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Priceline Rules

Quick overview of Rules

This section is divided into Priceline's General Rules and Information, and also basics for:

• Air Travel, both domestic and international
• Hotels and Resorts
• Rental Cars, and
• International Trips.

[Note that these sections contain different information from the bidding strategies discussed in Airfares, Car Rentals, and Hotels on the main menu.]

General rules and information

• Once your give your credit card number for a "name your own price" airline ticket, car, or hotel, or for a vacation package, you are committed to buying that product. You cannot change the times or dates, even by paying a penalty. This has been the most frequently misunderstood rule by Priceline customers.
  
  
• Rebidding rules: If your bid is not accepted, you cannot re-bid on air travel within 24 hours UNLESS you:
  - change your travel dates,
  - add airports (e.g., agree to depart from either LaGuardia or JFK in NYC),
  - add off-peak hours,
  - agree to make more than one connection, or
  - agree to fly on non-jet aircraft.
  
  You can re-bid after 24 hours without changing any of the particulars of your trip.
  
  You cannot re-bid on hotels within 24 hours unless you change the city, neighborhood, hotel quality, or date. You can re-bid on hotels after 24 hours without changing any particulars.
  
  Note that you cannot re-bid for hotels within 24 hours by merely choosing a higher quality category because Priceline assumes that your original bid for a 3-star hotel is for any hotel between 3 and the maximum 5 stars. In this case, you can immediately make a new bid for a 2-star hotel.
  
  You cannot re-bid on rental cars within 24 hours without changing the car size or date. You can re-bid on the same car rental after 24 hours have passed.
  
  
• If Priceline does not accept your credit card that does not have a U.S. billing address, try Hotwire.com, Priceline's main competitor.
  
  
• When you submit your bid with a credit card number, Priceline gives you a transaction number. Write this down and save it.
  
  
• You usually find out if your bid is accepted while online within several minutes. Priceline.com also sends you an email directing you to an Internet page that tells you if your bid is accepted. OR: You can always go Priceline's website and use the "Check your request" link on its home page. Then just enter your transaction number there.
  
  
• Print out your confirmation details and take these with you on your trip, in case of computer problems while checking in.
  

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Basics for air travel

General:

• Your airline trip must begin in one of the fifty U.S. states or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Your destination can be nearly anywhere in the world.
  
  
• Possible connections are limited to one in each direction unless you give permission for more. (You may need more in order to reach some places.)
  
  
• Unlike the weekend-only Internet fares offered by many airlines, fares from Priceline.com Air may be valid for stays of up to 11 months from the date of booking. You must, however, return within 11 months of the date of your accepted bid.
  
  
• Remember that you must show the airlines an official photo I.D when you travel. Airlines generally accept only a valid driver's license or passport. Requirements for children vary by airline and destination.
  
  You now must have a passport and sometimes a visa to fly between the U.S. and international destinations, which include Canada and Mexico.
  
  Yes, the law applies to flights coming into the U.S., but airlines won't let you fly from the U.S. unless they know that you can return.
  
  
• You may not be automatically assigned a seat when your bid is accepted. If you wish to request a certain type of seat, such as "window" or "aisle," call the airline as soon as possible.
  
  
• Also check with your airline to see how early you should arrive at the airport to go through today's tighter security.
  
  Note too that there are deadlines for arriving at the departure gate, which vary by airline. Even if you have a boarding pass, your seat can be given to a standby passenger if you are late.
  
  Check-in policies also vary by airline, airport, destination, and whether or not you check bags. (Try not to.)
  
  
• Airlines are cracking down on oversized bags. Check requirements (which vary by airline and destination) to avoid steep extra charges.
  
  Also, some airlines are now charging for more than one checked bag.
  
  
• Airlines shows you which companies priceline.com typically uses.
  
  Priceline and Hotwire air travel check list gives additional information about having a smooth trip.
  
  Standby flights rules and tips helps you travel at alternative times.
  

Basics for domestic flights:

• The airlines priceline.com uses will reserve your departure for any time from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on the day you select. Arrivals may be up to 12:30 a.m.
  
  In our experience, Priceline tries to get you flights that depart outbound in the morning and leave coming back in the late afternoon, but this is not guaranteed.
  
  
• You may bid on most domestic tickets up to 12 Noon local time on the day you wish to depart.
  
  
• If bidding for same-day travel, your first flight will depart no less than six hours from the time that your bid is accepted.

Basics for international flights:

• International flights may depart and arrive at any time. You may need to give permission for more than one connection to reach some international destinations.
  
  
• You may bid on international tickets up to three days prior to traveling outside of North America. Priceline requires time to send you a paper ticket for some international routes, instead of the electronic tickets used for most domestic travel.

Basics for hotels and resorts

• You do not need to reserve priceline.com flights in order to bid on hotels and resorts.
  
  
• Requests for hotels and resorts must reach Priceline.com Hotels no later than 11:00 p.m. local time at the hotel on the day of your arrival. You'll have better luck getting what you want if you bid earlier. Also, some Asian and European hotels need more notice.
  
  
• Call the hotel soon after your bid is accepted to request a smoking or nonsmoking room.
  
  
• Priceline hotel rooms are guaranteed to accommodate two adults, but could involve any size of bed or beds. Call the hotel if you wish to request a specific bed type. Bedding requests are based on availability.
  
  It's best not to wait until check in to request a type of bed.
  
  
• See our Hotel check list for additional help in having a smooth stay.
  
  
• BidonTravel helps you choose the best neighborhood for you in popular cities:
  Chicago
  Disneyland - Orange County, CA
  Los Angeles
  Los Angeles for Amtrak and Greyhound passengers
  New York City
  Orlando
  San Francisco Bay Area
  Vancouver
  Washington, DCand
  many more in Places.
  
  

Basics for rental cars

• You do not need to reserve priceline.com flights in order to bid on cars.
  
  
• Drivers under 21 may not rent cars using Priceline.com.
  
  
• You may rent Priceline cars at most airports and a few downtown locations in the United States with returns required to the same rental office. You can also rent at major airports in Canada.
  
  
• Bids for car rentals must reach priceline.com at least four hours prior to pick up.
  
  
• Drivers with poor driving records may be refused cars. If you're not sure, contact the rental companies that priceline uses prior to bidding.

Basics for international trips

• Be sure to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your trip and a visa if required by the other country.
  
  The U.S. State Department provides foreign visa requirements for Americans and safety warnings.
  
  
• If you're not an American citizen and you intend to return to the U.S., be sure that your documents allow you to do so.
  
  
• Consult a doctor to find out if you'll need inoculations or other health preparations in advance of your trip. Your doctor may need time to order vaccines, or to give a series of shots or oral medicines.
  
  Note that if you wish to travel abroad soon, these medical preparations could affect the departure date you'll select in your bid.
  
• Also consult your doctor about what you may need to return to the United States in good health. If you are going to a country where you could be exposed to a particular illness, your doctor can advise you about medical requirements for re-entering the U.S.
  
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains excellent information for travelers. Click on Traveler's Health.
  

Go on to bidding strategies by choosing Air, Car, Hotel, or Vacation from the menu below.