How To Rent A Car With A Baby Car Seat [5 Benefits In 2022]

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Can you rent a car with a baby car seat? This question has been asked by many parents who are traveling with young children. The answer is yes, you can rent a car with a baby car seat.

Parents who are traveling with young children can rent a car with a baby car seat.

Car seats usually cost an extra fee, but you may be able to find cars that have built-in child safety seats. When you make your reservation, specify that you need a car seat.

In this guide, we will show you how to rent a car with a baby car seat, details of rental child car seat, and the reasons why should you or should not use a rental car seat.

By the end of this guide, you will feel confident and ready to travel with your young child.


What Are Child Safety Seat Rental Details

If you are planning to rent a car seat for your baby, you must have some details about the child safety seat. The most important detail is the type of car seat that you will need.

Second one is the rates and fees of renting a car seat. And the last one is how to make an online reservation for your child safety seat.

Additionally, you must know the locations of where you can find a child safety seat to rent.

Let’s discuss the each detail one by one:

Car Seat Types

The type of car seat that you will need depends on the age and weight of your child.

For example, if you have an infant who is less than one year old and weighs less than 20 pounds, you will need a rear-facing infant only car seat.

If you have a toddler who is between one and four years old and weighs more than 20 pounds, you will need a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

There are three main types of car seats: forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seats.

Rear-facing car seats are for infants and toddlers. Forward-facing car seats are for older children. Booster seats are for school-aged children.

When you rent a child car seat, the rental company will give you instructions on how to use the seat. They will also install the seat for you.

Rates and Fees

The rates and fees for renting a car seat vary by company. Some companies charge $13 per day. Other companies charge a flat fee of $65 per rental.

Some companies include the cost of the car seat in the daily rental rate. Others charge an additional fee for the car seat.

Be sure to ask about the rates and fees before you make your reservation.

You can tell to rental companies about type car seat you want and how long you will need it to rent. After that, they will give you the total cost for renting a car seat.

Online Car Seat Reservation

Most rental car companies allow you to reserve a car seat online. To reserve a car seat, you will need to create an account with the rental company.

Once you have created an account, you can log in and make your reservation.

When you make your reservation, you will need to select the type of car seat that you need. You will also need to specify the dates that you need the car seat.

If you are renting a car from a major rental car company like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz, you can reserve a car seat when you make your reservation.

To make a reservation, you will need to provide your contact information, credit card number, and the dates of your rental.

Some companies require a deposit for the car seat. The deposit is usually refunded when you return the seat.

It is better to ask before making a reservation to learn about the company’s policies regarding car seat reservations.

Read Also: What Should Baby Wear In Car Seat In Winter [11 Tips]

Child Safety Seats From Rental Car Companies

Your car seat reservation totally depends on the booking channel.

Car seat companies provide a quotation for the car seat rental, in which case you have to book it by contacting their customer service.

If the car seat is available, and you would like to add it to your reservation, please contact the rental car company directly after booking.

The rental car company will provide you with instructions on how to add the child safety seat to your reservation.

Can I book a car seat in advance? It doesn’t necessary that you have to book a car seat in advance.

You can directly contact the rental company and they will be more than happy to provide you with a car seat.

Rental car companies already have tons of car seats. And there are also commission-based agents who help coordinate car seat rentals for a small fee.

It is important to note that incorrectly installed car seat can be just as dangerous as not having a car seat at all.

That is why it is recommended that you always have your car seat installed by a certified professional. Or it is much better to install or check it by yourself to make sure it is done correctly.

When you arrive at the rental car company, they will install the car seat for you. You can also ask them for help in installing the car seat.

Make sure that you understand how to use the car seat before you leave the rental car company. If you have any questions, be sure to ask the staff for help.

It is important to remember that you are responsible for the safety of your child while they are in the car seat. Be sure to follow all the instructions for using the car seat.

Read Also: Car Seat Expiration: How Long Are Car Seats Good For?

How to get Free Car Seats in Rental Cars for AAA Members

If you are an AAA member, you can get a free car seat with your rental car. There are two ways to do this: You can rent a vehicle from any of the companies under Hertz Global Holdings., or by using a regional AAA affiliate.

