Traveling with young children requires careful planning, especially when it comes to transportation safety. If you’re renting a car for your family trip, one crucial question arises: Do Car Rentals Have Car Seats? The answer is yes, and this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about renting car seats with your rental car, ensuring a safe and hassle-free journey for your little ones.
Yes, Car Rental Companies Offer Car Seats
Leading car rental companies like Avis understand the needs of traveling families and offer car seats as a convenient rental option. Instead of lugging bulky car seats through airports and worrying about airline handling, you can easily arrange for car seat rentals directly from your car rental provider. Avis, in particular, makes it simple to request car seats for infants and toddlers when you book your rental vehicle.
While the specific brands and models of car seats available may differ depending on the rental location, rest assured that all offered car seats meet stringent safety regulations and standards. This commitment to safety provides peace of mind, knowing your child will be properly secured during your travels.
Child Safety Seat Rental Options at Avis
Avis provides a range of car seat options at most of their U.S. rental locations, available for a nominal daily rental fee. It’s important to note that the rented car seat should be returned to the same location from which it was rented and in the same condition to avoid any additional charges, such as a $50 fee for improper returns.
Types of Car Seats Available
To cater to children of different ages and sizes, Avis offers various types of car seats, including:
- Infant Car Seats: These are designed for babies and younger infants, typically rear-facing. Avis provides both rear-facing infant-only car seats and convertible car seats that can be used rear-facing for infants and forward-facing as they grow.
- Toddler Car Seats: For toddlers who have outgrown infant car seats, Avis offers forward-facing car seats. These ensure optimal protection for toddlers as they ride facing forward.
- Booster Seats: For older children who are too big for forward-facing car seats but still too small to safely use adult seat belts alone, booster seats are available. These help to properly position the adult seat belt for safety and comfort.
Avis prioritizes child safety and provides guidelines to help you select the appropriate car seat type based on your child’s age and size. Their recommendations are aligned with safety best practices:
- Infants up to 1 year old (and 20-22 pounds): Rear-facing infant-only car seat, convertible, or 3-in-1 seat.
- Children ages 1-3 (and 20 to 40 pounds): Rear-facing car seat until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
- Children ages 4-7 (or until 4’9″ tall): Forward-facing car seat until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
- Children ages 8-12 (or at least over 4’9″): Booster seat with lap and shoulder belts until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
It’s crucial to remember that booster seats are essential for older kids. Safety experts, including the U.S. Government, recommend booster seats for children between 40 and 80 pounds and under 4’9″ tall. Booster seats raise the child, allowing the adult seat belt to fit correctly and safely, while also enhancing comfort and visibility.
Understanding Car Seat Rental Costs
The typical cost for renting a car seat from Avis is around $14 per day, with a maximum charge of $84 per rental period. However, it’s worth noting that prices may fluctuate slightly at different rental locations.
When you make your car rental reservation online, you’ll have the option to specify the type and number of car seats you need and the duration of the rental. The system will then provide a cost estimate that includes the car seat rental fees. The final cost will be confirmed when you pick up your vehicle and will be detailed in your rental agreement. Keep in mind that the availability of specific car seat types can vary by location, so it’s always best to book in advance.
Reserving Your Car Seat Online
Reserving a rental car seat with Avis is a straightforward process that can be done during your online car booking. On the third page of the rental form, you’ll find a “Rental Options” section under the “Equipment” tab. Here, you can indicate the number of car seats required and specify the types you wish to reserve.
If you have any questions about your car seat rental or need to modify an existing reservation, Avis customer service is readily available. You can contact them via phone or speak to an agent at the rental counter to add or remove car seats from your booking.
For families traveling with children, requesting a car seat when making your reservation is highly recommended to ensure availability and a smooth pick-up process.
Airport Car Seat Rentals: Yes, They’re Available
Yes, Avis airport locations generally offer car seats for rent, providing added convenience for fly-drive travelers. However, availability at airport locations can sometimes be limited, so it’s particularly important to book your car seat rental as early as possible when renting from an airport.
Renting a Car Seat Without a Car Rental: Not an Option
Please note that Avis’s car seat rental service is exclusively for customers who are also renting a vehicle from them. It is not possible to rent a car seat from Avis if you are not renting a car.
Installing Your Rented Car Seat: Utilizing the LATCH System
Avis has taken a proactive approach to child passenger safety by being the first car rental company to standardize the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for car seat installation. LATCH is designed to simplify and improve the safety of car seat installation, reducing the risks associated with incorrect installation.
Vehicles equipped with the LATCH system have anchors and tethers in the back seats that securely attach to compatible car seats, holding them firmly in place. The LATCH system is proven to be as safe as seat belt installation but is generally considered much easier and more user-friendly.
Avis provides Evenflo® child safety seats and booster seats that are compatible with their LATCH-equipped rental vehicles. You can confidently use the anchors and tethers in your rental car to install your rented child safety seat, ensuring a secure and safe setup for your little passenger. For further information on car seat installation and the LATCH system, resources like HealthyChildren.org offer comprehensive guidance.
In Conclusion
When planning a family trip that involves a rental car, you can rest easy knowing that car rental companies like Avis offer car seat rentals. This service provides a convenient, safe, and reliable solution for transporting your children securely. By understanding the types of car seats available, the rental costs, and the easy reservation and installation processes, you can ensure a smooth and safe journey for your entire family. Remember to book your car seats in advance, especially for airport rentals, and prioritize your child’s safety throughout your travels.
