Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Priceline is a rip off!

Obviously, the Priceline slogan of 'satisfaction guranteed' means their own satisfaction and not their customers. Their homepage and their whole reservation process is deceiving. We just tried to get a refund on a cancellation of a flight and car rental because of illness. It wasn't easy to get in touch with anyone who could help but when we did, it was a customer service site in Mexico. Nice people working there, but the message was extremely upsetting.

NO refund, Priceline has already charged the credit card for the rental and reservation. United Airlines policy is to not give refunds. We bought trip insurance in the event that something would happen and found out that's a separate company and now we will have to try to reach them during the work week. We feel that we opened the door and threw out 5 $100 bills and it's not fair. We are upset that yet another company has sold out and moved to another country, Mexico. Who can you trust anymore?

I've used PL quite a few times and it's pretty clear that all prices are non-refundable. Insurance is always with another 3rd party and that's not exclusive to PL. If you want cheap prices, inflexibility goes along with the territory.

I only book PL if I'm 100% sure (and then some) that my plans won't change and that circumstances allow me to go.

Man, I feel for you. I have been in your shoes, and it's so frustrating. Unfortunately, I was never able to get resolution.

When dealing with online travel convenience and discount companies, more often than not you are "paying and praying". Paying a discounted price and praying all goes as planned or you may be SOL.

When dealing with any other company, I tend to migrate away from those that have moved Customer Service to some foreign land where English is a 2nd Language. I've simply had too many bad experiences. I stay with T-Mobile simply because in the US you talk to US based customer service reps. I do business with Southwest because they are inexpensive and their Customer Service is in the US and has been easy to deal with. UAL on the other hand, although I fly them, have been challenging with their offshore customer service.

I've booked a lot with Priceline and similar like hotels.com. I always took the approach that when I booked, I was hooked. Especially after a similar situation to yours.

Let us know if anything improves.

Obviously, the Priceline slogan of 'satisfaction guranteed' means their own satisfaction and not their customers. Their homepage and their whole reservation process is deceiving. We just tried to get a refund on a cancellation of a flight and car rental because of illness. It wasn't easy to get in touch with anyone who could help but when we did, it was a customer service site in Mexico. Nice people working there, but the message was extremely upsetting.

NO refund, Priceline has already charged the credit card for the rental and reservation. United Airlines policy is to not give refunds. We bought trip insurance in the event that something would happen and found out that's a separate company and now we will have to try to reach them during the work week. We feel that we opened the door and threw out 5 $100 bills and it's not fair. We are upset that yet another company has sold out and moved to another country, Mexico. Who can you trust anymore?

You bought trip insurance. You need to read the policy and follow what it says to do. It's time to suck it up and be responsible for what you booked and how you booked it. It is not Priceline's fault you did not read what you were buying.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

You understand when you buy non refundable tickets that they are in fact not refundable, right?

It doesn't matter where their call center is, it's a risk you take when you purchase non refundable tickets or reservations from any vendor. It wouldn't have mattered if you bought from Priceline, Expedia, United, or Ted's Travel, non refundable tickets are non refundable.

File a claim with the travel insurance company, if your reason for canceling is a covered reason under the policy they will be able to help, if it's not you found out the risk of buying non refundable tickets.

You understand when you buy non refundable tickets that they are in fact not refundable, right?



+1

. We are upset that yet another company has sold out and moved to another country, Mexico. Who can you trust anymore?

They have not "sold out" or "moved". They offered a product, and you bought it. There can't be many people who post on FT (even a first time post) who don't understand the concept of Priceline or the concept of non-refundable tickets.

Cancellation Insurance? Not something I have ever bought in my entire life, but you say you did so follow their instructions for making a claim. Whether they pay your or not will be based on a whole list of fine print conditions, again, none of which have to do with Priceline.

Agoda is owned by priceline. Very difficult to get in touch with anybody. i was lucky to find the phone number for the USA. Error in my booking. Agoda claimed they did not receive ANY of my emails. Only the purchase. Go figure.

Obviously, the Priceline slogan of 'satisfaction guranteed' means their own satisfaction and not their customers. Their homepage and their whole reservation process is deceiving. We just tried to get a refund on a cancellation of a flight and car rental because of illness. It wasn't easy to get in touch with anyone who could help but when we did, it was a customer service site in Mexico. Nice people working there, but the message was extremely upsetting.

