Travel Solutions: Priceline Tried To Keep My Money After Problems With Hotel Reservation |
Jeffrey V. Fallis
2 min read
Q: I recently visited Priceline.com to book a hotel. I checked a few websites and researched the prices to see if I could find a good deal.
I entered my dates and location, and found a hotel that interested me, the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem. It said in big bold letters: “Reasons to book now.” Buy now and cancel anytime. I took a look at it and it seemed like a great idea. I could make a reservation now, and if I didn’t want it or found it cheaper, I could cancel.
Right before I clicked on the last screen to book the reservation, I was worried that Priceline would later deny me the cancellation, so I took a screenshot.
About two minutes after I booked the hotel, I realized that the hotel’s website was offering rooms for a significantly lower price than Priceline. I called to cancel the reservation. A rep told me she was sorry, but they would not refund my reservation as it was not refundable. I told him I had a screenshot showing that free cancellation was available. Priceline refused to help.
Can you help me get my reimbursement from Priceline? – Malka Mandel, Lakewood, New Jersey
A: If your reservation was refundable, then Priceline should refund it. But was it refundable? No, it wasn’t.
But first, you absolutely did the right thing when you took a screenshot. I always say, “If in doubt, take a screenshot. You were in doubt. You should have been. As it turned out, Priceline had several room choices, some allowing refunds and some not. Priceline should have said it at the top of the screen.