To rent from the companies under Hertz Global Holdings, you must book your rental car under the AAA rate code.

To receive your free car seat, when you retrieve the vehicle, present your AAA membership card.

Some AAA affiliates do provide loaner car seats. To find out if your local affiliate offers this benefit, call and ask. Be sure to have your AAA membership card ready when you call.

Read Also: Car Seat In RV: How To Travel In RVs With Your Children

How to get Free Car Seats in Rental Cars for National PTA Members

National PTA members can get a free car seat when they book under the National PTA’s CDP code.

At the time of retrieval, the rental car firm may request documentation of PTA membership. However, this benefit is available to all members of the National PTA.


What Are The 5 Things You Need To Know About Car Seats From Rental Cars

When you are considering using a car seat from a rental car company vs a car seat from local baby gear, there are a few things to consider:

1. Convenience:

It can be very convenient to use a car seat from a rental car company. You don’t have to worry about lugging your own car seat with you when you travel.

If you are at the airport and you use local baby gear it is likely that you will have to install the car seat yourself. And when you return the car seat, you will have to uninstall it and take it back with you.

But if you are not flying and have easy access to your car, it may be just as convenient (and less expensive) to use local baby gear for your car seat needs.

2. Availability:

Rental car companies may not have the same type of car seat available at all locations, while local baby gear stores usually have a variety of car seats to choose from.

There are stories from many parents that they arrived at airport and waiting for their car only to find out that the car seat they reserved was not available.

So if you have your heart set on a particular type of car seat, it may be best to use local baby gear.

3. Price:

When it comes to pricing both have somehow same price. The cost of renting a car seat from a rental car company is usually around $13 per day. While the maximum charges they charge per rental is $35-$70.

If you plan to rent through local baby gear, you’ll likely pay around $5 per day for booster seats and $13 per day for convertible car seats.

You may not charge a delivery fee when renting from rental car company but many local baby gear companies do charge a small delivery fee.

4. Safety:

Both rental car companies and local baby gear stores must follow safety guidelines set by the government.

So when it comes to safety, you can be confident that both rental car companies and local baby gear stores are providing safe products.

However, some parents feel more comfortable using a car seat from a local baby gear store because they can see the car seat in person and they know the staff.

When you use a rental car company, they don’t have experienced baby gear staff on site to help you with any questions or concerns you may have about the car seat.

But this is not enough, you have to install the car seat by yourself. So it is recommended that you should get a car seat from a baby gear store which can also provide installation services.

5. Cleaning:

Car seats from rental car companies may not be able to be cleaned as easily as those from local baby gear stores.

This is because rental car companies usually don’t have the same cleaning facilities as baby gear stores.

So if you are concerned about cleanliness, it may be best to use a car seat from a local baby gear store.

Or if that’s not possible for you then we have a tip for you: You can bring along some wipes and a small blanket to cover the car seat while you are using it.

This will help to keep the car seat clean and protect your child from any germs that may be on the seat.

Now that you know the pros and cons of using car seats from rental car companies vs local baby gear stores, you can make the best decision for your family.

Regardless of what is best, we recommend to rent a car seat at your destination to make travel easier on you and your family.


Why you should consider renting a car seat [3 reasons]

Renting a car seat is a great way to ensure that your child is always properly restrained while riding in a vehicle. Here are three reasons why you should consider renting a car seat:

1. It can be more convenient than owning a car seat.

If you only occasionally need a car seat, or if you’re traveling and don’t want to bring your own car seat due to having to lug it around the airport, renting a car seat can be more convenient than owning one.

2. Local laws vary in different country

Renting a car seat is also a good idea if you’re traveling to another country, as local laws regarding child safety seats can vary.

For example, American car seats are required by law to use a forward-facing tether, but in Australia, only rear-facing car seats are legally allowed to use a tether.

In short, you can’t use your American seat in Australia without breaking the law, but you can use a rental car seat from Airport that meets Australian standards.

3. Might be you rent a car seat on temporary basis

There are also situations in which you might need a car seat on a temporary basis, such as if you are on short family trip to Canada or borrowing a car from a friend.

