Priceline refunds depend on what you booked and which type of rate you chose
Priceline offers refunds for flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages, but the money comes back only if your booking falls into a refundable category. Most refunds go back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after Priceline processes your cancellation. The speed and amount depend on whether you booked a refundable rate, a non-refundable rate, or used Priceline's Name Your Own Price feature — each has different rules.
If you booked a refundable rate, you can cancel and receive your full payment back. If you booked a non-refundable rate, Priceline will not refund your money, though you may be able to use it as a credit toward a future booking. The key is knowing which one you chose at the time of purchase, because that determines whether a refund is possible.
Key Takeaways
- Refundable rates return your full payment to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after cancellation.
- Non-refundable rates do not return money, but Priceline usually converts them to a credit you can use for another booking.
- Name Your Own Price bookings are almost always non-refundable and cannot be changed or cancelled.
- You can cancel and request a refund through your Priceline account online, by phone at 1-800-PRICELINE, or through the Priceline mobile app.
- If your refund does not arrive within 10 business days, contact your credit card company or bank to investigate the delay.
How to cancel a booking and request a refund
Log into your Priceline account and go to "My Trips" to see all your bookings. Find the reservation you want to cancel, click on it, and look for a "Cancel" button. If the button appears, your booking is refundable. Click it, confirm the cancellation, and Priceline will show you the refund amount and the timeline for when it will reach your account.
If you do not see a "Cancel" button, your booking is non-refundable. In that case, Priceline will offer you a credit instead — you can use this credit to book a new trip at any time, and it does not expire. Some non-refundable bookings can be modified (for example, changing your hotel dates) without losing the money, so check whether that option is available before you give up on the booking.
If you prefer to cancel by phone, call 1-800-PRICELINE (1-800-774-2354). Have your confirmation number ready. The agent will confirm whether your booking is refundable, process the cancellation, and tell you when to expect the refund. Phone cancellations take the same amount of time as online cancellations — the refund still goes back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
Understanding refundable versus non-refundable rates
At the time you book, Priceline shows you the rate type before you pay. Refundable rates cost more but let you cancel and get your money back. Non-refundable rates cost less but lock you in — if you cancel, you lose the money. The rate type is clearly labeled during checkout, so you choose which trade-off works for you.
For hotels, a refundable rate usually means you can cancel up to a certain date (often the day before arrival) and receive a full refund. A non-refundable rate means no refund under any circumstance, though Priceline converts it to a credit. For flights, refundable fares work the same way — you can cancel and get your money back, while non-refundable fares become a credit.
Name Your Own Price bookings are a special case. When you use this feature, you name the price you want to pay, and Priceline finds a match. These bookings are almost always non-refundable and cannot be cancelled or changed. If you use Name Your Own Price, you are accepting that you cannot get your money back, so use it only for trips you are certain about.
What happens when you receive a credit instead of a refund
If your booking is non-refundable, Priceline will not return your money to your card or bank account. Instead, you receive a Priceline credit for the full amount you paid. This credit appears in your account immediately after cancellation and can be used to book any flight, hotel, rental car, or vacation package on Priceline.
Credits do not expire, so you can use them whenever you are ready to book another trip. You can also transfer a credit to another person's Priceline account if you want someone else to use it. When you book with a credit, you simply select it as your payment method at checkout, and the credit amount is deducted from the total price.
If you received a credit but would prefer cash back, Priceline does not offer a way to convert credits to refunds. Your only option is to use the credit for a future booking or contact your credit card company to dispute the charge — though disputing a charge after you received a credit (even if it is a non-refundable credit) is difficult and may not succeed.
Tracking your refund status
After you cancel a refundable booking, Priceline sends you a confirmation email with the cancellation details and the expected refund date. The refund typically takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account, but the exact timeline depends on your bank or credit card company — some process refunds faster than others.
You can check the status of your refund by logging into your Priceline account and viewing your cancellation confirmation. It will show the refund amount and the date Priceline submitted it to your payment method. If you do not see the refund within 10 business days, check your bank or credit card statement to see if it has posted. Sometimes refunds appear as pending for a few days before they are finalized.
If your refund does not show up after 10 business days, contact your bank or credit card company first — they can tell you whether Priceline sent the refund and where it is in the process. If your bank confirms they never received it, then contact Priceline at 1-800-PRICELINE with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate.
Refunds for packages and special circumstances
Priceline vacation packages bundle flights, hotels, and sometimes rental cars or activities into one booking. If your package is refundable, you can cancel the entire package and receive a refund for the full amount. If it is non-refundable, the entire package becomes a credit. You cannot usually cancel just one part of a package — it is all or nothing.
If your trip was cancelled by the airline or hotel (for example, the flight was cancelled or the hotel closed), Priceline will refund you even if you booked a non-refundable rate. In these cases, the refund is automatic, though it may take a few extra days to process because Priceline has to coordinate with the airline or hotel first.
If you paid for travel insurance through Priceline, that is a separate charge and has its own refund rules. Travel insurance is almost always non-refundable, but it may cover certain cancellation reasons (like illness or a death in the family). Check your insurance policy to see what is covered, and file a claim with the insurance provider if your situation qualifies.
What to do if Priceline denies your refund request
If you request a refund and Priceline tells you that your booking is non-refundable, your first step is to review your original confirmation email to confirm the rate type. If the confirmation clearly states non-refundable, Priceline is following its policy and will not reverse the decision. In that case, your only option is to accept the credit or use it for a future booking.
If you believe Priceline made an error — for example, you are certain you booked a refundable rate but Priceline says you did not — contact Priceline customer service with your confirmation number and ask them to review your booking details. Provide any screenshots or emails you have that show the rate type at checkout. If Priceline confirms the error was theirs, they will process a refund.
If you paid by credit card and Priceline refuses to refund a booking you believe should be refundable, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Contact your card issuer and explain that you cancelled a refundable booking but Priceline refused to refund it. The card company will investigate and may reverse the charge, though this process takes several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Priceline refund take?
Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account after Priceline processes your cancellation. The exact timeline depends on your bank or credit card company — some process refunds faster than others. If you do not see the refund within 10 business days, contact your bank to check the status.
Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable rate?
No, non-refundable bookings do not return your money. Priceline converts the amount to a credit you can use for any future booking on Priceline. The credit does not expire and can be transferred to another person if you choose.
What if the airline or hotel cancelled my booking?
If the airline cancelled your flight or the hotel closed, Priceline will refund you even if you booked a non-refundable rate. The refund is automatic, though it may take a few extra days because Priceline has to coordinate with the provider first.
Can I modify a non-refundable booking instead of cancelling it?
Some non-refundable bookings allow modifications — for example, changing hotel dates or flight times — without losing your money. Check your booking details in your Priceline account to see if a "Modify" option is available. If it is, you can change your reservation without cancelling.
What if my refund never arrives?
If your refund does not appear within 10 business days, contact your bank or credit card company first to see if it is pending or if there is a problem on their end. If your bank confirms they never received it, contact Priceline at 1-800-PRICELINE with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate.