A: You should have received something for your $314. But this case — and resolution — is full of interesting twists and turns.

Your understanding of AutoSlash is correct. Basically, you reserve a car, and the site tries to do better. With Priceline’s AutoSlash rates, it works a little differently.

The site offers an “express deals” rate that may be more restrictive than those offered by car rental companies: www.autoslash.com/blog-and-tips/posts/priceline-ends-name-your-own-price-rental-cars-focuses-on-express-deals. In other words, you might be stuck with that price — and unable to cancel.

A look at your Priceline reservation shows that it was nonrefundable, nontransferable and nonchangeable, even if you didn’t use the car. From your perspective, AutoSlash didn’t do what you expected it to because of its Priceline rates. You initiated a credit card dispute. In response, Priceline canceled your reservation but fought the dispute.

You should have been able to call Priceline and let it know that you were giving up and would take the car, but that’s not how it works. Once a credit card dispute starts, it’s almost impossible to stop it. So Priceline tried to keep your money and give you nothing in return. Worse, you say you didn’t see the terms of your purchase until after you tried to cancel.

It sounds as if there was a lot of unnecessary confusion about your rental. I list the Priceline executive contacts on my consumer-advocacy site: www.elliott.org/company-contacts/priceline.

You contacted AutoSlash for help, but by the time I arrived on the scene, everyone was already too confused. (I include myself in this group. After reviewing this case the first time, I wasn’t sure if I could help. But you furnished my advocacy team with details that made it possible for me to advocate for you.)

I contacted Priceline on your behalf, and it refunded your $314.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of “How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler.” You can read more travel tips on his blog, elliott.org, or email him at chris@elliott.org.