11 Ways to Save Money on a Rental Car at Denver International Airport

Updated on
Denver Airporter is reader-supported. This post may contain sponsored or affiliate links. For additional information, please view our policies.

As a Denver local, I know rental car fees at Denver Airport – or any airport for that matter – can sting, but smart moves can free up cash for exploring Denver or the Rockies.

Here are 11 practical ways to save on a Denver International Airport (DIA) car rental. These tips shine at DIA and many are also applicable to other major airports like LAX or O’Hare.

1. Pick Up Your Car at a Downtown Location Instead of at Denver Airport

DIA’s facility and concession fees jack up costs, but renting at downtown locations with Hertz or SIXT can save you big by skipping them. Take the A Line train ($10 per adult, 37 minutes to Union Station, then a 5–6-minute walk) or catch an Uber ($35–$50, 25–35 minutes) to get there.

Curious about the exact savings? Check out my detailed case study on downtown vs. DIA pickups here.

2. Book Early on RentalCars.com

Booking 2–3 months ahead on RentalCars.com can cut rates by 20–30%.

For example, for August 2025, a week-long SUV at Hertz DIA drops from $550 (last-minute) to $490 (early booking). Downtown rates are even lower, with SIXT’s SUV at $336 when booked early. Early reservations often include free cancellations.

3. Skip the Airport Altogether with a One-Way Rental

Drop off your car at DIA for a small fee instead of driving back downtown. Hertz and SIXT offer one-way rentals from downtown to DIA with fees as low as $10–$20. This saves time and gas, especially for a week-long trip. Pair with a downtown pickup for max savings.

4. Use Your Own Insurance to Avoid Add-Ons

Rental counters at DIA push collision damage waivers ($15–$30/day), but your personal car insurance or credit card (like Chase Sapphire) often covers rentals. Check your policy or card benefits to skip these extras, saving $45–$90 on a 3-day rental.

5. Skip the GPS and Use Your Phone

Rental GPS units cost $10–$15/day, adding $30–$45 for a weekend. Use Google Maps or Waze on your smartphone for free navigation. Download offline maps for mountain trips where signals can be weak, like Rocky Mountain National Park.

6. Compare Prices on RentalCars.com

Use RentalCars.com to compare deals across companies. For August 2025, Hertz’s downtown economy car is $141, beating DIA’s $210. SIXT’s week-long SUV is $336 downtown versus $483 at DIA.

RentalCars.com shows all fees upfront.

7. Avoid Prepaid Fuel Plans

DIA gas stations charge up to $5/gallon, making prepaid fuel plans tempting. Instead, refuel at off-airport stations (like Costco, ~$3.50/gallon) before returning. A compact SUV’s 15-gallon tank saves $22.50 per fill-up.

For short trips, skip prepay and buy only what you need.

8. Join Loyalty Programs for Perks

Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards and SIXT’s loyalty program offer free upgrades or faster check-in. A free upgrade from an economy car ($141 for 3 days at Hertz downtown) to a compact SUV ($180) saves $39 versus booking the SUV outright. Sign up free before your trip.

9. Travel Off-Peak When Possible

Summer at DIA (like August 2025) spikes prices due to demand. Renting in shoulder seasons (April or October) can save 15–25%. On RentalCars.com, a week-long SUV at SIXT DIA drops from $483 in August to $410 in October, saving $73. Downtown rates fall too.

10. Bundle Your Rental with Other Travel on Expedia

Expedia.com often offers discounts when bundling car rentals with flights or hotels. For August 2025, bundling a SIXT downtown SUV with a hotel cut 10% off the $336 rental, saving $33.60. Check bundle deals when planning your trip.

11. Plan When You’ll Actually Need Your Rental Car

Don’t pay for days you won’t use the car. If you’re just driving to a downtown hotel on your first or last day/night and staying put, skip renting for those days. Book your rental for pickup the next day at a downtown location via RentalCars.com, saving $47–$50/day (e.g., Hertz’s downtown economy car at $47/day).

Take the A Line train ($10 per adult) or Uber ($35–$50) from DIA to your hotel instead.

Wrapping It Up

These 11 tips can save families hundreds on a DIA car rental, from downtown pickups to strategic planning. Use the savings for a Rockies game or a meal out and apply these tricks at major airports nationwide!

Similar Posts