Hertz - Spouse Fee for UK based 5* gold member

Please can someone clarify something for me? My husband is 5* gold - UK based. We have made a recent booking, logged in to his account which now shows for the first time that an additional driver is NOT included. I have rung Hertz in the UK on several occasions, and although all the operators state that a spouse driver is included as my husband is a gold member, it is no longer on the website and they can not mail out anything in writing. I rang the local branch where we are hiring (Florida,USA) and they also confirmed that as a gold member there is no spouse fee. BUT, my concern is that the booking clearly states that the booking does not include an additional driver and the information that was on the website confirming additional driver as a benefit has now gone. It is still on the US website and indeed they currently have a promotion to join Hertz Gold for free. Is it that this benefit has quietly been removed and when we collect the car we will be charged? Obviously if this is the case I still have time to rebook elsewhere where I will know all the charges up ahead. We have been long time members of Hertz 5* and I am not too happy as you can't be too careful when driving in the US that everyone is fully covered.

Thank you in advance if anyone can shed some light on this.

please see link below

https://hertzhelp.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/822/kw/spouse/session/L3NpZC9QeTN3eTU1bA%3D%3D

How would I add an additional driver if I am a Gold Member?
If the person to be added on is your spouse, domestic partner or coworker, they are considered authorized operators and can operate the Hertz car without being added on. However, if they are not your spouse, domestic partner or coworker, you and the additional driver will need to go to any Hertz location to sign an Additional Authorized Operator (AAO) form to legally operate the Car. There is an additional fee for each Additional Authorized Operator (AAO). Click here for AAO fee information.

This is on the US web site and has been there for the last 2 years to my knowledge but probably longer.

In the USA your spouse is an authorised driver - dont worry.

it's in the UK that this does not apply.

Thank you for your reply. You posted what I have seen on the US website and it was on the UK one until recently. But what concerns me is that now my reservation states under "What is not included?" the words additional driver. I can't seem to get confirmation that as 5* gold additional spouse driver IS included or as booking now says, it isn't . Just to confirm when we made the booking he was logged in to his account. If I am being thick I apologise.

You will be fine, I am in the US in 8 weeks and my wife will be driving too. we also have the same wording.

I just went back to the Hertz site to have another look and there it was! When logged in, go to My Account - Membership Information and then it offers different headings one of which is Terms and Conditions which I am sure was not there on Friday. If you click on Terms and Conditions it opens up a small window which has all the relevant t+cs including the clause about spouse driver being authorised to drive in the US and Canada. It does not necessarily apply to other countries - I did not read everything. But IT IS THERE now as it used to be. We are due there in just over five weeks and I can breathe again!! Thank you for your help Holodoc.

We are back again in America for Christmas and I have booked with Alamo because the rates quoted from Hertz for our dates, since February 2012, have ranged from over £2000 down to £1000. Alamo have charged £450 (in a sale) for a midsize SUV with free additional driver for three weeeks so I booked it at that price. I have used them twice recently as they have been half what Hertz have charged, and not had a problem.

I hope you have a great trip. If you get great deals then use Alamo :).