Priceline customers beware!
 

This was posted on citibay.com as of September 14th about the problems with Priceline.com<BR>As of Sept. 14, Priceline is no longer a Better Business Bureau member in good standing because of lingering customer complaints and hasn't resolved the underlying causes of customer complaints.. Travelers bid on a ticket and Priceline sees if one of its airline partners can provide it. The conditions are strict: The traveler can't pick the airline, time, or even the specific airport, and sales are final. And once your bid is accepted, you are stuck with the ticket. "You can never change a ticket." William Shatner (Priceline's ad campaign spokeman) -- who, by the way, told CBS he had never used the service to buy a ticket.). For air tickets, the company serves airlines, not travelers, first: Through Priceline, airlines get to dump unwanted seats on unsuspecting users, who end up with odd routings, long layovers, and surly customer service from airline employees, who know they bought cheap tickets and hardly rush to rebook them when flights are delayed.

Ho-hum, sounds like the typical complaints of a customer who didn't bother to read or understand the terms of purchase.

The scandalous conditions that are spelled out in the first post on this thread are also spelled out clearly in Priceline's web site. If a certain level of service is required in order to join the BBB, then perhaps PL doesn't qualify. But they're honest about their conditions (e.g., odd routings, long layovers), and that's how they keep prices down. I have no problem at all with that. You get what you pay for, and Shatner can probably afford to pay for first-class reserved seats wherever he goes!

I have to agree that if "missjanna" did any research at all she'd know that these same old tired complaints about Priceline have been articulated over and over and over. If you read Priceline's policies, you know what to expect and won't be surprised. I use them almost everywhere these days and have yet to have a problem. I've cancelled two trips and "eaten" the charges but that's okay because my prices were so low!<BR><BR>Also, travelers CAN pick the specific airport. Priceline gives the option of choosing neighboring airports to get a better chance of winning a bid, but you can hold firm to "LAX to JFK", for example.

If you do some through investigation into the Better Business Bureau's structure you'll quickly understand why it may not matter to Priceline whether they are a member or not. I can understand that the Better Business Bureau charges businesses to belong but as a consumer I was distrubed to find that (in my area at least) in order to get detailed information about reports on a business I would have to call a 1-900 number and pay a hefty price per minute to get the information I sought. Hardly a civic minded service in my opinion.

Two cliche's.. buyer beware...you get what you pay for.

I thought priceline.com and hotwire.com were both kind of similar....?? I used hotwire.com to fly between LAX and JFK and was on a PERFECT American Airlines non-stop! Certainly no complaints there. Maybe priceline.com is better with getting good deals with hotels and rental cars than with airlines.(??)

Should have added that the American flight was non-stop both ways.

Concerning the OP; this is hardly new information. Those of us that use priceline do understand the terms.

The same could be said about many venues where one purchases goods or services off-price. Of course, buyer beware and you get what you pay for - but there are bargains to be had for those who are informed, suspicious and willing to spend the time to do the legwork.<BR><BR>For example, some good deals at flea markets, antique shops, discount stores - but also a lot of junk. Some of us also enjoy the bargain hunt. Even on things for which I could easily afford to pay full price, I get a thrill out of getting it for less.<BR><BR>The key here is "unsuspecting users". No one has an excuse for being an uninformed user of Priceline - the rules are right out there. Sometimes I choose to play by their rules, and sometimes I book using another method.

The original post was moderately interesting until I got to the part about Wlliam Shatner.<BR><BR>I am shocked -- shocked, I tell you -- that Shatner doesn't actually use Priceline. What's next? Martha Stewart doesn't shop at Kmart? <BR><BR>It's enough to shake your faith in humanity.

I was going to try Priceline. But BEFORE placing a bid, I read their terms and conditions and decided that Priceline wasn't for me.<BR><BR>You have to figure that one a company's niche is based solely on price...there have to be conditions attached.<BR><BR>As much as some people knock Southwest they will allow you to credit the cost of unused tickets for future travel. To me that is worth something.<BR><BR>You get what you pay for.

missjanna, wake up. The BBB is the biggest scam in this country! Basically, any business who pays the annual fee is listed as a BBB member. I used to think a BBB symbol meant something, but it's a money-making business just like any other. And priceline makes no secret about their policies -- the complaints probably come from people who bid and think "yeah, but I bet *I* won't get a long layover, I'm only flying from A to B --" then they get a layover and are pissed that they can't change the ticket. Caveat Emptor.

