Going on vacation with a small child means that you have to carry extra things. One of the many necessities is the car seat although many are heavy, bulky and are a hassle to carry. It is among the toughest aspects of travelling with kids to lug a car seat in the airport or ensure that you child’s seat is in the car and your child in it. If you want to rent a car to go on vacation, you must make arrangements for a car seat for your baby. Nevertheless, there are some cars that come with a baby car seat.
Car Seat Rental—Is It Possible?
Yes, it is possible to rent car seats. You do not have to carry your own portable crib, car seat or stroller when traveling with a child. There are companies that specialize in renting baby travelling gear such as Baby’s Away.
You can, alternatively, rent the gear from various family attractions such as zoo, malls, some cruise ships, beach boardwalks and theme parks. When renting such gear, keep in mind that some of the rentals are really not worth the cost. For example, you could buy a portable umbrella stroller and realize that it cost you the same price as it costs to rent one for a whole week.
While some car seat rentals are inexpensive, it is much better to bring yours along since your little one can sit on it even in a plane. If you have decided to go for car seat rental, do not settle for generic models. Instead, go for one that will fit your child properly.
How to Rent a Car Seat from Car Rental Companies
Some of the most known car rental companies have a limited number of car seats parents can rent. They include convertible car seats, booster seats and infant car seats, which come in handy when you have about three children of different ages. At an extra charge, you will be able to secure a car seat for your vacation.
To rent a car seat, you first need to call the car rental company in order to reserve a car. Car seats are normally available on a first-come-first-serve basis. When reserving a car seat, make sure you pick one that is similar to the one your baby is using. If you have a toddler, the car seat you rent should have a five-point harness. If the child is an infant, go for a car seat that you can install backwards.
Many rental companies will rent you a car only if you will return the car at the agreed drop-off point. Normally, this is the same point you picked the car. Some rental companies will also require you to install the car seat by yourself. This ensures that they are not liable should an accident happen and harm come to your child. When renting a car seat, you may have to give a deposit that is refundable upon return of the car seat in good condition.
More Things to Consider on Car Seat Rental
1. Safety Guarantee on Car Seats
Majority of car seat rental companies have a safety guarantee on their seats. Even so, you can’t help but wonder whether you should trust their word especially when you consider the fact that the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) warns people against using second-hand car seats. One of the reasons is that there is no way of telling whether the car seat has previously been involved in an accident and in the process lost important car parts.
2. More Expensive
As for cost, car seat rental is bound to cost you more in the long-run than buying your own car seat. This is of course unless you are an AAA member, where you are entitled to a free car seat use (for one seat) with every rental through Hertz. Major companies will charge you between 10 and 15 dollars per day per seat and those fees can be capped at a max of 60 and 70 dollars per rental per seat.
Without a doubt, having to lug a car seat from the parking lot to the counter is no easy task. Luckily, many airlines allow you to take a seat with you for each child free of charge. Parents who decide to bring their chairs along should make sure the seats are 40 pounds and below. You will find detachable wheel boards in the plane, which allow you to wheel the seat (even with your kid in it) like a roller bag.
Check this video out for more information on car seat safety: