National Authorized Driver question

[CindyZ]

I will be going down with my 3 kids, and my best friend. (DH got a new job this year and doesn't have any vacation time yet)...(although some say HE'S the one getting the "vacation"!)....anyway

I've been trying to understand the fine print on National's website regarding Authorized Drivers. Here is what they say:

___________________________________________________________________
Authorized Drivers
Free (in the United States and Canada) – An Emerald Club member, business partner, employer, or fellow associate who drives the car for business purposes.
All other additional authorized driver situations are subject to a daily charge.
___________________________________________________________________



I am an Emerald Club member, and so is my friend. I thought she'd be a free driver according to what is said above. But when I called to ask, they said she HAD to be a business associate or my wife (LOL). I see the above statement as an OR situation...not an AND situation. What is your experience?

Thank you,

 

[Pluto4President]

EC member or not, he is not on your master agreement nor employed by or with you. I would consider him an additional driver and could be charged for.

 

[ducklite]

Have to agree with Pluto. I'm always concerned about the insurance as well. We never take the insurance, what our personal auto policy doesn't cover (The CDW isn't covered by your personal auto usually, btw...) my credit card does. BUT my credit card only covers CDW for myself and household members or authorized card holders (can't recall which), so if I let a friend drive, I woudln't be covered for that. And that "loss of use" can really add up if the car is out for repairs, even if the accident wasn't your fault.

My advice is to rent the car and be the only driver. You wo'nt be driving that much anyway...

Anne

 

[PamOKW]

You would have to pay an additional charge. We had my brother and his wife on a National car and had to pay a per day fee. My father and I had the same address so there was no charge for me.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Boy - does this sound ignorant - but if i am the EA member - should we pay an additoinal fee for my husband to also drive? Thanks.

 

[CindyZ]

I'm pretty sure that spouses are free. Since my friend is coming with me while we leave or DH's home....and I'm the one with the kids...I've been calling her "my wife"...do ya think National will buy that one?

Oh well....

 

[R4racing]

Lovingthemouse, If you are an Emerald Club member there should NOT be an additional charge for your spouse.

 

[mrsstats]

In March, at MCO, we were advised there was an extra charge for spouse even if we are both EA members. They told us this was for Orlando, not all places where National is.

 

[ducklite]

We've never been charged an extra fee for National. Hertz does though. But DH and I get around it with Hertz as we are both employed by the same company. Hertz doesn't charge additional if you are with the sme company, but does for a spouse. How stupid is that? This is one of the reasons I use National as oftena s possible.

Anne

 

[crazywig]

hmm.....i've been thinking about this too. i am an EC member, my bf is not yet, but i was thinking of having him sign up. we have the same address, and ALSO work at the same company......wonder if National would consider him a 'business associate'?? how would we prove it though? bring our work badges?

 

[lovingthemouse]

Thank you for the information about the second driver - my husband - being free. You know we have rented from Natonal three times using the EA and i never knew he was free to add. Do i need to sign for a second driver or is it just implied when i rent?

 

[PamOKW]

The second driver has to be with you in person at the counter and present their driver's license. If for some reason this is inconvenient to do at the airport, you can go the counter at the Dolphin and have them added on there.