Experience with renting car with car seats

[lmk]

I would like to hear about your experiences with renting cars that included car seats. We're actually taking a cruise and will not have room for our car seats in the cabin. My concern is that we will rent the car but the car seats will be unavailable. Many thanks for the help.

 

[lesliewitt]

I have actually always brought our carseats because I had planned on renting them until I had a friend that got to the car rental place and they didn't have any. Apparantly, they are not guaranteed (unless it has changed in the past few years). I would verify first, before you go down, that they are guaranteed, and if so which kind (i.e. my kids can use regular boosters now, but with an infant it is a little more tricky).

 

[all4fun]

I was actually inquiring on another forum about where to put our jogging stroller while on a cruise (not really planning on using it while on the cruise, but afterwards during our week at WDW). Someone mentioned that we could store it at night in the shower, or possibly on the balcony. Another possiblity for our stroller would be to take all the wheels off and put it under the bed, providing it folds flat enough (we'll have to see about that!). If you'll have a balcony, you could put them in a bag and set them on the balcony. Just some thoughts.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

we only had our formal clothes that really had to hang, so we stuffed the seat and stroller in the closet.

Don't count on a car rental agency having them. As PP said, they are request items only. If the previous renter doesn't return them on time (or damages them), you're out of luck. Not a good place to be at the car rental counter w/o a seat.

 

[Omma]

We rented a car with carseats once - that was enough for us. When we picked up the car I asked about the carseats and was told, "Oh, I think there are a few in the back". What they brought out were VERY gross, stuck on food carseats that looked very outdated. They were also VERY basic - no padding at all. I asked where the information was on how to install them, what weight limit they were, etc. and the employees looked at me like I was crazy. So, I had to take my best guess, used some baby wipes to clean them off and installed them myself.

We now have a large carseat carrier bag we check with our luggage. (I had two when they were younger - now we can fit three booster seats in one bag.) We stick our coats in it right before we check it so I don't have to deal with all of them on the plane. (I dress the kids in layers so they are fine.) Maybe some car companies are better than others but our experience wasn't great.

 

[karajeboo]

Also keep in mind that you won't know if the car seats you're renting have ever been involved in an accident, or even if they are new enough to still be approved. I'd take my own if I were you, even though I know it is inconvenient. I used to work at for a car rental company and at the time they didn't rent car seats because of the liability.

 

[ibela]

We rented a car with carseat from Budget at MCO. When we got there, they didn't have a huge selection but we only needed 1. We did manage to find a (fairly?) clean one, but I did a quick rub with some antiseptic towelettes anyway . . . it took a while to find (sticker on the side) and figure out the instructions (a strap was missing which dh was initially looking for so he had to use the seatbelt instead) but then once we got going it was fine. It was just for 1 day so it was alright, if I had to rent it for a week I probably wouldn't do it again.

 

[kim_o]

I'm on a car seat forum and someone posted pics of their recent experience. Basically the seats were very dirty. A lot had missing parts. A huge majority of them were expired (most car seats are only good 6 years from date of manufacture). Without a doubt - bring your own seats.

 

[jodifla]

I rented a booster seat from Avis. It was brand new, no problems.

My bet if you rent from a higher end company, you'll have better luck.

 

[Grand Canyon]

I didn't see it mentioned in any of the posts and haven't had the problem myself (we drove to the port and left our car there). Have you checked with the cruise line about storing it for you? The worst they can do is say no.

 

[katied]

I've rented car seats in both Atlanta and in Detroit - National in both places. In Atlanta, there was only one seat left, and it did not have the straps to install properly. SInce my flight was delayed, I was there at 2 am with a screaming baby and no car seat. Not fun.

In Detroit, it was better. The seat was new, clean, but did not have the LATCH straps, so I had to use the seat belt. It did not have the seat belt clip to lock the belt, but at the counter, they were able to find one.

Overall, I don't recommend it, and I will always bring a seat in the future.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We cruised twice w/ dd when she was younger (2.5yo and 3.5yo) and stored our car seat in the closet both trips. We also folded the stroller up and put it in there as well.

This was on Carnival and not on the "bigger" ships (sis worked for them at the time)...in fact, one cruise we were in CREW quarters... and if you think a regular cabin is small!!!

I would bring your car seat with you and store it in the room.

 

[ntink]

This may be a dumb question but when will you need the carseat?