How to Use Priceline

Priceline.com splash page

Priceline is a website you can use to obtain discount vacation packages, hotels, flights and attractions.
When you use Priceline, it can be a tool to help you save money while traveling, but fail to use Priceline properly and it could cost you money since travel arrangements and reservations are non refundable under any circumstances. Use Priceline when you can be flexible in travel dates, destinations, vacation packages and hotel areas.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet
• Credit Card
• Money
• Itinerary
• Calendar

Instructions

Booking a Hotel

1. Decide where you will be staying if you are booking a hotel. It is important to become familiar with the area, such as uptown, downtown or airport, so you do not end up bidding on a neighborhood you do not wish to be in.

2. Read reviews about the hotels in the area you wish to stay in before you use Priceline. This will give you a good idea of what others have experienced. These review web sites are listed in the resources section.

3. Go to Priceline and decide how you want to use it. For example, you may reserve a hotel room at the listed price or make an offer. To make an offer, click "hotels" at the top of your screen on the Priceline web site and then "bid now." Fill in the city, state, date and number of rooms. Then locate the hotel area, star level and price. Enter your credit card information, initial the box on Priceline as your signature and wait for an answer.

4. Look at the screen once on Priceline or check or email to verify your offer was accepted before you proceed any further. This may take a few minutes. This step is very important as it can prevent double-booking when you use Priceline.

Reserving a Flight

1. Click "Flights" in Priceline. Fill in the cities, dates, times, class and number of tickets on that screen. If you need a flight and a hotel, click "search flights and hotels" on Priceline and fill in the information on the web page.

2. View the Priceline screen with the flight information. Pay close attention to the "total," as this includes fees and taxes. Also note which flights are non-stop or how many stops flights include, as well as departure and arrival times. You may save more money by booking a hotel at the same time as your flight. Priceline lists them all on the web page.

3. Click on the flight of your choosing. Priceline.com will prompt you for credit card information as well as an electronic signature. Your credit card will be billed and your flight booked immediately.

4. Print out your confirmation email that contains your flight information in the event you use Priceline to book.

Book a Cruise with Priceline

1. Click "Cruises" on the top of your Priceline screen. Fill in the destination, dates and times, and length. Enter your zip code to find the best rate Priceline has for your city. You can also call [phone] for assistance in planning your cruise and speak with a Priceline travel agent.

2. Click on the cruise that best suits your budget on Priceline. If you did not find one to your liking, search again in another vacation destination or different time frame on Priceline. There are many to choose from.

3. Look at the customized deals that are available for your area and click on those for more information on Priceline. You may even have deals emailed to you to save money. Deals are listed at the bottom of your cruise information screen on the Priceline website.

Tips & Warnings

• If a bid is rejected by Priceline, try changing the star level, going a bit higher or price, or expanding the neighborhoods of your hotel stay.

• Print the confirmation email out and take it to the hotel along with your ID and credit card you used to book your reservation.

• Add a rental car to save even more money. You can do this after you book with the email you receive from priceline.com.

• Click on the "Pricebreakers," "Tours," "Attractions" and "Packages" tabs to save even more on your vacation.

• Be flexible in your arrangements when you use Priceline

• There are no refunds or cancellations on priceline.com.

• Keep in mind your discounted rate will have fees and taxes added to it.

• You must have a valid passport for all cruises to foreign countries.

• All flights are final

Resources

• Trip Advisor
• Yahoo! Travel
• Priceline Official Site