Those rules are only valid if you happen to be picking up at the Downtown Newton HLE in Kansas (location EWKC31).

For other locations replace the code at the end of the URL with the airport code (or the HLE code if you can find it). For example, put in SFO and it'll tell you "There is no fee for Additional Authorized Operator" which is true as per CA law. Put in PDX and you'll get a different story.

For several years these conditions have not stated that spouse of a Gold member is either an Authorized Operator or free to add for locations in the US. The Gold Plus Rewards signup page says it's free for Five Star and PC, but makes no mention otherwise. However the Gold Plus signup page does state that it's included (https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/member/enrollment under Value - "Pay no additional driver fees for a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S."

This mismatch of messaging has been like this for at least about 2 years now...