I have not used priceline but many of my reservations were in out of the way places where it was not available. I may try it for an upcoming trip. I would not use it for a plane trip as I would not want an itenary that I could not see first, but for a hotel, it probably will work out fine. As for the points & programs, the best thing they have going for them are affinity credit cards - I spend no more than I wouldn't spend already, save the annual fee, which is easily recovered with a reasonable amount of spending on the card.