Burnt by priceline
 

we planned a vacation to Florida. I bought one night of hotel in Miami beach in priceline. Rest 5 days i booked through other hotel's site. I was just playing with priceline and suddenly i got a price for total $90.00. iam still kicking myself for going to priceline.

When i called the hotel, they said that my reservation is only for 2 people and i have to play $25 for each extra person, which puts the price at $140.
Iam getting a room for 4 members in another good hotel for $60.

Is there anything i can do to save the extra $50 or cancel that reservation. What is the best way to approach this situation.

Gurus here, please reply with your valuable advice.

I'm just curious how you can 'play around' and accidently bid on Priceline? It TELLS you several times, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BID, even asks you to initial that you realize this is an actual bid. How is that 'burning' you?

I agree with Green Dragon...it is pretty hard to get "burned" by PL...unfortunately, you got exactly what you asked for.

PL only guarantees a room for 2 people. And that is what you got. PL is very unlikely to help you out in this situation...their entire service is based on the fact that you can not get a refund if you do not like the accomodations you recieve. They will definitely not be receptive to a complaint of this nature. Perhaps you could try with the hotel again, especially if you (or anyone in your party) has status with them. Haven't been here long but I've learned the problem is often solved by speaking with another agent.

I think your best bet is just to sneak the other two people in and try to ask the hotel for two twins instead of a king. Or pay the extra $$, or "play around" some more and get a second room.

Forget about paying for the other 2 people. They are "guests" that are visiting up in your hotel room, not staying. :wink wink:

You mean you got a great deal and now you're trying to burn PL and the hotel. :td:

I too agree with Green Dragon...it is pretty hard to get "burned" by PL.
I always feel a bit uneasy doing the PL thing but have saved $$$ on several occasions, usually car rentals. There are several web sites that help with bidding stratagies and other hints that would take a novice longer to sort through. GOOGLE search to find them.

Like my dad always said " the lessons you pay money for, are the ones you learn best"
Better luck next time !

Read the fine print on any internet booking that does not allow cancellations. Sorry. Sometime the school of hard knocks teaches the best lessons.

Yup. Once you've gotten a quote from PL, there is no turning back in terms of purchase commitment.

I agree with jcooke....just check in two people and the other two are only "visiting guests". I just got back from Chicago and used Priceline. I made the mistake of not calling the hotel (Palmer House Hilton) directly and got a room with one bed for myself and my best friend. We're close, but not that close. It wasn't a king, nor a queen...it was a full size bed!! Barely enough room for one person, let alone two grown adult males! The hotel did make good the next day and found us a HUGE room not only with two beds, but two bathrooms as well! So when Priceline informs you the room is for two people, that's what they mean. It's up to you to make sure you call the hotel directly and request two beds. Good luck!

I also don't understand how you can play around with PL and accidentally get a room. It asks to make sure before you submit your bid.

Also PL tells you that it guarantees a room for only two people only.

No cancellations or refunds with PL unless it is their fault. Enjoy Florida!

I honestly think nwaflier is using the term "playing" loosely. Maybe the bid was submitted, but not believing that Priceline would actually accept it. Thus, "playing" around. Correct me if I'm wrong. Although that doesn't really make sense either if you got a room at another hotel for $60 for four persons?? Oh well, I tried!

Which hotel is better - the PL one for an additional $50 or the one already booked for $60? Your $90 is a sunk cost. PL is very clear on T&C's, very clear that "CLICKING THIS BUTTON COMMITS YOU TO A PURCHASE", and not flexible (not should they be) on "I changed my mind".

You don't "accidentaly" buy a room. You were not burned, you were....

I'm sure this has happened to other newer Priceline users, you know, punching in a bid anyways, with the assertion that the amount would not be accepted, but alas! As re-asserted here many times, you agree with the contract by deciding to submit your bid so you just have to live with the result.

Also as suggested, just check-in with two people and then take the rest of the party with you after. It should be fine.

Credit Card Chargeback ?

And, PL might blacklist you from further usage.