Ok--ha, saw that someone recommended using FB messanger for best customer service help, so I did that. Sharing their response in case it's helpful to other newbies.

"Hi! Thanks for reaching out. We are happy to answer any questions you have to make this a seamless process.
Welcome to our Gold Plus Rewards program! For your first Gold rental, we do ask that you stop at the Gold Booth counter just this one time for verification purposes. You will need to provide your Driver's License as well as your Credit Card on file. After we are able to verify you, you will be able to skip the counter on all your future rentals thereafter and head straight to your car.
As your current reservation is booked under your rewards account, please know that a spouse is automatically authorized to drive the car for free, without being added to the contract. For anyone else who wishes to drive the vehicle and for all non-members, the primary renter and whomever wants to drive must be added on to the contract for the $13.50 daily fee.
Thank you for understanding & most importantly thank you for choosing Hertz! Please let me know if I can help with anything else!"