Originally Posted by
LAXative
Your comment makes me better understand what kind of "traveler" you are.
Yes, I very seldom rent cars and thus honestly did not know that one could make a rental commitment without costs. If you meant something personal towards me, then be careful of what you speak - the moderators take a dim view of personal attacks.
As far as airlines are concerned, the last two times I checked fees and flights ( albiet on non-USA airlines/flights) I could reserve the particular booking for 24+ hours by paying a fee.
Clearly the non-USA world charges for a degree of "commitment". Trust me, I travel in the non-USA world and have noticed for several years that most flight costs do not change of an hourly basis. The same is true for overseas hotels - including upscale ones like The Raffles in Singapore, and Youth Hostels, and B&Bs - all of which I have booked and stayed in. That said, I have not stayed in, nor booked any USA hotel/motel in over 25 years - so I have no idea as to how their rates change hourly/daily.
No matter as I have no more car rentals for at least a year, and certainly none in the USA. The same is true of airlines and hotels/motels based in the USA.

My travel plans for the next 24+ months do not include the USA - this is just actual planning and nothing more. My travel is personal and interest based. Much of the world is very interesting (and inexpensive) so that is where my personal travel interests lie ...