Priceline Cancellation Policy: How to Cancel & Get a Refund from Priceline

Priceline has long been the go-to OTA for travelers looking to get great deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, and travel packages. However, if something happens and you need to make a change or cancel your trip, you may be out of luck. Priceline’s cancellation policy can be challenging and frustrating if you don’t know what you signed up for, so make sure to read the fine print before you book!

In this article, we will dig into Priceline’s cancellation and refund policy for flights, hotels, and rental cars. This includes what booking types can be canceled, what types can’t be canceled, and how to get a refund from Priceline.

Priceline Flight Cancellation & Refund Policy

Priceline’s flight cancellation policy varies depending on the airline and fare type selected at the time of booking.

As long as you book your flights using a standard Priceline booking, meaning you did not book one of their Express Deals, you may be able to cancel or change your flights and request a refund. This, however, depends mostly on the airline’s policy.

Generally, non-refundable flights cannot be canceled or changed without penalty. However, if an airline changes the flight schedule, you may be allowed to cancel or change your ticket without paying the penalty.

24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule

As mandated by government law in the United States (via the Department of Transportation), Priceline abides by the 24-hour cancellation rule. This rule requires airlines to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty.

This rule applies to any flight booked on any airline. The one exception is the Priceline Express Deals. If you book an express deal, you should assume nothing can be changed or canceled the minute you book the trip.

Priceline’s Cancel For Any Reason Service

With Priceline’s Cancel For Any Reason Service, you can cancel your flight for any reason prior to check-in and at least 8 hours prior to your first scheduled departure time, and receive a partial or full refund, depending on the Service you purchased.

Here are some things to understand about the “cancel for any reason” service from Priceline:

• There is no need to provide any documentation – this service allows you to cancel for any reason!
• The Service cost varies depending on the trip that you are booking and the Service you select, but pricing will always be displayed before completing your purchase.
• The Service cost is non-refundable, even in the case that you cancel your trip for a full refund within the 24-hour cancellation window.
• You must cancel your trip purchase using the Priceline website, prior to checking into your flight, and at least 8 hours prior to your first scheduled departure time.
  • To cancel, go to your Priceline itinerary or confirmation email and click on the “Cancel and Refund Trip” button. From there, click on the “Cancel” button for the flight to initiate the cancellation and complete the form to receive your refund.

How to Cancel a Flight You Booked with Priceline

There are two ways for you to cancel a flight you booked through Priceline.

Option 1: Cancel through the Priceline website

1. Sign in to your Priceline account.
2. Click My Trips or search Find My Trips.
3. Select View/Cancel Itinerary next to the reservation you want to cancel.
4. Click the “Cancel” button on the reservation page and read through the policies and what will happen if you will cancel. If you are satisfied and sure, click Cancel.
5. Wait for an email confirming the cancellation of your booking. Some emails do not include the refund/credit request updates yet. Priceline will notify you when they have processed that request.

Option 2: Cancel on the Phone with Customer Care

If you are unable to cancel your flight through the website or any other of Priceline’s online tools, you can contact Customer Care at ​​1-800-774-2354.

Important note: Some airlines don’t allow cancellations. When that happens, Priceline will not be able to override its policy. You may check the airline’s updated policies as the rules continue to change all the time.
Also, if you booked two one-way flights, you will need to cancel each flight separately. Canceling one does not automatically cancel the other.

How to Change a Flight Booked with Priceline

The rules, fees, and guidelines for flight changes depend on the airline and the type of fare purchased. If you aren’t sure what these are, you can always review your online itinerary. If your airline’s fare rules allow you to change your flight, you’ll have to do it before your flight departs.

Please note that if the price for the new itinerary is different from the original ticket, you will have to pay the difference in fares, plus the airline’s change fee. If the new fare is lower, you can try calling the airline directly. Priceline doesn’t offer airline travel vouchers, so you will lose any decrease if Priceline will process the change for you.

Here are a few other reminders to keep in mind:

• Name changes (including corrections and adjustments) are not permitted.
• Priceline cannot override an airline’s rules, airfare, or change fees.
• If you are not ready to book a new reservation yet, some airlines will let you cancel your existing reservation and put the value of the ticket into a future travel credit.
• Whether you cancel or change your itinerary, you must do it before your first flight.

Priceline Rental Car Cancellation & Refund Policy

When it comes to rental cars, Priceline doesn’t have a blanket policy. This means that individual rental car companies control the cancellation policies.

When you work with Priceline for a car rental, it’s important to understand your reservation type before you finalize the booking.

For example, the image below shows a search result for booking a car at the Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL).

