bucket but has been discontinued. In this deal, customers could negotiate up to 60% off retail hotel rates. However, there are still other offers to save significant amounts of money on hotels.

Express deals

Express Deals are Priceline’s most discounted catch. This is where you book hotels, flights, or rental cars at discounted rates without knowing the specific provider until after booking. All you can see is the general location, star rating, and amenities. This deal can save you up to 60% on your booking.

Pricebreakers

The other way you can save money on your bookings is through Priceline’s Pricebreakers. These exclusive deals will allow you to pay a discounted price for one of the three provided hotels. You’ll only know which of them you’ll get after your booking is completed.

Tonight-Only deals

Priceline’s Tonight-Only Deals promotion offers discounts on 3-star and 4-star hotels being booked for that only night. Reservations can instantly be booked up until 11 p.m. local time or until all are sold out. However, you are limited to a stay of up to 4 nights only.

Recurring annual sales

Priceline also runs periodic sales promotions  during certain times of year. During Black Friday, a selected number of customers can be offered discounts up to 30% on top of the daily Express Deal hotels that’s already offering 60% off. What a way of saving on a holiday trip!

Note: Some of Priceline’s discount deals offered on the app won’t appear on the website and vice versa. For example the “Tonight-Only Deals” is visible only on the app while “Pricebreakers” is a website-only feature.

How to book safely on Priceline

Although Priceline is a legitimate booking platform, any online transaction should involve a precaution. I have seen cases where fraudulent websites mimic real ones in everything. Here is how to protect your personal and financial information when making a booking online.

1. Always access Priceline’s website or app using a secure and trusted internet connection. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks  for transactions.
2. Make sure you’re on the official Priceline website by checking the URL. Look for “https://” at the beginning of the web address, indicating a secure connection.
3. Thoroughly read reviews and ratings from other travelers who have used Priceline for similar bookings. This can provide valuable insights into the quality of service they offer.
4. Don’t just settle for the first option you see. Compare prices and amenities across different listings to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
5. Carefully review the terms and conditions of your booking, including cancellation policies, refund rules, and any additional fees.
6. Use a secure payment method such as a credit card for your reservations. Avoid using debit cards or bank transfers.
7. After booking, save all confirmation emails and documents related to your reservation. They are helpful when checking in or when launching a complain.
8. If you encounter any issues or have questions about your booking, don’t hesitate to contact Priceline’s customer support for assistance.

How to cancel a booking on Priceline

Cancellation ranks among the biggest downsides of the Priceline travel agency. According to various customers reviews, refunds aren’t easily done and it’s the reason many people may ask “is Priceline legit? Before you cancel your booking its best to read and understand what their policy says about it.

Generally, many of Priceline’s highly discounted deals cannot be canceled. In some cases, changes on your reservation can be done but at a fee. This makes me understand why many people complain that they have not received a refund from this travel agency.

However, if your hotel booking is eligible for cancellation, contact Priceline’s customer care and they will help you. You can also use a self-cancellation tool available in a logged-in Priceline account. Simply click the My Trips button and select Cancel Itinerary next to your reservation.

Final Thought

Thousands of travelers use Priceline every year to book flights, hotels, rental cars and other vacation packages. The website and app are secure platforms that use encryption to protect users’ personal and financial information. However, like any online booking platform, it’s important to exercise caution and read the terms and conditions carefully before making a reservation.