No where in my original post did I say that a forum is needed for "I am traveling to blah, and need a discounted rental."

I'm not asking for a fish. I'm seeking a place to learn HOW to fish in these new troubled waters.

With or without you, or FT, I WILL learn how to fish better in this storm of skyrocketing rental rates. My job and livelihood depend on it. It would be nice to have a common place to both share and glean that knowledge which would apply to all car rental brands.

I booked six trips with cars yesterday, up to 60 days out. Half those trips I double booked cars with two different companies, and I'm not satisfied with the price, discount, or the incentives of either. It is hard to tell what is going on, but prices are shockingly higher.

In years past, it was a rather simple matter of going to carrentals.com and getting a helicopter survey of price ranges across companies. Then I would go to the car rental companies website directly, and using my membership number and various discount codes found with an independent search, chip away at it. Average rentals were about $150 for 4 weekend days, Thu-Mon.

Now, just a year or two later, I find that carrentals.com is owned by expedia or tripadvisor, forgot which. Prices posted are higher though. Now, all the discount code websites are trojan filled malware bombs one dare not click on. And now, my average rentals are about $300 for 4 weekend days, and this is for economy. The game has changed, and I want to learn how to adapt.

I'm looking for a forum where strategy learning is possible, and where people genuinely LIKE to be helpful. You can keep your spoon in your drawer. Don't assume it is what people are looking for.