Priceline Consumer Reviews - Page 8

MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS -- Hello - Booked airline ticket from Cochin to New York for my parents from 30th June 2013 to 14 Dec 2013. Everything was fine while booking the tickets. Priceline website charged me $2428.42. I was happy with the ticket price as I got from Priceline which guarantee's best price until I came to know that the same ticket is being sold on Kuwait airways website for $1979.86, that is $448.56 cheaper than Priceline.

When I spoke to customer service person and chat with CSR they all told me to live with it as I got from Priceline. The lessons learned from here is don't believe Priceline price guarantee. The ticket price on Priceline is still $2490. But 10 days before the travel date the price on Kuwait airways is way cheaper than Priceline. Would request everyone to be extra cautious before buying anything from Priceline. Please double check on all other websites else you will also fall in the same trap as me and pay extra for believing Priceline!!!

KANSAS, KANSAS -- After hours in their system trying to delete "my trips" history and calling 3 or 4 different numbers trying to speak with an actual person, all I got was automated service, and after I noticed they have charged me over $1200.00 and when I checked the charged, how convenient, now all of a sudden I have a number where I could reach Customer Service and when they declined to assist me and cancel and credit my account , Jane employee at Customer Relations, sounded like a recording, "I am sorry I wish could have other offers but cannot cancel or credit your account as you review the purchase prior to pay” (1st lie as we could never review before their site charged me).

And after 2 hrs trying to make her reason, she says she is the higher authority and can't transfer me to a higher authority, but couldn't make a good customer service by helping me. She to the contrary, when I mentioned other airlines, she says and I recalled "I CAN CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION AND YOU CAN TRY TO BUY THAT FLIGHT WITH US BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE A CANCELLATION FEE OF $152.00 per ticket and a CHANGE FEE." Wow and I thought they could not cancel or credit my account, but of course as long as is for their advantage, now they can.

Not only that while trying to make her to reason, she attempted to hung up an me and my husband many times. Simply, Priceline has no ethics or professionalism, and their employee are just recording machines with no leadership, or initiative to take actions into matters. No wonder their reviews are horrible. Listen to me and to all the others that have troubles with Priceline in the past, I should have make a review search before got into their site.

TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA -- As you can see on BBB.Org there has been 2936 complaints against Priceline and that's just one site! You can see just how many complaints there are on the "ripoff report". You may ask yourself why is there so many complaints against a company that is service based? First of all, I can truly say "they do not care about me as a customer" and apparently they don't care about 1000's of others!

I have had an issue that I've been trying to resolve for 2 days, multiple calls & emails. It has to do with star ratings & you can see 1000's of other customers have had similar complaints. I won't go into huge detail, other than I booked a 4 star hotel & when I won my bid I did further research on the property. I found trip advisor & Expedia both had it at 3 1/2 stars, 4 other travel web sites had it as low as a 3 star hotel. This upsets me greatly!

The 2 leading travel authorities show it as 3 1/2 & 4 other sites show it as 3, there is a major problem! My interactions with customer service is by far the worst I have ever experienced! They just don't care about you as a customer. Even after I sent them all the documentation on the property, they still refused to do the right thing!

When I told them I write travel reviews & will be writing a review a day for the next 7 days, I was told go ahead. It is sad in today economy all we want is what is fair & right, they just don't care about you as a customer! They would rather have you angry & upset, than do the right thing & have a satisfy customer! I just don't get their rudeness! All I can say 1000's of consumers can't be wrong, do not use Priceline.Com! You been warned!!!

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT -- PRICELINE - BUYER BEWARE! Using Priceline may look like a good deal at first, but beware: they use deceptive practices to load your bill. When making a bid on a hotel, the taxes and fees can add up 1/3 of the price you bid or MORE. If you bid 60.00 you will pay 85.00. But here is how they really *bleep* you over. There is a small box buried in a lot of busy text to purchase travel insurance. You have to un-check that box so you aren't charged a percentage of the bid for travel insurance.

