travel with carseat for infant

[Anonymous]

We are flying this weekend with an infant & need to rent a car. We do not have a seat for the infant (she is 7 months old). Should we check the carseat, or rent one? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

i prefer to use our own. we gate check it, if the flight isnt full they will let you take it on with you. also, i just feel like its less likely to be damaged if gate checked vs checked but im just paranoid and youd probably be fine either way.

[Anonymous]

I've done both. IMO, it really depends on the type of trip and how much other gear you are taking.

pros for checking: It's your seat, you know how to install it, there is no danger of the rental company screwing up and leaving you stranded.

cons: you have to carry the car seat around with you with all your other crap. If you are on a single ticket and you have easy ground transportation, this might not be a worry, otoh, if you have to schlep luggage through multiple airports, if you have to take public transportation, this can be a major pain.

[Anonymous]

Check it with you. You know it, DD knows it, less chance of hassle.

[Anonymous]

Gate check it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i prefer to use our own. we gate check it, if the flight isnt full they will let you take it on with you. also, i just feel like its less likely to be damaged if gate checked vs checked but im just paranoid and youd probably be fine either way.

+1 - we almost always are able to take our seat onboard with us.