Car

Practicalities Getting There Car Child seats from Car Hire Companies 

Report Date Autumn 1999 - Please note, this has not yet been up-dated

Seats In a Vehicle in a Collision
We asked all the companies what their policy was regarding a child seat involved in a minor collision. Some appeared unaware of the advice to discard a seat. Where it is company policy to do so, implementation is of course dependent on local staff.

Alamo

(08705) 994 000
With more than 100 locations in the USSSS and Canada and 500 locations in 12 European countries with plans for further expansion both in Europe, plus in South African and Australia.

Where Operates	US with 135 locations. Can either be pre-paid in sterling or at the location.
Seats Provided	Infant and baby seats, plus booster seats - COSCO.
Safety Standards	Adhere to local state law. ‘Our location staff are fully aware of the state laws governing child seats and can therefore best advise the customer on arrival depending on the size of the child. . . We carry out intensive safety training every six months.'
Large Families	‘If a family has three children we will offer three child seats of a suitable size for the children at a daily rate. There is no limit on child seats
Other	Advises that all children under 6 years are reserved a child seat and a decision can be made at the rental location whether they actually need the seat or not. If a child seat is reserved at the time of reservation we will endeavour to ensure that the child seat is available when the customer arrives. If we cannot accommodate, it has been known for the location to go out and purchase a seat to ensure that the customer has what they require' Seats should be requested at the time of reservation.
Price	Around US$4 per day. A refundable deposit of US$50 is also payable.

Avis

(0870) 60 60 10
No cancellation or amendment fees and delivery and collection service.

Where Operates	160 countries and more than 4,200 locations worldwide.
Seats Provided	In the UK Britax Club Class Extra and Britax Super Cruiser only to cover children 0-25kg. In Portugal 9-18kg plus others for heavier children, Sobrinca brand. In Italy provided for 0-6 years. In France supply two different models, depending on the child's weight. In Spain offer PLAY brand seats 0-18kg (0-4 years) and 15-36kg (3-12 years). In the US provide the Joyride Infant Car Seat and the Evenflo Scout Five Point Trooper.
Safety Standards	In Europe use EC guidelines, in the US the US ones. It is not clear what standards are used elsewhere. A seat involved in an accident ‘is replaced whether or not it shows any damage. All stations have full details of how the seats should be fitted (ie front and rear facing according to the age/weight of the child etc). We will demonstrate how to fit the car seat but will not let anybody drive away without fitting it themselves. There is a Britax helpline included in the Rental Service Agents manual so if there is any query on fitting they can get advice from Britax directly. All Britax seats will be fitted in the back and not front passenger seats due to air bags.'
Large Families	‘Avis would ensure that an appropriate vehicle is rented.' Although in Portugal for example they simply say they would supply three seats, without any mention of what vehicle these would fit. In Italy state that at least group F car would be required. In Spain recommend a minibus which can hold seven people. In the US suggests considering a van. Currently 60% of the van fleet has two seats built in and a third can be rented.
Other	Avis states it will supply a child seat if it is requested at the time of booking, a minimum of two days before for example in Italy, 72 hours in Spain. Customers must give the child's weight so the correct seat size can be supplied If the seat had been booked and were not available the company reports it would buy an extra one. If the request were mad eon the spot, the company reports it would look for one at a nearby Avis centre or buy one if the customer were willing to wait.
Price	£20 per rental in the UK. Portugal Esc1,000 per day, maximum Esc10,000 per rental, plus VAT. In Italy LIt100,000 plus VAT per seat. In France F175 per rental. In Spain Pta550 per day per seat, maximum Pta4,400 per rental, plus VAT. In the US US$5 per day per seat.

Budget

(0800) 181 181
Highlights the range of the fleet which includes people carriers and minibuses.

