Hidden fees are a big problem. For example, a customer might book a flight thinking they've paid the full price, but then at the airport, they are charged extra for things like baggage that they thought was included in the Priceline deal. This can really add up and make the overall cost much higher than expected.
Mismatched bookings. Some customers have reported that the details on their Priceline - booked flight don't match what the airline has. This could be things like the wrong seat class or incorrect flight times. It causes a lot of confusion and inconvenience when trying to check - in and board the flight. And often, Priceline is slow to resolve these issues.
I heard of a person who booked a flight on Priceline. When they got to the airport, the airline said there was no record of their reservation. After hours of trying to sort it out with Priceline customer service, they still missed their flight. It was a total nightmare with lots of stress and extra costs for a new flight.
A common horror story is about the lack of customer service when things go wrong. You might have a problem with your hotel reservation made through Name Your Price on Priceline. Maybe the hotel claims they don't have your reservation, and when you try to contact Priceline, you are put on hold for a very long time. Or they give you the run - around and don't actually solve the problem, leaving you stranded without accommodation or having to pay extra to sort it out on your own.
One common element is unruly passengers. Whether they are drunk, mentally unstable or just plain rude, they can make the flight a nightmare for others. Another is flight crew incompetence. If they can't handle situations like medical emergencies or rowdy passengers properly, it just adds to the horror.
Unruly passengers can also be part of flight horror stories. I've heard of cases where drunk passengers got into fights and created chaos on the plane. Also, bad weather conditions that the plane has to struggle through, such as thunderstorms or heavy snowfall, are often in these stories.
Weather conditions are often a part of these horror stories. For example, unexpected strong winds or sudden fog that makes visibility extremely low. Trainees may not be fully prepared for such harsh weather during their training flights.
One horror story is getting a hotel that was listed as 'near the beach'. Turns out it was miles away and in a really seedy area. The place smelled bad and the staff was rude.
Well, a lot of flight attendants talk about horror stories related to turbulence. There have been times when turbulence hits so suddenly and severely that flight attendants and passengers are thrown around. Also, there are horror stories about lost luggage. Sometimes the luggage handling system messes up and passengers blame the flight attendants even though it's not really their fault.
Equipment failure is quite common. Like the oxygen supply malfunctioning or the defibrillator not working properly when it's urgently needed.
Engine problems are quite common. For example, sudden engine failure or overheating can lead to terrifying situations. Another common element is bad weather like violent storms or strong turbulence. Also, bird strikes are a recurrent theme in these stories.
Turbulence is very common. It can make the flight seem endless as passengers endure the shaking and jolting for long periods. Another element is mechanical problems. Even a small issue that causes strange noises or vibrations can be terrifying when you're thousands of feet in the air and the flight is long. Also, unruly passengers can add to the horror. If someone is causing a disturbance or being threatening, it makes the flight feel much worse.