When Airlines Damage Car Seats
Recently I read a story on Flyertalk that I have heard many times before. The premise is that a family checks a car seat with an airline so that they have it to use for their little one when they land, only to find that it is broken or damaged when they pick it up from baggage claim. The next part that can be a surprise is that the airlines usually have some clause written somewhere that they aren't responsible for damage to car seats (and strollers for that matter). Didn't you read the Contract of Carriage, page 44, Rule 28, section 3, article dd that says United "shall not be liable for the loss of, damage to or delay in delivery of strollers, bassinets, and infant carrying seats"?
The rules aren't specific to car seats, there is really a very long list of items that they aren't responsible for on paper, but that doesn't mean they always will leave you totally up a creek without a car seat. Here are some tips for preventing and dealing with damage that can happen to car seats from airlines.
Don't check a car seat if you don't really have to.
The best spot for the car seat on the plane is under your baby's bottom. If you can, just bring the car seat on-board the flight and strap your little one into it for the duration of the flight. The car seat will be safer, your baby will be safer, and you little one will also probably be more comfortable... We flew this way frequently from the time my daughter was one until around age four or so, and it worked out very well for everyone, including the car seat.
If you don't have a seat for your child, then this strategy won't really work, however you can still really think about whether you need to bring your own car seat. If you are going to visit relatives it might be worth having an inexpensive car seat you leave at their house for such visits. You can also rent car seats when you land (free with Hertz and AAA code), though the quality of those seats can be pretty bad, so I don't necessary recommend that approach unless you just don't have the manpower to transport your own seat.
Get a protective cover for your car seat.
If you are going to check the car seat, you need to get a cover for it in order to keep it clean, dry, and a bit more protected. There are lots of options for Car Seat Covers
, but we have the JL Childress Ultimate Travel Bag as it is padded, has straps you can put on your back, and has served us well. I see there is also a wheeled version that might work better for some who don't want to turn into human pack mules.
Use an inexpensive car seat for travel.
If you are worried about your expensive, heavy, car seat making the trip, you may want to do what we did and get a lighter, less expensive, travel car seat to use when needed. We bought a Cosco Scenera car seat for travel when the bigger Britax type car seat isn't the best choice. You can get often Cosco Sceneras for $35 - $50, which is much better than putting your $200 - $300 car seat through the airline baggage wringer.
Gate check when possible.
If you are going to have to check the car seat, you can minimize the time the airline has to damage it by gate checking. This works best if you are also using the car seat as a stroller of sorts to get through the airport using one of these type of contraptions. You still need to have the car seat cover to put over the seat before gate checking to keep it as safe (and clean) as possible.
If it is damaged, let the airline know.
Even though they usually aren't technically liable for the damage, that doesn't mean they won't potentially try to help make it right. I have heard of the airline baggage office in the baggage claim area handing out replacement car seats (yes, the quality may be different than what you had). If you aren't satisfied with the outcome from the baggage claim office in the airport, I would also write a letter to the airline and let them know what happened. Don't hold your breath, but you may at least get a voucher toward a future flight for the inconvenience.
Traveling with gear is a reality of traveling with small children, but by using a variety of these tips we have successfully made it through the car seat stage so far without any issues with damaged seats. What do you do about car seats when flying?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.