Also, "getting Gold" is not all that simple. You can do it two ways.

1.) Get the Hilton Honors Surpass card (click here for info) and put $20,000USD on it in a year. (You can also get Diamond by spending US$40,000 in a year on the card - not all spend at Hilton, of course)

2.) Read the "fast track" thread - you can get Gold after four stays if you sign up for fast track. (here)

If you're going to be in the U.S. for a couple of months and can get Gold status, it might be worth your while to stay with Hilton. You'll earn point bonuses that mean you'll get free rooms after a few stays.

However, I think saad covered this, but you're not guaranteed any of the Hilton benefits, as far as I know, if you book through Priceline. You also won't get the extra points that enable you to book free rooms after you get a certain number of them.

Honestly, I might stick with Priceline if you're just going to come to the U.S. for a couple of months, unless you can qualify for Gold early on in the game.

The major downside of Priceline, though, is that rooms are not changeable or refundable, and they charge you when you make the reservation.