Alamo Insiders - Free Add'l Driver

[bbwhos]

Has anyone added their DH as add'l driver that is free for Insiders members? I see in my confirmation email it takes me to a place that I can add him but wasn't sure if it would charge me if I add him that way, or do I have to use the counter.

 

[HelenParr]

Answers vary.

I add spouse at final booth check out, b/c I use kiosk to check in, and have found online and kiosk usualy add the fee -- and booth lets me add for free.

Counter would work too.

Others have reported Alamo indictaes spouse is auto-added, so no need. Probably true. I like to have it in writing.

 

[bbwhos]

Thanks. I thought I read somewhere that I could add at the gate but we found out in May that the gate attendants are not employees of the car rental companies so wasn't sure that a good way to go. I'm like you; I like to have it in writing as well.

 

[dioxide45]

If you used the Alamo Insiders contract ID when you made the reservation, you should be able to add the additional driver using SaveTime online or at the kiosk without issues or charge. The confirmation will have to indicate (1) Additional Driver under the Inclusive Rate Items section. If that isn't on the confirmation, adding the driver online or at the kiosk will likely result in additional driver charges.

If you booked without the Insiders contract ID or used a different contract ID, you will have to go to the counter to get the additional driver added free of charge. Have your Insiders card with you.

 

[bbwhos]

Hmm...I used my Insiders code and that shows on my confirmation but it does not state (1) add'l driver anywhere.

I will try the SaveTime but if it tries to raise my rate we arrive very early so we can go to counter if we have to; they usually aren't very busy early in the morning. I just don't like to deal with them plus I always promise DH breakfast in FL ( sounds so cool!) so he'll go with the super early flight.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks. I thought I read somewhere that I could add at the gate but we found out in May that the gate attendants are not employees of the car rental companies so wasn't sure that a good way to go. I'm like you; I like to have it in writing as well.

All exit booths at Alamo, Enterprise and National ARE employess of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., which owns Alamo, Enterprise and National. Not sure where you got this information, but, regarding the above three companies, it is totally incorrect.

 

[sympatico]

My husband is a National Emerald Club member and spouses are authorized to drive (free). I never have to give my driver's license and last year I had an backing up accident while driving. I called and reported it to National and they asked if I was an additional driver and I told them that I was allowed to drive under my husband's Emerald Club agreement and everything was good. We had taken out their 3rd party liability insurance and that paid for the car I backed into and our credit card insurance paid for our rental.

 

[bbwhos]

All exit booths at Alamo, Enterprise and National ARE employess of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., which owns Alamo, Enterprise and National. Not sure where you got this information, but, regarding the above three companies, it is totally incorrect.

That's good to know. In May we used Hertz and the gate attendant told us he was not employed by Hertz. We had some scratches on the car and wanted them in writing they pre-existed and he told us sure but he was not employed by Hertz. I dunno, maybe he was filling in or something.

 

[keishashadow]

My husband is a National Emerald Club member and spouses are authorized to drive (free). I never have to give my driver's license and last year I had an backing up accident while driving. I called and reported it to National and they asked if I was an additional driver and I told them that I was allowed to drive under my husband's Emerald Club agreement and everything was good. We had taken out their 3rd party liability insurance and that paid for the car I backed into and our credit card insurance paid for our rental.

my DH is national executive, i am on his master rental aggreement. Since Alamo changed to the 'new' insiders program spouses' information isn't collected.

alamo is $100 less for upcoming res, so we'll be using them for 1st time in several years. When i tried to add myself to his insider's res. it added approx $10 a day.

I called alamo and was told that i must present myself & DL @ the counter in MCO terminal in order to be covered under the spousal 'freebie'. I'm not about to stand in that line.I plan on attempting to add me 'free' @ kiosk, if not i'll hand over my DL to gate attendant & plead ignorance.

 

[gmeh1]

That's good to know. In May we used Hertz and the gate attendant told us he was not employed by Hertz. We had some scratches on the car and wanted them in writing they pre-existed and he told us sure but he was not employed by Hertz. I dunno, maybe he was filling in or something.

Anything is possible and often likely. I don't know about Hertz or any of the other companies. I can only speak for Enterprise Holdings, Inc. They employ me. The only "outside" employees are the ones that we subcontract to drive the cars and fill in as security scanners, garage attendants and a few other things, but, NEVER exit booth agents.

 

[LisaS]

When i tried to add myself to his insider's res. it added approx $10 a day.

For the two rentals I've booked since DH and I became "Insiders", I've had this same problem. Adding myself as an additional driver adds $9.99/day to the cost. So I leave myself off the reservation until we get there and go to the counter.

I called alamo and was told that i must present myself & DL @ the counter in MCO terminal in order to be covered under the spousal 'freebie'.

That is what we did. We opted to go to the counter in the parking garage because the lines inside the terminal were so long but it still took about 15 minutes. I wish they would fix this! If I book with an AARP code, it lists "free additional driver" on the reservation and when I add myself to the reservation the price doesn't change. So why can't they/won't they do this for reservations booked with the Insiders code?