NO refund, Priceline has already charged the credit card for the rental and reservation. United Airlines policy is to not give refunds. We bought trip insurance in the event that something would happen and found out that's a separate company and now we will have to try to reach them during the work week. We feel that we opened the door and threw out 5 $100 bills and it's not fair. We are upset that yet another company has sold out and moved to another country, Mexico. Who can you trust anymore?

What the heck are you complaining about? When you complete a Priceline purchase you tick a box showing you understand it's non-refundable. So now that you want a refund, you're upset and claiming you've been ripped off. Ridiculous. Refundable tickets are widely available elsewhere. You join a long line of customers who think the rules shouldn't apply to them if they have an extra special excuse. Spare me. Take this up with your travel insurance provider but spare Priceline, which has done everything they said they would and has not ripped you off.

Who can you trust anymore? Apparently you can't trust some customers to respect their end of a contract. :rolleyes:

Their homepage and their whole reservation process is deceiving.

What part was deceiving? The clear "non-refundable" part? Or the "click here to accept the terms and conditions" part?

If you thought "non-refundable" was Swahili for "these are fully refundable", why did you buy trip insurance? And you're complaining that you "have to try to reach them during the work week"?? Egads - the horror. Did you expect them to rad your minds and call you directly?

I always find it suspicious when someone opens up a FT account and their first post is used to rip a travel provider!! It ruins their credibility with me right away.

I doubt we will hear from clearwaters again. An early start to the trolling this year.

I go Priceline only when I am absolutely sure that I am going to use it. I heard stories about people booknig flights for one day stay and they got flight arriving a hour before midnight and departing shortly after.

Priceline does tell you that whatever you are buying is non refundable. It also required(s) you to accept an itinerary without a knowledge of carrier and the times. That's why I stayed away from Priceline. They tell you the way it is before you by.

The OP is upset and probably tired while dealing with an illness and trying to get their money back. OP should deal with the Insurance provider. Calling Priceline or United is useless.

I tell friends and co-workers to use Priceline only if they are prepared to "eat" the hotel night should the unexpected happen - simple as that.

clearwaters, welcome to FlyerTalk. Please follow as the thread moves to the Online Travel Booking and Bidding forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Welcome to FT!

Sounds like your beef may be with the insurance provider, and failing to provide you with the right product, assuming you communicated with the insurance provider prior to purchase.

Is this an insurance you purchased right off of Price Line?

I have saved beaucoup bucks booking hotels on PL. The only time I remember eating a reservation was when I mistakenly made it for the wrong day. Even if I do someday take a loss, I have saved SO much money using PL that I couldn't imagine booking any other way.

I have saved beaucoup bucks booking hotels on PL. The only time I remember eating a reservation was when I mistakenly made it for the wrong day. Even if I do someday take a loss, I have saved SO much money using PL that I couldn't imagine booking any other way.

Are savings really that significant? I tried the auction deal, and there's no way to select a view preference, or a suite preference.. I heard that you get a deal, but its pretty much parking or garden view in Hawaii..

For thirteen of fourteen Sundays in a row we stayed at one hotel in Jersey. The other week was another property in the area.

The going rate on the hotel's website was anywhere from $250 to $400 a night, based on what was going on in the area. Priceline was giving it to us for something like $70 to $110 per night, with all taxes and fees.

By the third week they started treating us like regulars, nice room upgrades, etc.

We lost one week because of a blizzard, but the savings from the other thirteen weeks (thousands of dollars) totally made up for it.

So yes, if you do your homework, know what to expect and what hotels you will probably get, and happen to be looking at a time they have space, you can save a ton of money.

For thirteen of fourteen Sundays in a row we stayed at one hotel in Jersey. The other week was another property in the area.

The going rate on the hotel's website was anywhere from $250 to $400 a night, based on what was going on in the area. Priceline was giving it to us for something like $70 to $110 per night, with all taxes and fees.

By the third week they started treating us like regulars, nice room upgrades, etc.

We lost one week because of a blizzard, but the savings from the other thirteen weeks (thousands of dollars) totally made up for it.

So yes, if you do your homework, know what to expect and what hotels you will probably get, and happen to be looking at a time they have space, you can save a ton of money.

I've got 7 weeks to NY/Europe/TO, on our upcoming summer trip.. including London Olympics.. 5 weeks in Europe..

