Can I Use My Sunpass in a Rental Car

When you rent a car, there are almost always costs not included in the advertised price. Sales tax. Vehicle license recovery fee. Customer facility charge. Concession recovery fee. Parking surcharge. Insurance charge. An added fee if you're under 25 years old. An added fee for additional drivers. Upcharges for satellite radio and car seats. Stuff like that. In Orlando, as is the case in other cities, the cost of a toll transponder is often quietly added on, as well. And folks, it ain't cheap!

The Orlando area toll roads include:

• SR 91/Florida Turnpike
• SR 408/Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
• SR 417/Greeneway
• SR 429/Western Beltway
• CR 522/Osceola Parkway
• SR 528/Beachline (CAREFUL! They have a HUGE toll that will be starting any moment now, if you wind up in the wrong lanes. Click here for more info)

All of the above roads primarily use electronic payment so if you stay straight on the road and get to a toll, you need a transponder to pay for the (electronic) toll. Most (but not all!) of the roads still offer a cash option if you merge to the right side of the road (if you look at the right side of the photo above, which is where the non-electronic payments are, the toll booth with the blue sign is unmanned and only takes exact change; the ones with green signs are manned, and they can take bills and can give change. None of the booths take credit cards). After you've paid your toll with money, your "pay by cash" road merges back to the main road. There are also blue/unmanned/change only booths for some entrances and exits of the toll roads (because they don't just charge you while you're on the road, they also can charge you to enter and exit it, as well), but many nowadays ONLY have an electronic option. Oh, and if you go through an electronic/cashless toll and don't have a transponder, they record your license plate and bill you that way.

Orlando is the largest rental car market in the world, with most of the major car rental companies located on-site at Orlando International Airport (MCO), without the need for a shuttle bus to pick up your rental car. Here's a breakdown of the largest car rental companies at or near MCO and what they say about paying for tolls with toll transponders:

Advantage Rent A Car

Advantage had been using Plate Pass, then switched to E-Z Toll, and then was back to Plate Pass again, But as per Plate Pass, they are no longer covering Advantage Rent-A-Car. When I called Advantage (3 times on 6/4/21), none of their representatives could tell me what company was providing their toll service; only that the cost was $9.99 per day – I *think* that was on top of the actual tolls you incur, but they really weren't very clear on the phone.

According to the 3 representatives I spoke to, even if you had a SunPass, E-Zpass or another transponder that would work in Florida, you could not "switch" to your transponder of choice; you would have to use Advantage's mystery toll billing company. BUYER BEWARE!

Alamo

Alamo uses TollPass and, as per their website, the car rental program is offered in different ways, depending on where you rent.

• Northeast United States
• Chicago Metropolitan Area
• Golden Gate Bridge and Northern California Bay Area
• Southern California
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Colorado, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington State, Puerto Rico, and Ontario, Canada

For Florida, the cost is $3.95 per usage day, not to exceed $19.75 per rental period,plus the actual tolls you incur. There is no TollPass Convenience Charge on rental days that you don't use a toll road.

You can avoid the convenience fee and any other charges by paying the toll in cash, using your own electronic toll device (contact your transponder issuer  prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle), or avoiding any cashless toll road or passage.

Avis

Avis uses the e-Toll program. Avis e-Toll is offered in 23 states, including Florida. This is what they say about tolls in Florida:

