Renting Carseats

We are getting ready for an upcoming 7 day trip with our boys, who are 4 and 1. I've read that car seats from rental car companies are a bad idea, but what about car seats from companies that specialize in baby rentals. I've found a few, Traveling Baby, Anything for Baby, and My Baby Equipment Rentals. Can anyone give me feedback on any of these companies or would the recommendation still be to take my own car seats. We didn't buy a plane ticket for the 1 year old. We struggle with traveling and last year we ended up checking both seats with our bags, which I've now learned is not recommended. Any advice on how to handle this is appreciated.

It's not recommended to rent seats. Are the histories of the seats known, do they bleach them between uses, do you know how to install them, do they have exactly what you need in stock or will you be given a forward facing seat and a booster?

The recommendation is to buy everyone a seat (so everyone can have a seatbelt for safety, if you need one, so does your baby is a good rule to live by), then bring your carseats on board.

http://carseatblog.com/8037/guest-blog-flying-with-a-car-seat-know-your-rights/

http://carseatblog.com/32940/travel-carseats-the-ultimate-guide-to-what-you-want-to-take-on-a-plane/

http://carseatblog.com/18895/flying-with-kids-carseats-the-checked-carseat-controversy/

http://carseatblog.com/16971/lap-babies-on-airplane-a-warning-all-parents-must-see/

http://carseatblog.com/6599/airplanes-carseats-and-kids—what-you-need-to-know-pt-1/

http://carseatblog.com/6635/airplanes-carseats-and-kids—what-you-need-to-know-pt-2/

To sum up all those links: Your baby deserves the same safety your older child will have on board, that you'll have on board. Your carseats face risk being baggage (as does all baggage, they don't single out carseats). They may arrive damaged, or not arrive. We all know someone who has had luggage not show up in the condition in which it was dropped off. That doesn't surprise anyone. Since none of us want that to be our child's lifesaving device, the best way to make sure the carseat stays safe is to take it on board. Then it never leaves your side. Because you don't know how the carseats at rental places have been treated, you don't necessarily want to trust your child's life to them.

I also don't know if you've seen the FAA's recommendations. They're pretty clear. http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/

Wendy

As Wendy pointed out, not having a seat for the 1 year old isn't really recommended, but it is what it is since you have already purchased your tickets. The FAA kind of shoots parents in the foot with that one: Your kid needs to be in a car seat, but wait, they can fly free under two if you don't get them a seat... hmmm... anyway, I digress...

I would say 100% bring your 4 year old's seat on board. It is the safest place for it anyway and there is no extra charge for him to use it in the seat (assuming it is FAA Approved). You can throw it in the stroller if you are bringing one (have 4 year old walk and wear the 1 year old if possible), or get a luggage cart. Or my personal favorite: strap it onto your rolling carry on.

I have heard of some airlines allowing you to use a car seat for the child if there is an empty seat on the plane, so it might be an option to bring a seat along and use it, but then you would possibly having to gate-check the seat. Which is risky, but as long as the seat is inspected and has no damage it is safe. That said, I would never check my primary seats, but a separate travel seat I would be OK with in a pinch.

I have also heard of parents who purchase a new seat and leave it in the retail packaging to check for a flight. I guess the theory is it is packaged that way for shipping and probably takes the same abuse in checked luggage. So the way home may be problematic, but if it is a backup seat, any damage from gate-checking on the return flight wouldn't be a huge issue.

If two adults are traveling, you also have the option of having one stay at the airport with the kiddos while the other takes the rental car to a local store to pick up a new seat. Same theory being that you can gate-check it on the way home and if it is damaged it won't be a huge deal. Unless you are travelling to visit someone who is meeting you at the airport, then it is even easier to just buy a seat online and have it shipped to them so they can bring it to the airport.

You can get a Scenera NEXT for $40 from Walmart that would fit the bill for any of these options and it has the bonus of being able to install easily in most cars. I am assuming that would be cheaper than renting a seat anyway.

Thank you! This makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, the price for another ticket has now tripled and is not affordable at this point. I will make sure to purchase a ticket for my youngest the next time. I will be buying two new seats for travel and will take my oldest sons seat on board.

Thanks! I am going to purchase two new seats just for travel and take the seat for my 4 year old on board. I will be sure to ask if the flight is full and if not I'll see if I can take the seat for my youngest on board as well, otherwise I will gate check it.