If you're renting a car on your trip, you'll need a car seat for your baby from the moment you leave the airport. The good news is that most major rental car companies offer them. The not-so-good news is that you don't always know what you'll get. Here's what to know so you can decide what's best for your family.
Policies, fees, and availability vary by company and location. Check with your rental car company directly before your trip.
Do rental car companies have car seats?
Yes, most major rental car companies offer infant seats, convertible seats, and boosters as an add-on. You can usually request one when you book online or by calling the location. There's typically a daily fee, often with a maximum charge per rental.
Things to know before you count on one
Reserve ahead, and confirm. Car seats are often limited, especially at busy airports and during holidays. Even with a reservation, it's worth calling the pickup location a day or two before you arrive to confirm they're holding one for you.
You may not get to choose the model. You'll get what's available, which may be a different type or brand than you use at home.
Staff usually can't install it for you. For liability reasons, rental car employees typically aren't allowed to install car seats. Plan to do it yourself, and give yourself time in the parking garage.
You won't know the seat's history. You can't be sure whether a rental seat has been in an accident or how it's been cleaned and stored.
What to check at pickup
If you do use a rental company's car seat, take a few minutes to look it over before you buckle your baby in:
The expiration date. Car seats expire. Look for a date or a "do not use after" label, usually on the side or bottom of the seat.
The labels and manual. Make sure the labels are readable and the seat fits your baby's age, height, and weight. If there's no manual, look up the model on your phone.
The condition. Check for cracks, frayed straps, missing parts, and buckles that don't click securely.
The fit. Make sure it installs tightly in the car and that your baby is snug in the harness.
If anything looks off, ask for a different seat.
Should you bring your own instead?
Many parents decide to bring their own car seat, and there are good reasons to:
You know its history and exactly how to install it.
Your baby is used to it, which can mean a happier ride.
Most airlines let you check a car seat for free, either at the ticket counter or at the gate. Check your airline's policy to be sure.
You can use it on the plane if your baby has their own seat and the car seat is approved for aircraft.
A car seat travel bag or a cart with wheels makes getting it through the airport much easier. If you're checking it, a padded bag helps protect it.
What about taxis and rideshares?
If you're skipping the rental car, don't assume a taxi or rideshare will have a car seat. Most don't, and car seat laws still apply in many places. A few rideshare apps offer cars with a car seat in select cities, but availability is limited, so check before you travel. The safest bet is to bring your own seat for any car rides.
The bottom line
Rental car company car seats can work in a pinch, especially for a short trip. If you have a choice, bringing your own seat gives you the most peace of mind. Whatever you decide, plan ahead, so your baby is buckled in safely from the very first ride.
Traveling to Chicago?
Once you're buckled up and on your way, Arrive Ready Baby takes care of the rest. We deliver a baby box to your hotel or rental in the Chicago area before you arrive, with a travel bassinet, a compact stroller, a white noise machine, a diaper pail, diapers, wipes, and formula in your brand. Reserve your baby box and leave the rest of the bulky gear at home.