In the state of Florida. You are responsible for payment of all tolls incurred during the rental period.  Avis offers an optional service called e-Toll that allows customers to use electronic toll lanes on highways, bridges, tunnels and other tolled passages.  All Avis vehicles are pre-equipped to electronically process tolls.  Unless you directly pay the toll yourself as described below (see "Opting Out of e-Toll"), you will automatically opt-into e-Toll and pay the fees described herein if you drive through an electronic toll.e-Toll fees (Standard):  If you use the e-Toll service at any time during your rental, you agree to pay a convenience fee of $5.95 for each day on which you incur a toll up to a maximum amount of $29.75 per rental period (not to exceed 30 days). In addition, you will pay all tolls incurred at the maximum prevailing non-discounted or cash rates posted by the toll authority.e-Toll Unlimited:  Avis also offers e-Toll Unlimited, which includes the cost of tolls and convenience fees.  If you choose e-Toll Unlimited, you agree to pay a daily flat fee of $10.99 – $25.99, depending on checkout location, for each day of the rental period, regardless of whether or not you incur any tolls, up to a maximum of $54.95 – $129.95 per week.  e-Toll Unlimited must be selected at the time you reserve or check out your vehicle, otherwise you agree to pay the standard e-Toll fees if you use the e-Toll service.Opting Out of e-Toll:  If you do not choose e-Toll Unlimited, you may avoid the standard e-Toll fees on any day during the term of the rental if you ensure the transponder shield box is in the "closed" position and you (i) pay cash for all tolls, (ii) use your own adequately funded, properly mounted and compatible electronic toll device to pay for all tolls, (iii) pay the toll authority directly through any available online or other service according to the toll authority's rules and requirements; or (iv) avoid electronic toll roads or passages.Toll Administrator:  If you use the standard e-Toll service, a third party toll program administrator (the "Toll Administrator") contracted by Avis will process payment of each electronic toll that you incur during the term of the rental and charge your credit/debit card for the amount of tolls and convenience fees set forth above.  Regardless of the service you choose, you agree that, in connection with e-Toll, we may share your personal information, (including your address, credit card/debit information, and other rental information) with the Toll Administrator. You also authorize the Toll Administrator and Avis to charge your credit/debit card for all e-Toll fees described above based on the option that you select. You agree that the Toll Administrator may contact you directly regarding the e-Toll fees. The e-Toll fees may take 4-8 weeks after the rental concludes to be billed to your credit card/debit card on file. You agree to indemnify and hold us, the Toll Administrator, and any other agent we authorize harmless for any fines, charges or administrative fees incurred for any toll violations for which you may be liable. e-Toll does not cover airport parking. Customers must use a personal transponder or another approved payment method to pay for parking.

Budget

Budget uses e-Toll. From their website:

In the state of Florida. You are responsible for payment of all tolls incurred during the rental period.  Budget offers an optional service called e-Toll that allows customers to use electronic toll lanes on highways, bridges, tunnels and other tolled passages.  All Budget vehicles are pre-equipped to electronically process tolls.  Unless you directly pay the toll yourself as described below (see "Opting Out of e-Toll"), you will automatically opt-into e-Toll and pay the fees described herein if you drive through an electronic toll.e-Toll fees (Standard):  If you use the e-Toll service at any time during your rental, you agree to pay a convenience fee of $5.95 for each day on which you incur a toll up to a maximum amount of $29.75 per rental period (not to exceed 30 days). In addition, you will pay all tolls incurred at the maximum prevailing non-discounted or cash rates posted by the toll authority.e-Toll Unlimited:  Budget also offers e-Toll Unlimited, which includes the cost of tolls and convenience fees.  If you choose e-Toll Unlimited, you agree to pay a flat daily fee of $10.99 -$25.99, depending on checkout location, for each day of the rental period, regardless of whether or not you incur any tolls, up to a maximum of $54.95 – $129.95 per week.  e-Toll Unlimited must be selected at the time you reserve or check out your vehicle, otherwise you agree to pay the standard e-Toll fees if you use the e-Toll service.Opting Out of e-Toll:  If you do not choose e-Toll Unlimited, you may avoid the standard e-Toll fees on any day during the term of the rental if you ensure the transponder shield box is in the "closed" position and you (i) pay cash for all tolls, (ii) use your own adequately funded, properly mounted and compatible electronic toll device to pay for all tolls, (iii) pay the toll authority directly through any available online or other service according to the toll authority's rules and requirements; or (iv) avoid electronic toll roads or passages.Toll Administrator:  If you use the standard e-Toll service, a third party toll program administrator (the "Toll Administrator") contracted by Budget will process payment of each electronic toll that you incur during the term of the rental and charge your credit/debit card for the amount of tolls and convenience fees set forth above.  Regardless of the service you choose, you agree that, in connection with e-Toll, we may share your personal information, (including your address, credit card/debit information, and other rental information) with the Toll Administrator. You also authorize the Toll Administrator and Budget to charge your credit/debit card for all e-Toll fees described above based on the option that you select. You agree that the Toll Administrator may contact you directly regarding the e-Toll fees. The e-Toll fees may take 4-8 weeks after the rental concludes to be billed to your credit card/debit card on file. You agree to indemnify and hold us, the Toll Administrator, and any other agent we authorize harmless for any fines, charges or administrative fees incurred for any toll violations for which you may be liable. e-Toll does not cover airport parking. Customers must use a personal transponder or another approved payment method to pay for parking.

