sorriso

I've just started the rental search for our seven day vacation, flying in to Denver and driving out to Breckenridge. I've checked the time period on Hotwire and for a mid-size it's $77.00/day base price. For the week before it's $61 and the week after $45. I do realize these things are fluid but I'm wondering about the effect of the convention August 25-28.

Have any of you run into this kind of thing before?

I briefly checked into the cost of shuttle to Breckenridge and renting from Enterprise but the expense is about the same for a shorter rental period (can't pick the car up until Monday--we fly in on Saturday--and have to drop it off on Friday night).

Thanks!

sylvia3

Have you tried off-airport sites, like downtown? They are usually lots cheaper than DIA.

sylvia3

BTW, Aug 23--29 out of Lakewood was $49 on carrentals.com. (still seems really high)

Gretchen

Yes, probably. It might have been better to try a lot earlier than this. Have you checked Hotwire, and then tried a bid on Pricleine.

Sarah

Don't forget to inquire about AAA rates if you are a member, or state & federal government rates if you work there.

I would also look online. Here in Hawaii when I have friends visiting I ask people from the respective island which agency has the best rates....that can save on searches. Sure there are people here who frequent CO. Start a thread.

Best of luck

sorriso

Thank you for the responses.

Sylvia3: I hadn't checked off- airport at that point. The problem is the weekend hours as we are scheduled (and you know what that could mean!) to land at 4:00 and they close earlier. The Four Points might work. Also, Lakewood, CO didn't pop up on carrentals.

Gretchen: I just bought my ticket this week after watching for months and hoping to catch a sale. Instead the prices were level with little bumps and then a huge jump and then I caught a "sale" that was only $50 more than before. I didn't want to arrange the car until I had my flight times. Priceline is my next move.

Sarah: Yes, we do have AAA.

Orlando_Vic

In a word, Yes.

This article (9 Confessions From A Former Enterprise Rental Salesman) gives some valuable insights about Enterprise: http://tinyurl.com/3dowjt

Having said that, Enterprise does have some good deals and this 20% off coupon <http://tinyurl.com/6a5jwk> may help.

I also agree with sylvia3 about off airport sites being cheaper.

Gretchen

The other problem with this time is it is at the end of summer--families are travelling before school begins. We have gotten caught on that "bubble" in Denver at least for two Augusts. Last year the air fares never came down, and the year before we were flying standby on DD's FA "ticket" and could never get on a flight--had to buy a ticket. But the convention is undoubtedly drainig the inventory. Supply and demand rules.

sylvia3

If you check Denver airport, carrentals.com won't give you lakewood; check the other box.

sorriso

Sylvia3: When I check "city only" I get Four Points, etc. in Denver; nothing in Lakewood.

Orlando_Vic: Business as usual with Enterprise I guess. I mentioned them by name because when I did a quick car rental Google search for Breckenridge, that's what came up.

Thanks for the post Gretchen!

Pisces

I'm so happy I found this post! I'm going to Denver in early August for a conference and was floored by the rates I was getting for rental cars. I got an excellent rate through the site above, picking up the car at Four Points (which is where my conference is, anyway!) My question now is, what's the best way to get from DEN to the Four Points. I'm sure I could take Supershuttle, but is the light rail a doable option/

RBCal

Note that due to the high cost of gas it is now often cheaper to rent a large car than an economy car (at least for the rental rate).