Is there a rental company that does not charge for the second driver?

[PhotobearSam]

We are going down to Florida for 3 weeks and are trying to find a good deal on a car rental.

We have found some great rates but then I read that they charge $5 a day for an extra driver...

That $105 extra is making the decision harder for us. We are Canadian so that is $150 extra to us.

Does anyone know of a car rental company that does not charge or has a limit of how much they charge for a second driver??

Thanks

I don't want to be the only driver....It's my vacation too

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If you join Emerald Club, free via a link on mousesavers, the spouse or s/o (as long as the license matches for address) drives at no charge. If you use Sam's Club, Costco or BJ's codes (not sure if you have them in Canada) there is no charge for an extra driver at Alamo.

 

[punkin]

Via Emerald Club-they should not charge (like Gail said) but last week they tried to charge for my husband until I "reminded" the guy in the booth that he was holding my Emerald Club card and my husband should not be charged. Just FYI.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by punkin
Via Emerald Club-they should not charge (like Gail said) but last week they tried to charge for my husband until I "reminded" the guy in the booth that he was holding my Emerald Club card and my husband should not be charged. Just FYI.

Punkin, According to the EC rep. I spoke with, we don't even have to mention they are driving as it is an automatic inclusion.

 

[punkin]

I don't doubt you Gail and technically you are right but there is a great variation in knowlege among various employees.
So, for your further enjoyment and edification, here's what happened to me. We picked up our PT Cruiser from the EA and drove to the booth. I gave the attendant my licence; entertainment book coupon, my emerald club card and my DH's licence (I was driving). I told him "I would like my husband added on as a second driver" He said "that will be an extra daily charge" I said "No. I'm an Emerald Club member-it's free." He said "No. It's an extra charge" I said "please check that. If there is a problem, I'm sure your manager can sort it out" He then processed everything without another word and handed me back our licences and club card. I asked him again "So my husband is allowed to drive?" ... "Yes" ... "For no charge?" ... "Yes"

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by punkin
I don't doubt you Gail and technically you are right but there is a great variation in knowlege among various employees.
So, for your further enjoyment and edification, here's what happened to me. We picked up our PT Cruiser from the EA and drove to the booth. I gave the attendant my licence; entertainment book coupon, my emerald club card and my DH's licence (I was driving). I told him "I would like my husband added on as a second driver" He said "that will be an extra daily charge" I said "No. I'm an Emerald Club member-it's free." He said "No. It's an extra charge" I said "please check that. If there is a problem, I'm sure your manager can sort it out" He then processed everything without another word and handed me back our licences and club card. I asked him again "So my husband is allowed to drive?" ... "Yes" ... "For no charge?" ... "Yes"

Oh, I have no doubt there is a HUGE variation among employees.
That is the reason I called the EC hotline and spoke with two different reps. and, amazingly enough, got two identical answers.
Because of the National threads and the confusion that does exist from time to time (most especially from their poorly worded web site on this issue) I asked a bunch of questions. One of which was, "do I have to do anything to add a driver", the response was "no, as an EC member, your spouse, s/o, life companion, children (residing with you and over 25 with the same address on their license ) can drive without charge and without any additional paper work." There were more, but, not applicable to the situation. As I said, I received this answer twice (frankly, I was amazed). I think you confused the check out guy with your request. LOL They don't know all the rules, they know pretty much how to process a reservation and little else. In fact, they handed me back the 20.00 coupon because he "did not know where to put it". So, I naturally held on to it and will recycle it this rental. I am not putting anyone down who works an honest job and is working, but, in all honesty, they don't hire the phi beta's for the check out booth jobs. Low pay, horrible conditions (who wants to breath exhaust all day), and a minimum of education. The turn over rate is huge, the training is practically nil (as we have all seen) so, it is no wonder you got a bit of a hassle there.
I still find it amazing that they don't ask for information for an additional driver, but, they don't. I told the rep that and she said it was automatic. Go figure.

 

[sheryl0521]

Just wondering....

Why even tell them there is going to be a 2nd driver? (Yea, I know for insurance and liability reasons....)

My Hertz membership is in my name, I drive out during checkout and that is all they need to know.

My husband even drove out with a rental when the contract was in my name and they didn't question it.

Perhaps I have just opened a big can of worms, but just thought I would add my .02.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sheryl0521
Just wondering....

Why even tell them there is going to be a 2nd driver? (Yea, I know for insurance and liability reasons....)

My Hertz membership is in my name, I drive out during checkout and that is all they need to know.

My husband even drove out with a rental when the contract was in my name and they didn't question it.

Perhaps I have just opened a big can of worms, but just thought I would add my .02.

Well, because, unless you belong to a plan that includes a second driver or use a code that does not charge for them, it is basically dishonest and in an accident you are up the creek if the driver is not listed or covered.

 

[sln88]

"no, as an EC member, your spouse, s/o, life companion, children (residing with you and over 25 with the same address on their license ) can drive without charge and without any additional paper work." There were more,


So, you mean it does not have to be my spouse? Just lives at the same address?
I have the club card- he doesn't.....
He can drive for free? That would be great!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
"no, as an EC member, your spouse, s/o, life companion, children (residing with you and over 25 with the same address on their license ) can drive without charge and without any additional paper work." There were more,


So, you mean it does not have to be my spouse? Just lives at the same address?
I have the club card- he doesn't.....
He can drive for free? That would be great!

that is what I was told.
Has to be related or a significant other or life partner. If he had a card he can drive any vehicle also. BTW, there is a link to Free Emerald Club membership on mousesavers. I believe the link is through www.turnertravel.com don't be alarmed if it says they are going to charge your card 50.00, it is a default screen used for everyone, the fact that there will be a code in the signup screen overrides the charge.

 

[sln88]

I tried to use that link from Mousavers and when it came up with that charge, I stopped.
I sent an email to Mary and she said she was going to take that off of her letter.
I will have to try it later.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
I tried to use that link from Mousavers and when it came up with that charge, I stopped.
I sent an email to Mary and she said she was going to take that off of her letter.
I will have to try it later.

Disregard the charge, just say yes. The fact that Turner Travel's code is in there overrides the charge. That was another question I asked the folks at the EC hotline.
Also, I wrote to Turner Travel and they assured me that it will be fine. I signed DD up and no charge. Give it a shot.

 

[mcnuss]

Well, because, unless you belong to a plan that includes a second driver or use a code that does not charge for them, it is basically dishonest and in an accident you are up the creek if the driver is not listed or covered.

I have never used National, but use Hertz and Avis all the time. I have never once been charged for my husband to drive the car. His name has never been on any rental agreement, nor have they ever asked to see his license. I always say "my husband will be driving too" (notice, I do not ask for permission, I just state the fact) and they have always said fine, no problem, and that's that. FYI - I am a Gold member with Hertz and have an Avis wizard number, but other than that, I don't use a "plan" or any codes.

Further, considering that we do not take any of the rental company's insurances, and since our insurance covers us both, I am not sure how we would be up a creek. I suppose if you took the rental company's insurance, that would be a different matter, but if you have your own car insurance, that would be foolhardy. Yours will almost certainly be better and easier to deal with in the case of an accident.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thanks to everyone on this thread I got an EC membership at no charge and got the codes off of mousesavers...

We reserved and intermediate car from National and got what I think is a great rate...$146.93 a week for 3 weeks from Nov 30th til Dec 21st.

No extra cost for my husband and I am very happy

Thanks everyone.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mcnuss
I have never used National, but use Hertz and Avis all the time. I have never once been charged for my husband to drive the car. His name has never been on any rental agreement, nor have they ever asked to see his license. I always say "my husband will be driving too" (notice, I do not ask for permission, I just state the fact) and they have always said fine, no problem, and that's that. FYI - I am a Gold member with Hertz and have an Avis wizard number, but other than that, I don't use a "plan" or any codes.

Further, considering that we do not take any of the rental company's insurances, and since our insurance covers us both, I am not sure how we would be up a creek. I suppose if you took the rental company's insurance, that would be a different matter, but if you have your own car insurance, that would be foolhardy. Yours will almost certainly be better and easier to deal with in the case of an accident.

From what I understand gold members don't pay for their spouses and neither do Avis Wizard members.

If you doubt what I say, go to the sites and see what happens if you don't declare an extra driver. I state as a fact also and have, in the past, been told "no problem, that will be 5.00 per day and may I see his license and credit card in his name". You can state and not ask all you want, but, if it goes against the rules, then you pay.

Up the creek, simple, the person is an unauthorized driver on a car that does not belong to him/her. Read the MRA.


http://www.dollar.com/faq/general_policies.asp#additionaldriver

http://www.nationalcar.com/servlet/DocHandler/index.html?408f56f77d066ab1

Alamo requires a 5.00 per day per driver for additional drivers.
They must show a valid credit card in their name and a valid drivers license.

 

[BobH]

You can check Avis website under their Renter guide tab. There is no additional charge for a spouse to drive. I have rented with Avis several times as long as the rate was competitive. National always told me there was a daily charge but I am not an Emerald Aisle member.