Priceline.com Charged me for airline tickets I didn't want and didn't get Norwalk Connecticut
This letter is to warn your readers! Be very careful when you are doing price comparisons on the web for airline travel! When you are on the Priceline.com website you are not just getting price quotes for possible future travel, YOU ARE ACTUALLY BUYING THE TICKET you are inquiring about right then and there!
There are hundreds, maybe more, of people who have been duped' in such a way (myself included). Your account will be charged immediately for the amount in question and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it! The company's rule is no flight changes, no refunds, and no cancellations no matter what. I can tell you this past week I've heard of some pretty drastic situations from other people who have also been duped and the company will not budge regardless of the dire circumstances. Visit the ConsumerAffairs.com website and read some for yourself (put Priceline.com in the search box).
If you should punch in the wrong dates or cities, too bad, you will be charged for an airline ticket that you don't want and can't use. It's all in the contract they flash on the screen when you're on the website, so it's all legal, maybe not ethical, but apparently legal.
My story is this: I thought I was only browsing the web for price comparisons on airline tickets to visit my aunt in New York. After I checked my bank account three days later I noticed I was charged ($435) for a round trip ticket to Chicago that left the day before and therefore the ticket was cancelled since I wasn't there!! Priceline says there are absolutely no refunds.
I had never received a confirming e-mail the following day, and when I shut down my computer for the night, I thought that was the end of it. I called Priceline and spoke with a Customer Service Rep and he said that I should have read the 'contract' better. Well, now I'm out money and have nothing to show for it (no goods or services). I don't know anyone in Chicago, but I imagine that I could have at least sold the ticket (if it was an open one) through the newspaper, but I don't even have an airline ticket! I feel that this is a VERY DECEPTIVE business practice.
So please don't make the mistake I (and many others) did, and save yourself just as much money by either going directly to the airline websites (I found the same ticket there $ 38 cheaper anyway) or by doing your price comparisons elsewhere - just do some research first.
I have filed complaints with the following agencies: BBB, Consumer Affairs, FTC, Attorney General of CT Blumenthal and the CT Dept of Consumer Protection. I am also in the process of sending editorials to every major newspaper.
As Johnny from Sherman Oaks, California says Class action, anyone???
Jan
Hot Springs, Arkansas
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on priceline.com
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Kari
Waukesha,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Priceline is not a RipOff, You should READ before you ENTER THE SITE!
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 02, 2004
I have used priceline for the last 3 years and have loved every time. The rates I get are out-of-this-world and makes up for any negativities. I have gone to Hollywood for the last three years and got the same hotel for $41 a night. It was a beautiful room with a fridge, two double beds, cathedtral ceilings, breakfast, etc. The back of the hotel room door said the cost of the room was $135! I saved almost $100. There is no reaon to not understand the process. IF you are entering in your credit card information to simply compare prices, you are in the wrong place. Priceline is perfect for people who know what they are doing and exactly where they want to go and when. I am going to Cali again at the end of the month and have used Priceline for three different hotels that I will be staying at. The deals are amazing. Don't complain about something that is your own fault. If you don't read the small print (which really isn't the problem with pricelin, there is no small print...IT CLEARLY STATES BY CLICKING BELOW YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL BE CHARGED IF YOUR OFFER IS ACCEPTED. DO YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS?) Don't tell me Priceline is a scam if you read that and agreed to it. For those of you out there looking for info. on Priceline before using it, don't read these negative comments. Priceline is the best thing available to travel. Heck, you can even email me if you have questions! kari_0301@hotmail.com. Yeah, so you can't get out of the deal once you are in, but plan more carefully. Last year I bid on 9 nights in Hollywood, got my bid, and when the time came, I realized I had to leave 2 days earlier because i was flying standby and the flights were full...OH Well, so I was out 2 nights of a hotel stay...that is my own fault and I KNEW NOT to try and get my money back. If you can't handle it, go to a travel angeny or book directly.
Bruce
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Read before you click
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, January 26, 2004
I agree with Desiree's response above. You have to initial that you have read and understand the conditions, namely that you are submitting a bid and when it is accepted, you will be charged immediately for a non refundable ticket. Lesson learned: when you give your credit card information and start agreeing to terms and conditions, READ WHAT YOU ARE AGREEING TO. You are prompted more than once that you are going to be charged. Once you are giving out your credit card information, three letters are important: RTS (Read The Screen).
Desiree
Springfiled,Illinois,
U.S.A.
I'm sorry, but I can't imagine how you were ripped off by pricline.
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, December 09, 2003
Purchasing tickets on priceline while "only browsing" It is absolutely impossible to have a purchase take place if you are only browsing. First of all, priceline does not allow "comparison shopping". It is not a travel website similar to Expedia or Travelocity. It is a bid for travel site, and being such, you are required to READ the information BEFORE bidding and ENTERING YOUR CREDIT CARD DATA.
They also give you several opportunities to withdraw your bid by simply not continuing the process. Finally, before you actually submit your bid, the link says "Buy my hotel room, or airline tickets or rental car... or whatever it is you are bidding for. At that point, you are at the point of no return. If your bid is accepted, you can't change your mind. Also, you are notified ON SCREEN, when the process is completed.
Quite frankly, I've never comparison shopped by giving someone my credit card information. I've used Priceline for 4 years and have NEVER had a problem with their service. There have been a couple of times when I've purchased a hotel and then my plans changed and I was unable to use them, but that was MY LOSS. I agreed to this when I chose use their service and didn't spend the extra $5 on travel insurance in case my plans needed to change.