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The Car Seat Dilemma in the UK

Aug. 01, 2016
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3 min read
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The Car Seat Dilemma in the UK
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Oh car seat. How I love you for keeping my children safe and comfortable, but how I hate you for how complicated you can make family travel with little ones. We had escaped the carseat dilemma for a while as our six year old grew out of a traditional car seat and our baby cruised along very easily in the Doona that switches effortlessly from a car seat to a stroller and back again.

But, our baby is now a one year old (almost) toddler, and the Doona is officially maxed out. She still fits in it technically, but not only is she pushing the upper limit for the size limits, but it increasingly is not ideal for a stroller because she literally dangles out of it, and it isn't a fully upright ride. In other words, it still works for short trips around town, but it sadly isn't really appropriate for long haul excursions anymore. Sniff, sniff.

We have a big international trip to the UK on the horizon, and I have to decide what to do about the car seat, no car seat, Doona, or stroller dilemma. I don't think it is feasible from a logistical "stuff" stand point to bring both the Doona and another stroller, although I would love to have a stroller for longer walks and sightseeing adventures and the Doona for when we are on shorter jaunts in and out of cabs.

We aren't renting a car on this trip and only have one potentially longer cab ride back to the airport, a ride where we can request a car service with a child seat. We will be within walking distance to many activities in both London and Edinburgh where a real stroller would be handy. We will also likely use the Underground while in London at times where a car seat obviously isn't an issue. However, I know we will have some short cab rides at times because...um, time zone changes, a one year old, a six year old, and tired adults. Need I say more.

While it is legal there to travel in a cab with an unrestrained little one, obviously that isn't the safest method of transport. While a couple of cab companies in London used to be known for having child seats available, that doesn't really seem to be the case anymore. There also sadly doesn't seem to be an UberFamily option the way there is in some US cities.

So, to cut to the the chase, we either have a safer option for Baby S on our few short cab rides, or we have a better stroller option for our time on foot. On the one hand safety is paramount, and of course the Doona is the winner so she can be secured in cabs. On the other hand, we are talking probably a combined 30 minutes in cabs versus hours and hours in a stroller.

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Good stroller? Or good car seat?

There really is no easy answer, and at T-minus just a few days until departure and counting I cannot decide what to do because both options present real downsides.

So, I turn to you...especially if you have recent experience with little ones in London and Edinburgh. How did you solve the car seat/stroller dilemma for your trip with a baby or toddler?

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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)

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  • 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.