How to Know If the CARES Harness Is Right for Your Kid
Having a successful flight with little kids takes preparation, thoughtful packing and serious parenting skills. But don't underestimate how helpful it can be to have the right gear. If you're traveling with a toddler or preschooler, one of the most helpful items you can have on hand is the FAA-approved CARES Harness.
My family used the CARES Harness for both our daughters. Though this isn't a new or flashy product, it may still be the best option for keeping toddlers and preschoolers safely secured in an airplane seat — without lugging a car seat around on your travelers.
What is a CARES Harness?
Except for using a car seat, the CARES Harness is the only FAA-approved restraint for use with children on an airplane. It weighs less than one pound, can easily fit in a purse or backpack (even a big pocket) and works in tandem with the airplane seatbelt to keep little ones secured. The seatbelt loops through the CARES Harness, which fits over the back of the child's airplane seat: no clunky or complicated attachments of which to speak.
According to the FAA, the CARES child safety system intended for use with children between 22 and 44 pounds in a forward-facing seat. Generally, the harness fits kids who are between 1 and 4 years old.
How do you use a CARES Harness?
Installing the CARES Harness on a plane is not difficult once you know what you're doing, but it is much easier to accomplish if you board early — and before the person in the following row sits down. (You'll have to lower the tray table belonging to the person seated behind your child to install the harness.)
Once your child is in his or her assigned seat and the tray table attached to the seat back is lowered, follow these instructions from the Kids Fly Safe website to property install the CARES Harness:
"Slide the red loop of the CARES restraint over the seat back, adjust the height of the red loop so [it's] just above your child’s shoulders, and tighten it. Then close the tray table covering the red loop."
"Place the black shoulder straps over your child’s shoulders and slide the buckle and connector ends of the regular airplane seat belt through the loops at the bottom of the black shoulder straps."
"Buckle the seat belt and pull it snugly across your child’s lap as you normally would ... then buckle the chest clip ..."
As soon as you're comfortable with the steps, installing the harness takes about a minute — maybe less. There's even a video available if you want to watch someone install the harness first.
When we used the harness with our daughters, I would let the passenger behind my daughter know what the harness was, and reassure them their tray table would work fine.
I've never had an issue with a passenger objecting to the harness. You might, however, encounter a flight attendant who isn't familiar with the product.
In speaking with fellow frequent-flying parents who use the CARES harness — including TPG contributor Richard — it seems it's not uncommon to have a flight attendant claim you cannot use the harness. Our experience has been that you can resolve the matter by simply pointing to the "FAA APPROVED" label on the harness.
According to the website, the CARES Harness is only to be used in window and center seats on the aircraft, which is consistent with the FAA guidelines for car seat placement.
The pros and cons of the CARES Harness
We used the CARES Harness with some success when our girls were between 18 months and 3 years old. There is no question small children are more secure in a harness than just a lap belt. In the event of severe turbulence, kids will remain firmly strapped to their seat.
However, we found the CARES Harness to be no match for the comfort of a car seat. Both of my daughters slept better in a car seat on the plane than in a CARES Harness. For a short flight, this may not be a real issue. But on a longer flight, it's definitely something to consider if your child sleeps well in a car seat.
Another reason the CARES Harness may not work for you? If you splurge to sit in lie-flat seats with your toddler, many are not compatible with the harness. Check with your carrier directly about the use of a CARES Harness if you are in a premium seat.
Of course, it's important to also check if an airline's standard seat is wide enough to accommodate a car seat. If it's not, or there's another reason you can't logistically bring a car seat, the CARES Harness may be the right choice.
Looking for more tips and tricks for traveling with young children? We've got guides for flying with three-month-olds, six-month-olds, eight-month-olds and toddlers, to name a few!
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| 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. |
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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.