Extra driver with National

[Dan Murphy]

My son will be renting a National mini van in Dec, using the KLM discount code. His wife will also be a driver. He is enrolling in the Emerald Club. On the online quoting system, it says...

Rentals that require Additional Drivers must be completed at the National counter, or via Save Time.

What is Save Time? And do they need to go to the counter, or just out to the garage like normal, pick a van and go to the checkout gate where she would also sow her license with his?

 

[jmasgat]

If you're an Emerald Club member, the spouse is allowed to drive the vehicle for free. I didn't think, then, that you had to go through the official business of adding them (and the associated paperwork). You should just be able to go to Emerald Aisle (if renting midsize), get a car, and drive out to the booth. Even with other car classes, you can do Emerald Reserve--which still lets you bypass counter and go to appropriate aisle.

Wouldn't hurt to call and confirm (and hope you get the right answer!)

Maura

 

[bumbershoot]

From our experience (with many National rental places), the spouse being added is a different process than another person would be. (and in DH's experience, someone traveling with you for business purposes is also dealt with differently) I would check their website for the info on spouses.

Also in our experience, they have NEVER cared to look at the spouse's driver's license, telling us (many times, at several locations, when asked point blank what the process is for adding the spouse) that if it's a spouse then they don't need the information. (DH had the same experience with coworkers traveling on business)

So for this first rental with Emerald Club, I might stop by the empty rental desk if you can, but given *our* experience (we've never stopped by the rental desk even once) I wouldn't stress about it. Just ask your questions once you've chosen the car (assuming they are doing the Emerald Aisle midsize rental we talk about here), and they'll let you know if there's more info.

Oh, but there are ways to fill out info beforehand, either online or by mailing paperwork to them...we did it online for both of our accounts, and therefore never needed to stop by the desk.

 

[conniehar90]

Yep - you are fine with a spouse as the extra driver. I usually book the car and my DH drives it out of the lot. They have never asked for my DL - just his as he is driving. We asked at the booth a long time ago and they said spouses are added automatically.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thank you all for the replies. That is what I thought, but just wanted to confirm. I have rented from National/Alamo probably 40 times in the past dozen years, always simple, that is what I like.

Thanks again.