Dollar - Denver to Phoenix one-way rental

I need to a rent a minivan for two weeks, one-way, Denver to Phoenix in March. The best rate I have so far is Dollar: $177 per week but with a $350 drop-off fee. Any advise on how to get a better rate, please?

Unfortunately, it's rare to get drop fees waived. Thrifty is currently running a special where drop fees are waived for convertibles picked up at northern locations and returned to southern (Gulf Coast/Florida) ones, but that's about it. I am not aware of any Dollar specials for one-ways between DEN and PHX.

Dollar takes the strategy of providing you with a low daily/weekly rate (looks like you took advantage of the $177/week minivan promo with American Express, too) and then charging a drop fee based on the distance. Some other agencies, like Hertz, don't charge a drop fee, but they jack up the daily and weekly rates.

What this means is that Dollar's a better deal for longer rentals (like your two-week rental) and Hertz, etc., are better deals for shorter rentals (i.e. DEN-PHX in two days, where you might only pay $150/day = $300).

Depending on whether you're spending all two weeks out on the road or will be in DEN for several days before leaving for PHX, you might be able to make it work to your advantage to rent from Dollar in DEN and return later in DEN and then pick up something with Hertz or whoever for the drive down to PHX. I highly doubt you'll be able to do better than you're doing now, though.

you may also want to check back later. if you're okay with renting an SUV, you may get some deal as the station trys to move inventory. as spring approches, they may need fewer snow vehicles and will be willing to shift them to other locations.