Uber away from airport for car rental?

I've done something similar at DEN. The prices for rental cars there are whack, especially for SUV's. We go to Breckenridge twice a year and usually stay anywhere from 7 - 15 days. We land, pay $9 to board the train at the airport that takes you in to downtown, hop off a rent a car there. The math is simple - it usually saves me $400 to $500 each trip. It's also not that far out of the way logistically or from a timing perspective if you're heading I-70 West.

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We land, pay $9 to board the train at the airport that takes you in to downtown, hop off a rent a car there. The math is simple - it usually saves me $400 to $500 each trip. It's also not that far out of the way logistically or from a timing perspective if you're heading I-70 West.

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Damn, that's an interesting option. I've been to Denver once but don't know much about the public transit.

The train option is probably best. Last time and only time I rented at the Denver airport; I was an hour wait to get the car because the line was so long. Was forced to upgrade car and was promised a discount, which did not happen. Never doing it at that airport again. The train was a much better option.

FYI

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Uber will require all drivers and riders to wear face coverings as more governments start to lift coronavirus restrictions for businesses.

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Uber also said its Uber X ride service was capped at three passengers per ride for the foreseeable future, and that all passengers must sit together in the back of the car

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Just a FYI...if you make it obvious that you're a tourist/recent arrival at DEN, they do have the ability to raise your rate.

I've never heard of anyone getting busted for it, but I know a lot of local rentals near airports require some proof of local use/residency.

Interestingly enough, I booked an Enterprise reservation at the Aurora location for my July trip. A popup flagged me about location consolidation and someone would contact me.

A google search suggests they are closing (Covid Temp measure maybe?) neighborhood locations and consolidating to airport only.

I figure with no harm in cancelling, I at least have my reservation in the system at my preferred location and preferred rate. Possibly a bit of leverage to keep the rate if I'm forced into using the Airport location. It might just be the best of both worlds, or they cancel my stuff and screw me into airport rates. Time will tell

EDIT TO ABOVE:
Buried deep in my confirmation email fine print. (about 5 pages printed) This was not mentioned anywhere in my reservation process online and no airport fees are listed in the breakdown of my rental agreement price.

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This office is unable to provide pickup or drop off service to the Denver airport. Customers renting from this location who have flown into the Denver airport within the past 24 hours are subject to pay all airport fees. If flying into the Denver airport please use our branch located at 23842 e 78th avenue.

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In my mind, it is either take the rental car shuttle from the airport to the Enterprise lot which is a 10 minute ride.

Or

I hail an UBER XL for $47 each way and a 20 minute ride to the Enterprise in Stapleton (which does not have the Airport rules on it's reservation confirmation)

Full Sized SUV at Stapleton: $461 + $94 Uber = $655
Full Sized SUV at Airport: $1109

So it's a $454 savings for the hassle of taking the UBER XL vs shuttle.

That said, I'll watch the airport rates. I'll reserve and cancel Enterprise anytime I think there is a chance of locking in a good rate or snatching a better rate since no cancel penalty.

Well there are solid food and drink options at Union Station. When I arrive during happy hour I get local friends to meet for a drink there for a couple of drinks. I doubt your wife will care much once there, Union Station is much nicer than a car rental place. You can grab the car and she can grab a drink, gelato, a slice of pizza, etc.
Of course it all depends on what the price for Uber is when you arrive at the airport as well. If it’s cheaper to take the Uber, you can always do that.
Just letting you know based on my past experience. I suppose the lines for car rentals would be shorter with what is going on at least. It left a very, very bad taste in my mouth. The kids waiting in the car rental line looked miserable as there was no place to sit, only vending machines and they were mostly empty. It was over an hour once we were there to get to the front of the line. Probably left the airport an hour and a half after get our luggage. Not a good way to start a trip.