Air travel can be expensive, but with the help of flight credit, you can save a considerable amount of money on your next trip. Flight credit can be earned in different ways, including through loyalty programs or as compensation for canceled or delayed flights. If you have Priceline flight credit, you can use it to book flights, hotels, or rental cars, and save money on your travel expenses. However, using flight credit can be confusing, especially if you are not familiar with Priceline’s policies and procedures. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Priceline flight credit, from how to check your balance to how to use it to book a flight. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to use your Priceline flight credit like a pro and save money on your next trip.
Understanding Priceline Flight Credit
Priceline flight credit is a type of travel credit that can be used to book flights, hotels, or rental cars on Priceline.com. You can earn Priceline flight credit in various ways, such as through Priceline’s loyalty program or as compensation for canceled or delayed flights. There are two types of Priceline flight credits: Flex Credits and Name Your Own Price Credits.
Flex Credits are earned through Priceline’s loyalty program, Priceline VIP, which rewards customers with 5% back in Flex Credits for every booking made on Priceline.com. These credits can be used to book flights, hotels, and rental cars on Priceline.com and are valid for 24 months from the date they are earned. However, they cannot be used to book flights on airlines that are not listed on Priceline.com.
Name Your Own Price Credits are earned as compensation for canceled or delayed flights booked through Priceline.com. These credits can be used to book flights, hotels, and rental cars on Priceline.com and are valid for one year from the date they are issued. However, they cannot be used to book flights on airlines that are not listed on Priceline.com, and they cannot be combined with other types of Priceline flight credit.
To redeem your Priceline flight credit, you need to log in to your Priceline account and select the option to pay with flight credit at the checkout. You can use your flight credit to pay for all or part of your booking, depending on the amount of credit you have available.
Checking your Priceline Flight Credit Balance
To check your Priceline flight credit balance, you need to log in to your Priceline account and navigate to the “My Trips” section. In this section, you will see a list of all your upcoming and past trips, as well as your flight credit balance. If you have multiple types of Priceline flight credit, such as Flex Credits and Name Your Own Price Credits, you will see a breakdown of your balance by type.
It is important to keep track of your Priceline flight credit balance and expiration dates to ensure that you use your credit before it expires. If you do not use your flight credit before it expires, you will lose it, and it will not be refunded or extended. You can also view your flight credit balance by contacting Priceline’s customer support team via phone or chat.
Using Your Priceline Flight Credit
To use your Priceline flight credit to book a flight, you need to log in to your Priceline account and select the flight you want to book. At the checkout, select the option to pay with flight credit and enter the amount of credit you want to use. If you do not have enough credit to cover the full cost of the booking, you can pay the remaining balance with a credit card or other payment methods. Once you have applied your flight credit, the final price will be updated to reflect the discounted amount.
It is important to note that Priceline flight credit can only be used to book flights, hotels, and rental cars on Priceline.com. You cannot use your flight credit to book directly with airlines or hotels. Additionally, you cannot use your Priceline flight credit to purchase travel insurance, baggage fees, or other ancillary services.
If you need to cancel a booking that was made using Priceline flight credit, the amount you paid with flight credit will be refunded back to your account. However, any amount paid with other payment methods will be refunded according to the airline or hotel’s cancellation policy. If you cancel a booking made with Name Your Own Price Credits, the credit will be forfeited and cannot be refunded or reused.
Priceline Flight Credit Tips and Tricks
There are several tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your Priceline flight credit. First, it is important to keep track of the expiration dates for your credits, as they can vary depending on the type of credit you have. Make sure to use your credits before they expire to avoid losing them.
Another tip is to check for special promotions or sales that Priceline may offer for bookings made with flight credit. These promotions can sometimes offer additional discounts or bonuses, such as extra points or cashback. Signing up for Priceline’s email newsletter or following their social media channels can help you stay up to date on these promotions.
You can also consider using Priceline’s Name Your Own Price feature to bid on flights, hotels, and rental cars. This feature allows you to name the price you are willing to pay, and Priceline will try to find a supplier who will accept your offer. If your bid is accepted, you can save even more money on your booking. However, keep in mind that Name Your Own Price bookings cannot be canceled or changed, so make sure to double-check your dates and other details before submitting your bid.
