If you’re planning a trip and looking for the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars, you’ve probably heard of Priceline. But is Priceline really the cheapest option out there? With so many travel booking websites available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Priceline works, compare it to other travel booking websites, and examine its various features and services, so you can make an informed decision about whether Priceline is the right choice for your next trip.
How Priceline Works
Priceline is a travel booking website that allows you to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. However, unlike most other travel booking websites, Priceline uses a unique business model that allows you to save money by bidding on prices or by using its Express Deals.
One of the most popular features of Priceline is its Name Your Own Price tool. With this tool, you can bid on prices for hotels, rental cars, and flights. For example, if you want to book a hotel, you can enter the dates of your stay, the location you want to stay in, and the star rating you’re looking for. You can then enter the maximum price you’re willing to pay and submit your bid. If your bid is accepted, you’ll be booked into a hotel that meets your criteria at the price you offered.
Priceline’s Express Deals are another way to save money on travel. With Express Deals, you can book a hotel, flight, or rental car at a discounted price without knowing the exact brand or name of the provider until after you’ve made the booking. This allows providers to offer discounts without having to publicly advertise lower prices, which could harm their reputation.
Comparison with Other Travel Booking Websites
When it comes to finding the cheapest travel deals, Priceline is not the only option. There are many other travel booking websites out there, such as Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Kayak, to name just a few. To determine whether Priceline is the cheapest option, it’s important to compare prices across multiple websites.
In general, Priceline tends to offer competitive prices for flights, hotels, and rental cars. However, the prices can vary depending on the specific search parameters you use. For example, if you’re booking a flight or hotel last minute, Priceline may not always have the best deals.
One advantage of using Priceline is its Name Your Own Price tool, which allows you to potentially save more money than you would on other travel booking websites. However, this tool may not always be the best option, as you may end up with a hotel or rental car that doesn’t meet your exact criteria.
Overall, the best way to find the cheapest travel deals is to compare prices across multiple travel booking websites, including Priceline. It’s also important to factor in any additional fees or charges that may not be included in the initial price quote.
Priceline’s Express Deals
Priceline’s Express Deals are another way to save money on travel. With Express Deals, you can book a hotel, flight, or rental car at a discounted price without knowing the exact brand or name of the provider until after you’ve made the booking. This can be a great option for travelers who are flexible about the specific provider they use and are looking for a deal.
To use Express Deals, you simply select the type of booking you want to make (hotel, flight, or rental car) and enter your desired destination and travel dates. Priceline will then show you a list of available deals, along with the discount you can expect to receive. Once you’ve made your booking, Priceline will reveal the name of the provider.
One advantage of Express Deals is that they can offer significant discounts, sometimes up to 60% off the regular price. However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. For example, you won’t be able to see the specific details of your booking until after you’ve made the purchase. This means you won’t be able to see the exact flight times, hotel location, or rental car model until after you’ve booked.
Another potential issue with Express Deals is that they are non-refundable and non-changeable. If you need to cancel or change your booking, you may be out of luck. This means that you need to be certain of your travel plans before making an Express Deal booking.
Despite these potential drawbacks, Priceline’s Express Deals can be a great way to save money on travel, especially if you’re flexible about the specific provider you use and are comfortable with some uncertainty about the details of your booking.
Priceline’s Name Your Own Price
One of Priceline’s most unique features is its Name Your Own Price tool, which allows users to bid on hotels, flights, and rental cars. The tool works by allowing users to enter their desired travel dates and locations, as well as the maximum price they are willing to pay. Priceline then searches for available options at or below the user’s maximum bid, and if successful, the user’s bid is accepted and the booking is made.
The Name Your Own Price tool can be a great way to save money on travel, but it does come with a few caveats. For one, the tool only allows you to select the star rating of your hotel or rental car, and the departure and arrival times of your flight. You won’t be able to see the exact hotel, rental car company, or airline until after your bid is accepted.
Additionally, once your bid is accepted, the booking is non-refundable and non-changeable. This means you need to be absolutely sure of your travel plans before making a bid. However, if you’re comfortable with some uncertainty and are looking for a way to save money on travel, Priceline’s Name Your Own Price tool is definitely worth considering.
