Hi,

This wasn't the case when I rented from LAX in October. I was told by the Gold counter that a spouse or domestic partner are automatically covered so no need to add them to the rental.

Also from the FAQ on the Hertz website:

How would I add an additional driver if I am a Gold Plus Rewards 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.

Legally in California, a "domestic partnership" only applies for same-sex couples, or for different-sex couples where at least one is over 62 years old. If have no idea if this is the definition that Hertz uses, but I'd be cautious presuming that a "fiancee" is considered as one without checking with them first.

Obviously if the OP was married it would be a different story - in that case then you're correct, the spouse is considered an Authorized Operator, and does not need to be sign anything or even be present when the car is picked up.

Not that it's relevant here, but I'd also be very careful of the "coworker" comment there. In some (but not all!) places in the various Hertz T&C it's stated that this only applies if the car is rented using a relevant corporate CDP.

I can understand being cautious in these circumstances, but I've noticed the Hertz employees to be particularly casual about this.

Another option is that USAA and AAA members, when both are members, get free added driver privileges. USAA requires the member also be family, doesn't use the qualifier immediate, and again I've seen Hertz be very liberal with this.

To clarify, there are two types of additional drivers we are talking about:

a) As noted from the FAQ above, Gold members get free automatic additional driver spouse/domestic partner/coworker, no need to show additional driver's license and add to contract.

b) USAA family and AAA members get free additional driver for co-members. But you may need to them show the additional driver's license.

I'd play it by ear at the gate. If you show fiance's license you are good to go. And if you can talk yourself out of the fee with any of the above techniques (Gold/AAA/USAA), then that much the better.

The risk is of course not what happens at the time of rental, but what happens when the car is damaged by the second driver and Hertz claims that they were not an authorized operator - especially if you're paying for CDW...


As the rental is starting in California there are no additional fees for the extra driver, regardless of affiliation/membership/relationship/etc. They still need to be listed as drivers and sign for it (other than the exceptions already mentioned), but there's no fee involved.

This is the definition I got from the Hertz for partner:


Domestic Partner Definition - AAO - U.S.

Spouse Definition: Husband or Wife (including legally recognized same sex marriages and civil unions (CU).

In reference to Hertz' policy information for Additional Authorized Operators, the following is the definition applicable to Domestic Partner:

"A Domestic Partner is defined as a partner of the same or opposite sex (not a relative) who permanently resides at the same address as the primary renter, as validated by the address on the driver's licenses".


Currently the states of Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont & the District of Columbia legally recognize same sex marriage

California also does recognize and perform same sex marriages. Hertz should think about updating that...

To go back to the OP's question:

1) A "fiancé" is not technically considered to be an automatic additional driver as there is no legal marriage between you two (yet).

2) There is no fee for adding an additional driver in California.

3) Unless this has changes recently (I was just at SFO adding a driver and asked to be sure again) you need to go to an agent at the Counter (or Gold Booth if it is open) to add on an additional driver. They will need to see both Driver Licenses. They may ask to see a Credit Card (secondary form of ID) from the additional driver though I haven't been asked the last few times. They may ask for a secondary contact phone number for the additional driver (again they haven't asked me the past few times). Both drivers will need to sign, the renter stating the other driver is authorized, and the additional driver stating their age is correct (among other things).

So Gold Desk, Both Drivers Present, Both ID's at the ready and you will be well on your way. :)

Edit: And now I read the OP probably already picked up the car... but if they are still around... let us know how it went!

Hi roadman3313

But if he lives with his "fiancé" then she should be automatically covered as a 'domestic partner'? Hertz definition of a partner is someone of the same or opposite sex who lives at the same address as the renter - there is no requirement to be married.

Sorry if it seems like I am high-jacking someone else's thread but I am following it with interest as I have a rental in the summer in a State that does charge an additional driver fee. Hertz online chat support have said that being a Gold member means that your spouse, partner or coworker is automatically covered and does not need to be added to the rental. But from your experience at SFO it sounds like I would have to add my partner to the rental agreement as an additional driver which would then invoke the additional driver fee (because I am not renting in CA).

Thanks for your help!

I've always felt confident enough with Hertz's definition of Domestic Partner. We've lived together for almost 10 years. I'm male and I live with a woman, just to be clear. She doesn't often actually drive the rental car anyway, but I don't go in and add her as additional authorized, and I don't worry if she needs to take the car or drive for a stint on our long drives. She should be automatic per Hertz policy. No, I haven't had a crash or other damage to test that theory, but it seems clear enough to me.

In the OP's case, if they are already living together that should be Domestic Partner enough I would think. But, it might be safer to go to the Gold counter if you're feeling nervous about that or you just moved in or whatever. Way back in 2005 we rented at SFO and although already living together we went ahead and did a real add of additional driver. And she did drive a lot on that trip. But it was also my first ever Gold rental so I already had to go to the counter. Heck I don't even know if the policy stated "Domestic Partner" back then. ;) But these days again I feel confident in that. If you've lived together for a while and are now getting married, there should be no need for the paperwork even if you haven't quite gotten to the "I do" yet.

I am used to adding on my significant other I live with because the address on the Driver's License doesn't match. I suppose I am looking at it from that point of view. If the address on the Driver's License matches then you should be fine. If they do not match, then I would add on the fiancé as an additional driver.

did they change the general terms? I read here that the domestic partner is automatically authorized. but in the actual general terms it is just the spouse who is automatically authorized (or co-worker).

I would go with the terms that Hertz provides. It's a moot point unless there's an accident, in which case you'll find out whether Hertz regards someone who's not legally recognized as a spouse (or in a civil union) as meeting the requirement.

Adding a second driver after a couple of days in different station - possible?
 

Here's my situation: I am a Five Star member, arriving off a long Trans-Atlantic flight into JFK with a tired family, luggage, etc. All we are interested in is to pick up our car and drive off as fast as possible, without stepping by the counter. We don't need anything special nor an upgrade (I'll be fine with driving what I booked), just motor off and get to our destination. I assume that will work and that we'll just pick up the car from the "Gold parking lot" or whatever it is called (the parking lot with a board at the entrance and renter name/parking bay number on it, keys in the car)

However, I also would like to add my wife as a second driver - just not when we arrive. Is it possible to drive by any other Hertz station a couple of days later and add her to the contract? Or does it have to be done at the original rental station? At the moment of taking the car?

Thanks

No need to bother. Spouse is authorized driver without need to sign up.@:-)

EDIT:
I just realized that's only valid for rentals in CA and IA.:( However, you can sign spouse up as authorized driver at any time.
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/produ...nal_driver.jsp

Yes, you can add additional driver later, at a different station. I've done it.
They'll often say "no need, spouse/domestic partner already authorised" - it took quite a while to persuade them that my insurance (UK Amex) would only kick in if my partner's name was specifically printed on the contract.

Yes it's possible, done with Avis and asked for at Hertz but did not need it in the end