Just made a Big Priceline error

[Becky0216]

I was browsing car prices and went to check Priceline. I was just messing around low balling for a SUV to see if I would get it. I am not sure what I did but I must have clicked on a full size instead and noticed it as I finished filling out and initialing the acceptance page. Stupid me got up to answer the phone and left the computer up on this page and wouldn't you know it... My 3yo decides to play with the computer and somehow manages to click on the buy button???? And the bid was accepted of course. Because I officially bid 16 dollars a day on a car and not an SUV. I can get the same offer for 10 a day with coupons from a regular site. This all happened in under a minute.
Let my experience be a lesson to everyone to not mess around. lol There is no turning back after you hit accept.

Now on another note, it was National that I got. Is that even a decent rental company?

 

[Chief Powhatan]

I think if you use Priceline's Name Your Own Price service enough, something weird like that is eventually going to happen. The only problem I have ever had with it was a few years ago when a trip was delayed 1 day at the last minute, it caused me to lose a 5 day hotel reservation. However that loss was small compared to the money I have saved using NYOP over the last 15 years.

 

[nacho113]

yep, same kind of issue on a hotel rental for me.
Had been checking for a week for something at the beach in Clearwater Beach. Was trying Treasure Island, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearwater Beach so I could bid several times and slowly increase my bid. One late night I was tired and started my usual bidding starting in Treasure Island, adding areas, changing star levels and bumping my bids by a dollar or 2.
I was so excited when my offer $61 offer was accepted for a 3 star in Clearwater Beach area. Unfortunately when I got to the next page showing the hotel, I realized that I had inadvertently clicked just Clearwater instead of Clearwater Beach. We did get a gorgeous suite in the Embassy Suites by Hilton but it was near the airport, a 25 minute drive from the beach
Lesson learned, check and double check and don't try to book NYOP when you are tired. Other than this instance, we have always had great luck with Priceline and NYOP.

 

[sam_gordon]

To answer your question, National is a good rental company. If you're flying into MCO, join their 'Emerald Club' program before you leave, add the reservation to your account and you shouldn't need to stop at the counter first. You should confirm that with National, but it's a good benefit to be able to use.

 

[Spunky946]

I once made a mistake and booked the car in the wrong city and I called immediately, and they refunded me the money.

 

[Becky0216]

Thanks everyone. And it's good to know I am not alone. I did call instantly and tell them I chose wrong car class. Unfortunately they couldn't do anything. I didn't push it since it was my own fault. Atleast I didn't bid $25 a day on that SUV that turned out to be a Full Size.

As for National. I heard that I can't use the Emerald Isle if I used Priceline? I have an Emerald Isle membership already but not seeing where I can put it. National doesn't even show a reservation for me on their site.

 

[bumbershoot]

As for National. I heard that I can't use the Emerald Isle if I used Priceline? I have an Emerald Isle membership already but not seeing where I can put it. National doesn't even show a reservation for me on their site.

The Emerald Aisle is for midsize rentals, not full, so your reservation isn't compatible with the Aisle anyway. You'll choose from the full size aisle.

I don't know how you can add it to the account.

I'd try calling priceline again though. Just in case they are like Disney where the first cm doesn't know everything.

 

[Becky0216]

Oh bummer. So I lucked out by choosing the more expensive car option? Does this mean I am just given a car with no choice of what it is? And definitely no chance of snagging an SUV?

 

[mikehn]

Chances are you'll get exactly the car class you bid on. If there are no cars left in that class, they'll assign you the next class up. It wasnt that bad of a mistake. It could have been worse.

 

[madaboutMickey]

NO, you won't just be give a car. You can choose any car from the FULL size aisle.

 

[Becky0216]

NO, you won't just be give a car. You can choose any car from the FULL size aisle.

I spoke with a Rep at National today and they said because it was a Priceline transaction I would not have had accesses to the EA anyway. That I will go to the counter and they will assign me a car. According to them, I do not get a choice of car. Oh well. Live and Learn. Stinks since I would have gotten a car cheaper through National themselves and gotten to pick my own. I need to be more careful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

National will NOT assign you a car. You check in at the counter in the terminal, then walk across the road to the garage, and you choose any vehicle from the full size row.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)....... My 3yo decides to play with the computer and somehow manages to click on the buy button???? And the bid was accepted of course......

So sorry - I know from experience how little ones love to push buttons and type on a computer.

Can't help with the Priceline issue (thanks for the warning, though), but my advice is to get in the habit of locking the computer when you need to get away for a few minutes. (CTL/ALT/Delete, and then choose the option to "lock this computer"). You probably have to set up a password to log on to get that to work, but it's well worth it. Unless your child randomly types in the password, he/she can type away without impacting a thing.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know if National assigns specific cars to PL customers. I know they do if you have a one way rental with an out of state drop off.

You can politely ask for a different car if a rental agency assigns you a car you don't want. I've asked when the car I was assigned reeked of smoke.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know if National assigns specific cars to PL customers. I know they do if you have a one way rental with an out of state drop off.

They didn't for me going from Phoenix to Anaheim. That's not MCO, but it was National.

 

[sam_gordon]

So sorry - I know from experience how little ones love to push buttons and type on a computer.

Can't help with the Priceline issue (thanks for the warning, though), but my advice is to get in the habit of locking the computer when you need to get away for a few minutes. (CTL/ALT/Delete, and then choose the option to "lock this computer"). You probably have to set up a password to log on to get that to work, but it's well worth it. Unless your child randomly types in the password, he/she can type away without impacting a thing.

Easier way... Windows key (between the ALT and CTRL keys) + L.

 

[CarolMN]

Easier way... Windows key (between the ALT and CTRL keys) + L.

Thanks - I learned something useful.

 

[Becky0216]

Well either way, it is what it is. Vacation will be great either way. Thanks everyone. And I know how to lock my computer. lol I just was not thinking to do so when walking away for 30 seconds. More to the point for me was that I should have closed out of Priceline all together.