Once you have kids, travel gets a lot more complicated. You can no longer just hop in a car in a new location — now everyone must be belted into the proper safety seats. For families, this means traveling with big, bulky car seats or paying for car seat rental on location. You can usually rent car seats or boosters from a car rental company, but it does require some advanced planning on your part.
Put Safety First
If bringing a car seat with you on a trip isn’t possible, do whatever you can to make sure the rental seat is used safely. Your children need to use the right car seat for their height and weight range, and the seat itself should be properly installed and not yet at its expiration date. That’s why renting the same model you use at home is ideal — you already know you can satisfy the safety requirements and use it properly.
Unfortunately, you can’t depend on just showing up and being able to get the car seat you want. “In general, parents should not rely on being able to rent a car seat, since there is no guarantee that the rental service will have car seats on hand, or that the car seats they have will be in safe, clean condition,” says family travel writer Debbie Dubrow, a mother of three and a contributor to “Conde Nast Traveler.” That’s why you need to plan ahead, scope out customer reviews and square away the details with the rental company.
Once you arrive, examine the car seat prior to installation and have your child test it out to make sure it’s a good fit. You should also ask the car rental agency for a manual or installation instructions. Most major chains will comply with this request, but you can usually find one online by searching for the model if the need arises. If an employee installs the seat, verify that they’ve been properly trained.
Don’t forget to check local laws before you travel. States have different rules regarding booster seats and car seat stages. Know in advance what your child should ride in and what you need to rent.
Expect Extra Fees
Car rental agencies will add fees for car seat rental, usually on a daily basis. For example, Avis and Hertz charge $13 per day, and Alamo charges $9.99 per day. Some companies offer special discounts to loyal customers or AAA members, which can help defray the cost. These may be hard to find on their websites and might be unlisted until you’re ready to make your reservation. In most cases, you can add the car seat to your reservation when you book online, allowing you to budget for the expense or decide if renting is cost-effective enough to beat the inconvenience of traveling with the seat.
Communicate Directly With the Provider
You’ll need to communicate directly with the rental agency to get the right car seat. This starts with the reservation. Avoid the third-party booking sites you might normally use to save money. “If you need special equipment such as car seats, often these third parties will not guarantee them,” says Jodi Grundig, a family travel expert and founder of “Family Travel Magazine.”
Grundig also recommends contacting the rental agency again after you make your reservation. Airport locations will be your best bet, since you won’t have to worry about transporting kids on a bus or shuttle to an off-site facility. However, these agencies will also have the highest demand for car seat rentals, so it’s best to solidify your plans well in advance and reserve your seats.
Don’t just call a general customer service number, either — contact the location you plan to rent from directly. “I would recommend calling the rental office location in advance,” Dubrow adds. “Confirm that they do, in fact, have seats on hand and ask how often they are replaced, whether they are inspected after use and when they are cleaned.” Grundig reminds parents to ask about height and weight information, as well as whether the agency can guarantee availability. Inquire about familiar brands and models, and see if the location has owner’s manuals and trained employees available as well.
One last tip: It never hurts to carry some extra wipes with you, in case the car rental’s definition of “clean” doesn’t match your own.
And check out these Car Seat Guidelines: Recommendations by Age and Weight.
Jessica Woodbury lives with her two children in Boston. She blogs about single parenthood at Don’t Mind the Mess.
