National Additional Driver Q

[ShelbyR]

Is it possible to add an additional driver without stopping at the counter? The answer seems to be no, but since the whole attraction of National is walking straight out to the car, thought I'd ask. Thanks for any tips.

 

[bearzabout]

I think it depends on their relationship with you and their age. I have Emerald Isle and have been told I do not have to add my life partner (or pay extra for him). I'd call National to ask.

Emerald Isle has different rules regarding additional drivers than with regular rentals. They are a lot less strict. If in doubt, walk to the garage and use the counter there. There is seldom anyone in line and frequently more than one person in the booth. That said, I have gotten different answers from them on different occasions. Some employees have said my partner needs to be processed as an additional driver, others say he doesn't. I have concluded that National views spouses and life partners similarly and do not have to be listed separately as additional drivers. Any other relationship may be treated differently.

Let me know if you find out otherwise.

 

[disneyagain]

I never thought about using the counter in the garage. Anyone ever use EA at San Francisco Airport? We're going with another couple to SF for a week and we want to add him as an additional driver (DH and I are both EA members). National e-mailed and told me it wouldn't be an additional charge in California (some state regulation) but we need to stop at the counter to give his license etc.....

Can we just go to the counter in the garage since we have SUV on Emerald Reserve? Or do we need to stop inside and they'll assign an SUV?

I would love to avoid the lines, but if we can't oh well.....I've been so spoiled with EA in the past.

 

[disneyagain]

BUMP

 

[DonnaL]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that anyone who resides in the same household as EA member and is over 25 (? not sure of age) with a valid license and clean driving record can be a second driver. Don't remember where I read it, but, I believe it may have been on the EA website.

 

[powellrj]

We have always just given the gate attendant both DLs, credit card, coupons and EA card when we are leaving the lot. There has never been a problem.

 

[Tigger22]

We had a hassle with this the last time we rented from National...and we were given two different answers on whether DH could drive the car rented in my name. If you are an Emerald Club member, your spouse can drive the car. Our problem was that I used a coupon/id that wasn't the Emerald Club code, so the counter person told me that the EC rules "didn't apply" (she was NOT a pleasant person). We made several calls after that, and we were told EC did apply. I was angry because I always make all the reservations and DH drives...but we got it resolved in the end.

We rent from them in a few days...first time since then, but National actually had the best rates for us.

 

[disneyagain]

I know that both my DH and I can drive (we're actually both EC members), what I was wondering is what about the other couple that we're going with. We would like to add him as an additional driver.....We'll leave all the driving up to the men.....