Travel and car seat dilemma

[Anonymous]

We fly to LAX on Sunday with a 7 year old and 2 year old. The rental car place cannot guarantee they will have car seats available.

Would it be crazy to go to the Target down the block from the rental place and buy two seats (I could order them for pickup in advance). It would cost $180 which is the same as renting. We could donate them on the way out of town.

The other option would be to bring ours to fly with but they 2 year old one is giant and bulky and the 7 year old really only needs a booster (she is over the height requirement for CA).

[Anonymous]

I've purchased car seats at my destination. It worked out fine. I've also bought my kid a seat on the plane and put the car seat in the kids seat. Kid seems to like this better than the big plane seat.

[Anonymous]

Could you borrow a mifold for the 7-year-old?

[Anonymous]

I might buy at my destination but I’d bring the one for the 2yo back so you don’t have to do this next time.

[Anonymous]

I would just plan for the rental car and use the target as back up.

They can never guarantee them but always have them, in my experience. I think they just don’t keep close track so aren’t willing to “guarantee” that they will have one. But they have a big stack.

[Anonymous]

I would buy a booster for the 7 yo and an inexpensive travel carseat for the 2 year old (there are some inexpensive, lightweight bare bones car seats that still have very good safety ratings out there -- they aren't as comfy as what I'm sure you use at home, but they are safe and not that hard to travel with because they are light).

Odds are good you'll wind up using both again, so I don't know why you wouldn't just buy (or borrow from a friend) rather than trying to buy while you're there and donate. Just to save the trouble of taking them on the plane? Seems like a waste.

[Anonymous]

Bring a booster and put it in the overhead. Bring a cheap like evenflo car seat for the 2 year old. Leave it in the rental when you drop off the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would buy a booster for the 7 yo and an inexpensive travel carseat for the 2 year old (there are some inexpensive, lightweight bare bones car seats that still have very good safety ratings out there -- they aren't as comfy as what I'm sure you use at home, but they are safe and not that hard to travel with because they are light).

Odds are good you'll wind up using both again, so I don't know why you wouldn't just buy (or borrow from a friend) rather than trying to buy while you're there and donate. Just to save the trouble of taking them on the plane? Seems like a waste.

We’re in NYC. Not very easy to get a bare bones car seat tomorrow and don’t have anyone we can borrow from.

[Anonymous]

Get the super light Cosco one for your two year old and check it. Seven year old I would risk getting one on arrival because you won’t be ticketed driving without one— two year old you’re trapped in the airport if the rental car agency falls through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would buy a booster for the 7 yo and an inexpensive travel carseat for the 2 year old (there are some inexpensive, lightweight bare bones car seats that still have very good safety ratings out there -- they aren't as comfy as what I'm sure you use at home, but they are safe and not that hard to travel with because they are light).

Odds are good you'll wind up using both again, so I don't know why you wouldn't just buy (or borrow from a friend) rather than trying to buy while you're there and donate. Just to save the trouble of taking them on the plane? Seems like a waste.

We’re in NYC. Not very easy to get a bare bones car seat tomorrow and don’t have anyone we can borrow from.

Target. The place you're looking for is Target.

[Anonymous]

Amazon a bubble bum or mifold and stick in your carry on for the older child. Quickly order or borrow in a Facebook group a Wayb Pico for your youngest. It’s worth every penny and you’ll use it a lot over the next 5/6 years.

[Anonymous]

Buy two car seats, leave them in the box and check them. That way you'll have them upon arrival.

[Anonymous]

If you can’t buy one tonight- fly with none and assume you’ll be able to get them at the rental car place. If you can’t- drive to target and get a light car seat and a light booster, with a bag to check them on the way back (airlines check car seats for free). I like the backpack style car seat bags and they’ll fit the seat and booster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy two car seats, leave them in the box and check them. That way you'll have them upon arrival.

Don’t do this! Then you’ll be stuck having to open boxes and deal with packaging, etc after having travelled with a toddler. Also don’t buy from target at destination. Same outcome. Buy a cheap one today (you have time!) and check it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would buy a booster for the 7 yo and an inexpensive travel carseat for the 2 year old (there are some inexpensive, lightweight bare bones car seats that still have very good safety ratings out there -- they aren't as comfy as what I'm sure you use at home, but they are safe and not that hard to travel with because they are light).

Odds are good you'll wind up using both again, so I don't know why you wouldn't just buy (or borrow from a friend) rather than trying to buy while you're there and donate. Just to save the trouble of taking them on the plane? Seems like a waste.

We’re in NYC. Not very easy to get a bare bones car seat tomorrow and don’t have anyone we can borrow from.

Target. The place you're looking for is Target.

Not an option here. NYC targets are small and don’t carry car seats.