Should Priceline have a loyalty program with tiers, etc?
 

Here's my thing - I've abandoned hotel programs out of sheer laziness and frugality. I must use Priceline 15 times a year for hotels. So I guess the question begs to be asked - why doesn't Priceline have a loyalty program? If I got "Priceline Points" towards a stay, I'd be mega happy.

Possible explanation: Lack of a competitor using the exact same opaque methodology?

(Hotwire uses a different opaque formula and is generally more expensive).

Savings of 50-75% off rack rate are pretty impressive in terms of building my loyalty. If they instituted such a program it would have to be paid for by raising the service fees.

Well, they could also send you a box of chocolates every time you used them. Sadly, there is no competitive pressure for them to do so, and I prefer lower prices to freebies; TANSTAAFL.

True...but for certain hotel zones and travel situations, Priceline is pretty dang close as it is today! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

I think the priceline reflects the epitome of whatever the opposite of loyalty is. As such, any loyalty program would be entirely self defeating.

Perfectly stated.

While Priceline may reflect the epitome of disloyalty toward a particular hotel or hotel chain, that doesn't mean that Priceline users are disloyal to Priceline itself. I, like DisgruntledGoat, use Priceline for most of my leisure hotel bookings (probably 90+ percent of the time in my case). Am I loyal to a particular hotel or hotel chain? Absolutely not. Am I loyal to Priceline? Very.

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited Jan 26, 2004).]

And they repay that loyalty by giving you a mechanism to save a bundle on your hotel stays. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

that's my loyalty program right there.

[This message has been edited by civicmon (edited Jan 26, 2004).]