Dollar Car Rental

Dollar uses Plate Pass Automated Toll Payment. The charge for Plate Pass used to be on their website, but is no longer found; it's only described as a "low daily rate" (I tried to call to find out how much it was, but after 45 minutes on hold, I gave up. When I called to ask in January 2020, "Rob" said it's, "only $5.95 per day"). You must opt-in or decline this service at the time of reservation or at the rental counter. If you decline PlatePass at the start of the rental period, but still use electronic toll roads and/or bridges during the rental period (including "cashless" or "all electronic" toll roads and bridges), you will be liable for and will be charged for: (a) all tolls incurred for such use (at the highest, undiscounted applicable toll rate); (b) a $15 administrative fee for each toll incurred (in Florida & Boston it's $9.99 per occurrence, subject to a $90 cap for such toll-related administrative fees for the rental period); and (c) all other applicable toll charges or fees, if any.

I don't know if or how they take having your own transponder into consideration. Again, I tried to call and ask, since it's nowhere to be found on their website, but after being on hold for 45 minutes, I gave up.

Enterprise

Enterprise uses TollPass and, as per their website, the car rental program is offered in different ways, depending on where you rent.

• Northeast United States
• Chicago Metropolitan Area
• Golden Gate Bridge and Northern California Bay Area
• Southern California
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Colorado, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington State, Puerto Rico, and Ontario, Canada

For Florida, the cost is $3.95 per usage day, not to exceed $19.75 per rental period,plus the cost of the tolls you go through. There is no TollPass Convenience Charge on rental days that you don't use a toll road.

You can avoid the convenience fee and any other charges by paying the toll in cash, using your own electronic toll device (contact your transponder issuer  prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle), or avoiding any cashless toll road or passage.

Fox Rental Car

Fox is off MCO property – they have a shuttle to get to/from the airport. Fox uses PlatePass All-Inclusive Service, which costs $11.99 per day, with a maximum charge of 15 rental days. Plus the cost of your tolls.

From their website: "If you choose not to purchase the optional PlatePass All-Inclusive service at the commencement of your rental, and you utilize a PlatePass Toll Road, then you will be charged a USD/15 admin fee per toll (USD/90 maximum per rental agreement) plus the price of the toll and fees from the tolling authority."

You are able to use your own electronic toll device. To do so, you must contact your transponder issuer  prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle.

Hertz Car Rental

Hertz uses Plate Pass Automated Toll Payment. The charge for the transponder is $4.95, on top of the actual tolls you have to pay. Your opt-in decision is made when you elect to use an electronic-only lane – it's billed automatically to all drivers who use an eligible cashless toll road, and they charge you every day of your rental, whether you use a toll road each day or not.

You can use your own transponder instead of Plate Pass:

To avoid using PlatePass: (1) If your rental vehicle includes a transponder, make sure it remains secured within the shield box, with the shield box closed and (2) pay all tolls with cash, with your personal toll transponder (where permitted) compatible with the toll road, or directly to the toll authority (where permitted). Some tollways without cash lanes permit payment in other ways and at other times. Toll authorities sometimes change their toll payment options. Check with the applicable toll authority to learn all payment options.

We'd recommend contacting your transponder issuer  prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle.

National

National uses TollPass, which costs $3.95 per usage day, not to exceed $19.75 per rental period, plus the cost of the tolls you incur. There is no TollPass Convenience Charge on rental days that you don't use a toll road.

You can use your own transponder – contact your transponder issuer prior to driving on toll roads  to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle

Payless Car Rental

Payless uses the e-Toll program. As per their website, Payless e-Toll is offered in 23 states. Here's what they have to say about paying for tolls in Florida:

