For those who rent cars with little ones

[mom2brats]

What do you do about a car seat/ booster seat? My daughter is just graduating from a car seat to booster seat. Is it worth it to bring our own booster seat or should I just buy one at Walmart when we arrive???? The car rental places want a fortune to use one of theirs.

 

[lesleyd75]

Hi, I recently bought a booster seat for my 2 year old here in Canada. My husband travels to the US for business and I looked into buying one from there as it is much cheaper usually. Canadian car seats have different safety standards and as such have a safety seal on the that tells you it has been approved for use in Canada. Not all seats in the US have this, most don't. For example I have a Britax Marathon, which is the Cdn version from the manufacturer bought here in Ontario with the special inspection sticker. There is no Britax booster available in Canada except the Parkway and I will not use this as it has no 5-point harness, but in the US they have a booster with a 5-point harness with a different name - it was the one I wanted. When I went to Britax website they have a special warning that says if you live in Canada you should not order from the US despite the $savings. So to make a longish story short, PLEASE do some research first before you buy to make sure buying south of the border is right for you. In the end I bought a SK Radian here at home. We like it so far!

PS. However unlikely this is - the CDN gov't takes this so seriously that if caught with an uncertified seat from the US by a cop you will be fined!

PPS We travelled to Orlando with our own car seat last year and it was not that difficult, you just check it in oversize luggage for free. If your child has his/her own seat then you can use it on the plane if FAA approved. Also, check for specials, some car rental places will give you a free car seat if you have CAA or belong to their frequent renter club/other frequent flyer clubs.

Hope this helps!

 

[michelled]

Hi the last time we went to WDW we took our carseat on the airplane with us. I am interested in hearing other people thoughts on this as well. We have booked our trip for October and our daughter will be moving to a booster seat around the same time.
Michelle

 

[michelled]

Hi, I recently bought a booster seat for my 2 year old here in Canada. My husband travels to the US for business and I looked into buying one from there as it is much cheaper usually. Canadian car seats have different safety standards and as such have a safety seal on the that tells you it has been approved for use in Canada. Not all seats in the US have this, most don't. For example I have a Britax Marathon, which is the Cdn version from the manufacturer bought here in Ontario with the special inspection sticker. There is no Britax booster available in Canada except the Parkway and I will not use this as it has no 5-point harness, but in the US they have a booster with a 5-point harness with a different name - it was the one I wanted. When I went to Britax website they have a special warning that says if you live in Canada you should not order from the US despite the $savings. So to make a longish story short, PLEASE do some research first before you buy to make sure buying south of the border is right for you. In the end I bought a SK Radian here at home. We like it so far!

PS. However unlikely this is - the CDN gov't takes this so seriously that if caught with an uncertified seat from the US by a cop you will be fined!

PPS We travelled to Orlando with our own car seat last year and it was not that difficult, you just check it in oversize luggage for free. If your child has his/her own seat then you can use it on the plane if FAA approved. Also, check for specials, some car rental places will give you a free car seat if you have CAA or belong to their frequent renter club/other frequent flyer clubs.

Hope this helps!

Oh yeah...I remembering reading that on the Graco website as well. I believe there was a link to a Gov't publication stating that if you were in a car accident your insurance policy would be null and void if you were found to be using a car seat that was purchased in the US and did not have the appropriate sticker indicating that it meets Cdn safety standards.
Michelle

 

[tribus121]

I know that it may not be really safe to do this but the state of Florida does not require booster seats

 

[amw]

I purchased a small no-back booster for our trips (under $30). It fit inside a large suitcase ... and now serves as an extra booster in our car if we need it.

Every state has different laws for boosters/car seats. I just follow the home rule. If they need it here, they need it there.

 

[Cdnmommy]

I purchased a small no-back booster for our trips (under $30). It fit inside a large suitcase ... and now serves as an extra booster in our car if we need it.

Every state has different laws for boosters/car seats. I just follow the home rule. If they need it here, they need it there.

