Is Priceline Legit for Hotels? A Comprehensive Guide

Are you planning a trip and wondering if Priceline is a trustworthy site to book your hotel?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, Priceline is a legitimate website for booking hotels.

But if you want to know more about Priceline and its services, you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at Priceline and its features, including how to use it and its pros and cons.

What is Priceline?

Priceline is an online travel agency that allows travelers to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. Founded in 1997, Priceline is known for its “Name Your Own Price” feature, where travelers can bid on hotel rooms and rental cars at a discounted rate. In addition to this feature, Priceline also offers traditional booking options for those who prefer to choose their accommodations outright.

How Priceline Works

When using Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” feature, travelers select their destination, travel dates, and star rating for their hotel or car rental. They then enter the price they are willing to pay and submit their bid. Priceline will then search for available options that match the traveler’s criteria and attempt to book the reservation at the price offered.

If the bid is accepted, the reservation is non-refundable and cannot be changed. However, if the bid is not accepted, the traveler can either submit a new bid or book a reservation at Priceline’s listed price.

Types of Accommodation Available on Priceline

Priceline offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals such as apartments and homes. The website allows users to filter their search by location, price, star rating, and amenities such as pool access, complimentary breakfast, and free parking.

One unique feature of Priceline is its Express Deals, which offer discounted rates on hotels without revealing the name of the hotel until after the reservation is made. This can be a great option for travelers who don’t mind taking a chance on the hotel in exchange for a lower price.

Using Priceline to Book a Hotel

Booking a hotel can be a daunting task, especially if you’re trying to find the best deal. That’s where Priceline comes in. Priceline is a legitimate website that allows you to book hotels at discounted rates. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use Priceline to book your next hotel stay.

Creating an Account

The first step to using Priceline is to create an account. This is a quick and easy process that requires you to provide some basic information such as your name, email address, and password. Once you’ve created an account, you can start searching for hotels.

Finding the Best Deals

Priceline allows you to search for hotels based on your destination, travel dates, and other preferences. One of the best features of Priceline is the “Name Your Own Price” option. This allows you to bid on hotels in your desired location and price range. Priceline will then search for a hotel that meets your criteria and offer you a discounted rate.

• Tip: Be sure to check the “Express Deals” section on Priceline’s website for additional discounted rates on hotels.

Making a Reservation

Once you’ve found a hotel that meets your needs, you can make a reservation through Priceline. You’ll need to provide your payment information and agree to the hotel’s terms and conditions. Priceline will then send you a confirmation email with all the details of your reservation.

Paying for Your Reservation

Priceline accepts several forms of payment including credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Keep in mind that some hotels may require a deposit or full payment at the time of booking. Be sure to read the hotel’s terms and conditions carefully before making a reservation.

Cancelling or Changing Your Reservation

If you need to cancel or change your reservation, you can do so through Priceline. However, keep in mind that there may be fees associated with cancelling or changing your reservation. Be sure to read the hotel’s cancellation policy carefully before making a reservation.

Pros of Using Priceline for Hotels

If you’re looking for a way to save money on your next hotel stay, Priceline might be the way to go. Here are some of the pros of using Priceline for hotels:

Price Negotiation

One of the unique features of Priceline is that it allows you to negotiate the price of your hotel stay. This means that you can name your own price and Priceline will match you with a hotel that’s willing to accept that price. It’s important to note that this option is only available for certain types of bookings and hotels, but it can be a great way to save money if you’re flexible with your travel dates and accommodations.

Great Deals and Discounts

Priceline is known for offering great deals and discounts on hotel stays. They often have exclusive rates that are only available through their website or app, and they also offer last-minute deals for travelers who are willing to book at the last minute. Additionally, Priceline has a Best Price Guarantee, which means that if you find a lower price for the same hotel and dates on another website, they’ll refund you the difference.

Flexible Booking Options

Another advantage of using Priceline for hotels is the flexible booking options. You can book a hotel room only, or you can bundle your hotel stay with a flight or rental car to save even more money. Priceline also offers free cancellations on certain bookings, which can be helpful if your travel plans change unexpectedly.

Reward Programs

Priceline has a rewards program called Priceline Rewards Visa, which allows you to earn points on your hotel bookings. You can redeem these points for free hotel stays, flights, rental cars, and more. Additionally, Priceline offers exclusive deals and discounts to members of their rewards program.

Cons of Using Priceline for Hotels

Limited Information on Hotels

One of the main downsides of using Priceline for hotels is the limited information provided about the hotel before booking. While Priceline does provide basic information such as the hotel’s star rating and general location, there is no way to know the specific hotel until after booking. This can be frustrating for travelers who have specific preferences for their accommodations, such as amenities or proximity to certain attractions.

Additionally, Priceline does not provide detailed information about the hotel’s cancellation policy, which could lead to unexpected fees or complications if changes need to be made to the reservation.

No Loyalty Points with Hotels

Another disadvantage of using Priceline for hotels is that travelers do not earn loyalty points with the hotel’s rewards program. This means that frequent travelers may miss out on valuable rewards and benefits that they would have earned if they booked directly with the hotel.

While Priceline does offer its own rewards program, it may not be as valuable as the hotel’s program, especially for travelers who frequently stay at the same brand of hotels.

No Customization Options

Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” feature, which allows travelers to bid on hotel rooms at a lower price, does not offer customization options. This means that travelers cannot choose specific amenities or room types, which could lead to disappointment or inconvenience upon arrival at the hotel.

Additionally, Priceline’s other booking options, such as Express Deals, do not allow travelers to customize their reservations beyond basic preferences such as bed type and smoking preference.

Tips for Using Priceline for Hotels

Research and Compare Prices

Before you book a hotel on Priceline, it is important to research and compare prices. Priceline offers a variety of hotel options, so it is important to check multiple dates and locations to find the best deal. Additionally, you can compare prices on other hotel booking websites to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

If you have flexibility with your travel dates, you can save even more money on Priceline. Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” option allows you to bid on hotel rooms at a lower rate, but you must be flexible with your travel dates. Priceline will only accept your bid if they can find a hotel that meets your criteria at the price you offered.

Use Price Negotiation to Your Advantage

Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” option is also a great way to negotiate the price of a hotel room. When making an offer, start with a lower bid and work your way up until you find a price that works for both you and the hotel. Keep in mind that the hotel may reject your offer, so it is important to have a backup plan.

Check Customer Reviews

Before booking a hotel on Priceline, it is important to check customer reviews. Priceline offers reviews from previous customers, so you can get an idea of the quality of the hotel before you book. Additionally, you can check other websites such as TripAdvisor for additional reviews.

Join Priceline’s Rewards Program

If you plan on booking hotels frequently on Priceline, joining their rewards program can save you money in the long run. The rewards program offers exclusive discounts and rewards, such as free hotel stays and rental cars. Additionally, you can earn points by booking flights and hotels, which can be redeemed for future bookings.

Overall, Priceline can be a legitimate option for booking hotels, but it is important to research and compare prices, be flexible with travel dates, use price negotiation to your advantage, check customer reviews, and join Priceline’s rewards program to save money in the long run.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Priceline is a legitimate website for booking hotels with a variety of options available for travelers on a budget.

While there are pros and cons to using Priceline, following the tips outlined in this guide can help you make the most of the site and find the best deals for your next trip.

Happy travels!