« Napa Valley Romantic Getaway Vacation Tips and Ideas | Main | Family Travel Adventures by Disney - Tour Bus Time »
Vacation Car Seat Rental: Yea or Nea?
By DesertMama | August 19, 2008
Two weeks ago I did something I had never done before: I flew with my two kiddos - alone. My middle
brother (there are five of us) was getting married, I was to be god-mother to my first niece and I had research work to do. Originally we, the whole DesertFamily, were going to drive to Denver and stay at the elegant Hotel Teatro where my future brother-in-law works (Hi, Gabe!). Long story short, I ended up on the plane alone with the kids and sleeping in my college football-playing brother’s room which was plastered with Cornell College football paraphernalia (Go Rams!).
The plan was to check the two car seats and pick them up upon arrival at the Denver International Airport. However, I had a lot of “what ifs” going through my mind. As an ex-airline employee I thought the worst: What if the car seats get damaged during transport? What if they get lost? What if someone swipes them at baggage claim (I’ve see it all happen!). But the thing that weighed most on my mind was, Ugh, what a hassle!
My dad asked what I thought about renting the car seats and sent me a link to a Denver car seat rental company. How convenient, I thought. After all, who wants to tow two kids, two car seats, two roller bags, a double stroller through DIA, all while trying to keep their sanity?
Ironically, our friend Debbie at Delicious Baby had recently posted on her blog about an ongoing terrible car seat experience at San Diego’s Advantage Rent A Car (which even made the news!).
I decided to touch base with the Denver company Baby Stay - Baby Equipment Rentals before making a decision. They quickly answered all of my questions and put my mind to rest that I would have a pleasant experience. They told me they not only rent car seats but also your “typical” baby items, like full-size cribs, highchairs, and pack n’ plays (very cool!).
I asked the owner (a mom herself) what she suggests parents should inquire about when considering renting baby equipment at their destination. She suggests parents query with specific questions, such as brand, make, model of equipment, what types of cleaners are used, how old the equipment is, how often the equipment is refreshed and to ask for a reference or two or three if you’re still concerned. 
I have to say I was impressed with the overall experience. The car seats, a toddler and booster, were in great condition and the kids were safe and comfortable the entire time we were in the Mile-High City. The brands were even the same ones we have at home. My parents were pleased as well. In fact, we were so happy with the experience we passed along Baby Stay’s information to my mom’s friend whose grandbaby will soon be visiting Denver.
Thanks for the suggestion, Dad - and for picking up the tab - (wink!).
So, parents, the moral of the story is: If you do bring a car seat along on vacation, don’t check it, use it on board. If you decide to rent a seat, do your homework. Check out the company before you travel and don’t be afraid to ask for references or dig for information. There is nothing more important than your baby’s safety.
Topics: Family Travel, Flying High, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear |
TravelMuse
August 19th, 2008 at
Thanks so much for helping spread the word about unsafe car seat rentals.
August 19th, 2008 at
Unlike Debbie, I’ve had good luck renting car seats. Ditto checking car seats. I think the don’t rent indiscriminately, don’t check advice is good, but sometimes I’ve just had no choice.
My only bad car seat story occurred in Hawaii. Apparently the previous occupant had spilled apple juice or Cheerios in the seat, and it had a few ants on board. Tiny ants. Tiny ants that were only visible on fat toddler legs.
Yeech.
August 19th, 2008 at
Once DesertMama made the reservation, the Baby-Stay representative called to make arrangements for delivering the car seats to Arvada Mom and Dad’s (Grandma and Grandpa’s) house the day of the flight. Once delivered, Grandpa quickly installed them in the back seat of his small SUV. Then, off to DIA to pick up daughter and two great grandkids. Fortunately, there was still room for Grandma in the back seat (giving Desert Mama a break and Grandma the pleasure of the two very active little darlings).
The Baby Stay lady also arranged for picking up the car seats the afternoon following their departure.
It all went very smoothly.
August 19th, 2008 at
This is a great post and I will definitely use your suggestions in the future. I would add that I’ve had problems bringing the car seat onto international flights. On more than one occasion (most recently last month on Air India from Newark to Paris) the flight crew refused to let us use the seat for our toddler inflight and we had to check it at the gate.
This has also happened on Al Italia, although never on British Airways or any domestic carrier.
August 19th, 2008 at
Hi Mara,
You make a good point. Each country has their own car seat requirements on airlines. In the US the car seat has to have the “FAA approved” sticker. The flight attendants are supposed to ask to see the sticker. Here’s the official link: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/FAA
Otherwise, just check with the airline when flying internationally.
August 21st, 2008 at
Don’t quote me on this, but I think some car rental companies will provide and fit baby seats on request. (In fact, in Britain, I believe they have to, because BSI-approved kiddy seats are compulsory here)
August 26th, 2008 at
Hi DesertMama, Mudslide Dad here - here’s something I learned on this topic at the JFK Hertz Rental desk last week:
while there are many ways to get discounts at Hertz, etc, AAA gets you FREE car seat rental on top of their % discount.
for a one-week rental, that more than covers their annual fee.
August 26th, 2008 at
Thanks for the tip, Mudslide Dad!