Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

This will be our 1st time flying with kids, & we are renting a car. They are 5 & 7 1/2 & both in Britax 5pt harness seats.

What are our options?
Use them on the plane? (I hate the idea of checking them in)
Or renting from the car rental co?

Any recommendations would be great!!!
TIA!

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

I would never rent a car seat. I've heard horror stories including a rental company giving a booster seat for a 2 month old and not having an appropriate seat. Also you don't know what condition it's in, if it was in an accident, if it was cleaned improperly (or at all!), if it's expired.... There are just too many what if's to make me feel comfortable enough to rent. But I'm also pretty crazy when it comes to car seat safety so I know most will not agree lol.

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

We flew with our car seats, used them on the plane and then in the rental car at our destination. I felt having dd in her car seat in the plane in her own seat (she was only 18 months) and in her own car seat in the rental.

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

I hve checked my seat and I have rented them. Both worked perfectly fine.

The seat we rented was basically brand new and when we checked it it came out exactly as we left it.

Re: Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

Once I saw this posted, I refused to ever check a car seat, at the gate or otherwise. Maybe not the norm but why take the chance?

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

I've rented car seats (5 point harness) several times. They have all been fine. I've even checked the sticker on them for the expiration date. They have all been the same brand too - Cosco.

Re: Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

I don't think you are going to find a 5 point harness rental for a 7 year old. They usually have the standard seats that fit up to 40lbs, or a regular booster seat. I would just bring your own. Britax seats are HUGE though, so that is going to be a pain to lug around.

Re: Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

I would call and ask if they have high back boosters. I have only seen backless or convertible seats in the options when I have rented.

Re: Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

At that age they cannot use a seat on the plane. You would have to check your own.

The $ of a 5 pt harness Britax (which is what we have) and hearing nightmare stories I opted to rent. With that said...when I researched more highback boosters are not available at the car rental place we were renting from. Only regular boosters and those were NOT guaranteed either.

Your only option is to check your Britax or to purchase another high back booster (inexpensive, but safe) & check that.

We ended up purchasing a travel booster for DS to use for the week we're in FL. It's not a highback, but works for his carry-on and the safety ratings were excellent.

Re: Flying & car rentals with kids/car seats?

Personally I would not be comfortable renting a car seat, but that's just me.

I flew with DD (who was 3 at the time) and brought her Britax carseat on the plane. It was such a pain to lug on and off the plane, and through the airport. On the way home I checked it, and I did not have any problems.

I also flew with DS and checked his seat (after knowing what a PITA it was with DD's trip) and again, no issues. The bag I used to hold the seat was not ripped or damaged at all.