Has anyone here rented a car seat through Alamo? Was it clean and in decent condition?
I'm also open to recommendations other companies if you've had a good experience with them. Right now it appears Alamo would be the cheapest, and they guarantee availability with an airport reservation.
If I weren't going to be travelling alone with LO then I would just buy a Cosco Scenera, but I can't fathom juggling the stroller, diaper bag, suitcase, car seat, and a wandering toddler on my own 
kiwi / 656 posts
FWIW, we wear our cosco in a backpack and though it makes you a bit unwieldy, it's not bad. Toddler in stroller, diaper bag hooked to suitcase, one hand to push one to pull. It's a PITA but doable just to get to the car rental counter. sorry I can't be more help about renting a car seat- we have never done that.
apricot / 374 posts
@MrsBucky: Thanks, looking into it now. They're a little pricey, but I also found a cheaper strap that attaches a car seat to a suitcase. We don't fly with our toddler often enough to justify spending an arm and a leg if a more convenient safe option exists. I suspect my husband thinks I'm little crazy for considering buying an extra seat at all 0:)
Maybe I'll go that route, but I'm still open to hearing anyone's experience with car seat rentals!
persimmon / 1379 posts
We have used car seat rentals and have varied, but sometimes terrible service.
We rented a toddler seat once for our 2.5 year old and all they had was an infant seat. The agency tried to make it better by getting one from their 'warehouse' and they brought us a broken convertible seat. We have booked them and shown up to a brand new seat. We have had dirty seats. But that infant seat/broken seat day was the last straw and we never rented one again after that. It was too unpredictable and the condition too uncertain to chance it.
persimmon / 1379 posts
I should add these were from a bunch of different car rental agencies.
nectarine / 2243 posts
I've never rented from a car rental place, but friends experiences are over the place. Old seats, new seats, appropriate seats, wildly inappropriate seats (boosters for a 2 yo). One thing is for sure...their "guarantee" is really not one. It's just like the fine print on their cars..it's all based on availability. If the person before you takes the last seat and someone doesn't return one on time..you are SOL.
eggplant / 11824 posts
I only rent from National and have never had any issue with car seats from them - always clean, always great condition. The only "issue" was once they gave us an infant seat but I just said I needed a convertible one so they went and grabbed that (it was an older man who didn't know the difference lol)
apricot / 374 posts
@woodentulip: Yeah, those are the general horror stories I've read that have me nervous. I was hoping to get a read on whether that's what happens more often than not, or if it's one of those cases where the voice of the unhappy customers is the loudest (not meant to be a slam on bad reviewers, I think it's important info to share).
I would like to know if any particular company is more reliable than others, that's been harder to find.
honeydew / 7463 posts
I personally will never rent a car seat from a car rental company again. They are always gross and often harder to install than my own travel car seat (Safety1st brand which I love for our travel seat).
I agree with @MrsBucky: on how to handle it. I travel alone with my now 2.75yo all the time. I have a Brica car seat bag that I wear on my back. I actually don't even take the stroller anymore ESPECIALLY when I'm traveling alone (just another thing to maneuver and breakdown and put through security and carry and gate check and so on). I can pack one suitcase for the both of us. And one carry-on for the both of us. Don't do a "diaper bag" per se. But get a duffel bag that will hold your diaper bag stuff PLUS carry on stuff (snacks, books, stuff for you, etc).
So when I travel alone with my son I have in total:
1) car seat in backpack
2) one suitcase (carry on or check it depending on length of trip)
3) one duffel bag for all things we'll need during the flight and in airport.
It's way easier this way (I've flown alone with my son a minimum of 5 times a year since he was born. Stroller stopped being a necessity once he turned 2. But he's not a runner.)
Also, if you haven't booked yet, definitely do the earliest flight possible. Least likely for delays and that's priceless when alone with a toddler.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
DO you need the stroller at the destination? There are special wheelie things that you can use to attach your car seat to, and if needed your kid can ride in the seat.
Search for the Brica Roll and Go.
apricot / 374 posts
@SweetiePie: @looch: Yep, we want our stroller for our destination. LO likes it and hates holding my hand 
I've seen those car seat wheelie things, but don't think it is worth the cost in our scenario. Thanks for the suggestion.