Where Operates	3,200 outlets in 120 countries, 130 of them in the UK.
Seats Provided	The main seat used is the Britax Supercruise provided for children 1-6 years. From 3 months to 1 year a seat with full harness is provided, in most cases also Britax. These are purchased in large quantities, for example 50 at a time for the Heathrow outlet.
Safety Standards	Adheres to local standards. Customer service representatives do not actually fit the seats so cannot be held liable if they are fitted incorrectly, but they will help customers. If a seat were felt to have been at all damaged, say in a car collision, it would be replaced immediately.
Large Families	Suggests using people carriers or large estate car. These are widely available with people carriers for example in Italy.
Other	If a customer turns up and a seat is not available, if during shopping hours the branch will allow the customer to purchase their own seat and refund the cost. Alternatively would look to borrow from another rental company.
Price	In the UK £5 per day to a maximun of £20 per rental + VAT.

Car Rental Direct

(020) 7625 7166

Where Operates	A broker mainly to Florida offering for example Dollar, National, Alamo and Demo but specialising in long term rental charged at special four-week rates, including one-ways, and offering rental to 19-year-olds in Florida.
Seats Provided	Points out that in the US you have to have a child seat for a child under 4 years and will inform the rental company of the relevant age or ages of children travelling.
Safety Standards	The local state ones.
Large Families	No suggestions.
Price	US$5 per day.

Connect

(0800) 634 0644
Connect .
A partnership network of individual car rental companies.

Where Operates	Around the world with 5,000 locations.
Seats Provided	Rear facing for 0-6 months (under 20lbs) for the front seat but cannot say whether the car will have a passenger airbag, in which case this should not be used. Six months to 3 or 4 years forward-facing. Booster seat to be fitted with normal seat belt. All straps are adjustable.
Safety Standards	Will be the local ones. If a seat were involved in a minor accident the policy is for it not to be used again. Branches are reported to give instructions on fitting a seat but the actual responsibility is considered the customer's.
Large Families	If there are more than two children on a back bench seat would suggest hiring a multi-seater vehicle.
Other	All baby and booster seats must be pre-booked to be guaranteed. If not available on arrival Connect would refund the customer for having to buy a new seat.
Price	£5 per rental in the UK, in overseas destinations between £5 and £20.

Dollar

(0800) 252 897
Dollar UK or Dollar .
Dollar Rent A Car, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, reports that the average age of the fleet is just 5 months.

Where Operates	Around 430 worldwide locations in 26 countries, with a significant presence in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, including 260 locations in the United States. The company and its licensees have locations at most major airports in the US. There is also an alliance with Sixt rent a car, in more than 25 additional countries covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Seats Provided	Renters can take their own provided it meets US safety standards. The seats provided on the spot will vary according to location, having been purchased locally. Booster seats are reported available at some locations.
Safety Standards	Regulations adhered to will be the US ones.
Large Families	No suggestions.
Other	The UK web site offers customers from the UK a pre-paid fully inclusive rental car package when travelling to the United States with immediate e-mail reservation confirmation, followed by a rental car voucher mailed directly to the customer's address. details special offers, location-specific information; weather and U.S. driving directions, including Great Drives, the customer's guide to some of the best road trips in the United States.
Price	Varying but from US$5 per day.

Europcar/Inter-Rent

(0870) 607 5000

Where Operates	2,400 stations in 96 countries, 150 stations in the UK.
Seats Provided	In the UK child safety seats from Kwik Fit, from 9 months to 4 years and booster cushions from Kwik Fit for aprox ages 4-11 years.
Safety Standards	EC standards adhered to in Europe.
Large Families	No suggestions.
Other	Child seat requirements should be mentioned at time of booking. 24 hours' notice is required. ‘If the seat has been pre-booked it will always be ready for the customer to collect upon arrival at the Europcar stations. If the seat hasn't been pre-booked in most cases stations keep one or two seats in stock.
Price	£5 per rental per seat.

Hertz

(0990) 90 60 90
Comments that because the brand name is so important, is not inclined to take chances and there is comeback if something goes wrong.