 

[bbwhos]

For the two rentals I've booked since DH and I became "Insiders", I've had this same problem. Adding myself as an additional driver adds $9.99/day to the cost. So I leave myself off the reservation until we get there and go to the counter.

That is what we did. We opted to go to the counter in the parking garage because the lines inside the terminal were so long but it still took about 15 minutes. I wish they would fix this! If I book with an AARP code, it lists "free additional driver" on the reservation and when I add myself to the reservation the price doesn't change. So why can't they/won't they do this for reservations booked with the Insiders code?

Wow, I've used AARP in the past and never noticed if it said any mention on the confirmation. But if it works that way they should make it work for the Insiders. I'll just go to the counter like I usually do anyway. Early arrival so no lines usually.

 

[keishashadow]

For the two rentals I've booked since DH and I became "Insiders", I've had this same problem. Adding myself as an additional driver adds $9.99/day to the cost. So I leave myself off the reservation until we get there and go to the counter.

That is what we did. We opted to go to the counter in the parking garage because the lines inside the terminal were so long but it still took about 15 minutes. I wish they would fix this! If I book with an AARP code, it lists "free additional driver" on the reservation and when I add myself to the reservation the price doesn't change. So why can't they/won't they do this for reservations booked with the Insiders code?

I didn't even think to check AARP rate & didn't know it gave the 2nd driver free TU.

least I know i'm not missing a secret way to avoid the counter.

I did call alamo again today(under the theory they work like disney = you get a different answer every time you call)

Rep insisted that to be eligible to drive even the 'insider' rentee must present their DL the 1st time they rent for ID'ing, afterwards, they can breeze through. Odd thing is I (spouse) even though I presented myself once, would still need to re-appear each rental to be 'eligible' to drive the vehicle.

Perhaps one of the car rental employees could answer this as now i'm curious:

Do they run a check on DL for violations/suspensions that would require this sort of protection for themselves or is it something else i'm missing?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I didn't even think to check AARP rate & didn't know it gave the 2nd driver free TU. [snip]

The great thing about the AARP additional driver is that it can be anyone, which is helpful when you are travelling with friends or extended family. -- Suzanne

 

[bbwhos]

I didn't even think to check AARP rate & didn't know it gave the 2nd driver free TU.::

And don't forget the AARP codes! Carrentalsavers.com has some real good ones = $30 off, free day, etc.

 

[dioxide45]

For the two rentals I've booked since DH and I became "Insiders", I've had this same problem. Adding myself as an additional driver adds $9.99/day to the cost. So I leave myself off the reservation until we get there and go to the counter.

That is what we did. We opted to go to the counter in the parking garage because the lines inside the terminal were so long but it still took about 15 minutes. I wish they would fix this! If I book with an AARP code, it lists "free additional driver" on the reservation and when I add myself to the reservation the price doesn't change. So why can't they/won't they do this for reservations booked with the Insiders code?

I have booked with the Insiders Contract ID and seen (1) Additional Driver listed on the confirmation. Since then though we have rebooked with SUNPROMO, so we will have to stop at the counter to get the additional driver added.

We were logged in when we booked the rental, so if they could somehow use that to add the driver even when not using the Insiders Contract ID it would be perfect.

 

[andrews_dad]

Any update on this topic? I fly into MCO on Thursday. Am insider. Want to add wife as 2nd driver but do wish to stand at counter. Using southwest airlines code..... my best bet is to use kiosk, go to garage, and add 2nd driver free at garage???

 

[K9pal]

Any update on this topic? I fly into MCO on Thursday. Am insider. Want to add wife as 2nd driver but do wish to stand at counter. Using southwest airlines code..... my best bet is to use kiosk, go to garage, and add 2nd driver free at garage???

Used Alamo last week and both DH and I were drivers with no additional charge. HOWEVER - I booked online under his name. Had his Insider number on the reservation, but used the Visa promo as the contract ID. We used the kiosk in the terminal, then went to the Alamo booth on the way to picking up the car and got me added as additional driver.

If you use your Insider number as the contract ID (or AARP), you will not have to stop at the booth. If you use any other contract ID, you will have to stop and be added (a very simple process), or you'll get charged. So yes, your best bet is correct!

 

[andrews_dad]

Used Alamo last week and both DH and I were drivers with no additional charge. HOWEVER - I booked online under his name. Had his Insider number on the reservation, but used the Visa promo as the contract ID. We used the kiosk in the terminal, then went to the Alamo booth on the way to picking up the car and got me added as additional driver.

If you use your Insider number as the contract ID (or AARP), you will not have to stop at the booth. If you use any other contract ID, you will have to stop and be added (a very simple process), or you'll get charged. So yes, your best bet is correct!

Got it. DO you get the keys for the car in the same alamo booth in the garage where u add the spouse driver? ... or is alamo one of the places where the keys are in all of teh cars and you choose the one you want??

 

[K9pal]

Got it. DO you get the keys for the car in the same alamo booth in the garage where u add the spouse driver? ... or is alamo one of the places where the keys are in all of teh cars and you choose the one you want??

Keys are in the car doors, so you choose the one you want from your class aisle (compact, midsize, etc.). Very well marked and easy to find.