Quick Summary
- Pre booking child seats and other extras online usually gives better availability and clearer pricing.
- Adding extras at pick up is possible, but items are never guaranteed and can work out more expensive at the counter.
- For toll passes, compare daily programme fees with your route and consider using your own transponder where local rules allow.
Why timing matters for child seats and extras
In busy US hubs such as Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, families often reach the rental counter to find that every child seat has already been allocated. Extras like GPS units or cool boxes are stocked in limited numbers, so waiting until you arrive means relying on whatever is still on the shelf rather than what your family actually needs.
Benefits of pre booking extras online
In most cases it is better to arrange your car hire extras online at the same time as your vehicle. You can see the full price of your trip in advance, including charges for child seats, additional drivers and protection packages, instead of having surprises added as you sign at the desk. Hola Car Rentals passes your requests to partners such as Alamo, Budget and Hertz so they can plan stock, and many deals include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up.
Pre booking is particularly important for younger travellers who need rear facing or toddler seats, because these are the first to sell out on popular Orlando family road trips and other school holiday journeys. Locking the request in early gives you the best chance of finding the right size safely installed and ready to go.
When it is fine to add extras at pick up
Adding extras at the counter can still work if you are travelling outside peak dates, driving alone or only want something nice to have such as a GPS unit. For a short work trip or quick stop in Las Vegas, you might simply rely on your phone and focus your budget on cover and fuel instead of gadgets. If you prefer flexibility, Hola Car Rentals lets you edit many bookings online so you can trim extras before arrival if plans change.
Think about how often you will actually use each item. For example, if your route from the airport to the hotel is straightforward and you already know the way, that extra screen on the dashboard may not earn its daily fee. On the other hand, for longer Las Vegas desert detours or unfamiliar city streets, a pre booked sat nav can still be worth the money.
Toll passes and transponders in the US
Toll roads are common around Florida, New York and California, and many now operate without cash booths. Rental companies offer toll programmes that add a daily service fee on top of each toll. These passes can be convenient if you will be driving toll roads most days, for example on regular Miami toll road drives or commuting routes around big cities.
If you only expect to pass one or two gantries during a week, that daily fee can quickly overtake the tolls themselves. Some drivers bring a personal transponder and register the plate, while others prefer to pay individual tolls online afterwards. Before you choose, check which roads on your plan are tolled and do a quick cost comparison, especially if your itinerary includes busy corridors or bridge crossings.
How Hola Car Rentals helps you choose
Hola Car Rentals makes it easier to compare extras side by side. On each route you can see which accessories are available, how much they cost per day, and what is already included in the All Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage and even cashback on tolls on selected itineraries. That clarity helps you budget and avoid paying twice for similar cover.
Planning classic Pacific Coast drives or Los Angeles airport runs? Reserve essentials such as child seats and additional drivers in advance, then decide on smaller add ons when you see the car. For quieter rural journeys with few tolls you may skip passes altogether, keeping more of your spend for fuel and food while still enjoying the security and flexibility of booking with Hola Car Rentals.
FAQs
Do I really need to pre book a child seat online?
You do not have to, but child seats are never guaranteed if you wait until the counter. Pre booking through Hola Car Rentals sends a clear request to the rental desk and gives you a much better chance than asking at the last minute.
Is it cheaper to add extras at pick up?
Counter prices sometimes match online offers but rarely undercut them. The bigger saving usually comes from avoiding unnecessary extras, which is easier when you can see transparent pricing for each item before you travel.
Should I bring my own child seat to the US?
Bringing your own seat can work well because your child already knows the fit and straps. Check that it meets local safety rules in the state you are visiting and allow extra time at the airport to install it securely in your hire car before you start driving.
Why book my extras with Hola Car Rentals?
Hola Car Rentals gives you clear pricing on extras, All Inclusive+ protection with strong liability limits on many routes and free cancellation up to 48 hours before collection, so you can shape your booking around your family and budget with confidence.
