BWV National Car Rental Agent?

[Wes]

We are going to have a long itinerary for the family at BWV, which will include some off-property driving. So I have rented a National car for the duration.

My daughter will fly in late on a Monday and fly out very early on a Friday. I want to add her to the contract but only for Tues, Wed, Thurs. If I add her at the airport when she arrives on Monday and remove her at the airport National when she leaves on Friday, I am afraid that National will charge me the $9.99 extra driver fee for both of those days, even though she will never be driving on those days.

So my question is this: is there a National agent at BWV (or the Swan or Dolphin) who we can see on Tuesday to add her and on Thursday to remove her?

(In this case, "Thursday" is Thanksgiving Day; so I am also wondering if the agent is open that day or if we can just specify in advance that she is only on the contract for Tues-Thurs?)

 

[SuzanneSLO]

First, there is a National rental at the Dolphin. They have limtied hours but you can check them online.

Second, my Mom added my brother to their rental in Kuaui and she told me that the only option was for all the remaining days on the rental from the day he was added. Like your daughter, he was heading home earlier than my parents.

Third, if you use the AARP code, you get an extra driver for free. This is in addition to family members with whom you reside who are also free authorized drivers. You must actually be an AARP member as the National website will require you to enter the member number. We got a decent rate using this code and the online $25 off coupon for 12/5 to 12/17 (12 days for $257, all in, for mid-size).


Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Wes]

Third, if you use the AARP code, you get an extra driver for free.

I checked the AARP web site's National Car Rental page and found no mention of this. So I called National and asked them if the AARP contract (6100120) allows me to have an additional driver for free. The agent ran it through their system and it came up showing that an additional driver would cost $9.99 per day.

So either you were using a different contract or else the free additional driver is no longer part of the AARP contract.

 

[LisaS]

I checked the AARP web site's National Car Rental page and found no mention of this. So I called National and asked them if the AARP contract (6100120) allows me to have an additional driver for free. The agent ran it through their system and it came up showing that an additional driver would cost $9.99 per day.

So either you were using a different contract or else the free additional driver is no longer part of the AARP contract.

Are you a member of National's Emerald Club? That might entitle you to an additional driver at no charge.

I rented from Alamo using an AARP code and our confirmation states we get one additional driver for free. You might want to check rates through Alamo and see if it makes sense to rent from them instead. The rental desk at the Dolphin is for both National and Alamo. I don't know if there are conditions on the additional driver though such as living at the same address, being over 25, etc. You should check the fine print before renting!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

My confirmation using the AARP code said the following:

"Base Rate - Premium (USD)
(1) Time & Distance ($143.90/Week) $143.90
(5) Extra - Time & Distance ($20.56/Day) $102.80
Discount ($24.67)
Discount Coupon Accepted ($30.00)
Contract ID 6100XXX
Membership ID XXXXXXXX
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
(1) Additional Driver Included
Unlimited Miles Included"

We actually don't need a non-spouse additional driver on this trip, so I really didn't inquire any further. When I tried the basic EC codes with National, the confirmation said nothing whatsoever about any additional drivers; that line was totally missing. I hope you able to find some way to make this work for you. Maybe book online or call back and see if you can talk to someone less interested in the upsell (which my be difficult 'cuz I think it generates a commission)? -- Suzanne



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[Wes]

My confirmation using the AARP code said the following:

"... (1) Additional Driver Included ..."

... Maybe book online or call back and see if you can talk to someone less interested in the upsell (which my be difficult 'cuz I think it generates a commission)? ...

Bless your heart, Suzanne!! I made a second ressie online via Emerald Club, and sure enough with the AARP contract and my AARP number it does indeed now show "(1) Additional Driver Included".

This has saved me $$$$$, since their $9.99/day add-on is really expensive.

Your caution about the agent's commission is well worth keeping in mind.

THANK YOU!!