The above poster is absolutely correct. The BBB is simply a paid for listing. I used to trust them too until we started getting their sales pitches at our company. They use telemarketers that basically try to get your attention by saying that they have negative information on your company. Once you start questioning them, they then reveal that they are just trying to get to buy a membership. At least this is the case with the SoCal branch. I actually called the BBB once to complain about their own sales tactics, quite ironic huh?

LOL, Patty! Were they a member?

I've used pricelone 6 times this year and have NO complaints for hotels. Now think, if you pay $80.00 for air travel across the US don't you think you'll end up with the worst routes? Common sense here. They still get you where you need to go for less in case of an emergency.

I would have to agree with the earlier poster that based on my own experience, priceline.com is probably the best with hotels (haven't tried rental cars)not airlines. I bid successfully to fly from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (a 40 minute flight or a 3 1/2 drive from my home in Corona)....I won alright...a flight on America West that changed planes and had a layover in Phoenix!! It ended up being about a 3 hour ordeal. I was pretty disgusted considering there are a zillion non-stops each day from LAX to Las Vegas on many major airlines. At least I DID KNOW that this was a possibility when I bid though so I had no one to be angry with but myself. It seems that hotwire.com is the better site for getting non-stop flights based on my own experience as well as other family members. I still will use priceline.com for hotels though. I just don't always feel comfortable giving my credit card before I even bid....oh well, it's their candy shop and they'll make the rules!

I, too, had been hesitant to use Priceline/Hotwire. Then all the positive comments here and on Bidding For Travel got to me. Did my homework, read all the FAQ's, and made my first move last spring. Haven't looked back since. <BR><BR>Since then my biggest bargain was a $312 round trip (Hotwire) from Newark to Anchorage last August. Most recently I stayed at the Toronto Renaissance last weekend for $40US/night. My last pre-Priceline hotel in Toronto was a Comfort Inn for three times that. You do the math.<BR><BR>The simple fact of the matter is that if you have definite airline or hotel preferences you shouldn't use these services. It's as simple as that. If you're willing to be flexible and take responsibility for your choices when you hit that "Buy" button, you cannot beat these services.

I thought I knew what I was doing. I looked at all the 3*s I could get (I thought), and all seemed ok. Only thing is, not every hotel you might get is on the list! I got a 3* that wasn't and got exactly what I paid for, alright. Now you know this going in, but you just don't expect it's going to happen!! That was my one and only venture and never again!<BR><BR>Also, I understand that hotels give THEMSELVES the # of stars they want and no one checks it out. There are no controls, other than what the hotel puts on itself!!

Martha DOESNT shop at Kmart??!!

Yeah, I know all about the disclaimers via Priceline. But at least you know where all their money is (advertising) since you don't see many hotwire ads, do you? I simply made my post for those that may be new to the online reservations game. I, personally prefer to know what the hell I'm getting before I put my credit card up for sale and not after.

xx, you got a 3* that wasn't on "the list"? Is this "the list" at BiddingForTravel.com? If so, you didn't read the information that's clearly stated on The List. It says that it's only a list of hotels that have been received and reported by Bidding For Travel members. <BR><BR>There will always be people who don't read the information that is right in front of them and who are shocked and disappointed with an unexpected outcome. What it comes down to is: YOU chose the area you wanted to stay in, YOU chose the star level hotel that you wanted, and YOU offered Priceline what you considered a fair amount of money. <BR><BR>I myself wish I had a dollar for every dollar that Priceline has saved me over the past few years. Oh - I do! :)

Priceline treats me better than Delta Airlines ever has, that's for sure!

Ren hotel for 75.00, regular rate is 200.00. Hyatt for 40.00, reg rate is 189.00. Candlewood for 35, reg rate 120.00.<BR>Air for 216, reg rate 1,000. <BR><BR>Hotwire is almost as good, but I usually can beat it w/ Priceline. Just got a Toronto hotel for 35.00 on Hotwire, reg is 100.00.