At that point (after un-checking the check box) and you click submit, but forget to type your zip code or something, the page returns with a prompt to fill in your zip code (but they sneak that check box back in). The UI is so bad and so confusing, chances are you will submit without filling in something and re-submit without being aware that the travel insurance box (by default) has been re-checked. Finally, if you contact Customer Service, be prepared to speak to someone from India who doesn't give a rat's ass about customer service. They will just repeat over and over again, that there is nothing they can do and it's all explained in the "Terms and conditions."

And, if you ever do decide to file a travel insurance claim, you will see that there really is no travel insurance. You will have to go to a third party company, called "BerkelyCare" and file a claim. You may as well be filling out an IRS tax audit, as you will need to supply copious amounts of paperwork supporting the claim. Only certain cases apply, such as accident or death. Simply being late or deciding to go on another date, does not qualify.

It can take months to actually be refunded, so don't expect to re-book on the funds you used to book through Priceline. This company is so predatory. It's not worth using them, because one day, you will draw the short straw. Remember, the house always wins. If you think you got a good deal today, they will find a way to get it back from you. Best to use Kayak if you must stay in a hotel.

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA -- After checking out rates of hotels in Erie, PA with various travel websites (including Priceline standard booking site), I chose to use the "Name Your Own Price" option (which is prominently thrust in your face at every turn on Priceline.com). When prompted for the "# of Adults," I entered "2" since I have 2 adults and 2 children in our family. After submitting a bid for a hotel room for our vacation, I saw that my bid was accepted and a reservation made at a hotel chain THAT ONLY HAS 1 BED PER ROOM.

I immediately verified this on the hotel website and called Priceline Customer Disservice. They explained that the reservation could not be changed. I would have to check with the hotel to see if they could accommodate my reservation and if not, I was to call Priceline back for a change.

I called the hotel. They had just received the reservation electronically (took about 20 minutes). They confirmed that they did not have any rooms in the hotel that could accommodate my family. They told me they could not cancel the reservation. Priceline would have to do it. So I called Priceline back (as previously instructed).

Imagine my surprise and disappointment to learn that I was now stuck with a 1 bed hotel room for my family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children). I asked, pleaded, etc. with both Customer Disservice and a Customer Relations "Specialist" neither of whom could assist me. I was given a case # and directed to file a complaint on their website. I filed a complaint with their VP of Customer Disservice.

The next day, I received a call back from "Ryan", an "executive officer" of Priceline. He proceeded to explain to me that they could not change their policy. It was a "contract" that could not be changed (even though the hotel room had not yet been occupied; my vacation was still 4 days away). After arguing my case (even offering to spend more money with them to take a reservation in another Priceline-serviced hotel) and explaining how dissatisfied I was with their "customer service," I told them that they had lost a customer for life.

I also told them I would warn as many others as I can to NEVER USE PRICELINE.COM. Be Forewarned - their practices border on deceitful and their "customer service" is NON-EXISTENT. Run away as quick as you can from these crooks.

BOSTON, CONNECTICUT -- BUYER BEWARE. Usually I Name my own Price through Priceline. This is great if you do not have specific needs such as a particular type of room. They only guarantee accommodations for 2. Recently I made reservations with their "negotiated" rates because I did have a specific need for two double beds. I chose the Tremont St Courtyard and chose between a room available with two double beds and another which was a king size bed. I booked the room type I needed.

Upon arrival, I found I had been booked in a king size room. I explained to the hotel staff I had reserved the double bed room. They explained Priceline books the most common room in the hotel which in this case was a king size bed. I was offered a double bed room at an additional cost of $35 per night plus taxes and fees. My $101 room ended up costing me $160. I called Priceline for assistance. At first they told me my reservation confirmation should say there are no guarantees. I explained I understood this BUT I had specifically reserved the way I did and the room I did because that was what I needed.