In the state of Florida. You are responsible for payment of all tolls incurred during the rental period.  Payless offers an optional service called e-Toll that allows customers to use electronic toll lanes on highways, bridges, tunnels and other tolled passages.  All Payless vehicles are pre-equipped to electronically process tolls.  Unless you directly pay the toll yourself as described below (see "Opting Out of e-Toll"), you will automatically opt-into e-Toll and pay the fees described herein if you drive through an electronic toll.e-Toll fees (Standard):  If you use the e-Toll service at any time during your rental, you agree to pay a convenience fee of $6.95 for each day on which you incur a toll up to a maximum amount of $34.75 per rental period (not to exceed 30 days). In addition, you will pay all tolls incurred at the maximum prevailing non-discounted or cash rates posted by the toll authority.e-Toll Unlimited:  Payless  also offers e-Toll Unlimited, which includes the cost of tolls and convenience fees.  If you choose e-Toll Unlimited, you agree to pay a flat daily fee of $10.99 -$25.99, depending on checkout location, for each day of the rental period, regardless of whether or not you incur any tolls, up to a maximum of $54.95 – $129.95 per week.  e-Toll Unlimited must be selected at the time you reserve or check out your vehicle, otherwise you agree to pay the standard e-Toll fees if you use the e-Toll service.Opting Out of e-Toll:  If you do not choose e-Toll Unlimited, you may avoid the standard e-Toll fees on any day during the term of the rental if you ensure the transponder shield box is in the "closed" position and you (i) pay cash for all tolls, (ii) use your own adequately funded, properly mounted and compatible electronic toll device to pay for all tolls, (iii) pay the toll authority directly through any available online or other service according to the toll authority's rules and requirements; or (iv) avoid electronic toll roads or passages.Toll Administrator:  If you use the standard e-Toll service, a third party toll program administrator (the "Toll Administrator") contracted by Payless will process payment of each electronic toll that you incur during the term of the rental and charge your credit/debit card for the amount of tolls and convenience fees set forth above.  Regardless of the service you choose, you agree that, in connection with e-Toll, we may share your personal information, (including your address, credit card/debit information, and other rental information) with the Toll Administrator. You also authorize the Toll Administrator and Payless to charge your credit/debit card for all e-Toll fees described above based on the option that you select. You agree that the Toll Administrator may contact you directly regarding the e-Toll fees. The e-Toll fees may take 4-8 weeks after the rental concludes to be billed to your credit card/debit card on file. You agree to indemnify and hold us, the Toll Administrator, and any other agent we authorize harmless for any fines, charges or administrative fees incurred for any toll violations for which you may be liable. e-Toll does not cover airport parking. Customers must use a personal transponder or another approved payment method to pay for parking.

SIXT

SIXT is off MCO property – they have a shuttle to get to/from the airport. SIXT offers different toll services to assist with paying for tolls hassle-free in all states, but doesn't give any specifics for any of them.

They do allow you to use your own transponder:

We welcome renters to use their own transponders during their rentals. If you opt to use your own transponder in one of our Northeast states, please ensure that our transponder box is closed so that our transponder is not activated during your trip. In all other states, please make sure to contact your transponder provider to ensure your unit works in the state(s) you are traveling in and that your rental vehicle is registered on your account.

*Always refer to the terms and conditions of your transponder provider for specific information on how to properly use your transponder during a rental.

We used Sixt for the first time when we were in Texas not too long ago, but had no tolls to go through, so we didn't sign up for the program. PROCEED WITH CAUTION, READ ALL OF THE FINE PRINT and MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR TOLLS before accepting a rental car with Sixt Rent A Car.

Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty uses Plate Pass Automated Toll Payment. The charge for Plate Pass used to be on their website, but is no longer found; it's only described as a "low daily rate" (I called and was told it varies from $8.99 to $21.49 per day and she could not give me a specific price for Florida).  You must opt-in or decline this service at the time of reservation or at the rental counter. If you decline PlatePass at the start of the rental period, but still use electronic toll roads and/or bridges during the rental period (including "cashless" or "all electronic" toll roads and bridges), you will be liable for and will be charged for: (a) all tolls incurred for such use (at the highest, undiscounted applicable toll rate); (b) a $15 administrative fee for each toll incurred (in Florida & Boston it's $9.99 per occurrence, subject to a $90 cap for such toll-related administrative fees for the rental period); and (c) all other applicable toll charges or fees, if any.

Thrifty does not mention the option of using your own transponder instead of their Plate Pass system.

Heads up that for almost all of these companies, if you opt-out of using their toll transponder and you wind up going through an electronic toll, they will charge you a huge penalty (sorry, they call it an "administrative fee") – upwards of $15 PER TOLL.

How Can You Avoid Paying Some Of These Crazy Charges?

