priceline.com "negotiated travel deals" Norwalk, Connecticut

In short they took my money and didn't provide anything in return
- No they took you money and in return would provide a reservation at a Holiday Inn on a specific date.   It is your choice as to if you want to then stay there or not.

You got a "pre-paid" rate at a discount.  The reason you got it at a discount is because they don't have to build in the normal "buffer" in case you had to cancel or make changes.

If you have a schedule that sometimes requires you to cancel or change your plans then you need to book under rates that allow cancellation/changes in your reservations.

   As an engineer, I'm surprised that you're confused about this.  It's a simple system.   You negotiated a lower rate because you were guaranteeing that the hotel could count on you as a paying customer on the night of 10/15.    In return for that guaranteed income, they cut you a break.

   Other folks who make ordinary reservations that can be cancelled or changed pay a higher rate.   You chose not to do that, yet you still want the benefit of being able to change the date.  Doesn't work that way and Priceline's policy spells it out pretty clearly.    

I did not read the user agreement I admit that but changing reservations is the nature of their business. Why should I be penalized for expecting a service that comes with the territory? For example if I where to go buy new tires and have them installed it would be safe to assume that they would tighten the lug nuts when they reinstalled the wheels. I shouldn’t have
to read through their user agreement to verify that a service is provided when it’s in the nature of their business. I don’t know of any business that gives you a discount for paying up front. I wouldn’t expect a discount on said tires for paying up front.

I’m not confused about the system. I just don’t see the reasoning in not allowing me to change the date as it would still guaranteed them the money since I already paid. BTW I didn’t choose to not go circumstances out of my control are preventing me from going. It happens and they are exploiting that fact.

What do mean by “build in the normal buffer” I made the reservation for the 15TH and change it to the 22nd that’s plenty of time to prepare. I would understand if I was moving date up.

At the very least they should give me the option to pay a little more and bring the reservation fee to the usual booking price as opposed to loosing all the money.

" changing reservations is the nature of their business. "

   It's exactly the opposite, as you have learned the hard way.    I don't know how to explain it any other way.   You got a break on the room price specifically because it was non-changeable.  If you want a reservation with more options, you should just make it with the hotel (and pay a bit more).