Sometime last month, someone posted a very helpful "Priceline for Beginners" lesson here and, of course, I can't find it now. I have just been experimenting with PL to see if it would be useful for a trip I'm planning to Portland. The problem I ran into right away is that Priceline doesn't seem to be showing me which areas don't have 4-star properties, so that I can enable the "free rebid" feature. Can all all 10 or 11 areas in Portland have 4-star hotels? I must be doing something wrong. I'm only interested in staying downtown, but hoped to be able to rebid by consecutively adding areas that were onnly 3-star and below.

I think this is the thread you're talking about.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...e=dmlove&fid=1

You go to the "Name Your Own Price" page with the map. On the left under "Step 1" are the zones. Check one, and you'll see what star levels they have under "Step 2".

For example, if you check the first box "Beaverton-Hillsboro", you'll see that they only have up to 2.5*. Uncheck that box, and check the next one Clackamas. This one has up to 3*.

Do it all, and you'll see that Downtown is the only one with 4*. All the other zones are for "free rebids".

Thanks for the quick replies. I found the thread, and rkkwan, now I see how you're supposed to click the boxes: I was clicking on all of them at once. Duh.

One VERY interesting issue about Portland OR.--Pricelines map for "downtown" includes the convention Center which is on Easr side of river..

MY view of downtown is only on West side of river-so if you really want "my" side of river just bid 4 star only...Last time I got tne Benson hotel for $60..
and previous Westin for $ 70.. The CC area has some really nice 3 star hotels and it is easy to get downtown by light rail which is free in those areas. II prefer west side of river just because it is more convenient to the places I frequent..--shopping, Powell's Books Pearl Bakery and Art Museum..
Portland is a fun city.

I agree with traveler24, downtown is on the Westside and that is where you will find the really nice large hotels..
The Monaco and I think the Heathman as well as the Vintage Plaza, all have specials that sometimes are as good as priceline prices..check the individual hotels too.
Good luck..(the Monaco is going for 5* status)

Priceline is notorious for its creative zone boundaries. They also change the boundaries periodically, so always double-check just before bidding.