Priceline.

com says it has become the first major online travel agency to offer a $25 credit card refund to hotel customers who can find a lower price than what they paid on its site.  

"We're so sure we have the best prices of any major online hotel reservation service that priceline.com has decided to put our money where our mouth is," said priceline.com Chief Marketing Officer Brett Keller.  

The site says its “Big Deal Hotel Price Guarantee” pays $25 to anyone booking a hotel in the “Name Your Own Price” program who finds a better price. In addition, customers with US billing addresses will receive a $50 coupon good towards a future purchase of Priceline.com’s vacation packages.  

The offer is good up until the day before check-in and is being offered through March 31. The company says it is also expanding its “Winning Bids” content area.  

During the Big Deal promotion, priceline.com visitors can type in virtually any US city they choose and see winning bids for the city's different neighborhoods.  

By David Wilkening