At least Delta, even hotwire.com....has a real person that you can contact. That is the most frustrating part of priceline.com I'll resume using them when that part changes.

Good job Lori. YOU are guilty of just what you accused ME of! Go back and read my note. It "clearly stated" (sic)in reference to getting hotels that aren't on the list, "Now you know this going in, but you just don't expect it's going to happen!!"<BR><BR>Thanks for your valid input. Now, why are you so defensive about Priceline??

Regarding xx's description of how Priceline's star system works (10/16, 02:26 PM): Priceline's web site includes a very detailed and specific listing of the features that go with each star level. I suppose that they have to rely on each hotel to self-assess under these criteria, or to report which features they offer, but that's not quite the same as allowing a hotel to just say ,"Hmm, I guess I'd like to be a four-star hotel today!"<BR><BR>The PL web site says, "Like other well known rating systems, priceline evaluates each participating hotel based on criteria including available amenities and services."<BR><BR>http://www.priceline.com/promo/hotel...317a6140564796

Jen, ask them if they ever go to a hotel to evalutate, to determine whether updated, clean, anything. They can evaluate amenities and services as reported by the hotel, but they do not set foot in them. Ever. To say they evaluate like other "well known rating services" is an out and out lie at worst, or an intentional misrepresentation at best. The other two "well known rating services" are in the 3* and up hotels every single year rating them, and giving and taking stars or diamonds depending on that evaluation!

PL didn't say that they evaluate hotels the same way as other services. They said that, like the others, they use evaluation criteria that include available amenities and services. Given PL's low-budget, low-service approach, I'm sure nobody dreams that they're actually visiting the hotels in order to rate them. <BR><BR>So their ratings are based on more-objective criteria, rather than on-the-spot things like cleanliness. They never said cleanliness was one of their criteria, did they? This thread is starting to sound like an exercise in reading comprehension! <BR><BR>Frankly, I've always suspected that the ratings that are based on visits are very vulnerable to misrepresentation via bribery of the evaluators.

But they don't evaluate them like the other systems do, do they? They leave it to the hotel, and the others don't.<BR><BR>Here is their criteria for 3* and 4*:<BR><BR>3*<BR>The most recognized name brands and quality independent hotels in the industry, these hotels feature high quality hotel rooms and well-decorated public spaces. Along with all of the amenities of a moderate-plus hotel, 3 star hotels offer a higher level of guest service. In addition, most hotels will offer a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offer room service. A fitness center may also be offered. <BR><BR>4*<BR>These are the world's deluxe hotels, offering premium level service and amenities for the most discerning traveler. These hotels typically offer appointments, bathrobes, mini-bars, and comprehensive business services. Deluxe-level hotels offer top-level amenities and room furnishings. Many cities do not have 4 Star hotels.<BR><BR>There is nothing objective about this! The hotel tells them if they have "high quality hotel rooms and well decorated public spaces". "higher level" of guest service? Who determines that. Oh, the hotel? Now that's objective! Most (note the modifier) hotels will "offer breakfast etc". Not all, however! That is not how the other systems work. "Fitness center may be offered"--and may not be! Terrific. Do the same with 4*, point by point.<BR><BR>Now who do you believe, a hotel that rates itself or one that is rated by raters who visit it and have no stake in the rating. If you are such a skeptic that you believe hotels are bribing inspectors, how can you blithely believe they are going to turn around and be honest rating themselves? That doesn't compute.<BR><BR>

Jen, I agree with the above and here's a perfect example, right off BFT own web site! Maybe the "fitness center" tipped the scale and put this Holiday Inn with through the wall airconditioning into a 3 star? <BR><BR>"Re: Priceline rating system<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR> I've just returned from a one night stay at a Holiday Inn which is currently rated as a 3*. I'm totally baffled as to why one Holiday Inn is a 2* and another is a 3*. The one I was at has a pool and gym room, but no elevator (it's a 2 story structure). The ventilation units are the originals, I imagine, and are very noisy. This property simply isn't in the class of most Marriotts, for instance. <BR><BR>I really wish that they'd say exactly what their standards for each star level are so we would have realistic expectations prior to arrival. "

So how does Priceline stay in business? They have a $5 fee or something but that doesn't cut it.<BR><BR>Someone said they keep any $$ between what the hotel will accept and what we bid, but then my friend who works at a hotel says no, and swears by that. Hotel gets the full amount bid~or that's what they think! <BR><BR>Is someone lying? How do they get money otherwise? I heard Wall Street Journal did an expose showing bidding for travel and priceline were related somehow resulting in some sort of upheaval between the two. Anyone here know for sure? Sure sounds like this is fertile ground for big time cheating!!

