Rent Car Seats vs. Bring Own

[shm_helene]

Hi All~
I was just wondering if anyone has experiences with renting car seats (we use National) vs. bringing their own. We have 2 lo's ages 3 and 1.

I'm assuming if you rent with National that you can't just go out to Emerald Aisle...I know that seems obvious.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

For the price that you are charged for a car seat, you'll be much better off bringing your own. Airlines do not charge for car seats.

 

[shm_helene]

It's about $110 on national.

 

[mommytoxzande]

I would agree that you should bring your own. You can check them for free and then you are familiar with the car seat already. We did this for our trip last August and it wasn't bad.

Good Luck

 

[linzbear]

I would bring your own. You have no idea how other people have handled the seats, or what kind of seats they happen to have in at the time, or if they're dirty, or if they run out, or if there was an unreported accident, or if the manuals are missing and the install is confusing...

You should never use a car seat that you do not know the entire history of.

 

[gmeh1]

Hi All~
I was just wondering if anyone has experiences with renting car seats (we use National) vs. bringing their own. We have 2 lo's ages 3 and 1.

I'm assuming if you rent with National that you can't just go out to Emerald Aisle...I know that seems obvious.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, you can just go out to the Emerald Aisle. The car seats are in the garage near the cars. 9.99 per day, 66.00 max. per seat. You select the ones you want and install them in the vehicle. Just a FYI, the attendants cannot help you with the install. Liability issues.
Personally, I would bring my own. Children tend to travel better in them and IMHO, if you strap them in a car doing 60 mph. why wouldn't you strap them in in an airplane going 500 mph?

 

[gmeh1]

It's about $110 on national.

it is 9.99 per day with a max. of 66.00 per seat.

 

[gmeh1]

I would bring your own. You have no idea how other people have handled the seats, or what kind of seats they happen to have in at the time, or if they're dirty, or if they run out, or if there was an unreported accident, or if the manuals are missing and the install is confusing...

You should never use a car seat that you do not know the entire history of.

Good points, but, I will say they are cleaned and inspected each time they are used. Also, if there is an accident, reported or not, the damage would show on the car and the seat is retired. I have yet to see a seat without a manual. They have more than an ample supply of seats. They have, literally, hundreds of them. BUT.........I would bring my own and strap the child in it in the plane.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my kid in a carseat that I didn't know the complete history of.

 

[Gracie09]

Good points, but, I will say they are cleaned and inspected each time they are used. Also, if there is an accident, reported or not, the damage would show on the car and the seat is retired. I have yet to see a seat without a manual. They have more than an ample supply of seats. They have, literally, hundreds of them. BUT.........I would bring my own and strap the child in it in the plane.

Not all damage is visible. If it is damaged inside you would never know until it fails in a crash. Also if its stored incorrectly (too hot or too cold like in an u insulated attic) there could be fatigue to the plastic and it could again fail in a crash. This is why you should never buy a used car seat

 

[shm_helene]

it is 9.99 per day with a max. of 66.00 per seat.

Actually, at Sanford, it's $6.99 a day with a max of $70.

 

[gmeh1]

Actually, at Sanford, it's $6.99 a day with a max of $70.

Actually, it is 9.99 a day and 66.00 max. at Sanford. Not sure where you got those numbers, but, I did a mock reservation for Sanford using my Emerald Club log in and that is what came up.

Base Rate - Midsize (USD)
(1) Time & Distance ($365.81/Week) $365.81
Contract ID National Generic Program
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Miles Included

For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here

Subtotal $365.81

Primary Driver Help Info Of age primary driver (25 or older)
Underage primary driver (age 21 - 24) ($25.00/day) $0.00
For Information on age requirements and exceptions, click here.
Subtotal $0.00
Additional Drivers Help Info Rentals that require Additional Drivers must be completed at the National counter,
or via Save Time.


Additional Items Help Info 0 1 2 Booster Seat ($9.99/Day; $66.00/Max Amt) $0.00
0 1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset ($1.25/Rental) $0.00
0 1 2 Child/toddler Seat ($9.99/Day; $66.00/Max Amt) $0.00
0 1 2 Gps Navigation Device ($11.99/Day; $69.65/Week; $179.99/Max Amt) $0.00
Loss Damage Waiver Full ($24.99/Day) $0.00
Pai/pec ($8.00/Day) $0.00
Roadside Plus ($4.99/Day) $0.00
Supplemental Liability Insurance ($12.44/Day) $0.00
Upfront Fuel ($3.54/gal) $0.00
The total upfront fuel charge reflected is an estimate based on
the current prices and average tank size for the car class reserved.
This charge may change at time of rental.
Subtotal $0.00
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees Help Info Customer Facility Chg 2.00/day $10.00
Concession Recoup Fee 10 Pct $37.08
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day $14.00
Tire/battery Fee .02/day $0.14
Vehicle License Fee .69/day $4.83
State Tax (6.0%) $25.91
Subtotal $91.96

You have made changes to the additional items selected. You must calculate your new total before confirming this reservation.
Calculate Estimated Total Estimated Total $457.77

 

[shm_helene]