• If you book the Express Deal you will have to pay upfront, you won’t know which rental car company you are renting through and the reservation will not be eligible for any type of cancellation or refund.
• There is also an option to rent from Avis, with a fully refundable reservation and you will not have to pay until you complete the reservation. This Priceline reservation type will cost a little more, but it will give you the most flexibility if you have to cancel or change the reservation, for any reason.

How to Cancel a Priceline Rental Car Reservation

Just like canceling flights, there are two ways you can go about canceling your rental car reservation with Priceline.

Option 1: Cancel through the Priceline website.

1. Sign in to your Priceline account.
2. Click My Trips or search Find My Trips.
3. Select View/Cancel Itinerary next to the reservation you want to cancel.
4. Click the “Cancel” button on the reservation page and read through the policies and what will happen if you will cancel. If you are satisfied and sure, click Cancel.
5. Wait for an email confirming the cancellation of your booking. Some emails don’t include the refund/credit request updates yet. Priceline will notify you when they have processed that request.

Option 2: Cancel on the Phone with Customer Care

If you are unable to cancel your rental car through the website or any other of Priceline’s online tools, you can contact Customer Care at ​​1-800-774-2354.

Important note: Not all rental car companies allow cancellations. Check the rental car policies frequently as they constantly update their policies.

Priceline Hotel Cancellation & Refund Policy

When it comes to hotels, Priceline doesn’t have a blanket policy. This means that individual hotel company controls the cancellation policy.

For example, the image below shows search results for a hotel booking in Miami, FL.

You will notice the red box which shows the options for Pay Later, Free Cancellation, Express Deals, or Pricebreakers. If you book a hotel via an Express Deal or Pricebreaker, your Priceline reservation will be prepaid and non-refundable. There is no ability to cancel or change your reservation in any way. the other two options will cost more, but give you more flexibility if you have to make a change.

How to Cancel a Priceline Hotel Reservation

Just like canceling flights and rental cars, there are two ways you can go about canceling your hotel reservation with Priceline.

Option 1: Cancel through the Priceline website.

1. Sign in to your Priceline account.
2. Click My Trips or search Find My Trips.
3. Select View/Cancel Itinerary next to the reservation you want to cancel.
4. Click the “Cancel” button on the reservation page and read through the policies and what will happen if you will cancel. If you are satisfied and sure, click Cancel.
5. Wait for an email confirming the cancellation of your booking. Some emails don’t include the refund/credit request updates yet. Priceline will notify you when they have processed that request.

Option 2: Cancel on the Phone with Customer Care

If you are unable to cancel your hotel reservation through the website or any other of Priceline’s online tools, you can contact Customer Care at ​​1-800-774-2354.

Cancellation Policies for Priceline Special Deals

Priceline also offers some special deals such as the “Express Deal,” the “Pricebreaker,” and “Name Your Own Trip.”

Express Deals

Express Deals match you to an exclusive collection of rental car companies, hotel properties, or flight carriers offering the biggest discounts. In exchange for these low prices, we reveal the company/property/carrier’s name only after you book.

Customers who take advantage of Express Deals usually end up saving anywhere between 10%-50% for flights—but there is a catch. While Priceline provides you with a list of potential airlines you could be flying with, you do not know which one you will end up getting. The website will only show you a time frame for departure time, but you will only get to see the rest of the details after you’ve paid for it and when you’ve received your flight itinerary.

“Pricebreaker”

Pricebreaker deals are also non-refundable and work similarly to Express Deals. With Pricebreakers, Priceline shows you three similar, highly-rated hotels listed at a single low price. After you make the purchase, you’ll get to see which of those three properties is the hotel where you will be staying.

Cancellation Policies for Pricebreaker & Express Deals

All Express Deal reservations are non-cancelable, non-refundable, non-changeable, and non-transferable by you. Once you purchase a reservation, your method of payment will be charged for the amount shown – regardless of whether or not the reservation is used. Credit will not be given for any unused reservations and cannot be used toward any future purchases.

The terms and conditions of these special deals are extremely strict. If, after booking and paying, you decide that you do not like the deal, you have no option for a refund.

Priceline Refund Policy: How long until I get my refund?

If you requested a refund, you might have to wait two to three days while Priceline processes the refund. In some instances, it may take even longer, depending on the situation.

Once you are qualified for a refund, the amount will be credited to your bank account after a few days.

Can I check the status of my refund?

Yes, you can check the Priceline website for an update on your refunds. If you are unable to do that, you can contact Priceline’s customer service to assist you and ask for an update on the status of your refund from them.

Frequently Asked Questions about Priceline Cancellations & Refunds:

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