Customer requesting a child seat add-on at the car rental counter, ensuring safety for their family car hire.

Adding GPS units and child seats at the rental counter in the USA

Forgot to reserve a GPS, child seat or other extras before your US rental? This guide from Hola Car Rentals explains ...

5 min de lecture

Quick Summary

  • Extras such as GPS units and child seats are often available at the counter, but they are never guaranteed if you did not request them in advance.
  • Last minute extras can cost more and may be in short supply during busy seasons, especially at family holiday hubs.
  • Hola Car Rentals lets you request accessories when booking, shows you the costs clearly and includes flexible deals with free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up on many routes.

How extras are handled in US rental locations

Rental companies treat items such as child seats, boosters, GPS units and mobile Wi Fi devices as accessories that sit on the shelf rather than as part of the basic vehicle. That means there is only a limited number at each branch, and availability can change quickly as flights arrive and depart. If you wait until you are standing at the counter to ask for something important, there is always a chance the last unit has just gone to another driver.

When you book through Hola Car Rentals you will see a section for optional extras during the booking flow. Selecting what you need tells the supplier to hold equipment for you, even though the legal wording still usually calls this a request. If you are flying into Miami, checking the extras section on Hola Car Rentals car rental offers as you book is the best way to give the depot time to prepare what your family needs.

Adding a child seat at the counter

Child seats and boosters are the most time sensitive extras because they are tied to safety laws rather than convenience. During school holidays, multiple families may land at once, and the stock of smaller seats can empty very quickly. If no suitable seat is available, it may be illegal or unsafe to drive your young child away, so it really pays to plan ahead.

Even when seats are available at short notice, counter prices can be higher than the rate shown during online booking. At busy hubs such as the family minivan pick up in Orlando, taking a moment to reserve seats in advance means staff can fit them more efficiently and you can check straps and buckles before you leave the garage. Some parents choose to bring their own approved seats instead, especially for babies and toddlers, and Hola Car Rentals pages and confirmations will remind you to check airline rules if you plan to do this.

To understand how local rules work, you can read Hola Car Rentals child seat availability guide before you fly. Knowing the age and height thresholds in your destination will make it much easier to ask for the correct size at the counter and avoid fines or unsafe set ups.

Adding GPS and other technology extras on arrival

Navigation units, Wi Fi hotspots and similar gadgets are usually easier to add at the last minute than child seats, but they can still run out. Staff may also need a few minutes to test a device, find the correct cables and show you the basics. When a long queue is building in a place like the Las Vegas airport queue, everyone benefits if your booking already says what you need.

If you decide at the counter that you would like a GPS unit after all, ask politely whether one is available and confirm the daily price before you agree. It can help to compare that price against the cost of using your smartphone with a roaming bundle or local SIM, especially for shorter trips.

For some travellers, it is easiest to bundle everything together from the start. Hola Car Rentals All Inclusive plus deals on selected itineraries may include extras such as navigation and toll programmes alongside maximum cover. Because many of these offers also include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, you can adjust extras ahead of time if your plans or travel party change.

Should you ever wait to add extras

Sometimes it does make sense to decide later. If you are not sure whether you will really need a Wi Fi device, or you are waiting to see how much luggage your friends bring, you can leave these optional conveniences until the counter as long as you are comfortable with the risk that they may sell out. Just avoid delaying safety items such as child seats, which should always be confirmed as early as possible.

Whatever you choose, keep all extra charges on the same paperwork as the vehicle contract and check the cost per day, not just the total. That will make it easier to compare future offers and to make use of Hola Car Rentals support team if anything looks different from what you originally expected.

FAQs

Can I add a child seat at the rental counter if I forgot to book one?

Often you can, but it depends entirely on stock at that location when you arrive. For safety reasons it is always best to request a suitable seat at the time of booking through Hola Car Rentals so the depot can plan ahead.

Are GPS devices always available as a last minute extra?

GPS units are more likely to be available than child seats, but they are still limited. At popular holiday hubs they can sell out for certain dates, so you should not rely completely on picking one up on the day, especially in peak seasons.

Will I pay more for extras if I only add them on arrival?

Prices at the counter can be the same or higher than those shown online, and you may feel more pressure to agree quickly when other travellers are waiting behind you. Checking costs in advance with Hola Car Rentals and adding important items during booking is usually the most economical approach.

How can Hola Car Rentals help me organise extras for my trip?

Hola Car Rentals clearly displays which extras are available at each location and lets you request them while you book, often as part of an All Inclusive plus package with maximum cover. When you are ready to organise your next journey, reserve with Hola Car Rentals so your seats, GPS units and other accessories are all arranged before you walk up to the counter.