i have just noticed that Avis no longer includes road service in their rentals. It is an "add-on" at $6 (Cincinnati off site) -$13 ( SF) /day.

I haven't had time to compare, but does anyone know if ALL companies are now putting this as an optional chargeable service? Just curious

hmm,
So what are you supposed to do with the car if you don't have the roadside service? I wonder what they think the renter is responsible for? Lets say something major like transmission or something minor like a tire that is not repairable(blown tire, not just a flat).

I never gave thought to this because I have AAA which I hope applies whenever I drive.

Same here ^^^^ As far as I know, AAA covers you, not your car, so you are covered no matter what you are driving, be it a rental, a friend's car, etc.

Basically if you don't have roadside assistence, they aren't responsible for coming to get you and the car if you get a flat tire or have a breakdown.

They're learning from the airlines.

Sometimes they don't even include "counter service" in the rental rate. Alamo charged me $6 per day "facility fee" which they explain is a fee to recoup the cost of renting their space at the airport.
I'll bet they recoup that amount about six times over in the course of a year.

Allegiant Air charges a fee of $17 per ticket for booking online!

***I never gave thought to this because I have AAA which I hope applies whenever I drive.***

It does. Speaking from experience.

Yes AAA covers you. I one time used it for a coworker who got a flat tire. I never was a passenger in her car but they never knew that.

I also one time didn't have to pay a charge for a second driver because I had AAA.