Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Will Dr Note get Priceline Refund?

I am SUPPOSED to be going to S.F. this morning...taking my Mom for a birthday trip. She is 72 and very healthy....except this week http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

She is not able to travel today....we have to skip our trip http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

I have 3 nights paid at a S.F. hotel.

Does anyone have experience -- Will PL consider a refund based on a note from her Dr?

Thanks for any help!

Hi again ... buy looks like I'm stalking you this morning.

I had thought a dr's note might get you out of the Priceline deal too, but then looked at their terms on their website. It says you can only get a refund for illness, death, dr's note if you purchase their travel insurance at $5 per day.

Perhaps others have had success w/o buying the insurance, but this is what it says, I'm afraid.

I have had a similar experience with Priceline. You must call them immediately (the number will be on the printout of the reservation) and explain the circumstances. In my case, they agreed to refund all but $25/day after providing them with the doctor's contact information. This is completely at their discretion as they are under no obligation to refund anything, so the best approach would be a gentle one.

They will definately not give you any refund if you wait until past the date of check-in to make your claim. You must speak to them today.

[This message has been edited by ac/elite (edited 09-06-2003).]

Thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif That is encouraging. I'll call right now + see if I get anywhere.

I am very, very, very happy to report that PL came thru.

After explaining my Mom is 72 and immbolized and on pain killers, they agreed (after confirming with her Dr) that they will refund the hotel reservation minus the $25/night.

On top of that, I had 3 FTers who were considering taking over my reservation. That is equally encouraging.

I honestly thought there was NO HOPE with PL...so I am grateful it worked out.

It's great to read that they do bend a bit. By the way, I,m envious of anyone living in Laguna Niguel area.

Why does Priceline bother selling insurance if they cave in anyway?

With most air fares, you would be nuts to purchase a refundable ticket when it's not necessary.

But when cancellation insurance is available for only $5 a day, I say if you didn't buy it, that's tough.

I wonder if Priceline took the hit, or did the hotel?

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"Where's my money?" -- Pizza the Hutt

I think PL doesn't pay the hotel until you have checked in and stayed... So PL refunds your money back to you... I wouldn't say they took a 'hit' necessarily. They collected $75 and aren't paying the Hyatt.

(edited to add) I guess I've never really given much consideration to buying travel insurance for such a small trip (3 days within my own state)... Maybe it'd be worth it...not sure... I always buy it for cruises tho!

[This message has been edited by ALadyNCal (edited 09-08-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ALadyNCal:

I think PL doesn't pay the hotel until you have checked in and stayed... So PL refunds your money back to you... I wouldn't say they took a 'hit' necessarily. They collected $75 and aren't paying the Hyatt.

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$25 a day is a lot more than what Priceline makes on a normal transaction, so I doubt the hotel got stiffed completely.

Otherwise, Priceline could make some money by making it obvious on their website that you can cancel for any old reason for only $25 a day.

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"There's no sadder sight in this world than that of a football player trying to think." -- Daria