car seats/ flight questions

[belsayre]

I posted this on the transportation board too but thought I might get answers here too- hope thats OK

We are going in May 07 and my kids will be 5 and 7 BUT they are very small so they are still in boosters ( its the law in MO but even if it wasnt they still need the booster seats)
So what would be my best option?? To check the seats and use our own ?? Or request a minivan with the seats already in them??
I know there are minivans with built in car seats out there but I dont know if it is available in a rental . Is that an option or not???
I am new to flying and rental cars so forgive my lack of knowlegde
Thanks in advance

 

[ntink]

We checked a booster seat for our 4 year old with no problem. It was in a bag on the way down but just by itself on the way back. I don't know about the integrated seats but if you rent an actual seat from the car rental companies, I think it is about $7 per day. Depending on how many pieces of checked luggage you have, I would go with using your own seat and checking it.

 

[all4fun]

I don't have an answer for your question but I have often wondered what the height and weight limits are on integrated child safety seats? This might factor into your decision about bringing your own boosters as well. Plus, can the rental company guarantee you'll get a car with them?

This site has an FAQ that addresses the "pro's & con's" of integrated child safety seats: http://www.car-safety.org/faq.html#Q14 (see Q#14 & 15) if you're interested. Sorry I just have more questions and no answers but I am curious about this as well!

 

[mamacatnv]

We took our backless booster and checked it as baggage, SWA put it into a large plastic bag - no problem.

Re: rentals with built in's - I don't know who has them and I don't think I would count on getting a vehicle with them even if the rental company carried them. We had a Jeep Grand Wagoneer reserved last year and when we got to the counter, there was some sort of boo-boo and they were out of the Jeep, they gave us a mini van instead.

Have a great trip

 

[la79al]

We checked our huge booster seat last year. Mainly because rental companies said they could not guarantee booster seats would be available and since DD is tall (but under age) we weren't sure if she would fit into an integrated (if they were available) in a comfortable way.

 

[2goofykids]

We just got back and we took our ds backless booster as a carry-on. It fit just fine in the overhead compartment. It is very expensive to rent a car/booster seat from the car rental places. I would either take them and check them or take them as carry-ons.

 

[michvin]

I believe that if you are renting a car, the rental companies have booster seats...most with no charge. If you are taking magical express, you won't need it. If you are getting picked up by another mean, ie. limo service, they will provide booster seats as well. I don't believe they are allowed to sit on them in the plane so I wouldn't bring the extra seats if you can get them there...I'm sure you have enough stuff to carry already!

 

[Cruz91]

Every rental company I looked at charged between $5 and $10 PER DAY PER SEAT for booster / car seats. With two kids and a 13 day trip, I'll be checking their seats as a bag. SWA allows two checked bags per ticket, so we won't have an issue with that.

Also - it's best to have your own as opposed to relying on rental company for a built in. As someone else said - you can't count on any rental to have what you reserved!

 

[4u2dream]

We will be checking our car seat for our DD4 next May. Don't want to take the chance, never mind pay $$8.00 per day to rent one, if you get one.just my opinion.

 

[DisneyBride94]

We've always brought our own carseat/booster seats... BUt since we've used the DME the last two years...we just didnt' bother to take them at all...

We did bring a carseat for our youngest...and will again this year...because he'll be in that for the plane ride.

I think it is highway robbery that rental companies charge for the use of a booster seats because you can pick them up at Walmart for as little as $14 for a backless booster seat... Wholesale they ought to be able to get a large number them for even less.... should be provided free of charge as a safety/courtesy... based on availability... Charging $35 to $42 a week for the use of an item costing only a fraction of that new and a safety item is just unethical in my opinon.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Our son is still under the age and weight limit for a booster seat - he's still in a car seat. But we are renting a car for our next trip just so we can do something else if we want and we're also staying off-property so we need a way too and from the parks without having to attempt to rely on the shuttles. We always check DS's carseat that way we always have it. I know how it works and I know it's safe to use and it's already paid for. I don't like lugging it around, but I'll do it because of all the things I just stated.

If you want to spend the extra money to rent booster seats then go ahead, but if not, then definitely take your own.

 

[emh1129]

We've always brought our own carseat/booster seats... BUt since we've used the DME the last two years...we just didnt' bother to take them at all...

We did bring a carseat for our youngest...and will again this year...because he'll be in that for the plane ride.

I think it is highway robbery that rental companies charge for the use of a booster seats because you can pick them up at Walmart for as little as $14 for a backless booster seat... Wholesale they ought to be able to get a large number them for even less.... should be provided free of charge as a safety/courtesy... based on availability... Charging $35 to $42 a week for the use of an item costing only a fraction of that new and a safety item is just unethical in my opinon.

I definitely agree..