National Emerald Aisle

[Rhonda922]

Can someone please tell me if I'm understanding National's rental policy correctly?

Okay, this is what we're doing. I made our car reservation and gave National my name, credit card, and license number. When we pick up our car and proceed to drive out, will they give us a hard time if my husband is driving the car? Do they need his driver's license info. in advance?

 

[maraakl]

It is my understanding that the person renting the car has to check it out, ie: be driving it.
Also, unless you are an Emerald Club member, it is also my understanding that you will have to pay extra for your husband to drive.

 

[Rhonda922]

Yes, I'm an Emerald Club member.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Rhonda922
Can someone please tell me if I'm understanding National's rental policy correctly?

Okay, this is what we're doing. I made our car reservation and gave National my name, credit card, and license number. When we pick up our car and proceed to drive out, will they give us a hard time if my husband is driving the car? Do they need his driver's license info. in advance?

I've not done this yet but...

You must both be EC members for it to be free.

If you are both members then they will already have both your info already in their system.

When you go to drive out, let them know what you are doing and they will then ask for both your licenses.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
You must both be EC members for it to be free.

I don't think a spouse has to be an EC to qualify as a free additional driver. From National's website:

Free (in the United States and Canada) - An Emerald Club members' spouse, immediate family member living with him/her, business partner, employer, or fellow associate who has an assigned corporate contract with National and drives the car for business purposes.

 

[Rhonda922]

Okay, I called National and they said that they need my husband's license info and it has to be done in person. I didn't think to ask while I was on the phone but I presume that we need to go to the counter and take care of that. Kinda defeats the whole purpose of going directly to the EA, which is why I signed up with National in the first place.

 

[maraakl]

Rhonda,
I just called with the same question last week. They told me that it is an "automatic" thing and you don't have to do anything to have the spouse covered. In fact, I did call a couple of times last week for the same question and received (amazingly enough) the same answer each time.
BUT, I did also find out that the person renting the car is the one that has to drive it out. Your DH can return it, however.

 

[Rhonda922]

Thanks maraakl.

I didn't want any problems when we get there. I just want everything to go smoothly. I figured let me look into it while I have the time instead of thinking about it on the plane ride down there.

Okay, I'll drive the car out. I always let hubby do the driving while we're on vacation. I never feel comfortable driving a strange car somewhere that I'm not familiar with.

 

[FoodLover]

I am the Emerald Club member in our household, but frequently when my husband comes to Orlando with me, he drives. We always use Emerald Aisle and just hand the person in the booth both drivers' licenses, my Emerald Club card and my credit card. There has never been the slightest problem or issue with my husband being the driver. So don't sweat that one!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[mousey]

We went to the A side emerald aisle on 8/24 at 6:15pm and they had no PT cruisers at all. They had a total of about 12 cars, 5 of which were minivans, 2 Dodge Intrepids, 2 Malibus and 3 unidentified (but looked full size). We took the 8 passenger chevy venture mini van that still had factory plastic wrapped in the car. I believe the whole intermediate aisle was empty!

 

[Rhonda922]

Thanks for chiming in Mary!