AutoSlash, thanks for the good information. I think the bottom like is to talk with each branch manager and see what I can come up with. I think the Hertz location is a franchise and not corporate owned. Not sure about the others. But I might as well call each one and see what I can negotiate, as well as compare what a "typical" online rental might be. It's possible that if I simply take the best rate among all the options for any one 10-day trip, I'll do pretty good.

Bttc, a lease assumption? I'll have to look into that. Not sure exactly what that entails. I would have parking I could use for the 20/days a month I'm away. But not if I'm driving myself to the airport and back. Depending on the deal, it might be that adding a $15 cab ride (times 2) each trip would still make a lease assumption a good deal? I'll have to do some research. But in general, I don't want to have to deal with ANY of the things that a car owner needs to worry about (repairs, maintenance, etc). Otherwise, I would just buy a clunker. I'll be doing less than 30 miles of driving in any given month. But I love the freedom of not owning a car. Haven't owned one in 10 years (live in NYC). Don't want to buy a car in order to take a part time job in South Dakota. On the other hand. Come to think of it, do seat warmers come standard with all rental in south dakota? no?!