Priceline Rewards Program
Priceline also offers a rewards program called Priceline VIP, which allows users to earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on future travel. The program has three tiers: VIP, VIP Gold, and VIP Platinum. To reach VIP status, you need to spend at least $5000 on eligible bookings in a calendar year. To reach VIP Gold status, you need to spend at least $10,000 and to reach VIP Platinum status, you need to spend at least $20,000.
VIP members earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible bookings, while VIP Gold and VIP Platinum members earn 10 and 25 points per dollar spent, respectively. Points can be redeemed for discounts on hotel, rental car, and flight bookings, as well as vacation packages.
One of the benefits of the Priceline VIP program is that it offers access to exclusive deals and discounts, as well as free room upgrades at select hotels. Additionally, the points earned through the program do not expire as long as you make at least one eligible booking per year.
Priceline’s Best Price Guarantee
Priceline also offers a Best Price Guarantee for hotel bookings. The guarantee works by stating that if you find a lower price on a hotel room within 24 hours of booking on Priceline, they will match the lower price and give you a $25 Priceline.com Gift Card. The guarantee only applies to identical hotel bookings, meaning that the room type, dates, and other booking details must be exactly the same as your Priceline booking.
To take advantage of the Best Price Guarantee, you need to submit a claim within 24 hours of booking on Priceline. The claim must be for an identical hotel booking and must include the lower price, as well as a screenshot of the lower price and the website where it was found.
The Best Price Guarantee can be a great way to ensure you’re getting the best deal on a hotel room, but it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you’re eligible for the guarantee. Additionally, the guarantee only applies to hotel bookings, so if you’re booking a flight or rental car, you’ll need to look elsewhere for price-matching options.
Priceline’s Customer Service
One of the most important aspects of any travel booking website is its customer service. Priceline offers several different methods for customers to get in touch with their support team, including phone, email, and live chat. They also have a comprehensive help center on their website, which includes frequently asked questions and articles on various topics, such as booking and cancellation policies, and using their mobile app.
One area where Priceline’s customer service falls short, however, is in response times. Customers have reported long wait times on the phone and slow response times to emails and live chats. Some customers have also reported difficulties in getting issues resolved, particularly when it comes to refunds and cancellations. However, it’s worth noting that Priceline does have a dedicated customer service team that is available 24/7, and the vast majority of customers report positive experiences with their support team.
Priceline’s Mobile App
In addition to their website, Priceline also offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. The app allows users to book hotels, rental cars, and flights on the go, as well as access exclusive mobile-only deals and discounts. The app is free to download and easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface.
One of the best features of the Priceline mobile app is its Express Deals section, which allows users to book deeply discounted hotels on the go. The app also allows users to view their bookings, make changes to their reservations, and access their rewards points. Additionally, the app offers a useful feature called “Tonight-Only Deals,” which allows users to book last-minute hotel rooms at discounted rates.
Overall, the Priceline mobile app is a great tool for travelers on the go, and a valuable addition to the Priceline platform. It’s worth noting, however, that some users have reported technical issues with the app, such as slow loading times and crashes.
Priceline’s Reputation
When it comes to travel booking websites, reputation is everything. Fortunately, Priceline has a solid reputation in the industry, with a large and loyal customer base. The company has been around since 1997 and has established itself as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking travel.
One area where Priceline has earned particular praise is in its deals and discounts. Customers have reported significant savings on hotels, rental cars, and flights through the platform, particularly when using tools like Name Your Own Price and Express Deals. Priceline’s rewards program has also been well-received by customers, with many reporting that it offers valuable discounts and exclusive perks.
However, as with any travel booking website, Priceline has received some criticism and negative reviews. Some customers have reported issues with customer service, as mentioned above, while others have reported problems with cancellations and refunds. Additionally, some customers have reported difficulty using the Name Your Own Price tool, and others have noted that the selection of hotels and flights can be limited in certain areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Priceline is a popular travel booking website that offers a range of features and services to help you save money on flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. Its Name Your Own Price tool and Express Deals can be great ways to find discounts on travel, but it’s important to weigh the potential drawbacks of these features, such as limited flexibility and uncertainty about your booking details.
When it comes to determining whether Priceline is the cheapest option for your travel needs, it’s important to compare prices across multiple travel booking websites, as prices can vary depending on the specific search parameters you use. Ultimately, the best way to find the cheapest travel deals is to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations and to factor in any additional fees or charges that may not be included in the initial price quote.