Renting car/car seats or bring your own?

rac717 · January 2014

We're doing a trip from Argentina to the US next month. First time flying for the kids. I'm wondering if it is worth it to bring car seats and check them (which would be a PITA since we have the big convertible seats) or if we should just rent car seats from the car rental agency. Has anyone done that?

Also, anyone rented cribs or the like? We're going to be renting a house in FL for 9 days and while a lot of the ones I'm looking at offer a pack and play, etc, not one has 2 available. Which means renting the 2nd one I guess?

And finally - tips for long flights, etc? Thanks all!

sasky · January 2014

We have done both with my singleton...rented a car seat and a crib. Both worked out great for us. The thought of lugging 1 car seat around an airport with a stroller and all our other stuff and a toddler did not appeal to us, never mind 2. Just be sure to ask lots of questions about the car seat. Brand, model, how old it is, if its been in an any kind of accident, etc. The person at the desk does not always know the answers so you may need to talk to a manager. Also when you get the car make sure it's installed properly. Even if it's already in, take it out and do it yourself.

There are lots of places that rent baby gear, especially if you're going to a vacation area. The one we used brought the crib right to our rental house. We had to set it up ourselves, but that was fine. It was a huge help because at that time DS did not sleep well in a PnP. You will probably just need to bring a crib sheet.

mamatotwins0812 · January 2014

We've traveled to FL twice with them and both times brought the car seats. It was a lot but we totally managed. For me I just liked them in their own seat, knowing where it came from etc. Plus it was crazy expensive to rent 2 and we were trying to save. We rented a luggage cart at the curb and just piled everything on it which made it much easier. Also, we rented a house (in FL) just a couple of months ago and although they only had 1 PNP, there was an option to get another from the community center, so just ask them and maybe they have another. If not, you can always check the PNP too, they fold up pretty small and are fairly easy to transport. As far as tips for flying, just bring lots of snacks and toys to distract. Load the ipad with kid friendly games and any favorite blankies, binkies etc. Our guys have flown 4 times now and each time have pleasently surprised us with how well they've done. Good luck!

JodiAriel · January 2014

As a CPST, do NOT rent car seats. You have no idea the history of them, how they are cleaned etc. I know you said you have convertible seats, do you also have infant seats? If so I would use those just for this trip Bring them to the gate with you, if there are spare seats on the plane they will allow you to bring the seats on the plane with you to use. It is safer to have the babies in seats on the plane because of turbulence and you will appreciate having your hands free to tend to them.
If you dont have infant seats I would recommend buying Cosco sceneras at $39/ea and doing the same thing, bring them with you to the gate, hopefully you can use them and if not gate check them (try to keep them in the originally packing if you can) and then you will have them on the other side and you know the history, how clean,etc. Plus the average rental fee is $13-15/day per seat so in 3 days you will have paid for a seat that you can feel safe about.

LottaLattes · January 2014

I bought two evenflo cheaperbutwellrated seats for our two trips and checked them in. They are way lighter than our normal convertibles, and we use them as backup seats in the second car otherwise. It is also nice to not have to undo car seats and reinstall them when you get home, but does cause more luggage space. If your twins are old enough, you could also investigate a portable bed like the Phil and Ted or kidco ones which fit in a suitcase. We ended up borrowing a pnp from a friend and bringing that with us, which worked well since the hotel's pnps ended up all having holes in the netting :S (my SIL used one)

caden · January 2014

I've rented car seats and PNPs. Check the prices of car seat rentals because at 9 days you might be spending the same amount of money (or more) as buying new. I've had good rentals and some where the seat was expired. We have had to install them ourselves. It didn't bother me but I know some other people would be upset. I've heard of people not getting manuals for the installation. The last time I flew I ended up checking my 2nd set of (cheap) convertibles instead of renting. It was a huge PITA getting checked in because the seats had to be checked in a special area and had to cart everything back and forth. But otherwise it was a lot cheaper and quicker once we got to the car rental place.

Can you request a 2nd PNP? If not then again check the rental price. If you wouldnt have an extra baggage fee it might be cheaper to bring it. If not then renting one should be NBD in tourist places. I would not pay a baggage fee for a PNP if renting was a decent price.

ETA: I can't see how old your kids are but Cares harnesses are way easier on flights than installing a car seat.

TheDairyQueenx3 · January 2014

For our singleton we used a tote-a-tot it straps the car seat to your luggage and you strap them in then that way they don't have to walk either. Then we just checked it before boarding the plane. It made life super simple while navigating the airports. There is an extra part you need to go with it so just double check that if you do get them.

rac717 · January 2014

They are 9 months old (will be 10 when we fly). I think we're just going to bring out own. I've heard way too many horror stories about rentals and the last thing I want to deal with after a 10 hour flight is try to figure out car seats.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

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