Well, you can definitely tell that Priceline is downplaying the "Name Your Own Price" part vs. before. Was not sure whether that was due to changes in customer preference (eBay, for example, is also backing off the bidding/auctions model), or whether it was due to getting fewer rooms to sell because of hotels cutting back and an improving economy and better supply/demand situation for the hotels (with Priceline often only an outlet of last resort).

Still, I've had only one case where I've booked off the fixed-price screen (a 2* for $45 in ANC). Usually they're at $49-59 fixed and I'm trying for $30.

If you lowball it at the 2* level lately there's an excellent chance you'll end up in an extended-stay place. I really tend to like those, but I can certainly see they're not for everyone. Seems like you have to bid at least 3* to get something more mainstream and closer to full-service, rather than a niche place. The Extended Stay America spot I stayed at recently for $25 in Des Moines (overlooking one of the busiest truck routes in America, though thankfully with double-paned windows) would have been terrible for families.