How to get a free car seat with Hertz?

[LaLucy]

Getting a completely free child car seat from Hertz is not standard practice; the company typically charges a daily rental fee. However, you can effectively secure a "free" seat by utilizing your own membership perks, credit card benefits, or targeted promotional offers. Hertz’s primary service is renting car seats for a fee, which commonly ranges from $13.95 to $15 per day, with a weekly cap often around $69.95. These prices are consistent with major competitors like Avis and Budget. The key to waiving this fee lies in external programs, not Hertz's base rental terms.

Your most reliable path is through elite status in Hertz's loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Members with President's Circle status can request one free child safety seat per rental as a stated benefit. Five Star members may also receive this perk occasionally through special promotions or as a complimentary upgrade. Always confirm this benefit is active in your account's "My Benefits" section before renting.

Certain premium travel credit cards, particularly those aligned with airline loyalty programs, include Hertz benefits that may cover ancillary fees like car seats. For instance, the United Club℠ Infinite Card offers United MileagePlus® members Hertz President's Circle status as a card benefit, indirectly enabling the free car seat perk. Check your card's travel benefits package directly.

Limited-time promotions are another avenue. Hertz occasionally runs "Free Child Seat" promotions, often during off-peak travel seasons or in specific family-oriented destinations like Orlando. These are advertised through their email newsletter, partner travel sites, or directly on the Hertz website's "Offers" page. Availability is never guaranteed and is strictly first-come, first-served.

Method	How It Works	Key Consideration
Hertz Elite Status	President's Circle members get 1 free seat/rental.	Benefit must be visible in your account profile.
Credit Card Benefits	Cards granting top-tier Hertz status unlock the above perk.	Requires enrollment and linking of accounts.
Targeted Promotions	Look for promo codes like "FAMILY" or "SEATFREE" during booking.	Geographical and date restrictions almost always apply.
Rental Counter Request	Standard practice is a daily fee ($13.95-$15/day).	"Free" availability without a qualifier is extremely rare.

To proceed, always pre-reserve the car seat online or via the app when making your rental booking. Even if you plan to use a status benefit, reserving guarantees availability. At pick-up, present your membership card or promo code and verbally confirm the fee waiver. Inspect the seat for cleanliness and ensure it's appropriate for your child's age and weight. If a truly free seat is unavailable, consider bringing your own FAA-approved car seat, which flies free on most airlines, as a cost-saving alternative.

[Roman]

As a mom who rents cars several times a year for family trips, I've learned the hard way that Hertz doesn't just give car seats away. You'll see that daily charge on your contract unless you have a gold ticket. My ticket is my Hertz President's Circle status, which I get through my credit card. That's the only reason I don't pay. My advice? Don't rely on luck at the counter. Book the seat online with your reservation, then show your membership card when you pick up the car. Be nice but firm, and have them point out the $0.00 charge on the contract before you leave the lot. Always give the seat a quick check—I've found crackers and sticky straps before.

[ArielDella]

Let's cut to the chase. The headline question is a bit of a trick. Hertz is a business, and child safety seats are inventory that incurs cleaning and maintenance costs. The standard answer is: you pay a daily fee. The real discussion is about cost avoidance. The mechanism is almost exclusively tiered through loyalty. If you are a frequent traveler, consolidating your rentals with Hertz to achieve Five Star or President's Circle status is a strategic move. The ancillary benefit of a free car seat for family trips effectively reduces your total travel cost. Alternatively, analyze your premium credit card benefits. Many high-annual-fee cards offer status matches or grants. This is a transactional solution: you exchange your card's annual fee for waived rental fees, including car seats. It's not emotional; it's financial logic. Promotions exist but are unreliable variables in your travel equation.

[LaRhett]

I worked behind the rental counter for two years. Here’s the inside scoop everyone needs to hear. When a customer asked for a free car seat, my system literally had no button for that. It always added the daily fee. The only times I could override it were: 1) The customer's profile had a clear "1 FREE CHILD SEAT" benefit linked to their Gold Plus Rewards number, or 2) They had a valid promotional code from corporate. That's it. We had no discretion. So, please, do not argue with the front-line agent. It won't work. Call the customer service line before your trip to have any status benefit verified and added as a note to your reservation. That makes everything smooth at pick-up. And for everyone's sake, please book it in advance. We only had a limited number on site.

[Shane]

Planning our first big road trip with our toddler, I was determined to avoid the hefty car seat rental fees. Research showed Hertz's fees could add over $100 to a week-long rental. My solution was twofold. First, I applied for a travel credit card that specifically advertised Hertz President's Circle status as a sign-up bonus. After meeting the spending requirement, I linked my new Hertz account and confirmed the "1 Free Child Safety Seat" benefit was active in my profile. Second, when booking the minivan, I added the child seat option online. It showed the daily charge during checkout, but I proceeded knowing my status would override it. At the airport Hertz location, I mentioned my President's Circle status. The agent saw the benefit on the reservation and confirmed the charge was removed. The process was seamless because I did the legwork first. The seat itself was clean and in good condition. For families, investing time in securing the right loyalty status is far more effective than hoping for a freebie at the counter.