Hi,

Does anyone know what happens if your travel plans are changed after you already pay for a hotel through priceline? Do you lose the money?

chrisj, go to the priceline web site and check out the terms. My guess would be, unless for a death in the family, or some other national emergency, you might be out of luck.

As I understand, Priceline will not refund money under any circumstance, but, I've read that some people were able to work out a deal directly with the hotel. As long as the hotel is offering the same deal for Priceline on your new date, I don't see why they would not do it for you. When you call the hotel, try to have a good story, don't demand, ask nicely, and I'm willing to bet you will be succesful.
Good Luck!

My advice above will only work if you are still planning on staying at the hotel, but I doubt very much you can get a refund.

Out of curiousity, I'd like to know the answer to this question so if you contact the hotel, please post and let us know their response. Thanks.

Priceline has a fairly firm "no changes/no refunds" policy with rare exceptions. One is if you make a "goof" - like you realize right after making your reservation that you typed the wrong dates. In this case they'll sometimes let you bid again for the "correct" dates without issuing a refund.

Priceline has also made exceptions to their policies for events like 9/11, the Iraq war, and even SARS. I think these are noted on their website.

But if you simply change your plans, regardless of the reason, Priceline isn't going to give you your money back. The hotel certainly is not obligated to help you move the dates but if they do, that's very good of them. But they cannot give you a refund.

Change of plans is one reason I don't like to make Priceline reservations many months in advance. I've made most of mine a week in advance or less. You can still get great deals. My philosophy is: make a backup reservation you can cancel and then try for Priceline a week or two before your trip.

Andrew

chrisj,I also have Hotel Reservations in Chicago thru Priceline. I've been wanting to cancel or change my dates due to the 'SARS' Virus and 'Iraq' War...I know the chances of SARS or a terrorist attack happening in Chicago is probably very slim but I would feel better bumping my trip up a little.
If Priceline doesn't move the cancellation date later than April 20th for cancelling hotel reservations than I'll still go..

The only time I've heard of that priceline refunded money was to a family that the husband was being deployed to the Middle East. I doubt you can cancel because you are afraid to travel.