Will be in NY for 6 nights.. Should I be hopping onto priceline for a 5 star in Manhattan? I booked 6 nights at the Plaza that's cancellable on a mistake on Fairmont's website.. but still averages out to just under 4 bills a night.. I guess soup de jour for Europe.. as I only want to spend $200 per night or something.. so maybe priceline will come in handy.. but that means, all non cancellable and a pretty big risk..

I don't book rates that are non-cancellable.. so this would be a new thing to me..

I don't book rates that are non-cancellable.. so this would be a new thing to me.. Then don't do Priceline. 90 percent of the complaints about Priceline on this board are from people who knew they were getting a non-refundable deal but still want a refund because they have a really special, good reason why the rules should be relaxed for them alone. If you're not comfortable with total non-refundability, stay away.

I never use Priceline for family or resort travel anyway because you cannot specify bed configuration or resort features. All you are guaranteed is that the room will sleep two people, possibly in the same bed, possibly in two twins or doubles.

Prlceline is for one or two people who don't mind sleeping in the same bed if that's what it comes to. So I use it for solo business travel or groups of friends out for ballgame weekends, etc. and it usually works great and delivers big savings. But it's not for family or "occasion" travel.

Welcome to FT!

Sounds like your beef may be with the insurance provider, and failing to provide you with the right product, assuming you communicated with the insurance provider prior to purchase.

Is this an insurance you purchased right off of Price Line?
Communicated with the insurance company prior to purchase? I'm astounded every time I read your posts. Sigh.

As others have said, PL is very clear about its non refundable policy. I typically only use PL or Hotwire for hotel and car rentals for one or two days and when I'm sure I'm going to travel. But on occasion things happen. Late last summer I had a one night hotel reservation and a one day car rental on Hotwire. An impending hurricane due to hit NYC (which in the end was basically a non event for the city) would have made getting back very difficult as flights were being cancelled.

I decided not to travel to prevent being stuck somewhere for several days on end (and any cost therein). I ate the cost of the hotel and car rental, I did not expect or ask for a refund.

Communicated with the insurance company prior to purchase? I'm astounded every time I read your posts. Sigh.

Quantity over ANY quality.

OP should get the fare rules of the airfare that they bought from Priceline.

Here are the cancellations rules of a typical airfare:

CANCELLATIONS

ANY TIME
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/
NO-SHOW.
WAIVED FOR ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR
FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
1. RESERVATION CANCELLED PRIOR TO THE ORIGINALLY
SCHEDULED FLIGHT RETAINS TICKET VALUE/LESS
APPLICABLE PENALTY FEE IN CHANGE PARAGRAPH/
UP TO ONE YEAR FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF TICKET
ISSUE. IF THE TICKETED FLT RESERVATION IS NOT
CANCELLED PRIOR TO TICKETED FLT DEPARTURE TIME/
REBOOKING IS NOT PERMITTED AND TKT HAS NO VALUE
2. FARES ON A TICKET FROM DIFFERENT RULES WITH THE
SAME OR DIFFERENT CANCELLATION PENALTIES
-APPLY THE HIGHEST FEE OF THE CANCELLED
ITINERARY THEN REFUND ANY REFUNDABLE FARES
AND THE NON-REFUNDABLE FARE AMOUNT LESS THE
PENALTY FEE WILL BE RETURNED AS A NONREFUNDABLE
VOUCHER FOR TRAVEL GOVERNED BY DL ONLY.
3. ILLNESS/DEATH WAIVER MUST BE SUBSTANTIATED BY
A VALID MEDICAL/DEATH CERTIFICATE
4. PENALTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANTS UNDER 2 NOT
OCCUPYING A SEAT
PER TICKET CHARGE FOR LOST TICKET APPLICATION IS
USD 100.00/CAD 146.00

OP's header is deceptive. Whatever happened here, it has zero to do with PL. Personally, I don't use PL and other third-party booking sites for a whole host of reasons, inflexibility being one. But, if I did, I wouldn't complain about their terms and conditions because I am adult, can read and write English and take the time and trouble to do that before I grab what appears to be a bargain and turns out not to be.

OP bought an el cheapo non-cancellable room on PL. OP also bought insurance which OP maintains will cover his out-of-pocket on air/room. OP wasted his time arguing with PL, knowing that there were no refunds (which, presumably is why OP bought insurance).

Now, OP needs to contact the insurance company which apparently is during regular business hours only. That's not uncommon.