In these situations, it can be more cost effective to rent a car seat rather than purchase one outright.


Why You Should Avoid Child Car Seat Rental [4 Reason]

Most people believe that renting a child car seat is a good idea because it saves money. However, there are several reasons why you should avoid it.

1. History Of Car Seat Remains Unknown

While renting a car seat, you don’t know the previous user and how they used or stored the car seat. The car seat might have been in a hot car or placed in storage without proper cover, which can damage the car seat.

You might not know that the previous kid was sick or had lice, which could mean the car seat is dirty and full of germs.

In the time of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the cleanliness of surfaces that your family will be using.

Everybody wants to sanitize and clean as much as possible, but you can’t do that when you’re renting a car seat.

You can’t sanitize your car seat when you’re finished using it, so why would you want to use a car seat that somebody else has used?

I have heard a story about car seats being placed under the sunlight and humidity to make it more comfortable for the baby, but that could ruin the car seat materials, especially its fiber.

So, it is better to know the car seat history before renting it.

2. Safety standards Issue With Rental Car Seats

When you’re renting a car seat, you must know that the car seat may not meet your safety standards. The car seat might be too old, or it might not have been used properly in the past.

Even if the car seat looks clean, you don’t know how well it was maintained. The straps might be frayed or the padding might be worn out, which could reduce its effectiveness in a crash.

Second, you might not get the right standard of car seat from a rental car seat. If your child is under 2 years old or over 4 years old and under 80 pounds, you should get a car seat that faces the rear of the car.

However, if you’re renting a car seat, you might not be able to get one that meets your safety standards.

The rental company might only have forward-facing car seats or booster seats, which are not appropriate for young children.

You should always buy a new car seat that meets your safety standards rather than renting one.

3. Limited Number of Car Seats

Have you ever encountered the situation when you desperately need a car seat but the rental company claims that they don’t have any? Yes, many parents have.

And it was very frustrating. Because you have no other choice but to buy one or borrow from your friends. And it is not a cheap item that you can easily find in the market.

So, it is better to buy your own car seat rather than relying on the rental company.

4. The Cost Of Renting a Car Seat

If you’re planning to rent a car seat for your next trip, you might be surprised to find out that it can cost just as much as buying a new one.

For example, rental companies charge $15 per day or $75 per week for a car seat rental. But in the US, you can easily find a new car seat for $100.

So, it doesn’t make sense to rent a car seat when you can buy one for the same price.


How to Rent a Car with a Baby Car Seat? FAQs:

Can you rent a car seat without renting a car?

Yes, renting a car seat is possible without renting a car. There are many baby gear rental companies that offer a variety of car seats for rent, including infant, convertible, and booster seats.

Do car rentals have car seats?

Yes, you may get a car seat from a car rental company. Be sure to request one in advance, as they may not be available at the time of pickup.

What are typical car rental car seats?

There are three types of car seats that are commonly available for rent: infant, convertible, and booster seats.

And the brands that offer them also vary. For example Cosco convertible car seats are very common, Graco booster seats, and Britax are all brands that offer car seats for rent.


Final Thoughts:

If you’re traveling with a baby, renting a car with a car seat can make your life much easier. In this article, we’ve outlined the steps you need to take to rent a car with a baby car seat.

We’ve also included some tips on how to choose the right car seat for your child and what to do if you run into any problems while renting a car.

We have also explained why you should consider using a baby car seat when renting a car, as well as why you should avoid renting a car seat instead of bringing your own.

We hope that this article has been helpful and that you now feel more confident about renting a car with a baby car seat.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below.

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AUTHOR

Hi, my name is Umair Ali and I am the founder and chief editor of CarSeatHeaven.com. My goal is to make car seat shopping simple and easy for parents. With so many fluffy, detailed, and complicated car seat reviews out there, it can be hard to make an informed decision. That's where I come in! I sort through all of the information for you and distill it down into simple, straightforward advice.

At CarSeatHeaven.com, we provide parents with all the information they need to make an informed decision when purchasing a car seat.