Oh, and our diaper bag is a backpack with everyone's stuff. We've flown as a family before so I've got that part down. I didn't need any other carry on last time, didn't even bring a purse. This will be our first time renting a car and first time flying with just one parent on duty though.
I'm leaning toward buying the $15 strap and a cheap/light car seat and tying it to our suitcase.
squash / 13208 posts
@nanilani: I traveled alone with DS when he was 17 months old - I carried him in my Beco and then put the car seat and carry on bag in the stroller and pushed it - would that work for you?
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@nanilani: good luck!
I've tried all kinds of combinations and I do feel that once we no longer used the stroller things got much, much easier.
apricot / 374 posts
@Mamaof2: Not sure, would have to experiment. We don't use our carrier much anymore and when we do, DH carries LO on his back. So I know he still fits, but I personally haven't used it in a while.
cherry / 235 posts
We use this backpack one
https://www.walmart.com/ip/JL-Childress-Ultimate-Car-Seat-Travel-Bag-Carrier/4698052?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227001154795&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40331738912&wl4=pla-52121688414&wl5=9004233&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla_with_promotion&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=4698052&wl13=&veh=sem
Looks like Amazon doesn't carry it at the moment.
It isn't the cheapest out there but it has held up well and is a big help when walking through the airport.
I personally haven't rented a car seat from a rental agency and I'm not so sure that I ever would unless I had no other option.
nectarine / 2821 posts
I got a really cheap backpack for carrying the suitcase, like 20$ on amazon. Its just a nylon (or something, I don't know what material) drawstring bag with some straps stuck in. Its nothing fancy but does the job!
honeydew / 7463 posts
@nanilani: ahhh yeah, needing it at your destination is a different story. But, when we do need it I check it. Not even gate check, just check it at the counter or curb. BUT you said your LO isn't a hand holder. It's so funny how different these kids are. I know so many who say their kids run and won't hold hands. Mine is the opposite, if I want to try not holding hands he says "hey! Mommy! You forgot to hold my hand!"
The only other reason I'd still suggest investing in the storage bag/backpack is because it does protect the seat when you gate check it. Not necessarily from banging around (though I imagine it does more than nothing), but keeps or clean. Because they just put it with all the other cargo, it sits face down on the tarmac, etc. and it ensures that all straps and such stay in tact. And it truly is so easy to carry on my back. I just found that I always felt better after I got it (I've only had it for maybe a year. But obviously you can see I love it, haha. I'll stop being a Brica car seat backpack pusher now. I just love singing the praises of the products I love!)
Let us know what you decide on and how t all works! Traveling solo with a kid for the first time will always be stressful but as with anything it gets easier and easier.
How old is your LO?
apricot / 374 posts
@SweetiePie: LO will be 21 months at the time of travel. I can't even get Mr. Independent to hold my hand to walk across the street to the mailbox. Last week he started to have a melt down and sat down in the middle of the (thankfully quiet) road 
My husband thinks I'm making all of this much harder than it needs to be -- so easy for the guy who doesn't have to travel alone with a toddler to say! Thanks again for everyone's suggestions 
pear / 1503 posts
I also wouldn't rent from Alamo. Car rental companies are notoriously unreliable for all the reasons mentioned above. We haven't tried this in the US but we've rented baby equipment, including car seats, from baby equipment rental companies in Europe and New Zealand.
Everything was always clean, in excellent condition, and we could specify exactly which brand/model we wanted to rent. A few times, the equipment was even new in plastic!
Here is one that operates across the US. I'm sure you can find others:
persimmon / 1270 posts
I have traveled with both my LOs and I have a 2 year old who is a runner, the carseat is needed on the plane so he will stay in his seat. I have a wheelie thingy that attaches to the carseat and i can put him in the seat and wheel him around. I travel with that, a back pack and a duffle in the airport. LO2 is the tula. we check LO2's seat and a suitcase. It's hard to carry everything on the other end to the rental car, but you will have less stuff.
Ipad started to work around 20 months and that SAVED me...
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
20 comments