If OP's policy covers illness and OP gets the refund, no reason for the thread. If the policy doesn't cover illness, OP doesn't get the refund, no reason for the thread. If the policy does cover illness and OP doesn't get the refund, then and only then does he have a beef and its with the insurer, not PL (even if it's a PL captive subsidiary).

News Flash: Buying non-refundable travel can save a lot of money, but it's non-refundable. It's a great thing when it works and a big waste when it doesn't. Only the traveller can make the determination about his own situation.

Everyone is piling on. Sounds like the OP purchased insurance from PL. Pl presumably made a few dollars from the sale. Not unreasonable for a customer to want to contact the vendor he purchased the insurance in order to obtain a refund.

It's also not unreasonable for an insurance company to keep normal business hours.

Priceline by the way did not move to Mexico, they actually have just announced they are adding over 500 positions to their Wyoming call center over the next five years, on top of the hundreds already there.

Communicated with the insurance company prior to purchase? I'm astounded every time I read your posts. Sigh.

Depending on which country you live in I guess?

I'm the type that takes the risk out of everything I book.. so contacting say American Express to double check whether a flight is covered under trip insurance would be normal practice for me. Contacting AMA/AAA and actually purchasing insurance prior to a trip, and double checking policy coverages is normal course (my hope is that FTers would get proper health insurance coverage prior to departure)..

I guess you could purchase insurance without double checking coverages on policy.. but not recommended. When I took out my home insurance, the replacement value on my home was more than replacement coverage on the insurance.. so if my house burned down, there wouldn't be enough coverage to rebuild the home.. and yes I reviewed extensively with my insurance broker, and other parties to ensure that I have the proper coverage..

In addition, I'm landlord to 7 commercial buildings, an apartment, and 15 single family homes.. Its prudent to double check insurance coverage for rent replacement income, fire, earthquake, acts of God, etc.

Have you ever watched any of the Peanuts cartoon specials? The adults when they talk sound like, "Wah, Wah Wah wahhhh". This is what is running through my head when I read your posts.

The OP is complaining about the nonrefundability of tickets/rooms on their site. Not shopping for homeowners insurance. The trip insurance seems to have been purchased through Priceline as well. Every offer I've ever seen, includes terms and conditions that you can view before purchasing. Most offers are not a good deal, in my opinion.

Depending on which country you live in I guess?

I'm the type that takes the risk out of everything I book.. so contacting say American Express to double check whether a flight is covered under trip insurance would be normal practice for me. Contacting AMA/AAA and actually purchasing insurance prior to a trip, and double checking policy coverages is normal course (my hope is that FTers would get proper health insurance coverage prior to departure)..

I guess you could purchase insurance without double checking coverages on policy.. but not recommended. When I took out my home insurance, the replacement value on my home was more than replacement coverage on the insurance.. so if my house burned down, there wouldn't be enough coverage to rebuild the home.. and yes I reviewed extensively with my insurance broker, and other parties to ensure that I have the proper coverage..

In addition, I'm landlord to 7 commercial buildings, an apartment, and 15 single family homes.. Its prudent to double check insurance coverage for rent replacement income, fire, earthquake, acts of God, etc.

I'm the type that takes the risk out of everything I book

I guess I'd have to say I'm the type that always leaves the risk in if I can afford the hit (appliances, Priceline, etc.). Max deductions where a major hit is too big (body, auto, house).

I figure those insurance companies are indeed making money, so why shouldn't I keep that profit to myself? Good maintenance for appliances and being reasonably sure on non-refundable purchases improves my odds. Reasonably healthy behavior, careful driving, and stuff like smoke detectors usually keeps me from having to eat very far into the deductible.

We are indeed at opposite ends of that spectrum.

Yes, I do take an occasional hit. But I think I save money in the long run, and also don't have to do all that checking up front and fighting with the insurance companies after the fact. Just mutter some bad words, pick myself up, write a check, and go on.

I think people have to decide just where they want to be on the wide spectrum of behavior possible, and act accordingly.

Romelle

Indeed. Insurance is a bet against yourself, with the house (the insurance company) holding an advantage that casinos only dream about. If you can afford to carry the risk (and for a couple of hotel days, if you can't you probably can't really afford to go in the first place) you should.

I'm the type that takes the risk out of everything I book.. so contacting say American Express to double check whether a flight is covered under trip insurance would be normal practice for me.... I'm landlord to 7 commercial buildings, an apartment, and 15 single family homes.. Its prudent to double check insurance coverage for rent replacement income, fire, earthquake, acts of God, etc.

