Thanks sz2628, I saw this on the Budget site. IAHtraveler, I appreciate your time in replying too!

I wish I could redo the thread and the title to just ask this -

If the additional driver on a Budget rental is your spouse, do both of you have to appear at the rental counter when picking up the vehicle to show ID / ensure that you both "meet the requirements" ?

It would really help us out if only one had to be there, yet cannot take the chance on one of us not being included as driver if current experiences show that both need to be there.