3* Portland (Convention Center-Lloyd Center) Red Lion Convention Cente

I bid for this hotel on behalf of friends who will be attending the same event in Portland that I am. I started at $32 and bid up in $1 increments using various tricks, including dropping to 2.5* (there are no 2.5* hotels in the Convention Center zone). The total came to $147.33 after taxes and fees. The Red Lion's 24 Summer promotional rate (one night non-refundable deposit required) was $75.

The good news for them is that this is the host hotel. The bad news is that it's the Red Lion. But I think they'll be happy with the deal.

3.5* San Francisco (Fishermans Wharf) Marriott Fishermans Wharf

I started at $55 and increased in $1-$2 increments. On my fifth bid of $62, I received a +$17 counteroffer. Based on this counteroffer and other reported wins at $70, I decided to wait 24 hours, figuring that this deal wouldn't suddenly disappear this far in advance. I then started at $63 and increased in $1 increments (receiving 3 more +$17 counteroffers along the way); I was accepted at the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf on my seventh bid of $69. The rate for this hotel on Marriott.com was $209/night. I'm really looking forward to this trip, my first to San Francisco in over 20 years.

p.s. Could someone please fix the subject line? I apparently had a dyslexic moment.

3* Eugene Valley River Inn

This is for my friend's return trip from San Francisco. I bid $45 for 3* Springfield, then added 2.5* and bid $50. I then started a new bid of $45 for 3* Eugene and was accepted at the Valley River Inn (I hope I didn't overbid by much). Best Available Rate on the hotel's website was $149.

I started these bids from the PRICELINE link.

3* Eugene Hilton

This was a last-minute bid for a friend who is heading down to San Francisco today. I started bidding Wednesday night with the following bids, which were rejected:

3* Springfield $45
3* Eugene $45
3* Eugene + Springfield $50
2.5* Springfield $55

I waited 24 hours, then continued with these bids:

3* Springfield $60
3* Eugene $55
2.5* Springfield $65 (+$17 counteroffer)
3* Eugene + Springfield $60 (accepted)

3* Portland (Downtown) Courtyard City Center

Knowing that this hotel was likely now in play and not knowing its Priceline rates, I started with bids of $32, $35, $38, and $40 (using Northwest Portland and South Waterfront District as pseudo-rebid zones); I received a +$11 counteroffer at $38. Hoping for the Residence Inn Riverplace, and remembering the nightmare I went through last year bidding in Downtown Portland for the Labor Day weekend, I decided to try to close the deal. After waiting 24 hours, I bid $38 and $41 before I was accepted at the Courtyard at $43. The rate on Marriott.com was $99/night.

I really wanted the Residence Inn (great chlorine-free pool, free breakfast), but this is a brand new hotel with spacious rooms (435 sq. ft. -- very big for downtown Portland) and the location is more convenient for me. I was pleasantly surprised by the Paramount, and this hotel looks more promising, so I'm interested in trying it out.

I started my bids through the PRICELINE link.