Rental Car...Can Hubby Pick It Up?

[kristenrice]

In order to save the wear and tear on our two vehicles (both large SUV's with 150K miles on them), we decided to rent a car for our trip to HHI in April. We opted for an Intermediate SUV since that is the closest to the size we are used to and can still afford.

We are leaving early Saturday morning so I am scheduling the car pick-up for Friday. Since I won't get out of work until 5pm (or later!), I was hoping to have my husband pick it up while the kids are at school and I am at work, like around 2pm. We will be renting from either Budget, Avis or Enterprise, all of which allow a spouse to drive at no additional charge. Will my husband be able to pick up the car if the rental is in my name? What if I put the rental in his name but the billing information in my name? Will I have to put it on one of our credit card in his name if he is the one who picks it up? We typically only use debit cards, but I have a couple of credit cards that I use for our vacations. Right now, they are only in my name so I would need to add DH as an authorized user to get one in his name before we leave. I've always been the one to pick up the car and if that's what I have to do, it will affect where we rent from. Normally, I go to the "neighborhood" location but it closes at 5pm so if I am the one that has to get the car, I will have to get it from the airport.

If you can't tell, we aren't very experienced with rental cars. We rent a car once a year, at the most, unless we have a mechanical emergency. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Nope. You have to be the one to pick it up. . Budget & Avis will charge you $13 a day for a additional driver.

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks! I guess I will either book a car from the airport, or book it in my husband's name so he can pick it up.

... Budget & Avis will charge you $13 a day for a additional driver.

They shouldn't, according to their policies...

From Avis' website...

The following individuals, if 25 years of age or older and in possession of a valid driver's license, may drive the car with the renter's prior permission and are exempt from Additional Driver fees:

• Renter's employer (while on company business);
• Renter's fellow employee (while on company business)
• Renter's spouse or life partner.
• Disabled renters who have completed the non-licensed renter form

From Budget's website...

Do you charge extra for an additional driver?

Answer: Sometimes. Although additional driver rules at licensee-owned locations and locations outside of the U.S may vary, except for California, Nevada and New York, the fee for each additional driver is $13 per day with a maximum charge of $65 per rental. There is no additional driver fee in California. In Nevada, the fee is $10 per day with a maximum charge of $65 per rental. In New York, the fee is $3 per day. The following are exempt from the fee but must meet all other driver requirements: the renter's employer or fellow employee when on company business and renting under a corporate account; the renter's spouse or domestic partner; the companion driver of a renter with a disability who has completed the non-licensed renter form; for insurance replacement rentals, company employees or family members who are designated on the insurance policy.

 

[tinka-belle]

Even if a free spouse rate is offered, all drivers have to appear with their driver's license to added as qualified drivers for the rental. If just one person picks up the vehicle, will have to go back to have the additional driver added later. Credit card presented in the name of the primary reserved driver.