Additional driver, but not spouse?

[DisneyHumbug]

I'll be renting from National for next Feb. and want to know if I can add my friend as a driver? She's going to split the cost of the car with me, and it would be nice to have that additional driver. Anyone know what the cost, if any would be? TIA

 

[ducklite]

You can add her, but you'll have to pay extra. Also, if you aren't getting the insurance, it's possible she won't be covered under your personal car insurance--you'd want to check with your agent. Some car rental places will also want BOTH registered drivers to ahve a major credit card int heir name, not sure about national.

Personally when in this situation with friends, we just decide from teh start who will be the designated driver for the entire trip, and that person rents the car.

Anne

 

[wdwnutze]

When my mom and I go to WDW we always rent the car in her name with me as the additional driver. You do pay an extra fee for the additional driver(you would if it were a apouse too)but we always decline the insurance and have never had a problem. I've never had to show my credit card either. It really shouldn't be a problem but I would check with the insurance co. 1st to make sure and I would call National.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

From National. The fee is about 5-7 dollars per day.

Authorized Drivers
Free (in the United States and Canada) – An Emerald Club members spouse, business partner, employer, or fellow associate who has an assigned corporate contract with National and drives the car for business purposes.
All other additional authorized driver situations are subject to a daily charge.
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Additional Authorized Drivers
All additional drivers must meet ALL rental qualifications in regard to age, credit card, and driving record as well as all other standard rental qualifications.
Must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.
Must present a valid driver's license.
Must sign the rental agreement.
Must present an acceptable credit card in his/her own name.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Other rental companies do allow one or more add'l non-spouse drivers for free.

If you use the AAA code, any AAA member is an authorized additional driver at Hertz.

If you use the Costco code, one add'l driver is free at Alamo. Also at Alamo, if you are retired military, use the RM code and there is no limit on add'l drivers.

My insurance company is USAA, and any other driver insured through USAA is free from Avis or Hertz.

If you are over 50, join the Dollar Silver Doller Club, and one add'l driver is free.

You have to shop carefully because sometimes the rate that includes the free driver is more than the cost of just paying for the add'l driver.

Also, is can be hard to even figure out how much that add'l driver is going to cost you. Alamo probably has the best web site for this because it allows you to get a total price with as many drivers as you need. For many others, you will need to call the company. I beleive that at MCO National is $5/day, Alamo is $5/day and Avis is $25/rental period. All of this could change before your trip, of course.

Best of luck in making your decision. -- Suzanne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by SuzanneSLO
Other rental companies do allow one or more add'l non-spouse drivers for free.

If you use the AAA code, any AAA member is an authorized additional driver at Hertz.

If you use the Costco code, one add'l driver is free at Alamo. Also at Alamo, if you are retired military, use the RM code and there is no limit on add'l drivers.

My insurance company is USAA, and any other driver insured through USAA is free from Avis or Hertz.

If you are over 50, join the Dollar Silver Doller Club, and one add'l driver is free.

You have to shop carefully because sometimes the rate that includes the free driver is more than the cost of just paying for the add'l driver.

Also, is can be hard to even figure out how much that add'l driver is going to cost you. Alamo probably has the best web site for this because it allows you to get a total price with as many drivers as you need. For many others, you will need to call the company. I beleive that at MCO National is $5/day, Alamo is $5/day and Avis is $25/rental period. All of this could change before your trip, of course.

Best of luck in making your decision. -- Suzanne

My insurance co is USAA also and I cannot believe how Hertz jobs us on discounts. My rate was for 255.00 and they said it was a 50% off, heck with the codes I have found here, the price was much less at Hertz. USAA rates with Avis are more normal.

Also, AARP gives a very nice discount at Avis, National and Alamo ( you do need to call Alamo for the rate).

You do have to shop!!!!!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Thanks for all the information!!! I think maybe I will be the only driver. I don't think she even has a credit card and I wouldn't want to embarass her. Anyway, it's just driving from the airport and back. She might even get nervous not knowing the roads in Orlando. Thanks again.