There was a thread I found from 2004 about advice for avoiding airport rental surcharges. Since that was awhile ago, I thought I'd start a new thread, specifically about DEN.

I rent frequently from DEN airport, but the airport concession fees (or whatever they're called) and generally higher rates are getting annoying. So, I am looking into using Denver Downtown HLE instead.

For example, one trip in March I am arriving Sunday morning, and leaving the following Saturday morning. Some comparisons (using a Ford Focus as the basis for the example):

If I pickup from the airport Hertz right after flight arrival that Sunday morning (about 10am), and return to the airport, it is $422 all in for the week.

If I chill in the airport for a couple hours and wait to pickup the car until noon Sunday at the airport Hertz, and return to the airport at the same time (next Sat AM), the rate drops to $386 all in.

If I rent from DEN downtown HLE and return there, it drops to about $175 all in. In this case, I would have to take the RTD skyRide route AF to/from downtown (a reasonable trade-off for the HLE rate). Opting for a return at the airport takes this $175 rate to $286.

Note that all of these examples are using the United Airlines CDP and PC#974643 for the free double upgrade. Also renting a higher class (for a better upgrade) results in a roughly equivalent increase in rates among pickup choices, but still a significant discount at the HLE).

Who has frequently rented at the DEN downtown HLE by taking the skyRide bus, has it worked out for you? Have you had any trouble with extremely early morning returns at this HLE (after hours key drops) to jump the skyRide to make an early morning flight?

Does it all seem like too much work just to avoid the airport taxes and fees? Any other DEN strategies or general comments welcome.

Thanks.
Jim
Hertz Gold