My Journey with Priceline Car Rentals
I remember the first time I used Priceline to book a car. I was planning a weekend trip to California, and I wanted a reliable rental without breaking the bank. Priceline’s website caught my eye with its bold promises of savings. But I was skeptical. Could a third-party site deliver a car from a reputable company like Hertz or Avis at a lower price? I decided to give it a try, and since then, I’ve used Priceline for rentals in multiple cities across the USA.
My experiences, along with hours of research into customer reviews and industry insights, have given me a clear picture of what Priceline offers. Let me share what I’ve found, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
What Is Priceline, and How Does Its Car Rental Service Work?
Priceline isn’t a car rental company itself. It’s an online travel agency, kind of like a middleman that connects you with rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. It’s been around since 1997, and it’s part of Booking Holdings, which also owns Booking.com and Kayak. This gives it some serious credibility in the travel industry.
When you book a car through Priceline, you’re not renting directly from the car company. Instead, Priceline searches deals from multiple rental agencies and shows you the best options. You enter your travel details—like pickup location, dates, and car type—and Priceline lists available vehicles. You can filter by price, car size, or company. Once you pick a car, you either pay upfront for certain deals or pay at the rental counter. It’s straightforward, but there are a few quirks I’ll get into later.
One thing I love about Priceline is how easy it is to compare prices. Instead of visiting five different rental company websites, I can see all my options in one place. It saves time, especially when I’m planning a trip on a tight schedule.
Is Priceline Car Rental Legit? The Short Answer
Yes, Priceline is legit. It’s a well-established company with over 25 years in the travel business. It partners with major rental car companies, so you’re not dealing with shady, unknown operators. I’ve booked cars through Priceline in places like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami, and each time, I got a real car from a real company. But—and this is a big but—there are some pitfalls you need to watch out for. While Priceline itself is trustworthy, the experience can vary depending on the rental company and the type of deal you choose. Let’s break it down.
The Pros of Booking with Priceline
Booking a car through Priceline has some serious perks. Here’s what I’ve found to be the biggest advantages:
1. Competitive Prices
Priceline often offers lower rates than booking directly with rental companies. For example, on my Chicago trip, I snagged a compact car for $22 a day through Priceline, while the same car was $35 on Hertz’s website. The savings add up, especially for longer rentals.
2. Wide Selection
Priceline partners with major players like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget, as well as smaller companies like Thrifty and Turo. This means you get a huge range of cars to choose from—everything from economy sedans to SUVs and luxury vehicles.
3. Easy-to-Use Platform
The website and app are super user-friendly. I can enter my details, compare options, and book a car in just a few minutes. The filters let me narrow down choices by price, car type, or pickup location, which makes planning a breeze.
4. Express Deals for Extra Savings
Priceline’s Express Deals are a game-changer if you’re flexible. These are discounted rates where you don’t know the rental company until after you book. I used an Express Deal in Miami and saved 40% on a midsize SUV. The catch? You can’t cancel or change these bookings, so your plans need to be solid.
5. Bundling Discounts
If you’re booking a flight or hotel too, Priceline offers package deals that can save you even more. I bundled a car and hotel for a trip to Las Vegas, and the total cost was about 15% less than booking separately.
Here’s a quick table summarizing the pros:
| Benefit | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|
| Competitive Prices | Often cheaper than booking directly with rental companies. |
| Wide Selection | Partners with major and smaller rental agencies for lots of options. |
| Easy-to-Use Platform | Simple interface to compare and book quickly. |
| Express Deals | Deep discounts if you’re okay with less transparency and no cancellations. |
| Bundling Discounts | Save more by booking car, hotel, or flight together. |
The Cons of Booking with Priceline
Now, let’s talk about the downsides. My experiences with Priceline haven’t always been perfect, and I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from other travelers. Here are the main issues to watch out for:
1. Third-Party Booking Challenges
Since Priceline is a middleman, you’re not dealing directly with the rental company. This can lead to mix-ups. For example, I once booked a car in Los Angeles, but when I arrived, the rental agency had no record of my reservation. It took an hour of calls to Priceline to sort it out. Always double-check your booking with the rental company’s website using the confirmation number.
2. Non-Refundable Deals
Express Deals and some prepaid bookings are non-refundable. I learned this the hard way when I had to cancel a trip to Seattle. I lost the full cost of the rental because it was an Express Deal. If your plans might change, stick to pay-at-counter options.
3. Inconsistent Customer Service
Priceline’s customer service can be hit or miss. When I had the Los Angeles issue, one representative was super helpful, but another time, I was stuck on hold for over an hour with no resolution. Online reviews often mention long wait times or unhelpful responses.
4. Hidden Fees
The price you see on Priceline isn’t always the final cost. Some rental companies add fees for things like additional drivers, late returns, or fuel policies. I once got hit with a $50 fee for dropping off a car an hour late. Always read the fine print before booking.
5. No Loyalty Points
If you’re loyal to a rental company like Hertz or Avis, booking through Priceline means you might miss out on loyalty points or rewards. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it matters if you’re trying to rack up points for free rentals.
My Tips for a Smooth Priceline Car Rental Experience
After booking multiple cars through Priceline, I’ve picked up some tricks to avoid headaches. Here’s what I recommend:
1. Book Early
The earlier you book, the better the deals. I usually book at least a month in advance, especially for peak travel seasons like summer or holidays. This also gives you more car options.