Base Rate - Midsize (USD)
(1) Time & Distance ($213.81/Rental) $213.81
(1) Extra - Time & Distance ($30.52/Day) $30.52
Contract ID Flying Blue/air France Klm
Inclusive Rate Items
No Charge Distance Included
Loss Damage Waiver Full Included
Supplemental Liability Insurance Included
Customer Facility Chg 2.00/day Included
Concession Recoup Fee 10 Pct Included
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day Included
Tire/battery Fee .02/day Included
Vehicle License Fee .69/day Included
State Tax (6.0%) $4.12
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Miles Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $248.45



Additional Items
Booster Seat ($6.99/Day; $70.00/Max Amt) $55.92
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset ($1.25/Rental) $0.00
Child/toddler Seat ($6.99/Day; $70.00/Max Amt) $55.92
Gps Navigation Device ($11.99/Day; $69.65/Week; $179.99/Max Amt)
$0.00
Pai/pec ($8.00/Day) $0.00
Roadside Plus ($4.99/Day) $0.00
Upfront Fuel ($3.54/gal) $0.00
The total upfront fuel charge reflected is an estimate based on
the current prices and average tank size for the car class reserved.
This charge may change at time of rental. Subtotal $111.84
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees Concession Recoup Fee 10 Pct $11.18
State Tax (6.0%) $7.38
Subtotal $18.56
Calculate Estimated Total Estimated Total $378.85
Estimated charges are confirmed based on the information you have

 

[CarrieR]

Interesting that the cost is different on different IDs.

I would bring mine, and use them on the plane. I would not check my carseats - ever, and I would not use seats of unknown history - ever. Putting kids in the car is the most dangerous thing we do to them... car accidents are the #1 killer of kids. I am really hard line on protecting them to the best of my ability. Not everyone feels the same.

 

[cel_disney]

Interesting that the cost is different on different IDs.

I would bring mine, and use them on the plane. I would not check my carseats - ever, and I would not use seats of unknown history - ever. Putting kids in the car is the most dangerous thing we do to them... car accidents are the #1 killer of kids. I am really hard line on protecting them to the best of my ability. Not everyone feels the same.

I agree with this! My vote is to bring your own and buy seats for each kid on the plane to use them (I am anti-lap baby ie- projectile baby)...I you don't have seats for each kid it gets more comlplicates because checking a seat on the airplane is equally crappy to using a rental car seat so in that case, I might only bring one and rent one....

 

[gmeh1]

Base Rate - Midsize (USD)
(1) Time & Distance ($213.81/Rental) $213.81
(1) Extra - Time & Distance ($30.52/Day) $30.52
Contract ID Flying Blue/air France Klm
Inclusive Rate Items
No Charge Distance Included
Loss Damage Waiver Full Included
Supplemental Liability Insurance Included
Customer Facility Chg 2.00/day Included
Concession Recoup Fee 10 Pct Included
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day Included
Tire/battery Fee .02/day Included
Vehicle License Fee .69/day Included
State Tax (6.0%) $4.12
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Miles Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $248.45



Additional Items
Booster Seat ($6.99/Day; $70.00/Max Amt) $55.92
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset ($1.25/Rental) $0.00
Child/toddler Seat ($6.99/Day; $70.00/Max Amt) $55.92
Gps Navigation Device ($11.99/Day; $69.65/Week; $179.99/Max Amt)
$0.00
Pai/pec ($8.00/Day) $0.00
Roadside Plus ($4.99/Day) $0.00
Upfront Fuel ($3.54/gal) $0.00
The total upfront fuel charge reflected is an estimate based on
the current prices and average tank size for the car class reserved.
This charge may change at time of rental. Subtotal $111.84
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees Concession Recoup Fee 10 Pct $11.18
State Tax (6.0%) $7.38
Subtotal $18.56
Calculate Estimated Total Estimated Total $378.85
Estimated charges are confirmed based on the information you have

Very strange, but, a nice difference.

 

[gmeh1]

Interesting that the cost is different on different IDs.

I would bring mine, and use them on the plane. I would not check my carseats - ever, and I would not use seats of unknown history - ever. Putting kids in the car is the most dangerous thing we do to them... car accidents are the #1 killer of kids. I am really hard line on protecting them to the best of my ability. Not everyone feels the same.

I do agree with you, but, there are renters that live in cities and do not own cars, so, they rent the seats. I am also very hard lined on protecting them in any mode of transportation.

 

[gmeh1]

Not all damage is visible. If it is damaged inside you would never know until it fails in a crash. Also if its stored incorrectly (too hot or too cold like in an u insulated attic) there could be fatigue to the plastic and it could again fail in a crash. This is why you should never buy a used car seat

True, not all damage is visible. But, unless a renter was in a crash or dropped it from a very tall building, I feel secure that the ones rented by the car companies are fine. They are stored in the garage at the airport (at least at MCO and larger airports), they don't stay there long. Let's hope no one has to put any car seat to the test ever. I promise, I will never buy a used car seat (at my age, there is no need for one. )

 

[gmeh1]

I agree with this! My vote is to bring your own and buy seats for each kid on the plane to use them (I am anti-lap baby ie- projectile baby)...I you don't have seats for each kid it gets more comlplicates because checking a seat on the airplane is equally crappy to using a rental car seat so in that case, I might only bring one and rent one....

Have to agree totally with you on this lap baby thing.