Hi.
Do all car rental companies charge the extra driver fee for a spouse? Do you know of any companies who don't? Is there any way around this fee? Any help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

The additional charge is not only for a spouse but ant other indvidual that is called upon to drive the car. Most companies, at least the ones I use, have that charge.

Hertz does not charge additional for a spouse. They also don't require a spouse to show ID at the ticket counter when renting. I believe this is the policy with most rental companies, but my only experience has been with Hertz.

I don't know why, but that little $5 fee/day for the extra driver spouse really bugs me, mostly because my husband usually drives, but I like to be on the rental policy just in case of emergency. I always try to use Avis which doesn't charge one (at least as of Dec. 2001). Good luck!

may depend on where you are renting. contrary to Susan's experience, Hertz told us we'd have to pay extra for the 2nd driver on Kauai.

We usually use National and never pay extra and I don't have to register at the desk with my husband. We've never paid extra with Hertz or Avis either.

Beachbum, was the second driver a spouse of the primary driver? I'm surprised! We've rented with Hertz in Hawaii as well, and still did not have to pay extra to put me on the rental agreement with my husband.

We just rented a car from Hertz in Tampa Fl and were told that we would have to pay $7/day for the spouse second driver. When I told the agent that I had never paid that supplement before with Hertz, she asked if I usually used a AAA discount (which I had not this time, using an airline coupon instead). She said that the AAA rate includes the spouse additional driver fee. Don't know if that is really accurate, but thought I would pass it on for what it's worth. My lesson is that I will always ask when making the reservation from now on.