car seat rental

[goofyme]

i'm just nuts or is it crazy to charge $6.50 to $8.00+ for child safety seats for children????? my gosh, how many people do you think just go without them just to save the extra dough...it was going to cost me $80.00 just to rent two of them for a one week rental!!

so now i guess we will lug the things around and gate check them.....darn it!

 

[Illinois Mark]

Check into renting a minivan with Dollar. We rented a Dodge Caravan from them last year and it had two integrated child seats. We did not have to rent the seats or lug them around. Going again in June and got rate of $189/week (not including taxes). Give it a shot!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

my gosh, how many people do you think just go without them just to save the extra dough...it was going to cost me $80.00 just to rent two of them for a one week rental!!

One would hope, not many. I would wonder about any parent that would not spend the extra $ to protect their child. Many do bring their own and check them as luggage if they have not purchased a seat on the plane for their child, the people that have purchased a seat on the plane use them for the flight as the child is much safer while flying in the car seat, assuming the are FAA approved.

 

[peg2001]

I agree with goofyme. The rental car rates for car seats are outrageous. You can buy a safe seat for $40-50. How many times over are they paid for by renters?

Gail, you are right that very young children are safer in carseats with harness while flying. Many of us have children who have graduated to booster seats (no harness), which of course, we can't use in flight, but insist on having for car travel. It would be nice to have an inexpensive alternative to lugging the seats with us.

Peggy

 

[TheWho]

I also agree w/ goofyme, what a rip off. And to make it worse, do you see what kind of seats they are? I rent from National. The seats are those loose strap seats with burning hot vinly and usually aren't cleaned from the previous toddler.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Peggy,
I completely agree that car seat rentals are expensive, no arguement there and I do understand the "booster" seat graduation.
I was responding to the OP's question as she wondered how many parents avoid the cost and don't use them. She mentioned bringing them and gate checking them, I was merely providing a different angle.

 

[Colexi's Mom]

I just bought a high back booster seat for DD who will be turning 4 for our trip. I wanted a seat that could be used on the plane (it has a 5point harness), and I think it is rated up to 80 or 100 lbs.

 

[travelcoupons]

Here's a link to a free carseat rental coupon if anyone uses hertz: http://www.travelcouponsonline.com/hertz.html