July rates? Size? Booster Seat laws?

[cwnhokie]

Do I have too many questions for one post?
I currently have a week booked with National for about $200 for a midsized car. I'm starting to get worried about fitting two adults and three kids and our luggage in it. The website says it will work. I will have one child in a car seat. The others are 6 and 8. Do they need their booster seats? I wonder if they will still fit with booster seats?

Any really good deals out there for July?

 

[Alesia]

They don't need their booster seats in Florida.

Would you fell comfortable driving in an unfamiliar, heavily trafficked area with them not being in booster seats?

 

[kreed]

I have been checking rates recently for an August rental and have come across a few that may help. First, Avis has rentals for 187.00 for Full size 9Chevy Impala), or 219.00 for a premium (Buick Lucerne) or 260.00 for SUV (Trailblazer) using AWD code K199060 which is a code from mousesavers and is a visitors bureau code. You can also list a 35.00 off weekly rental coupon code of MUWA003. This code comes directly from their website. They will subtract the 35.00 at time of rental. Of course you have to add about 70.00 fees to each rental as the prices above are base rates. If you have American Express and rental will finish before July 21 Dollar rental agency has code AX24 and SUV is 209.00 base rate. You must charge to American Ex. to use this code. I am not renting until August so I could not use this. We are renting a SUV because we have 2 adults and 3 teenagers who are basically adults.
Hope this helps,
Kathleen

 

[jerenaud]

If your baby is still within the height/ weight limits, putting him (her? sorry) rearfacing in the middle will give you a lot more shoulder room for the older kids and would make the 3 across much more likely. I've only been successful with a 3 across in a full sized car (impala), but that was 3 carseats. And I'd booster until your older kids pass the 5 step test - the laws of physics don't change when you cross the state border, even if it's legal to not use the booster.

Goodluck!

Erica

 

[laughinplace199]

How much luggage will you have? Will you have a stroller? We always rent a minivan for our family of 5. We have a DD10 and a DS8 who both use booster seats, and we have a DS2 who is in a car seat. With all of our luggage, carry-ons, diaper bag, stroller, etc, I know we could never fit in a smaller car.

In April, we got a minivan through Alamo for a base rate of $199/wk.

 

[cwnhokie]

Thanks for the replies. I should probably keep them in their boosters since we do use them at home. Technically my 8 year old is not required to be in one, but he's short so we keep him in one for safety reasons. the little guy is forward facing. I plan to pack light since we will have a washer and dryer and we are doing a stroller swap so I will just have a small umbrella stroller to use at the airport. I found the full size with Avis to be about the same price but we are not planning to get the car until we move from onsite to off and are planning to pick up from National at the Car Care Center. I guess we could take DME to the airport and get the Avis car if it is that much bigger. Maybe I'll try to find a car around here to try the carseats out in.