Yes. This. They’ll add it.
You can still skip the counter in the airport at MCO and stop at the Hertz desk in the garage by the cars. There’s rarely more than a few people, if any, in that line. They can “force” the reservation when adding your number. Don’t bother going to your local airport as they won’t be able to do anything there.
Yup, I learned this last week. Fortunately, I had to go to the airport anyhow, so it wasn't a wasted trip. I learned two things: They can't add my license/credit card, AND the gold club number is already on the reservation. This is my first rental as a gold club member, but I am hoping beyond hope that I can just go out to the garage to get my car when I get to MCO on Saturday evening, rather than having to wait in line in the airport.
Take a look at your reservation on the Hertz website. It should indicate that you're Gold Aisle. I'm at Aulani now, and picking up the car at Hertz at HNL couldn't have been easier. My name was on the Board, I went to the aisle, and was out of the garage in less than (fewer than, that is) ten minutes. Be sure to take photos of any/all dings on the car so you can show the timestamped photo later if they try to come back and charge you for damages. You should do this with every company, not just Hertz. Save the photos, as you'll never know when you'll need them.
Love that you know the difference between less than and fewer than!
