I believe traveldealgal purchased through Priceline's retail channel, not the opaque product. Their retail channel works just like Expedia, Travelocity, etc, where refundability, prepayment, etc, is dependant upon the specific rate being offered. I just looked at the Priceline retail channel for a Marriott property where both non-refundable as well as refundable (with 24 hour cancel notice) rates were offered and both rates required prepayment.