Planning to rent a car with your spouse or domestic partner? Chances are you may want to take turns driving. While many rental car companies charge a fee for additional drivers, there are many tricks to make sure your spouse can drive free.
Sign Up for Car Rental Loyalty Programs
For those rental car brands that require an additional driver fee for spouses, the easiest way out is to sign up for that company’s loyalty or rewards program. Just be sure to add your reservation number when shopping around to ensure the additional driver fees will be waived.
The following brands usually charge an additional fee for spouses or domestic partners who want to drive, but will waive the charge if you sign up for their rewards program.
Dollar
Thrifty
Members of Thrifty’s Blue Chip Rewards program can add a spouse or domestic partner for free in addition to other perks like skipping the counter.
Hertz
By joining Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards Program you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an authorized driver for no extra charge.
Sixt
For U.S. residents, Sixt will waive one additional driver fee for Gold, Platinum or Diamond status loyalty program members.[1]
Use Membership Programs to Add Additional Drivers
Of the rental car brands that do charge additional driver fees for spouses or domestic partners, there’s another way to avoid the fee: organization memberships. While we recommend signing up for car rental loyalty programs for their host of benefits, using membership benefits is another option to avoid paying a spouse or domestic partner fee.
AAA: Your AAA membership will waive the fees at Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty for additional drivers. Use your AAA code when booking to get the deal.
USAA: Members of USAA can use their Hertz discount code to avoid getting charged for having a spouse as an additional driver.
Brands That Will Let Your Spouse Drive Free
Another way to make sure your spouse can drive free is to choose the right rental company. Some brands don’t charge any additional driver fees for spouses or domestic partners, even if they do charge for additional drivers in general. These include:
- Enterprise
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Fox
- National
States Without Extra Charges for Spouses
Another factor that will determine whether you have to pay an additional driver fee is where you are renting the vehicle. In certain states, you’ll be off the hook for paying an added charge for your spouse as long as they meet the rental company’s requirements and have a valid driver’s license.
These states automatically consider spouses as authorized drivers under rental agreements. This means that even those companies that would usually charge an extra fee for spouses driving need to waive the fee when renting in these states. They include:
- California
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- New York
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
It is important to keep in mind that when a spouse is legally authorized as an additional driver by state law, it is not necessary to explicitly list them on the rental contract. In fact, by doing so, the rental company may pressure you to pay an additional driver fee when it is unnecessary to do so because state law automatically authorizes your spouse to drive for free without needing to explicitly name them on the rental contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I rent a car in a different country?
It is possible to do this by using an international rental agent such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. These companies have offices in Europe and offer services both for long-term and short-term rental.
They are available to assist customers 24 hours a days, 7 days per week.
You don’t need to have any prior experience when renting from them. They handle everything, from insurance to breakdown cover. All you need is to know where and when to arrive.
What’s the best roadtrip in Europe?
It is important to take time to stop at interesting spots along the road, rather than driving from A to B in the quickest possible.
There are many wonderful roads in Europe but none as beautiful as this route between Venice, Dubrovnik.
The majority of the trip will take you through breathtaking scenery. You can stop at many points along the way to see all of it.
Highlights include Torcello and Lido di Jesolo at Lake Garda, Northern Italy’s Dolomites & Lake Como, as well the Walled Medieval City of Carcassonne.
What do I need to rent a car in Portugal?
Portugal requires an international driving licence to rent a vehicle. To pay for the car, you must also show proof of insurance.
When making a booking, rental companies will often ask you for a passport/national ID card.
Two forms of identification may be required when renting a car in Portugal: passport or national ID card.
These documents are required to ensure compliance with European Union road safety regulations. If you have any doubts about your identity, you could be denied access to the vehicle.
If you do NOT have an International Driving License, you will need to obtain a translated copy from the Driver Licensing Authority of your home country.
This document must be translated into Portuguese, and all documentation required to support it must also be included. Although the cost of this document will vary depending on where it is located, it generally runs between $20-30 USD.
Please be aware that the vehicle may deny you access if you don’t have a copy of your official translator.
What do you need to rent a vehicle in Europe?
A variety of websites can help you find affordable European rental cars. These include Alamo and Sixt, Europcar or Hertz. Also, you should consider booking online.
You must ensure that you have all of the necessary information before renting a vehicle, and this includes but is not limited to:
- Your full name and any middle names, if applicable
- Your current address
- Date, time & place of pickup
- The vehicle to be rented must match the make and model.
- Insurance company and policy number
- Any special requests for additional equipment
- Specific details of rental agreements (e.g. duration, rate and deposit; balance due at the end of the trip; excess charges, limits on liability, cancellation penalties, etc.
- Payment method(s), including cash, credit card, debit cards, cash and personal cheques
After you have all the information you need, you can make a booking with any of the listed companies.
Can you rent a car in Portugal and drop it off in Spain?
The answer is yes, you can do this. It’s called “car hire”. This service is offered by many online companies.
Only check to make sure they are licensed by Spanish and Portuguese authorities.
You can contact them directly via their websites. You will find all the information they need.
Are hail damage and my responsibility if I rent a car in the United States
The insurance company will reimburse you for any damage that is caused by natural catastrophes such as tornadoes or floods. If you are unsure if this applies to your rental vehicle, contact your rental agency for clarification.
Statistics
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
External Links
kayak.com
avis.com
sixt.com
alamo.com
How To
12 Things You Need to Know About Renting A Car in Europe
What should I know about renting a car in Europe
When you rent a car in Europe, there are many things you should know before driving off. A lot depends on what type of rental car you choose. This list contains essential tips to make sure your trip runs smoothly.
- Your insurance policy. Make sure your insurance policy covers international travel before you get on the road. Check out our guide on how to find cheap car insurance abroad.
- The correct documents. You will need a driver’s permit from your home country as well as several identification cards (passports and visas). to prove where you’re going. You should have these documents in hand so that you don’t miss deadlines.
- Road Rules. Follow local traffic laws and pay attention to signs indicating speed limits, one-way streets, and pedestrian crossings. Driving in another nation could lead to accidents or fines.
- Parking rules. Many cities require that drivers park only in designated areas. Before arriving in town, be sure to review parking regulations.
- Gasoline. Gasoline. Prices vary depending on location and country. But, generally speaking, gasoline costs three times as much back home than it does there.
- Insurance requirements. Rentals older than 3 years may require additional liability insurance. Check with your rental company about specifics.
- GPS navigation systems. Travelers are increasingly using GPS navigation systems. But if you’re unfamiliar with how to use them, make sure you bring along a map and ask for directions.
- Radio stations. Radio stations may play music you don’t recognize. You don’t have to worry about it; just press “0”, to change the frequency to English
- Seatbelts. European countries have a mandatory requirement for seat belts.
- Road tolls All across Europe, road tolls are quite common. Most are payable at meters located at major intersections.
- Speeding tickets. Speeding is strictly prohibited in large parts Europe, including Germany Austria, Switzerland Italy France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy.
- Tipping. Tipping is not the same thing in Europe as in North America. Tipping isn’t an expected behavior in many parts of the globe anymore. Instead, give a number such as 10% to 15%.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://rentacar24.org/car-rental-news/the-inside-information-on-audi-on-demand/