Where Operates	6,100 outlets in 140 countries. In the UK 133 outlets.
Seats Provided	Local better known brands.
Safety Standards	Local safety standards. In the US and may be introduced elsewhere, have standardised the car seats offered so can train staff on installation. If involved in even a minor accident the child set would be thrown away.
Large Families	Suggests hiring a people carrier with car seat for each. The odd normal saloon has three three-point seat belts on the back seat but there is no guarantee that you will get one of these.
Other	If held in stock will provide on arrival. Must be requested on booking and will confirm before arrival that the seat is available.
Price	UK £3 per day to maximum £30 per rental inc VAT.

Holiday Autos

(0990) 300 400
A broker so using a number of suppliers in different destinations, always looking for the optimum price. Claims to have been the first company to offer fully inclusive car rental including for example insurance. An upgrade option called the Max costs £10 and means a free tank of petrol, the car delivered to your hotel, no out of hours charges if your plane is late, and can include an additional main driver and one-way rental plus 24-hour helpline.

Where Operates	4,000 outlets worldwide.
Seats Provided	The choice of car seat is up to the individual supplier, who is given the ages of the children concerned. Customers are also allowed to use their own child seats.
Safety Standards	Those of the country in which the supplier operates. ‘If a hire car is involved in a minor collision Holiday Autos cannot guarantee that the supplier will send the child seat away for testing. However, Holiday Autos does enforce strict safety standards as part of the contracts that it enters into with its suppliers.'
Large Families	‘Holiday Autos reservations department can advise on the suitability of cars for families and knows the number of child seats than can fit in each car.'
Other	Holiday Autos advises customers to pre-book child seats and guarantees they will be available when the car is collected. Payment is made locally on collection.
Price	Spain maximum of £22 per rental, Portugal, maximum £40 per rental, US US$5 per day, France £15 per week, Canary Islands £15 per week.

National

(0990) 365 365
National Car Europe .
Operates a fleet of 250,000 vehicles worldwide and claiming to be the UK's largest car rental company.

Where Operates	Represented in 75 countries with close to 3,000 locations, of which 110 branches in the UK.
Seats Provided	In the UK all Britax Supercruisers (suitable from 9 months to 6 years), purchased centrally.
Safety Standards	In the UK British safety standards. ‘In the even that a car seat is involved in a collision of any sort, the car seat is thoroughly checked for any damage.' ‘A child safety seat should never be used when the seat itself shows signs of war, in the form of cracking etc, or when any of the straps and webbing show clear signs of fraying. If customers have any doubt concerning the safety of child seats, National advises that they should arrange to have the seat checked thoroughly before setting out on a journey.'
Large Families	‘As child seats are dependent on diagonal seat belts (lap belts are not suitable) national suggests that anyone wishing to use more than two child seats should hire an MPV.'
Price	Seats start at £3.50 per day, with a maximum charge of £35 plus VAT.

Specialty Auto Rentals

(020) 8876 9286
e-mail reservation@advantage-leisure.plc.uk
A specialist in seven, eight, 12 and 15-seater minivans.

Where Operates	Florida.
Seats Provided	One type designed for infants up to toddlers to age of 5.
Safety Standards	Complies with US federal and Florida state requirements. The rental company will demonstrate how the seats are fitted but not fit them for the client who must take responsibility for this. Reports seats would not be reused after even the slightest collision.
Large Families	Suggests seven seater Dodge minivans with sliding doors both sides.
Price	US$4 per seat per day, payable locally.

Thrifty

(0494) 751 600
Reckons to offer a vehicle no more than 12 months old which has covered less than 20,000 miles.

Where Operates	71 countries in North, Central and south America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific with 1,600 outlets.
Seats Provided	Include rear and front facing baby seats up to booster seat, subject to availability. Brands differ between countries.
Safety Standards	Comply with the local safety standards. ‘If a child seat were in a car that was involved in a minor accident then the seat would be taken for inspection before returning it to service. However, in a more serious accident the seat would be disposed of.'
Large Families	Say they would offer the appropriate number of seats but don't explain how they would fit them.
Other	‘Child seats must be re-requested at the time of booking and the customer will receive confirmation that the seat is available shortly afterwards. Where all child seats are already booked out, Thrifty will make every effort to try and supply one.'
Price	In the UK £15 per rental, in the US US$5-10 daily. In some locations free.