I'll weigh in as a Priceline defectee for personal trips. If I'm travelling on business, I usually go Hilton, my 1a choice is Holiday Inn. I quickly figured out that you got more extra nights by paying $50-$100 less per night than by multiple stays at a moderately discounted rate. Priority Club is also much easier to redeem rewards, by far. I prefer to do my reservations over the web, and Hilton doesn't allow reward reservations on-line. PC will. I use the "cheater" sies like biddingfortravel to see what hotels are offered and a little instinct and have gotten some great deals. However, if the Priceline stay is within $10 per night of what I can book with my preferred chain, then I take the chain. I was able to get the Crowne Plaza in Sydney for $85 per night, and I quit bidding on Priceline at $80, not knowing where I woule be placed.

YMMV