rental car and kids

[bwo]

Hi Everyone,
I'm renting a minivan in June for nine days and looking for any suggestions regarding childseats. Not sure what the FLA laws are--I have an 8, 5, and 3 year old. Thinking that I might be able to put 2 booster seats in a piece of check on luggage??? Should I also try to check in my 3 yo seat too?? Seems like many of the rental car agencies want $12.00/day or so for each seat!! Wondering if there is any reputable place to rent them cheaper when I get to FLA, kind of like how you can rent strollers. Also, is it worth renting the GPS for the stay?? Any other thoughts would be great! Thanks!

 

[Pembo]

We have always checked our booster seat. It fits nicely into a large duffel.

I'm a fan of a good old fashioned map so no GPS needed.

 

[WhitGB]

We purchased a carset bag from Target (eddie bauer I think) when we had the really large baby carseat. My kids are now 7 and 4 and we still use the huge bag and it can hold one booster with a back and two no back boosters. We also throw a towel or two in there so they don't slide around.

When we went in November my husband forgot to put the 7 years olds booster in the bag (she was sitting on it when he packed the bag). She went without in the minivan. We were okay with it, just make sure they are facing foward so the seatbelt hits them right. Not my first choice, but we were not going to buy another one when we have many of them at home.

As for the GPS, yes we took ours along and used it regiously. It saves a few fights between my husband and I and helped us locate a Walmart. You may want to look into purchasing one, they have some great deal right now for the holidays.

One more thing, the carseat bag is free as a checked bag in every airline I have flown. Check with yours.