Children's car seats w/National Car Rental

[baileybrad]

Can anyone give the cost of the rental of children's car seats when renting a car from National. We have always used a "free" coupon when renting in the past with Avis but I using the Emerald Aisle option with National this time. Is it strictly a daily charge or is there the possiblity of a weekly rate...our rental is for 9 days. I don't won't to try and haul one down on the airline with all of the extra stuff going on with the need additional security measures. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, has anyone ever managed to snag a minivan or SUV on the EA?

[BethR]

Hi! I think that I will move this post over to the Transportation Board to let the experts over there tackle it. :)

[Robin]

Bump.... I would like this information as well. :) :) :) Thanks

[robinb]

I believe that National charges a per-day rate and it can be found on their website. Even so, I would suggest taking you own child's seat if at all possible. First of all, your child will be more comfortable in the car seat on the plane than without it. Secondly, it's the seat that they are used it. Thirdly, the rental car seats are generally hard, dirty and look like they have been through a war. Just remember to bring your locking clip!

[Dragon0525]

Hi-when I checked on the cost of a booster seat rental for our past Jan. trip it was $5/day. We ended up bringing our own booster seat with us. We're going again in December and I'm back to the same dilemma.

[baileybrad]

Any tips for an easy way to "pack" the seat for the trip. We are a group of 4...parents w/a 4 year old and an 18 month old. We have 3 seats on the airline, so I suppose we need to somehow check the seat. We have [packed one in a box before but the hassles with taping it for the return trip are a pain. Any ideas would be welcome.

[Dragon0525]

We went to Babie's R Us and got a car seat carrier. It's a large heavy duty fabric bag that fits over the car seat and also has 2 straps on it so it could kind of be a big bulky backback. For the 18 month old I would take the car seat on the plane and put him/her in it. It is alot safer and the child is alot more comfortable. Good luck!

[robinb]

Yes, you can check the seat. The airlines will seal it in a big heavy duty plastic bag so you know which seat is yours at the luggage claim.

[R4racing]

I think the maximum charge for a car seat rental is the same as either 7 or 8 days. It should say somewhere on their website or if you do a rate check on the site add a car seat to it and see what it comes up with.

[travelcoupons]

Seems to figure out to be about $6/day. A week runs $42. Run your dates through on National's web site and enter car seat (CST) in the 'special equipment' box and they'll give you a rate.

[mikek]

they'll also gate check it so you dont need to worry about them loosing it.

[pepperidge]

We rented a car seat from National during October of 2000. We were charged $6 a day for a very old, outdated, dirty-looking, completely plastic (so when it go hot, the babies legs would stick to the hot plastic like glue) car seat for our then 8 month old. When you fly with an infant under the age of 2 and you're not paying for an airplane seat, the airline will let you set the car seat up in an empty seat (if there is one available) at no charge. Your baby is safer that way & is probably more comfortable. If your plane is completely sold out and no seats are available, then they will hold your baby's car seat for you and just give it back to you when you land. Easy... We've done it this way the last 3 plane trips and it's worked great.

It's definitly a better idea to bring your own.

Mimi

[flyingcircus]

For those thinking of bringing a Booster seat on board, they are NOT approved. If you are not sure, look on the back of the seat- it should say "certified for aircraft use". If it does not say that, make sure you check it. Reason for this is due to the break back feature on airplane seats. Booster seats do not protect the child's torso. Great idea to put checked in car seats in those big plastic bags at airline counter!