I countered they should not offer a choice if one does not exist. She then explained when I name my own price... I again pointed out I DID NOT name my own price. She said my receipt should say I did. I explained it did not. She then said if I had extra people I needed to pay the extra fee. I pointed out I still only have two people we just did not want to share a bed. (She seemed to be drawing at straws to find a way this was my fault). She then offered to call the hotel and speak to them. She got back on the line to tell me they said they gave me a double bed room. I confirmed they had, for the additional fee. (Was she just not listening to me?)

She said she was sure they would not be charging me but would call back to confirm, if I would like. When she returned to the line, she explained they had indeed charged me and she could do nothing about this. Thank you Priceline. This was a complete bait and switch tactic. I blame Marriott for the bad business practice and Priceline for doing business with them and not advocating for their customers to ensure their deals are honest, transparent and accurate. Marriott's bad practice reflects on Priceline. I can't do business with a company if I cannot trust I am going to get exactly what I purchased. This is regardless of whose fault it is.

After trying to book a trip for my upcoming fiftieth birthday with Priceline, I wound up with no vacation, an overdrawn bank account, and the desire to celebrate my milestone buried in a vat of Chunky Monkey and my own tears. My dear husband suggested Anguilla, a place to which neither of us has been and which boasts one of the best beaches if not the best beach in the world. Great! After checking several travel sites, Priceline offered the lowest price for a combined flight and hotel package at a resort that sounded great.

Excited, we transferred money into our debit account, and pushed the "Book Now" button. The little dots swirled 'round and 'round for a while, until we were informed that our request could not immediately be processed and that we would have to wait, press the "check status" button after several minutes, and then perhaps place a call. Well, the "status" turned out to be "No dice, losers" because the hotel we had chosen from the list of those advertised as available, did not in fact have the room category we selected. This was told to us by a perfectly polite and responsive representative.

She then informed us that we could try to upgrade to a better room. My husband, being the dear he is, readily agreed so that we could get the party started. Unfortunately, after several more minutes of being on hold, we were informed that the upgraded rooms were unavailable as well and that basically it was too bad, so sad for us -- which was made badder and sadder by the fact that Priceline had no problem authorizing our poor little debit card for pretty much double the amount that we'd earmarked for our trip -- which resulted in additional pending overdraft fees.

Dumb-dumb us decided to do all this on a Friday afternoon, meaning that all those holds won't drop off until Monday at the earliest. It's going to be a peanut butter 'n' jelly kind of weekend, I guess. No one was rude to us -- in fact they were very polite, the way robots are when they keep repeating the same responses no matter how you try to phrase or re-phrase your grievances.

The upshot: They don't bother confirming the availability of the packages that they advertise as available until after they charge your card. And then they have the gall to "upgrade" you and then charge you a second time for yet another unavailable deal. Their pitchman, William Shatner, "died" in a bus crash in one of their ads. Which is entirely appropriate; if you want to get thrown under the bus in the name of false advertising, Priceline will happily do it for you.

I had a very bad experience with Priceline.com and I am not going to use this website again. I was travelling to Europe for three weeks and I rented a car through Priceline.com from the Berlin airport about 3 months in advance. At the time I made my purchase, their price was about 2 Dollars per day cheaper than other websites and I would save almost 50 Dollars by booking with them and so I went ahead and did so. When I went to pick up my car, I was told by the car rental company that the car I booked (economy) is not available and I was instead offered a similar car (compact) at 20 dollars per day more expensive. This now meant that I had to pay more than 400 Dollars extra.

I called Priceline and explained what was going on and I was told that they were not responsible for guaranteeing the availability of the vehicles and when I asked them why do they ask for my credit card information to confirm my reservation, the customer service agent told me that he can proceed and cancel my reservation without charging my card!!

Long story short, I not only had a very bad start of my trip, but also ended up paying 380 Dollars more than what I would have normally paid had I used a different website to arrange my car rental. All I can say is that Priceline.com is not conducting business honestly. What is the point of quoting a price to the customer and then confirming his reservation after getting his credit card details when you simply won't accept any responsibility and won't guarantee the reservation. How is that even reservation. To me it sounds more like a trap.

