Agreed. I've also noticed SPG moving toward advanced payment requirements for the cheapest rates ... however 90% of the time that's alleviated by just booking the AAA rate.

Do a search, it'll come up with a, say, $139 rate that's fully prepaid and non-refundable. Change the search to Automobile Assocation, and you'll get that same rate (plus or minus a few bucks) that's fully refundable up until day of or before.