Priceline has discontinued its well-known “Name Your Own Price” promotion for car rentals. Previously popular with budget-minded travelers, the program allowed users to submit a price they were willing to pay for services such as car rentals, flights and hotel rooms. The system would then return options that matched the user’s bid alongside other relevant factors like location, vehicle type and rental duration.
Although the bidding model could produce savings, many users found it inefficient: you had to place a bid and wait to see whether a provider accepted it. That uncertainty and delay made the process cumbersome for travelers who wanted quicker results.
In place of the bidding system, Priceline now highlights alternative ways to save, claiming potential discounts of up to 40 percent on select services. For car rentals specifically, the site is promoting Express Deals, which deliver lower prices instantly without requiring a bidding period or waiting for confirmation.
It’s worth noting that Priceline discontinued the “Name Your Own Price” option for airfare in 2016; the mechanism remains available for certain hotel bookings but is no longer used for rental cars.