I feel the same way, I think it's a law for a reason and will follow what we do at home when we go as well. Good idea about the no-back booster, I think I might do that as well - thanks for the tip!

 

[TaniaU]

A no-back booster would be so much easier to take with than the big seat...only 6 more pounds to go and then we can do that

We get a seat from the rental company just because adding a car seat to the pile of suitcases, stroller, carry on etc. would push DH over the edge. We almost left our stroller behind last year because we didn't want to haul it back to the airport.

 

[drag n' fly]

If you sign up for a Emerald Card through National car seats are free (we do this and can pick any vehicle from the emerald isle) and also CAA offers free car seat rentals through their website if you are a member.

 

[KerriMc]

We have done both. This year both girls were able to use backless boosters, so I took two in a big duffle bag. On the way home we had more "stuff" , so we just put them on each as an item with no problems.

I have hauled a carseat and used it on the plane, which worked well. I have also rented a carseat. We always used Emerald Aisle too, but never saw a spot where we would get the seat for free though. The max they can charge is for 7 days (or roughly $50). So if the inconvenience of hauling it is too much for you, you can get a booster this way. I've never seen a dirty one, they are actually pretty new (at least at National). For me though, it isn't too much hassle to take them with us.

It was so nice this year having NO strollers!!!! Every year something else doesn't have to be carried along. Oldest won't need the booster next year, so only one booster to go!!! (although this is sad as that means they are growing up !!!)

Kerri

 

[amw]

It was so nice this year having NO strollers!!!! Every year something else doesn't have to be carried along. Oldest won't need the booster next year, so only one booster to go!!! (although this is sad as that means they are growing up !!!)

Kerri

I hear ya ... my eldest DD turned 8 last month and the booster is gone, so now we're down to one. Very easy to slip into our luggage. But seeing her there in the car on her own is bittersweet. Circle of life

 

[cmmc]

I know that it may not be really safe to do this but the state of Florida does not require booster seats

That isn't true. From http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/HSGPareas_OccupantFAQ.htm

4. What is Florida's Child Restraint Law?

All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613).

5. What is the fine for a child restraint violation?

Penalty for violation is $60 and 3 points.

6. If the safety belt does not fit my child correctly should the shoulder belt be placed under the child's arm for a better fit?

Never put the shoulder belt under a child's arm or behind the back, as this increases the risk of severe injury in a crash. Use a booster seat to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts for children once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats at about 40 pounds and around 4 years old. Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and 4'9" should ride in a belt positioning booster seat.

Catherine

 

[canadianmom2three]

Let me preface this by admitting that I am a bit obsessive over car safety. With my first I was so excited to turn him forward, graduate him to a booster, then a backless and then no booster, but I have learned that each step up is a step down in safety, so now i'm not in such a rush...We bring seats on the plane...even though my youngest DS (5) is old enough and heavy enough to use a backless, he still rides in a 5pt harness at home, and so he rides in one on vacation too. We have the SK Radian, which folds up to make it easy to carry, and holds kids up to 65lbs. It can fit in the carryon bins of the plane, but also installs easily in the seat too. DD (8) is also big and heavy enough for no booster, but rides in a highback at home. I did compromise and take the back off so it was just backless for the trip, and she carried it on and stowed it in the carryon bin as well. The way I think about it, really, we are driving in a strange town, in a TINY cheap car, so I want my kids to be as safe as they are at home. We carried on a LOT of stuff (each of us carried a suitcase + something else like the laptop, car seat, backpack etc) and it was a bit hectic at security, but managable.

 

[connorsmom911]

And to add to that...from another obsessive parent...there is not way to ensure that the car seat from the rental car company hasn't been involved in an accident. Not saying that they would ever do that, but you never know. Even in a fender bender, the integrity of a car seat can be damaged and may fail in the case of a further accident.

Do you want to take the chance with your kid's safety for the sake of a bit of aggravation? Probably not...

 

[snickerboo]

We brought our own. They can sit in it on the plane or you can skycheck it and they don't charge you any extra. You'll want it for the rental car as sson as you land because Walmart is a good drive from the airport.