Planning a trip can be an exciting but daunting task. From deciding on the destination, selecting the dates, and finding the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars, there are many factors to consider. But with the rise of online travel booking sites, such as Priceline, the process has become much more convenient and efficient. However, with so many options out there, it’s natural to have some doubts about the legitimacy of these platforms. So, is Priceline legit? In this blog post, we will explore the history of Priceline, its services, and its reputation to help you decide if it’s the right travel booking site for you.
Priceline’s History
Priceline was founded in 1997 by entrepreneur Jay S. Walker, who also created the company’s name. The concept behind Priceline was to offer travelers the opportunity to name their own price for hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights, with the hope of securing a better deal than what was available through traditional booking channels. The idea was revolutionary and quickly gained popularity, with the company going public in 1999 and raising $160 million in its initial public offering.
In the early 2000s, Priceline expanded its services to include vacation packages, cruises, and car rentals. The company also developed its “Name Your Own Price” feature for airline tickets, allowing customers to choose their own departure and arrival times and airports, and offering discounts of up to 40% off published fares.
In 2004, Priceline acquired the European hotel booking site Active Hotels, which helped the company expand its global reach. In the following years, Priceline continued to grow and diversify its offerings, introducing a mobile app and adding more rental car options to its platform. The company also acquired other online travel sites, including Booking.com in 2005, Kayak in 2013, and OpenTable in 2014.
Today, Priceline is one of the largest online travel booking sites in the world, with operations in over 200 countries and territories. The company has more than 29 million listings, including hotels, homes, apartments, and vacation rentals, and offers its customers a range of tools and features to help them find the best deals for their travel needs.
Priceline’s Services
Priceline offers a wide range of services to help travelers plan and book their trips. Here are some of the key services offered by Priceline:
- Hotel Bookings: Priceline offers a vast selection of hotel rooms across the world, ranging from budget to luxury options. Customers can search for hotels based on their preferred location, price range, and amenities, and use filters to narrow down their search results. Priceline’s “Express Deals” feature also allows customers to book discounted hotel rooms without knowing the name of the hotel until after they’ve made the booking.
- Flight Bookings: Priceline allows customers to search for and compare flight options from different airlines and book the one that best suits their needs. The platform also offers a “Name Your Own Price” feature for flights, where customers can bid on flights and potentially get them at a lower cost.
- Rental Car Bookings: Priceline partners with major car rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise, to offer customers a range of rental car options. Customers can search for rental cars based on their pick-up and drop-off locations and use filters to narrow down their search results.
- Vacation Packages: Priceline offers a variety of vacation packages that include flights, hotel rooms, and rental cars. Customers can select their preferred destination, travel dates, and hotel category, and Priceline will show them the best package deals available for their needs.
- Cruises: Priceline offers a range of cruise options from various cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. Customers can search for cruises based on their preferred destination, departure port, and cruise length.
- Pricebreakers: Priceline’s Pricebreakers feature is designed to help customers save money on hotel bookings. Customers can choose their desired hotel category and preferred location, and Priceline will offer them a discounted hotel room from a selection of top-rated hotels in the area.
- Rental Homes: Priceline offers a selection of rental homes and apartments from private owners and property managers. Customers can search for rental homes based on their preferred location, price range, and amenities, and use filters to narrow down their search results.
Priceline’s Reputation
Priceline’s reputation in the travel industry is generally positive, with the platform receiving high ratings and reviews from customers. The company has been recognized for its innovative business model and its ability to offer customers competitive pricing on travel bookings. Priceline has also received several awards, including the 2019 Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Hotel Booking Website and Best Travel App.
However, like any online platform, Priceline has received some criticism and negative reviews from customers. Some of the common complaints about Priceline include issues with customer service, inaccurate pricing, and difficulty in making changes or cancellations to bookings.
Despite these criticisms, Priceline has taken steps to address these concerns and improve its services. The company has implemented a 24/7 customer service system to assist customers with their travel bookings, and it offers a flexible cancellation policy for many of its bookings. Priceline has also introduced features like its “Price Match Guarantee,” which ensures that customers will get the best deal on their travel bookings.
In terms of safety and security, Priceline takes the protection of its customer’s personal and financial information seriously. The platform uses advanced security protocols to encrypt customer data and prevent unauthorized access. Priceline is also compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which sets strict guidelines for the handling of payment information.
Priceline’s Legitimacy
One of the most important questions customers have when using an online travel booking site like Priceline is whether the platform is legitimate. In the case of Priceline, the answer is yes. Priceline is a legitimate and reputable company that has been operating in the travel industry for over two decades.
Priceline is a publicly-traded company, with its shares listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol “PCLN.” The company has a market capitalization of over $90 billion, which reflects the trust and confidence that investors have in the company’s ability to generate revenue and profits.
Moreover, Priceline is a member of several industry organizations, including the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). These memberships demonstrate the company’s commitment to industry standards and best practices, as well as its willingness to comply with ethical and legal guidelines.
Priceline’s website is also equipped with the latest security measures to protect customers’ personal and financial information. The platform uses secure encryption protocols to encrypt customer data and prevent unauthorized access. Priceline is also compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which sets strict guidelines for the handling of payment information.
Priceline’s Security Measures
The security of customer data is a top priority for online travel booking platforms like Priceline. The platform has implemented several security measures to protect customers’ personal and financial information from unauthorized access or misuse.
Priceline uses secure encryption protocols to encrypt customer data and prevent unauthorized access. The platform also requires customers to create a secure login and password, and it encourages customers to use unique and complex passwords to protect their accounts.
Priceline is also compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which sets strict guidelines for the handling of payment information. This means that Priceline has implemented measures to protect customers’ credit card information and prevent fraud or theft.
In addition, Priceline monitors its platform for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access, and it has a team of dedicated security professionals who work to identify and address any potential security threats. The platform also encourages customers to report any suspicious activity or security concerns to its customer service team.
Priceline’s Customer Service
Customer service is an important aspect of any online travel booking platform, and Priceline is no exception. Priceline offers a range of customer service options to assist customers with their travel bookings and address any questions or concerns they may have.
Priceline’s customer service team is available 24/7 to assist customers with their travel bookings. Customers can contact the team via phone, email, or live chat, and they can expect prompt and professional assistance with their inquiries. Priceline’s customer service team is well-trained and knowledgeable, and they are committed to providing customers with the best possible service.
In addition, Priceline offers a flexible cancellation policy for many of its bookings. This means that customers can cancel or make changes to their travel arrangements without incurring significant fees or penalties. Priceline also offers a “Price Match Guarantee,” which ensures that customers will get the best deal on their travel bookings.
Finally, Priceline has implemented several features and tools to make it easier for customers to manage their travel bookings. The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows customers to search for and compare travel options, as well as filters and sorting options to narrow down their search results. Priceline also offers a mobile app that allows customers to access their travel bookings and manage their trips on-the-go.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Priceline is a reputable and legitimate travel booking site that offers a wide range of services to help customers plan and book their trips. The company has a long history of innovation and success in the travel industry, and its reputation is generally positive among customers. While there are some criticisms and concerns about Priceline, the company has taken steps to address these issues and improve its services. Overall, Priceline is a reliable and convenient platform for anyone looking to plan and book their travel arrangements.