Question about National Emerald Club

[KandyM]

Hi,

I have a reservation with National in my name. I am an Emerald Club member and my reservation states "Aisle and Executive Service". I need to add my husband as a second driver which I think is free since I am an Emerald Club member. What I don't know is if we can bypass the counter in this situation. Can anyone confirm what we need to do when we get to MCO?

Thanks.

 

[rwdavis2]

You can bypass the counter. I mentioned this to the person at the gate (MCO) after picking up the car and they said as long as the other person was a spouse I was good to go.

 

[bumbershoot]

You can bypass the counter. I mentioned this to the person at the gate (MCO) after picking up the car and they said as long as the other person was a spouse I was good to go.

Same experience. Multiple times. At different locations for Emerald Aisle around the country. Easy peasy.

 

[KandyM]

Thanks guys. That's what I thought but nice to have it confirmed.

 

[gmeh1]

You can bypass the counter. I mentioned this to the person at the gate (MCO) after picking up the car and they said as long as the other person was a spouse I was good to go.

That is the lazy agent way of doing things. They are supposed to add the driver to the contract. You can do this at the exit booth. They say it is ok to just go, BUT< if you are stopped by the police, they don't want to hear that, they need to see the contract with the driver's name on it. Be safe or be sorry. They went through the same training I did, it amazes me that they just let it go, totally lazy and wrong.

 

[gmeh1]

Hi,

I have a reservation with National in my name. I am an Emerald Club member and my reservation states "Aisle and Executive Service". I need to add my husband as a second driver which I think is free since I am an Emerald Club member. What I don't know is if we can bypass the counter in this situation. Can anyone confirm what we need to do when we get to MCO?

Thanks.

The exit agent is supposed to add the additional driver to the contract, the agent is supposed to verify that the license is valid. Yes, it is free to add your spouse. What you will need is your spouse in the car with you and his valid license. Please, do not let the exit agent dust you off with the "don't need to add the spouse" crap. They are being lazy. Protect yourself and insist.
From the National website:
Additional Driver Policy
What is National's additional driver policy?
· All additional drivers must meet all renter requirements.

· Must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.

· Must present a valid driver's license.

· Must sign the rental agreement.

· An additional daily fee may apply for any Additional Drivers. Click Here

Note: State law in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin allow the spouse to be an automatic authorized driver as long as renter qualifications are met.

National Additional Driver Fee
Is there always an additional driver daily fee? How much is it?
Any additional driver (including a spouse or domestic partner) will pay a daily fee of approximately $10 per day unless the primary renter is a member of Emerald Club or has a Corporate Contract Agreement.

Emerald Club Members in the United States and Canada are allowed to have the following Additional drivers without a fee:

Emerald Club member's spouse, common law spouse, or domestic partner who has the same address on the driver's license as the Emerald Club member and meet normal renter requirements.
Immediate family member, Mother/Father, Son/Daughter, or Brother/Sister who has the same address on the driver's license as the Emerald Club member and meets normal renter requirements.
Corporate Contracts / Business Benefits Member in the United States and Canada are allowed the following additional drivers at no charge:

Commercial (corporate) rentals, the renter's business partner, employer or fellow associate, who has an assigned corporate contract with National and drives the car for business purposes and meet normal renter requirements.
All other additional authorized driver situations are subject to a daily charge.



Exception states that allow the spouse to be an "Automatic" Authorized Driver under all circumstances are; California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin. There is no additional fee for the spouse to drive the vehicle in these states.



the only exception to this is you can do this at the exit booth. You won't need to go to the counter.

 

[rwdavis2]

That is the lazy agent way of doing things. They are supposed to add the driver to the contract. You can do this at the exit booth. They say it is ok to just go, BUT< if you are stopped by the police, they don't want to hear that, they need to see the contract with the driver's name on it. Be safe or be sorry. They went through the same training I did, it amazes me that they just let it go, totally lazy and wrong.

Excellent tip. Thanks!

 

[KandyM]

Thanks. We will make sure both names are put on the contract. I just wish we could somehow take care of that before we even leave home, just to simplify everything on the travel day.

 

[awdwnut]

Not to hijack this thread, but...... I cannot seem to locate my EA card. It has been quite a few years since I have used EA, so I am not sure if they still require the card along with your reservation information. Any feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

awdwnut

 

[vicki_c]

Not to hijack this thread, but...... I cannot seem to locate my EA card. It has been quite a few years since I have used EA, so I am not sure if they still require the card along with your reservation information. Any feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

awdwnut

I don't know the answer, but I think you can print a card on the website. I have a few rental company cards that are just paper I printed at home. I know my Hertz Gold club card is like that.

 

[gmeh1]

Not to hijack this thread, but...... I cannot seem to locate my EA card. It has been quite a few years since I have used EA, so I am not sure if they still require the card along with your reservation information. Any feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

awdwnut

No, they don't require it. They can access your reservation via name or license number. BUT, you will need to log in to the EC site to make an EA reservation. Do you still have that info?

 

[gmeh1]

Excellent tip. Thanks!

You are welcome. I would hate to see anyone get in trouble because the agent was just too lazy.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not to hijack this thread, but...... I cannot seem to locate my EA card. It has been quite a few years since I have used EA, so I am not sure if they still require the card along with your reservation information. Any feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

awdwnut

They've never wanted or looked at our cards (sometimes I book with my account, sometimes hubby books with his so we've done both).


On our last visit through the Aisle I believe the exact words in response to us asking if he needed my DL were "why would I need that? unless you NEED me to add you for some reason, it's automatic". It's very frustrating, because you don't want to say "um, if we get pulled over or into an accident?" to someone that's renting you a car. But seriously gmeh, you might be the only agent who actually adds spouses to the reservation. If I ever am officially added (now we just use hubby's account since he's Executive) at MCO I'll know it's you.

 

[gmeh1]

They've never wanted or looked at our cards (sometimes I book with my account, sometimes hubby books with his so we've done both).


On our last visit through the Aisle I believe the exact words in response to us asking if he needed my DL were "why would I need that? unless you NEED me to add you for some reason, it's automatic". It's very frustrating, because you don't want to say "um, if we get pulled over or into an accident?" to someone that's renting you a car. But seriously gmeh, you might be the only agent who actually adds spouses to the reservation. If I ever am officially added (now we just use hubby's account since he's Executive) at MCO I'll know it's you.

LOL, no, I am not the only one that does it. What you are supposed to say is I have to add you to the contract and I need to make sure your license is valid (cannot do that without seeing it).
I covered my butt totally, did exactly as I was trained to do. Sure, I made exceptions like not charging an additional driver when I should have, not charging for baby seats when the renters tried to leave without securing their child and telling me they could not afford to rent the seat (I guess I valued their child more than they did) and stuff like that, BUT NEVER would I be too lazy to make sure that a renter would leave and perhaps get into trouble.
No, it won't be me adding you, I don't work there anymore. I left last October.

 

[awdwnut]

No, they don't require it. They can access your reservation via name or license number. BUT, you will need to log in to the EC site to make an EA reservation. Do you still have that info?

Yes, I have already made my EA reservation, so it looks like I am good to go.

Thank you for the replies.

awdwnut

 

[gmeh1]

Yes, I have already made my EA reservation, so it looks like I am good to go.

Thank you for the replies.

awdwnut

Yes you are, enjoy your trip. BTW, you can order a replacement card on the website or you can give them a call. while you don't have to show it, having it makes your checkout much faster.