How much does Hertz charge for a car seat?

[Antonio]

Hertz charges approximately $13.95 per day for a child car seat or booster seat rental, with a weekly rate cap around $83.70. AAA members can often rent one car seat for free per rental, but availability is not guaranteed and must be reserved in advance. This daily fee is a standard industry practice, but the total cost can significantly increase the price of your rental.

The core cost structure is straightforward. You pay a daily rate for the duration of your rental. For a week-long trip, the fee for a car seat could add over $80 to your total bill. It's crucial to factor this into your travel budget from the start. While the convenience is undeniable, the cumulative cost is a key consideration for families.

Booking the car seat when you reserve your vehicle is non-negotiable. Hertz locations have a finite inventory of seats, and they are not guaranteed to be available upon walk-in. Failing to reserve one could leave you without a legally required safety device for your child. Specify the child's age and weight during booking to ensure you receive the appropriate seat type (rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster).

The AAA member benefit is a valuable perk but comes with important caveats. The free seat rental is typically for one seat per rental transaction, subject to availability at the renting location. You must present your valid AAA membership card at the counter. This benefit is not automatically applied; you must mention it during the reservation process and again at pick-up.

Hertz Car Seat Rental Costs (Estimated)

Rental Duration	Estimated Total Cost	Notes
Per Day	$13.95	Standard daily rate.
Per Week	$83.70	Weekly cap applies in many locations.
Long Rental (e.g., 10 days)	$83.70 + ($27.90)	Weekly cap plus additional daily rates.

Always inspect the seat upon pickup. Check for visible damage, ensure the harness straps are not frayed, and verify that all buckles function correctly. You have the right to request a replacement if the seat appears worn or unclean. Remember, you are legally responsible for securing your child properly in the rented seat, so familiarizing yourself with its installation is essential.

For frequent travelers, bringing your own FAA-approved car seat might be more economical and ensures your child's familiarity and comfort. However, for occasional rentals or long-distance flights where luggage is a concern, paying Hertz's fee is a trade-off for convenience and avoiding the hassle of transporting your own seat.

[StRiley]

As a mom who rents cars a few times a year for family trips, I’ve learned to always budget for that car seat fee. Hertz does charge about $14 a day, which adds up fast. My biggest tip? Book it the second you book the car. I made the mistake of forgetting once and had to scramble at the airport—they were all out. The AAA freebie is real, but you’ve got to tell them when you book and show your card. I still check the seat myself before we drive off, looking for clean straps and a solid buckle. It’s a cost of traveling with kids, but planning ahead makes it painless.

[AmirLynn]

Let’s break down the real cost and how to navigate it. The advertised ~$14/day is just the starting point. For a standard 5-day rental, you’re looking at nearly $70 extra. That’s a substantial line item. The weekly cap offers some relief for longer trips. The key value proposition isn’t the seat itself—it’s the convenience of not hauling yours through airports. The AAA benefit is a major discount lever; it turns a ~$84 weekly cost into $0. However, treat it as a privilege, not a right. Inventory is limited. Your process should be: 1) Reserve with the AAA code, 2) Confirm at pick-up, 3) Perform a visual safety check. This mitigates both financial and logistical risk.

[DelOmar]

I use the AAA benefit every time. Here’s exactly how it works: When I’m booking online on the Hertz site, I enter my AAA membership number in the promo or discount code section. That usually triggers the system to show the car seat fee as $0.00. But I never rely on that alone. I call the local rental office a day before my trip to confirm they have a seat held for me under my reservation. At the counter, I have my AAA card ready in my hand. The agents are used to it. This routine has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. Just don’t expect them to have one if you didn’t reserve it—they won’t.

[CaliAnn]

Thinking about skipping the rental seat and using a ride service or taxi? Check local law first. In California and most states, children under a certain height/age must be in an appropriate seat in ANY vehicle, including taxis and Ubers. Hertz’s fee, while annoying, provides a compliant, on-demand solution. For infrequent renters, just pay the fee and consider it part of the trip cost. For families who rent more than, say, two weeks a year, the math changes. Buying a lightweight, travel-specific car seat for about $100 starts to pay for itself. You know its history, and your kid is comfortable in it. The Hertz option is best for spontaneous trips or when you’re maximizing luggage space. Always call the specific branch for their exact current rate; airport locations can sometimes have different pricing than suburban ones.