Anyway to get $ back from a priceline reservation?

[eeyoresmom]

I posted this ? on the transportation board also,but...To make a long story short,I have a reservation for a full size car for our June 16-23 trip that I can't use,is there anyway to recoup any of the $?I know their policy is no refunds,I just hate to see this $ go down the drain TIA

 

[shatzjsl]

Not sure about Priceline but Travelocity charges a fee. I can't remember how much it was because I ended up not needing to cancel. The confirmation you got from them should have something in the fine print about cancellations.

Edited to add: Bad news, found this on the Priceline terms and conditions:

Priceline.com rental car reservations are non-changeable, non-endorsable, non-transferable and non-refundable;

 

[my3kids]

No, they won't refund the money. They are extremely inflexible except for the most unusual of situations. I've paid for hotel rooms that went empty....nothing could be done.

 

[dinks]

I use Priceline almost weekly. Sometimes I use it for me and sometimes making arrangements for others. I've never had a problem with them or their service until... Actually it's my fault but they need to realize it's a mistake. I bid 75 dollars a week for a rental car rather than per day. I had never used them for rental cars and didn't realize it was per day. I've requested to change my offer amount, but I assume that it'll be denied. 5 days at 75 per day for a compact car is enough to make me want to stand in front of the airplane next month. I really don't have that type of budget. That's why I'm using Priceline!

I've been crying all morning now that I've realized what I've done. Please send some good wishes and some magic my way.

Thank you for listening.

 

[princessmomma]

I bid 75 dollars a week for a rental car rather than per day. I had never used them for rental cars and didn't realize it was per day.
Thank you for listening.

I would call Priceline and see if they can reverse this. It is an obvious mistake ($75 per day for a compact is more than you would pay anywhere). I would really give it a shot since you are a frequent customer! Ask them to look at your record with them and remind them that you use Priceline weekly! I am sure they will help you out.

Let us know what they say!

Also to answer eyeores question, I was refunded my hotel room once after I called the hotel to request a non-smoking room. They said they only had smoking rooms available. I called Priceline because my son has asthma and I knew we could not stay there. My money was refunded after they checked with the hotel and found out they did indeed only have smoking rooms left.

 

[dennise]

With hotel rooms if you find a lower price that can be verified, Priceline will refund the difference. If you can find a compact for less than the $75 per day, which sholud not be a problem, they will probably do the same. All I did was call them and tell the website that I found the lower price on, and while still on the phone they checked that it was available for the lower price and refunded me the difference. The difference for that room was $33 a day. That $99 was better in my pocket than theirs. Good luck!

 

[Madi100]

I've found that all of the places where you are "bidding" for your travel arrangements are very unflexible. We did get our airline tickets refunded, though. I found out I was pregnant, and I was high risk and couldn't travel. I had absolutely no problem.

Good luck. I would hope that they would be understanding to your problem.

 

[cepmom]

If they do not reverse the charges, can you contact your credit card company and dispute the charges? I have never used Priceline before, so I have no first hand experience but I thought if you explained the situation to them (Priceline) and they still won't budge, you might be able to dispute the charges through the credit card company.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks for your help eveyone.Still not sure what to do.I'd be more than happy with some kind of credit for future travel but hertz and PL both say no

 

[dennise]

I would still check out their lowest price guarantee to see if it includes cars as well as hotel room. You can't lose anything by trying.

 

[Lewisc]

Dinks--you made a mistake. I'd try to have PL cancel your reservation. IF not you have a 48 hour window under their best price to get a partial refund. Try all the onlinebooking sites like travelnow.com expedia.com and so on.

eeyoresmom--Nothing you can do. Getting stuck with a hotel or car rental reservation is one of the costs of doing buisness with PL. A credit card dispute won't help.

 

[carierraine]

The rules are different for car rentals, You make a reservation through Priceline, but you don't actually pay through them. You are not charged until you go pick up the car, and at that point you can put it ona different card, or just not show up, or call and cancel that reservation. It seems like you will be fine.

 

[Threehearts]

I have gotten my money back from Priceline 3 times. Once I grossly overbid like you and they allowed me to rebid for the same type of hotel in the exact same area. Another time, I had a family death and they allowed me to rebid for a different week. If that bid had not been accepted, I would have had to eat the trip that I couldn't go on. I can't remember the what occured on the very first occasion. I may have had such good service because I use Priceline so extensively, including their vacation package product several times a year. I will say that they are generally inflexible with changes and righfully so. I knew the risks before getting involved with Priceline. Sheryl's site- BiddingForTravel.com is an excellent resource. Some people find her manner abrasive but truth be told, she is excellent and just does not have tremendous patience for people who do not read the FAQs before posting.
My suggestion is to call Priceline and ask if you can rebid, thereby showing a good faith effort to use their product. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary. Good luck and my sympathies are with you. It is easy to make a mistake if you're not experienced with the site. Threehearts

 

[disneychrista]

My Dad has not only been able to get a refund from Priceline but also a refund from Expedia on reservations that he made but couldn't use. All he did was call and tell them he couldn't or didn't use it.

 

[dinks]

They've canceled the bid. They charged us 75.00 as a termination fee but we were willing to accept that to be free of the remainder. Also as I indicated I made the mistake so I was willing to accept some responsibility. The priceline rep was very professional and joked about the quality of car we could get for 75 a day. My husband suggested a helicopter. I thank all of you for your encouragement. Also, continue to support Priceline so that they can be flexible when someone makes a mistake. Good luck on getting the hotel changed.

 

[my3kids]

When I used PL for a car it was charged by PL immediately and not upon arrival??? Have they changed that plan?

 

[princessmomma]

They've canceled the bid. They charged us 75.00 as a termination fee but we were willing to accept that to be free of the remainder. Also as I indicated I made the mistake so I was willing to accept some responsibility.

Excellent news! Sounds like it turned out great! I have heard of many positive outcomes when it comes to extreme cases like this. It was good of you to be professional as well and take responsibility for the error (to be OK with the $75 termination fee).

I am sure they get a lot of requests from people who want their money back just because their plans change and they will not use the ressie! They really need (and do) take a hard stance here. Good for Priceline!

..and you will be using their product again. Win-win situation.