Priceline & special circumstances

[aynt79]

My DH and I were planning on going to Orlando the last week of May. We made reservations a month ago using Priceline for the Hilton in DD. We found out Monday that DH was laid off. He is going to get paid for the next 30 days (which ends the day before we were supposed to leave).
Has anyone ever heard of priceline letting you cancel because of special circumstances, even for a fee. I know that there was the special thing when the war started, but I'm sure that's over by now.
We would even be willing to still go if we could move the date up a week or two. We're hoping that he will find a new job by the time the 30 days is over, and he can't really ask for vacation for his first week.
Would we be better off calling Priceline or the Hilton and try to negotiate, or are we probably going to be out the money if we can't go?

 

[CarolA]

I hate that your DH got laid off.

However, Priceline is pretty hard to negoiate with (ie. impossible!) First you would actually have to get them to pick up the phone! They are VERY strict on their rules and they really have to be. Otherwise people would just make up stories about deaths, etc.. just to cancel when they got a hotel they did not like.

You might try the Hilton, maybe they will just agree to move the week?

However, I think you are out the money. Is it possible you DH could just tell his new employer that he can't start until a week later. I know that would mean a week without pay, but.

Also, are they going to pay him out his vacation. I think that in certain states they have to do that in addition to the severance.

I hate to sound depressing, but the aveage job hunt takes a lot longer than 30 days. I would advise your DH to file for unemployment as soon as he is laid off. If he finds a job then he won't need it, but....

 

[Robinrs]

I'm so sorry about your DH's job also, but I truly believe that with every closed door, another one is opening with something wonderful behind it! Faith, it's a wonderful thing!

I have to agree with Carol that the average job search is longer than 30 days and any employer who really wants you will negotiate a start date. You don't necessarily have to give an excuse, just a date.

Of course it doesn't hurt to ask, but don't expect much. Priceline wouldn't make a dime if they gave the money back to everyone with an excuse.

I hope everything works out!

 

[jsmla]

We had a trip planned for 9/12-19/2001 and I had booked a rental car through Priceline. No flights on the 12th so we decided to drive down and wouldn't need the car. Priceline wouldn't cancel so I called Budget directly. They waived it immediately and we recieved a credit on our AMEX the next month. Priceline said Budget already had the $$$ so it was no longer their charge. I would try contacting Hilton. So sorry about your DH. We went through the same thing while we had a house under construction. It was tough, but we eventually pulled through. Hope things work out for you.