Finally, if you have a lot of flight credit, consider using it to book a package deal that includes flights, hotels, and rental cars. Priceline offers package deals that can provide significant savings compared to booking each component separately. By using your flight credit to book a package deal, you can stretch your credit even further.
Canceling and Modifying Flights with Priceline Flight Credit
If you need to cancel or modify a flight that was booked using Priceline flight credit, you can do so by logging in to your account and selecting the “My Trips” tab. From there, you can view your itinerary and make changes as needed. Keep in mind that any amount paid with flight credit will be refunded back to your account, while any amount paid with other payment methods will be refunded according to the airline’s or hotel’s cancellation policy.
It is important to note that canceling or modifying a Name Your Own Price booking is not allowed, so make sure to double-check your dates and other details before submitting your bid. Additionally, some airlines or hotels may have their own cancellation policies that may not allow for full refunds or may charge a fee for making changes.
Priceline Flight Credit Customer Support
If you have any questions or issues related to your Priceline flight credit, you can contact Priceline’s customer support team for assistance. The easiest way to reach customer support is through Priceline’s online chat feature, which is available 24/7. You can also contact customer support by phone or email.
Before contacting customer support, it is a good idea to have your Priceline account information and booking details handy, as well as any relevant screenshots or documentation. This can help customer support quickly identify and address your issue.
Priceline also has a comprehensive help center on their website, which includes articles and FAQs on a variety of topics, including flight credit. Before contacting customer support, you may want to search the help center to see if your question has already been answered.
Priceline Flight Credit and Rewards Programs
In addition to using flight credit to book flights, hotels, and rental cars on Priceline, you can also earn rewards points through Priceline’s loyalty program, Priceline VIP. VIP members can earn points for each booking made through Priceline, which can then be redeemed for discounts on future bookings. Points can also be earned by referring friends to Priceline, participating in special promotions, and completing surveys.
When using Priceline flight credit to make a booking, you can still earn VIP points for the portion of the booking that is paid for with other payment methods. This means that you can double-dip on rewards by using both flight credit and VIP points to save on your bookings. And if you have a Priceline credit card, you can earn even more points for each purchase you make.
To become a VIP member, simply sign up for a Priceline account and start booking your travel. The more you book, the more points you can earn and the higher your VIP status will become.
Priceline Flight Credit and Travel Insurance
When booking travel with Priceline flight credit, it is important to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected events, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Priceline offers a variety of travel insurance options from third-party providers, including Allianz Global Assistance and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
When booking travel insurance with Priceline, you can choose from a variety of coverage options, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental coverage, and baggage loss or delay coverage. The cost of travel insurance will depend on the coverage options you select, as well as the total cost of your trip.
Keep in mind that some travel insurance policies may not cover cancellations or changes made to Name Your Own Price bookings, so make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing. Additionally, if you are using flight credit to book your travel, any amount paid with flight credit may not be covered by travel insurance.
Priceline Flight Credit and COVID-19
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many travelers are concerned about how flight credit and travel bookings will be affected. Priceline has updated their policies to provide more flexibility and peace of mind for travelers during this time.
For bookings made before March 19, 2020, Priceline’s normal change and cancellation policies apply. For bookings made on or after March 19, 2020, Priceline has implemented a waiver for change and cancellation fees on flights, hotels, and rental cars due to COVID-19-related issues. This means that if you need to change or cancel your booking due to COVID-19-related issues, such as travel restrictions, illness, or quarantine requirements, you may be eligible for a full refund or credit.
If you have Priceline flight credit that you received as a result of a COVID-19-related cancellation, you can use it to book a new trip or extend the expiration date of your credit. Keep in mind that any flight credit received due to COVID-19 related cancellations may have different terms and conditions than regular flight credit, so make sure to read the terms carefully before using it to book a new trip.
Conclusion
Priceline flight credit can be a great way to save money on your travel expenses, but it is important to understand how it works and how to use it effectively. In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Priceline flight credit, from understanding the different types of credits to checking your balance and using it to book a flight. By following these tips, you can make the most of your Priceline flight credit and save money on your next trip. Remember to keep track of your flight credit balance and expiration dates, and always read the terms and conditions before making a booking. Happy travels!