Renting a carseat (probably from Hertz)

[ericaspotts]

This is probably at least a 2 part question, if not more than that.

In a few weeks we'll be flying to New Mexico with our 13 month old. We'll be renting a car and driving to Santa Fe. My husband would like to not deal with taking our car seat, saying that we can rent one from Hertz with the car. I'm skeptical, particularly after googling "renting a carseat" and seeing all the horrible stories about dilapidated, dangerous car seats.

My questions are:

Is it just easier to suck it up and take our car seat?

Has anyone rented a car seat from a car rental company? How did it work out for you?

Any other tips on traveling with a 13 month old? It'll be our first plane flight with him. He's done great on long car trips and is generally a happy, flexible kid, but any tips would be great.

Thanks,
Erica

[Anonymous]

I have rented carseats. They are fine, but not great quality.

I assume this means you don't have a seat for your 13 mo. If you bought one, it's much easier to take your own carseat because your child is much more likely to sleep during the flight if you do.

However, if you aren't using the carseat on the plane, definitely a huge hassle to bring it along. Make sure you get confirmation that a carseat will be available at the other end.

[Anonymous]

You can buy a car seat bag for $15-20 at Babies R Us. It has wheels and straps that can be used as a backpack or you just wheel it. You check it as a bag (no charge for carseats with any airline I have flown). It's very easy to take your own and then you don't have to worry about it. Another plus is you are familiar with how to install your own which may be more difficult with one that is unfamiliar.

[Anonymous]

One question is if you still use an infant seat or a larger toddler/convertible seat. I rented a seat once while my son still was in his infant seat, and it was HORRIBLE - a glorified egg crate. I think the convertible seats are more tolerable.

[Anonymous]

we just rented a carseat last week from Budget for our Disney trip. it was for our almost 2 year old. when we got the car, we went and picked it up in a central area. it had a plastic bag over it when we got it and looked clean. my husband did have to install it. it worked out fine.

[Anonymous]

We've rented carseats from Hertz before and they are fine. Not great, but they work. But, it is so much easier than lugging along a carseat. If you don't need it on the plane, it is definitely easier to rent one at your destination.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if you could just call the Hertz counter at Alb airport and ask about the condition, make/model, of their seats--it's a pretty small airport so maybe they would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Bring your own car seat if you can.

1. You know how to use it (it really sucks having to figure out how to use a new one sitting at the airport/ wanting to get on to your destination, etc.)

2. You never know the condition of what you're going to get- I got a HORRIBLE car seat from a US based company when traveling outside of the country- i had no other options.

3. Your kid knows his or her seat and will be more comfortable.

4. All airlines, except US Air, allow you to check car seats free of charge (i.e. not part of the new luggage requirements).

[Anonymous]

The first time I flew with my son, we rented a carseat from Hertz. That was the one and only time I did that. We spent 40 minutes struggling to install the thiing in a very hot garage. Rental car personnel were not allowed to assist. Then it turned out the base they gave us did not work with the seat they provided. It was one giant UGH-fest all around. I have flown with my son about a dozen times since then - always taking the seat and it hasn't been much of a burden.

I have flown many times on US Air and have always been allowed to check my car seat without charge. Most recent trip was holidays for December/January. And this last time I checked it at the baggage counter - so didn't have to lug it through the airport.