There is a world of difference between insuring millions of dollars worth of property... and a plane ticket. There is no way, practically speaking, to "take the risk out of everything you book," because most of the everyday disruptive things that happen to a traveler can't be insured against. And yet if I bought every "trip protection" offer put under my nose, I'd be bankrupt. The cost would far exceed the price of dropping a non-refundable reservation once or twice out of 100 bookings.

100 trip-protection surcharges: 100 X $20: $2,000. Cost of throwing away 2 out of 100 non-refundable tickets due to circumstance: $700. Do the math. I think spending the time and money associated with insuring small-bore things like plane tickets is stupid.

I also have no faith that these finely worded insurance riders would actually pay off if I filed a claim. Somewhere in there is language saying I had to be wearing a lumberjack shirt on the trip, or something. Too much effort. If they are such great deals for you, the traveler, why is the airline, agency, Amex, etc. so eager to sell them to you?

It's absurd to try to make a zero-risk travel experience for yourself. It's smart to roll with the punches, minimize your losses, and always know what your Plan B is.

Indeed. Insurance is a bet against yourself, with the house (the insurance company) holding an advantage that casinos only dream about. If you can afford to carry the risk (and for a couple of hotel days, if you can't you probably can't really afford to go in the first place) you should.

Exactly.

There is a world of difference between insuring millions of dollars worth of property... and a plane ticket. There is no way, practically speaking, to "take the risk out of everything you book," because most of the everyday disruptive things that happen to a traveler can't be insured against. And yet if I bought every "trip protection" offer put under my nose, I'd be bankrupt. The cost would far exceed the price of dropping a non-refundable reservation once or twice out of 100 bookings.

100 trip-protection surcharges: 100 X $20: $2,000. Cost of throwing away 2 out of 100 non-refundable tickets due to circumstance: $700. Do the math. I think spending the time and money associated with insuring small-bore things like plane tickets is stupid.

I also have no faith that these finely worded insurance riders would actually pay off if I filed a claim. Somewhere in there is language saying I had to be wearing a lumberjack shirt on the trip, or something. Too much effort. If they are such great deals for you, the traveler, why is the airline, agency, Amex, etc. so eager to sell them to you?

It's absurd to try to make a zero-risk travel experience for yourself. It's smart to roll with the punches, minimize your losses, and always know what your Plan B is.



Exactly.

Personally, I never outright by trip insurance for the very reasons you've listed..

Plus, my experience, trip insurance has riders on the T&C that pretty much takes the risk of arbitrariness, and pretty much takes the risk off of the insurance for a cancelled trip by choice if purchased through a booking website.

My brother in law had to eat his week in the caribbean even though he had trip cancellation insurance and a doctors' note..

I actually don't believe in life insurance.. but thats another complex topic..

But back to the plane ticket.. get something that's cancellable by fee.. that's the insurance premium paid in case something goes wrong.. and with hotel rooms, I usually call the hotel, and if they want my business they'll book the pre-paid non-cancellable rate seen online in a cancellable reservation.. I've done this many times..

Blah, blah, blah, brother in law, blah, blah, blah.

Time to remove this thread from my watched list.

...and with hotel rooms, I usually call the hotel, and if they want my business they'll book the pre-paid non-cancellable rate seen online in a cancellable reservation.. I've done this many times..

That's a great idea -- thanks for sharing! :)

Blah, blah, blah, brother in law, blah, blah, blah.

Time to remove this thread from my watched list.

ok :confused: :rolleyes:

Maybe flyertalk should compile all first post rants in one place and we could vote on categories at the end of the year
1 best rant
2 longest rant
3 weakest rant

etc etc
:D

I actually don't believe in life insurance.. but thats another complex topic..

Some of us regard the tactic as a fringe benefit of immortality.

Some of us regard the tactic as a fringe benefit of immortality.

For me, its an outright liability to misinvestment.. that is of course, there is another guaranteed rate of return available that is higher than what whole life policies offer.. risk can be mitigated using term life.. but again, I'm not suggesting that one solution fits all.. everyone needs to weigh checks and balances and decide what's best for them..

We regularly contribute to charities, and there is a myriad choice of tax advantages offered by the government available when a citizens' generosity is thrown into the equation..

