Since I started this thread with my vent, thought I'd provide you with an update.

After being told by Budget customer service that the non-airport Budget location I rented from no longer gives ANY miles (not even the base miles), and that therefore, I would get no miles for my past rentals, I wrote the Vice President of Avis Budget. Today I see I received full miles for 2 of my older rentals; I'm waiting on 2 additional more recent rentals from that particular location.

So my thanks to the Vice President for responding to my letter. Today I received a written acknowledgment.