Car Rental for Multiple Drivers

[trinchick]

We are going to be renting two cars for our trip (4 adults and 2 kids) to allow some flexibility if people want to do different things. DH and I will be paying for both cars but would like my aunt to be able to drive in case she and my mom want to go shopping or something instead of hitting the parks.

How does this work? Do we just add her as a driver when we're renting the car? Do we have to pay extra? Should we just rent the car in her name? What about insurance?

I'd appreciate your input as opposed to asking the car rental agencies, since I think they're always trying to up-sell us!

 

[OKW Lover]

You will most likely have to pay extra for multiple drivers but some rental car codes do allow free extra drivers. You'll have to check the policies and companies you are considering very closely to tell. Consider also that the company with the lowest price might not be the least expensive once you add extra drivers. Similarly, the higher priced company might include extra drivers in their standard rate code.

Yes, I know that's not a great answer, but rental car companies have multiple rate codes and they are all different.

 

[cedricandsophie]

It used to be that the spouse could also drive without extra fee. Now most companies don't allow that. Any one else is sure to incur extra fee anywhere from 10 to 20 a day.

 

[trinchick]

I was afraid of that. Thanks for the information.

And I didn't realize spouses couldn't drive without paying an extra fee; glad you mentioned that!

 

[Li Li]

I don't know if you are a Costco member, but when I have booked rental cars through them, an additional driver is almost always included at no extra charge.

 

[njmom47]

The Emerald Club (National car rental) says:

"No second-driver fees.Never pay extra when family members and business associates do the driving."

That is one of the reasons we joined (free)...dh has the credit card, but I do the driving.