Maybe flyertalk should compile all first post rants in one place and we could vote on categories at the end of the year
1 best rant
2 longest rant
3 weakest rant

etc etc
:D
+1

When I found that I could get better rates using other websites such as Orbitz and get my miles I stopped using PL.

When I look for airfares I first go directly to the company"s website then I compare it to Expedia etc. if there is a slight difference in price I book directly with the airline online.

Pl in the old days would be fine as Is Hotwire but now there are many options around.

Sorry to say that by checking the box you agreed to the terms and conditions of PL.

When I found that I could get better rates using other websites such as Orbitz and get my miles I stopped using PL.

When I look for airfares I first go directly to the company"s website then I compare it to Expedia etc. if there is a slight difference in price I book directly with the airline online.

Pl in the old days would be fine as Is Hotwire but now there are many options around.

Sorry to say that by checking the box you agreed to the terms and conditions of PL.

Often on www.tripadvisor.com, Priceline appears as one of the websites giving out quotes.. honestly, I don't see any price differences.. but hear the auction is the winner.. but you can't choose the type of view or room neither.. plus why would I want to prepay a vehicle rental? Tried a few bids, and did not get accepted.. I got cheaper rentals elsewhere and didn't have to prepay..

But my friend says he scored nice accomodations in Kauai.. so it does work for some people I guess.

Priceline IS NOT a ripoff. Please stop bad-mouthing a good company because of your own ignorance of the terms of service and/or special circumstances.

Ah, don't worry. The one-post OP wandered away and never came back. I doubt we'll ever see him again.

That's a great idea -- thanks for sharing! :)

I ended up actually caving into a non-cancellable reservation today at a hotel I regularly stay at over the years.

I was booked into Four Seasons Manele Bay, but with the additional flight cost and hassle as a family with young kids, I decided to bite the bullet and do a non cancellable reservation at the Fairmont Kea Lani. I negotiated 2 nights non-refundable vs the 6 nights they were requiring.. But it was a deal layered with my Virtuoso TA booking free breakfast, a second amenity, triple upgrade, use of two free night FPC platinum certs (one from my wife's profile and one from mine), the 4 nights was an insanely low rate, and I ended up with an $800 per night one bedroom suite. Besides my Virtuoso TA, I had my personal concierge from FPC Platinum working with the Sales Manager and inhouse reservation agent to do the deal.

I tried not caving in, but it was a deal I needed to book.

I tell friends and co-workers to use Priceline only if they are prepared to "eat" the hotel night should the unexpected happen - simple as that.

I also tell people this ALL THE TIME, and I agree that Priceline makes it very obvious when you reserve.

Sometimes circumstances come up that require you to change plans, and there is little recourse, but it still sucks big time if you find yourself in the situation. Fortunately it hasn't happened to me yet.

I have been using NYOP less of late, but when I used it regularly I happily ate a room 1-2 times a year. The savings of NYOP usually make every third or fourth night free.

OP. You drop an assult and then disappear.
I'm sure you managed to contact the trip insurance provider by now. Care to fill us in with the results?
clearwaters -- Jan 8, 12, 4:49 pm -- Join Date: Jan 2012 -- Posts: 1

The OP probably went for NYOP assuming that he could somehow back it off with the insurance of cancellation.

Agreed. The dramatic discount you can get with priceline is offset by the risk that your plans will change.

As always, buyer beware.

I'll add my two cents to the Priceline story. I did read the web page and their cancellation policy and considered thoughtfully before I bought auto insurance on a rental car. The webpage says clearly that you can cancel any time until the time you pick up the car. Thus I arrive in Atlanta, grabbed my baggage and made it to the rental car counter. Between the time I reserved the insurance and the time I flew, I confirmed that I had insurance coverage for a rental car on my credit card. Thus, when I arrived at the counter at a few minutes before 7 am I asked to cancel the insurance. I was told by the attendant that I had to contact PriceLine. With a cell phone dead I asked to use her phone. By the time I dialed and made it through their maze of 'push one for...', it was 7:02 by the time I spoke to their representative who told me I was too late as my pick up time was 7 am and it was now 7:02 am. Very misleading. I protested it with my CC company who reported that Priceline defended their stance--Priceline prevailed. I guess my defense, which included the verbage from their website detailing the cancellation policy good until the time of pick up, was inferior.

They have lost a frequent customer-- I'll spend my dollars elsewhere!