They also would never install them for you, for liability reaosons, so consider you'll have to install a seat you've never seen before probably without latch by yourself.

OP, we usually rent car seats rather than travel with them. I've never had a "grossness" problem, ever. I usually rent from Avis, Budget, or Dollar. However, I have found that not all rental companies have what I consider to be infant seats. Note that this is regardless of what they have on their website. The website info is basically useless. Instead, they give you a convertible seat and you rear face it. My second is a big boy, so it's okay for him. My first was small and I would not have been comfortable. I just think they ought to be in a bucket for a little longer than the rental companies, I guess.

GL. We always used a bucket and a snap and go as some PPs have recommended, and I do prefer that. But I understand the desire to streamline and not deal with all that stuff through the security line, particularly when traveling alone.

Yes, do a snap and go with bucket seats for infant. Truly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, traveling alone and not sure I can really carry it all. Trying to minimize what I carry on the plane besides my baby, stroller, carry-on and diaper bag. Was hoping this would be one less thing. Are the seats no compliant with carseat laws- expired etc or just dirty and gross? I wish I could just ship one but need to have a rental car and picking it up at the airport.

Mine have always been compliant. And they have never been nasty. If the seat is gross, ask for a different one. Where are you going?

Not all rental companies have a lot to choose from so you can't just "ask for another one". In fact, a lot of times you have to call ahead and reserve them.

The last time we did this, we just got a used snap and go to use with our car seat and gate checked both. It saved us the trouble of having to take a separate stroller. This way, you can wheel the baby all the way to the gate, and just take him/her out at the end of the jetway when you have to leave that stuff.

Check the Travel forum. This topic comes up often.

Also,the car seats aren't always available so be sure to reserve one. Echoing that the car seats are often gross and the bare bones model.

Can't you just check on the car seat? It's free and they wrap it in a plastic bag.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, traveling alone and not sure I can really carry it all. Trying to minimize what I carry on the plane besides my baby, stroller, carry-on and diaper bag. Was hoping this would be one less thing. Are the seats no compliant with carseat laws- expired etc or just dirty and gross? I wish I could just ship one but need to have a rental car and picking it up at the airport.

Mine have always been compliant. And they have never been nasty. If the seat is gross, ask for a different one. Where are you going?

Get a cheap Cosco - check it and you can always toss it when you are done. Still cheaper than renting and safer.

OP here, traveling alone and not sure I can really carry it all. Trying to minimize what I carry on the plane besides my baby, stroller, carry-on and diaper bag. Was hoping this would be one less thing. Are the seats no compliant with carseat laws- expired etc or just dirty and gross? I wish I could just ship one but need to have a rental car and picking it up at the airport.

I have never had an issue with a rental car seat, except they never have latch, so I have to install with the seatbelt. I usually rent through Alamo/National.

Just bring your bucket seat and gate check it.

Bring your own. The seat we got at the rental car service was super old.

I'd suggest checking one if you can. It's a free checked item and then you have known safety (and cleanliness).

It's very much luck of the draw. It wasn't cleanliness that made me stop, it was the fact that they didn't care if the seats worked. If you need a car seat I recommend just bringing one.

You hear how gross the car seats are when you rent a car... Never cleaned, food and feces on the seats, etc. I remember watching a news report and was freaked. Anyone recommend a car rental agency that has clean car seats to rent? Traveling with an infant who will be on my lap so we are not bringing our car seat.