Orbitz incompetent at best Internet

I do not know of any company that sticks to their policy 100% of the time.  Every company knows a situation may come up where they have to go outside of those guidelines, which is really all that policy ever is, a set of guidelines.  A reasonable business would understand the situation, make the change if it is not completely unreasonable in order to protect the integrity of the company and keep repeat business and referral business.  In this case, come on, really.. it's just a driver change from husband to wife, let's not get to crazy on policy over this. 

I was willing to pay to add her as a driver, or for a driver change if it was a reasonable fee.. but they didn't even give this option.  The only option was to cancel the entire thing, pay the cancellation fee, then rebook the rental at the current rate which is over $200 higher.  This also makes no sense to me as the reservation date/time/place is not changing.. they are basically saying, everything is exactly the same, but were going to have to charge you a ridiculous fee to switch drivers.  If you think that is ethical despite so called policy that is never 100% enforced by anyone, I have nothing further to say to you.

Simply, it is not the right thing to do to someone. And this is what happens.. the company will lose more money in the loss of their customer, then the little bit of time it would have taken them to just change the name on the reservation. 

 In a common sense situation like this, you make it happen, this is how a business wins over their competitors, they know how to make a name change in their own computer system. 

- In all honesty you didn't agree to a "common sense" reservation.  You agreed to a non-changeable, non-cancelable, non-refundable "all sales final" reservation.  Yes...it was in those terms you agreed to when you made the reservation whether or not you actually read them or not.

Yes they "could" change it, and when you think about it they could even cancel it or do just about anything they wanted to.  But again that is NOT what you agreed to.  As unfair as you may think this is, it is fairly standard.  As an example go to ANY airline site and purchase a discounted fare.  Now, go back a week later and ask to switch the name to someone else.  In your "common sense" mind you would say that is no problem after all they are still taking a passenger on that date on that flight so they should be able to change.  Well when you find out the reality...you may be in for a shock.

This is also why for things such as Car Rentals and Hotels I NEVER book with a 3rd Party and NEVER Pre-Pay.  It may not be the lowest rate because I am not agreeing to the policy, but then if I have any issues I deal directly with the company and am still able to cancel my reservation without penalty.

Now, I will add one thing you may want to try.  Perhaps the rental car would allow you to add your spouse as an Additional Driver.  If they do there may be a fee, but that fee would be significantly less than an entirly new rental.