2. Double-Check Your Reservation
Always confirm your booking directly with the rental company. After booking on Priceline, I go to the rental agency’s website, enter my confirmation number, and make sure everything matches. This saved me when a reservation didn’t go through properly.
3. Read the Fine Print
Before you hit “book,” check the terms for cancellations, fees, and mileage limits. Some deals have strict rules, like limited miles or extra charges for young drivers. Knowing this upfront prevents surprises.
4. Consider Insurance Carefully
Priceline offers optional insurance, but it’s not always the best deal. I usually rely on my personal car insurance or credit card coverage for rentals. Check with your provider to see what’s covered before buying extra insurance.
5. Be Punctual
Rental companies can charge hefty fees for late pickups or returns. I always aim to pick up and drop off on time to avoid extra costs. If your flight is delayed, call the rental agency as soon as possible.
6. Use AutoSlash for Extra Savings
I’ve started using AutoSlash, a service that finds discounted rates and links to Priceline for booking. It’s saved me up to 30% on some rentals by applying coupons I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
What Other Travelers Are Saying
I’m not the only one with opinions on Priceline. I scoured reviews on sites like Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, and Reddit to see what others think. The feedback is mixed. Many travelers love the low prices and ease of booking. One user on Trustpilot raved about saving hundreds on a bundled car and flight deal. But others have had issues, especially with customer service and non-refunded bookings. A Reddit user shared a story about arriving at the rental counter only to find no car available, and Priceline’s support was slow to help.
On the flip side, I found positive stories too. A traveler on ConsumerAffairs said Priceline’s customer service went above and beyond to fix a booking error, even calling the rental agency to sort it out. It seems like the experience depends a lot on the specific rental company and the type of deal you choose.
Comparing Priceline to Other Options
To give you a full picture, I’ve compared Priceline to other ways to book a car rental:
1. Booking Directly with Rental Companies
Going straight to Hertz, Avis, or Enterprise gives you more control. You can earn loyalty points and deal directly with the company if something goes wrong. But prices are often higher, and it takes more time to compare options.
2. Other Third-Party Sites
Sites like Expedia, Kayak, and Hotwire work similarly to Priceline. I’ve used Expedia a few times, and it’s comparable in terms of pricing and ease of use. However, Priceline’s Express Deals tend to offer bigger discounts, especially for last-minute bookings.
3. Turo
Turo is a peer-to-peer rental platform, like Airbnb for cars. It’s great for unique vehicles or cheaper rates, but it’s riskier since you’re renting from individuals. I prefer Priceline for the reliability of established rental companies.
4. AutoSlash
As I mentioned earlier, AutoSlash is a free service that finds deals and often links to Priceline for booking. It’s a great way to maximize savings without doing all the legwork yourself.
Here’s a quick comparison table:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Priceline | Low prices, easy to compare, Express Deals, bundling discounts | Higher prices and time-consuming to compare |
| Direct with Rental Co. | Higher prices, and time-consuming to compare | Third-party issues, non-refundable deals, and inconsistent customer service |
| Expedia/Kayak/Hotwire | Similar to Priceline, user-friendly | Fewer deep discounts, similar third-party risks |
| Turo | Unique cars, often cheaper | Riskier, no major company backing, insurance concerns |
| AutoSlash | Finds best deals, applies coupons automatically | Limited to Priceline partners, requires email signup |
When Should You Use Priceline?
Priceline is a great choice if:
- You’re on a budget and want the cheapest rates.
- You’re flexible with your plans and okay with Express Deals.
- You’re bundling a car with a flight or hotel for extra savings.
- You don’t care about loyalty points with a specific rental company.
It’s not the best fit if:
- Your plans might change, and you need flexibility.
- You want to earn loyalty points with a specific rental company.
- You prefer dealing directly with the rental agency for peace of mind.
My Final Thoughts
After using Priceline for several car rentals and digging into what other travelers say, I can confidently say it’s a legit option for booking cars in the USA. The low prices and ease of use make it a go-to for budget-conscious travelers like me. But it’s not perfect. The third-party nature can lead to hiccups, and non-refundable deals require careful planning. By booking early, double-checking reservations, and reading the fine print, you can avoid most issues and score a great deal.
If you’re wondering whether to give Priceline a try, I say go for it—but be smart about it. Use my tips, compare prices, and make sure your plans are solid before booking an Express Deal. With a little caution, Priceline can be a fantastic tool to save money on your next road trip.
FAQs
Is Priceline a safe platform for booking car rentals?
Yes, Priceline is safe and legit. It’s a well-known company that’s been around for over 25 years and partners with trusted rental agencies. Just confirm your booking with the rental company to avoid issues.
Can I cancel a Priceline car rental?
It depends on the deal. Pay-at-counter bookings usually allow cancellations, but Express Deals and prepaid options are often non-refundable. Check the terms before booking.
Are Priceline’s prices cheaper?
In my experience, yes. Priceline often beats direct rental company prices, especially with Express Deals or bundled packages. Always compare rates to be sure.
What happens if the rental company doesn’t have my car?
This can happen with any booking, but it’s more common with third-party sites like Priceline. Call Priceline’s customer service and the rental agency to resolve it. Confirming your reservation ahead of time helps prevent this.
Should I buy Priceline’s rental car insurance?
It depends on your coverage. I usually skip it because my credit card or personal insurance covers rentals. Check your existing policies to avoid paying for unnecessary insurance.
Can I earn loyalty points when booking through Priceline?
Usually, no. Since you’re booking through a third party, most rental companies won’t award loyalty points. If points matter to you, book directly with the rental agency.