They simply quote you a cheap price and if you are lucky and get it, they earn their commission and if you don't get it, you are the one who is screwed and Priceline will not accept any responsibility and who knows, maybe they still get paid.. I would say stay away.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE -- I just returned from a 9 day trip. I stayed the first 3 nights at Music Road Inn in Pigeon Forge, TN for a conference related to my job. This was not booked by Priceline. I did use Priceline to rent a car from Hertz. I chose to pay the extra for full coverage insurance for the 9 days. After the 3 day conference, my Fiance and I drove to Reidsville, NC to visit the site of her ancestors and speak with her relatives.

We went online before we left the conference and reserved a room in the area for two nights. When we arrived to check in, we first asked how much a room would be for 2 nights. They told us the exact same amount Priceline said. I then asked about discounts for Disabled Veterans. They gave me a rate that was considerably better than Priceline. After that, we just looked up the rate on Priceline but did not reserve it. When we walked in and asked for their cheapest rate, it was less than Priceline. While on this trip we received notice from home that my Fiance's 73 year old brother had been rushed to the hospital.

We cut our trip short and returned home early. I called Hertz and asked if I turned in the car early would we be refunded the last 2 days. They said yes. When I took the car back they refunded the 2 days plus an additional discount. I called Priceline, who I paid the full coverage insurance fee to, and asked about them refunding the 2 days I didn't use. The cost for this coverage was $11 per day for 9 days, or $99.

The refund would only have been $22. Since the lady told me she had no way to authorize the refund, I asked to speak to someone who might have a way. She connected me to a man who said he could not refund the $22. He asked what the emergency was and I explained. He repeated, he could not refund the $22. This was my first experience with Priceline. I don't know what the rental would have been on the car without them. I do know that all the rooms we stayed in were cheaper without Priceline. I also know that $22 in not much to lose a future customer over.

UNITED STATES -- Buyer Beware!! I reserved a "Standard Car" "Mazda 6 or similar" online through Priceline with Budget at the Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel. When I arrived at the Budget counter they wanted to give me a Mazda 3 hatchback, which is considered a Mid-Size car according to the Priceline website. The Standard Car I reserved stated that the vehicle would accommodate 5 adults and 4 luggages. The Mazda 3 hatchback is a smaller vehicle and barely accommodates 5 adults if they are squeezed together in the back seat and the trunk space does not accommodate 4 luggages. We were a family of five adults and had lots of luggage.

Budget would not honor my hard copy of my reservation for a standard car. They said their standard car category is not the same as that of Priceline. When I explained that I reserved a "Standard Car" which will accommodate 5 adults and 4 luggages they said there was nothing they could do about it and they always have this problem with customers who reserve cars with Priceline and they said that "I am not the first and I would not be the last with this problem". And they were very rude about it.

They said if I wanted the "Standard Car" that I reserved I would have to pay an extra $60 per day for a total of $720 extra for my 12 day rental. That would be on top of the $411 dollars I had already reserved the car for. That's 175% more than my original reservation.

After I refused and complained they brought it down to an extra $15 per day for a total of $180 more than my original reservation. They would not budge and I had no choice and I had to pay that. When I came back to the states I contacted customer no service at Priceline and followed up with a letter to their Executive Service Customer Service Department. I thought they would be understanding and refund my $180. But instead they were rude, did not refund my money, and said that it is not their responsibility what the rental agency gives me at my destination and they can have car categories different than Priceline.

So Budget's Standard Car in Israel is considered a Mid-Size car here in the states and I as the customer am supposed to be okay with that according to Priceline. And on top of that their customer support team all the way to the top "Customer Relations Specialist were rude, not understanding, and not accommodating. I will never do business with Priceline again!! They do not deserve my business or my hard earned money. And they just lost Thousands of dollars in future business from me for car rentals and hotel reservations. Shame on them for treating customers like dirt!! If you don't want a hassle avoid Priceline.