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I’ve searched the forums and can’t find an answer to this so apologies if this is common knowledge. Can anyone see a way out of this issue?
I rented a car in Florida using Hertz and wanted to make use of the free “spouse as additional driver” and the Platinum car insurance cover. I couldn’t, because although Hertz was happy for my spouse to drive the car, they wouldn’t name her on the agreement unless I paid for her as a regular “additional driver”. Amex won’t cover anyone who isn’t named on the agreement so it appears I can’t have both benefits. Anyone experienced this and overcome it? I’m about to rent again for 6 weeks, so the additional driver charge is significant.
This is a problem of the US system whereby US residents are generally cover for rental cars under their own car insurance. Also, some states require hire firms to allow spouses to drive and because this is ‘as of right’ their names don’t need to be on the policy, but it should be within the rental agreement terms. This can create issues if you drive into another state where a spouse does need to be listed as an additional driver. You probably need to get hold of the rental agreement terms and then ask AXA/Amex in writing how their policy interacts with those terms.
Thanks for the reply.
I did ask Amex but they just said “her name has to be on the agreement”. It seems that it’s up to me to get her name on by whatever means necessary. Hertz have taken the view (in Florida) that that means paying but as my upcoming rental is Australia, it might be different/negotiable. As I won’t find out until I’m at the desk, I’ll just have to see if Australia can add her for free.
See recent post https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/hertz-benefits-after-cancelling-platinum-card/ re free driver.
Thanks for the reply.
I did ask Amex but they just said “her name has to be on the agreement”. It seems that it’s up to me to get her name on by whatever means necessary. Hertz have taken the view (in Florida) that that means paying but as my upcoming rental is Australia, it might be different/negotiable. As I won’t find out until I’m at the desk, I’ll just have to see if Australia can add her for free.
If it’s Hertz in Australia, they do include someone living at your address automatically, but if there is an extra driver fee, it’s quite low – c. A$5/day and capped at five days which isn’t too onerous to get this resolved, but check all this with the collection rental office.
That’s useful info as I never hired in Australia before. Thanks. If they are only going to sting me $25 or so then “no worries”.
Additional driver with Hertz is FREE if you are a ‘Five Star’ member which is what you get as an Amex Platinum cardholder anyway …..
Additional driver with Hertz is FREE if you are a ‘Five Star’ member which is what you get as an Amex Platinum cardholder anyway …..
Do you not get President Circle now with Platinum? I have “President Club with Avis and President Circle with Hertz, I think both via Amex Platinum
Additional driver with Hertz is FREE if you are a ‘Five Star’ member which is what you get as an Amex Platinum cardholder anyway …..
@Rob free additional driver is another benefit that often doesn’t apply at Hertz franchised branches. In fact, many don’t respect any of the supposed benefits of international car loyalty schemes and it’s the same at Avis franchisees. Many also simply won’t let you drive away without buying some of their insurance. They can, and do, make up their own rules!Additional driver with Hertz is FREE if you are a ‘Five Star’ member which is what you get as an Amex Platinum cardholder anyway …..
It is but that isn’t my problem. They weren’t demanding any money for the named driver, they just wouldn’t name her on the documents. As a result she is covered from Hertz’s point of view but not from Amex’s. I wasn’t wild about what a traffic cop might think in the event of being pulled, either.
Additional driver with Hertz is FREE if you are a ‘Five Star’ member which is what you get as an Amex Platinum cardholder anyway …..
It is but that isn’t my problem. They weren’t demanding any money for the named driver, they just wouldn’t name her on the documents. As a result she is covered from Hertz’s point of view but not from Amex’s. I wasn’t wild about what a traffic cop might think in the event of being pulled, either.
I have stuck with Avis rentals over the last 12 months or so (availability and price a key factor, as Hertz, especially in Italy, at some points had very limited choice of cars available) and have always proactively been asked if I wanted to name a second driver as it was a free benefit to me , this was several times at different Locations in Italy, as well as Iceland and US.
I cannot recall what was the situation 18 months ago when I last used Hertz, but I do not think I had yet upgraded to President’s Circle.
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