Priceline adds on a $5.95 service charge. Not sure if it is per purchase or per night.

After the WSJ expose, biddingfortravel severed their formal relationship with PL.

Formal relationship. Now there's a loaded response. What remains now just an informal relationship? There are links there where it takes you to bid!<BR><BR>$6/night won't float that enterprise. Money is coming in somehow. I too heard Priceline takes anything between what the customer bids and the hotel's lowest acceptable and think I've read it too. If that isn't the hotel agreement and they don't know this, something illegal is going on. Talk about risky business.<BR><BR>Jen you seem to have the scoop. Is it true they take excess cash? If so, why wouldn't hotels be able to tell they were being gypped, unless sometimes they got the lowest rate and then Priceline threw a few crumbs their way in the form of some that were better? <BR><BR>What I don't need is to get involved with $$$ then find we have another Enron-esque type scandal or something!! That would be my luck (I'm still sitting on a pile worthless Enron paper-may be a toilet paper shortage someday). Is priceline a public company?

It is my understanding, too, that PL gets the rooms at one rate from the hotels and then resells for whatever it can get. Nothing shady or unethical about that, as far as I can see. They're buying at wholesale and selling at a discount below retail.<BR><BR>Hotel staff who are unaware of this arrangement might just be underlings who aren't privy to how the hotel manages its finances. Certainly, the hotels would rather sell the rooms cheaply rather than have them empty, so they deal with PL to unload the rooms. <BR><BR>That's why people often have much better luck bidding on PL late rather than far in advance -- PL just doesn't have many rooms far in advance of their occupancy dates.<BR><BR>Ben, there's no need to get all cynical or paranoid about the term "formal relationship." BFT's link to PL used to net them a flat rate every time anyone used it; now it's just a regular helpful link, like most of the links on the internet.<BR><BR>Since PL does indeed make some sort of profit on every room it re-sells, their $5.95 fee is certainly plenty to keep them going. As we have seen, they have very little overhead for phones, offices or staff!

This is a very disturbing conversation, gang. Need I say more? Count my husband among the group that thinks he's getting all the customer bid. He's not an underling Jen--he sets the varying Priceline rate and determines the number of rooms they'll get out of his inventory!!<BR><BR>Absolutely, no one wants dead inventory, so it's a nice symbiotic relationship, however he was laboring under the apparent misconception that he was paid the rate the customer bid. :&lt;! Are you certain of your facts Jen and how so?<BR><BR>By the way, yes, Priceline is public and considered very high risk. 52 week high-6.89, low-1.05. Currently at 1.64 with a P/E of 81.50! Yowser. Just what I don't need. Been there done that. Not fun.<BR><BR>Meantime, the above seems kind of serious...IMHO! What am I missing??

Easy enough for your husband to ask a couple of PL customers what they paid to PL, isn't it?

Not sure what the formal relationship btwn biddingfortravel and Priceline is currently, but the moderators sure nag at you to go to Priceline via their links - so there must be some financial compensation if people do so.<BR><BR>While I continue to read biddingfortravel, I will not use Priceline via their link because of the consistent rudeness and condescending attitude of moderators/owners of the board.

I have to have some sympathy for Sheryl, the notoriously snippy moderator at biddingfortravel. Imagine what it's like dealing with all those people who are asking questions that are answered in the FAQ. Must get pretty boring dealing all day with people who can't read instructions. <BR><BR>And then the people who DO follow thru on the FAQ and make their requests in a reasonable way often just disappear into the woodwork with no final report on their results. I might get cranky, too!<BR><BR>