Spouses driving at National

[JenDaveBrendan]

I found a great rate at National, however, I was wondering if spouses can drive free? I got a rate of about $60 less than I reserved at Budget (where spouses can drive free).

Thanks!

Jen

 

[luvsTink]

In order for spouses to drive free you have to be a Emerald club member. If you go to mousesavers under the rental car info about National you will find a link that allows you to enroll for free...I did it just so both my DH and I can drive.

Anne

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

luvsTink--
Thank you for the quick reply! I went to mousesavers and got the link to sign up for the emerald club, so I am all set now.

Thanks again!

Jen

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, so I am an Emerald Club member, but I don;t recall registering my wife's driver's license info. Is there an option somewhere (that I am not seeing) on the Emerald Clud section where I can register her?

 

[luvsTink]

You will need to go to the counter in order to have your wife sign the rental agreement....of course that means you can't "bypass" the counter, but I was told that was the only way.

Anne

 

[dudspizza]

According to the rules of Emerald Club, spouses (and any immediate family members) can drive the car at no extra charge. It doesn't say anywhere that you have to go to the counter to have them sign the agreement. It is part of the EC agreement.

This is copied from the Emerald Club info at nationalcar.com

Automatic Authorized Drivers

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


Immediate family is a Mother/Father, Son/Daughter, or Brother/Sister who has the same address on the drivers license as the Emerald Club member's. This includes a spouse regardless of whether he/she has the same last name, is a common law spouse or same gender domestic partner.


Free (in the United States and Canada) – On commercial 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.
All other additional authorized driver situations are subject to a daily charge.

Paul

 

[luvsTink]

Thanks Paul,
I thought that too, but called to confirm and they said that indeed the spouse is free but it was only valid if the spouse signs. I asked specifically if I could do emerald reserve and have my spouse drive and they said that no matter how the car is reserved, he would have to sign at the counter. She said something about if we were ever pulled over that the police would expect the driver to be on the agreement or there could be problems. I'm just telling you what they told me. I suppose if you are never pulled over or never in an accident it really wouldn't matter.

Anne

 

[dudspizza]

That is good to know. Maybe National ought to tell Emerald Club folks that, seeing as they don't state it in their EC agreement. I wonder since it says that the spouse has to have the same home address listed on their ID would be sufficient?

Paul

 

[luvsTink]

probably, I doubt that there would be serious liability issues for us as renters since there own statements are so unclear. Of course, reading that bit about same household members could also suggest that my 17 year old could drive but I doubt that as well.

Somewhere else on the site it says that authorized drives also must produce a DL and a credit card with his or her name on it, so we are bringing everything but blood tests to make sure our rental goes smooth I almost wish I hadn't called

Anne

 

[dudspizza]

I almost wish I hadn't called

Anne

National is kind of weird that way. I had a couple of conversations with them a year or so ago, about whether I had to use the contract ID that was associated with my Entertainment book coupon. They said I had to use that contract ID, but tons of people here said you did not (including Mary at mousesavers.com). I used the Carlson Wagonlit contract ID and all worked out fine!

I will pretend I never saw this thread! Have fun!

Duds

 

[Brian Noble]

What thread?

 

[Shannon G]

It's funny - I called and asked the same question of the Emerald Club a couple of years ago, and was told that we did NOT have to present anything for my spouse, because he is automatically included under the Emerald Club agreement. I wonder if this is a case of a policy change, or simply getting different answers from different people.

 

[dudspizza]

What thread?

Exactly! I like the way you think!

Duds

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, so I get it: in order for DW to be an authorized driver, we need to do the Counter to get her info on to the contract. (Thx for the quote from the site, didspizza!) Fine, we can do that. It might take a little longer, but it will save major PITA longer term; our next National rental is for 9 days, and we'll be doing plenty of driving.

 

[dvc guy]

I called and was told just to present DW license upon check out along with mine and my emerald card. Guess everybody got a different answer

 

[pumpkinboy]

I called and was told just to present DW license upon check out along with mine and my emerald card. Guess everybody got a different answer

Wow, that'd be way better.

 

[powellrj]

we rented from National in October. The rental was in my name and I am the EClub member. We bypassed the counter and picked out our car. When we drove through the check out, DH was driving and he handed the lady in the booth both of our DL and a credit card. We both signed and were on our way.

 

[Shannon G]

we rented from National in October. The rental was in my name and I am the EClub member. We bypassed the counter and picked out our car. When we drove through the check out, DH was driving and he handed the lady in the booth both of our DL and a credit card. We both signed and were on our way.

You signed? I've never had to sign anything when using Emerald Aisle - just drive the car to the booth, present my card & license, & we're off. I guess we'll just make sure we present both my license & DH's.

 

[Rpsemont]

Last time we rented (nov 2004) we used EA. DH was driving and at Check out we handed them both drivers licenses and EA card (which is in my name) They asked if DH was business associate (he has a different name) and I said no, he's my husband. They said they don't need his info - he's covered under EA and handed his license back. We've never yet gone to the counter to have him "sign"

 

[luvsTink]

Thanks for the info! All of you that have not gone to the counter for your spouse to drive, were these experiences at Orlando?

Thanks a bunch!
Anne