1. Bring your own transponder (for most, but not all car rental companies). There are a few transponders from other areas of Florida, as well as parts of Georgia and North Carolina, that are interchangeable with SunPass. Below are the ones listed on SunPass's website. IMPORTANT! : Joy of joys, effective September 1, 2018, E-Z Pass can now be used on Central Florida Expressway Authority roadways! And effective May 28,2021, it can be used throughout the rest of the state!
2. If you want to avoid cashless toll roads and thus only avoid the crazy "administrative fees," do your homework before you get to Orlando. Know where you will want to go and how to get there (i.e. Google SR528, SR429 etc.). If you're going to incur toll roads in your travels, check with the websites of each road and see if cashless tolls are unavoidable (The 408 and 528 are the quickest and easiest ways to go between Orlando International Airport/MCO and the Disney/Universal/theme parks and convention/International Drive areas, and both have cash options all the way through to/from these places – but not necessarily at any exit in between them).
3. I know it sounds kind of obvious, but if you want to avoid tolls and possible administrative fees altogether, don't take toll roads. It CAN be done in the Orlando area…just be prepared to spend lots of extra time on the road (i.e. with no traffic backups, it will take about 30 minutes, give or take, to go between MCO and WDW if you use the 417 or 528, but a good 60 to 75 minutes if you take surface streets and non-toll roads).
4. Consider purchasing a SunPass transponder of your own (for car rental companies that allow you to use your own transponder). They cost $19.99, plus a required minimum initial balance of $10, but you have the option of canceling your account when you get back home and getting your pre-loaded money back (or you can keep it for your next trips to Central FL).
   If you have your own SunPass, you may get a hefty discount for each toll you go through.
   You can purchase your transponder by mail and have it delivered (if you have a U.S. address), or you can buy it in person once you've landed in Orlando. SunPasses are available in Central Florida at Walgreens pharmacy, Publix supermarket, CVS Pharmacy and AAA Auto Club South. If you want to buy one after you've landed at MCO and avoid tolls until you purchase it, the closest locations are Walgreens (5702 Lee Vista Blvd.), which about 3 miles north of the airport, and Publix (4042 S. Semoran Blvd.) which is about 5 miles north of MCO. IMPORTANT! If you buy the transponder in Orlando as soon as you arrive, please note it takes several hours for your Sunpass balance to reflect the money you've put into your account – as per SunPass: "Please wait until 6:00 AM of the morning following activation before using your SunPass. After 6:00 AM of the morning following activation, your SunPass will work on all Florida toll roads and most bridges." So if you land at 2pm, buy your transponder at 3pm and go through an electronic toll at 3:30pm, YOUR SUNPASS ACCOUNT MAY NOT HAVE MONEY IN IT YET and you may incur whatever fees & charges your car rental company lists. Purchasing your transponder by mail, ahead of time, will alleviate this issue.
   IMPORTANT INFO AS PER SUNPASS'S WEBSITE:

   SunPass customers using a rental vehicle may have their tolls applied to their SunPass account. Customers with SunPass Portable transponders may use their transponders in their rental vehicles. (It is strongly recommended that SunPass customers access their online SunPass accounts or contact the SunPass Customer Service Center to add the rental vehicle subscription to their account for the rental period.) If the transponder is not in your vehicle or functioning properly, tolls from other agencies will not be posted to your SunPass account, and may be charged to you by the rental Service Provider. Please remember to remove your transponder upon return of the vehicle. SunPass customers that do not have their transponders in the vehicle are subject to the tolls, fees and charges set forth below and in their rental agreements.

   SunPass also sells stickers for $4.95 but once attached to your rental car, you can't take it with you when your rental period is complete.

5. The Central Florida Expressway Authority had been piloting a new automated toll payment solution for select visitors to Florida who are renting a car from the Orlando International Airport. The program allows car renters to refuse the rental car companies' toll transponder, thereby saving them the cost of transponder and/or penalties – YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE TOLLS INCURRED. The program was suspended due to COVID, but has now been permanently reinstated, with a new twist – watch this space for when we report on it!

Renting a car in Orlando has its advantages – you have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want during your vacation/holiday. However, the costs of car rentals can be a bit ridiculous. Hopefully, this article can help you avoid some of the more ridiculousness.

Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.

Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and get emailed notifications of when we post. Or maybe you'd like to join our Facebook group – we have 22,000+ members and we talk and ask questions about travel (including Disney parks), creative ways to earn frequent flyer miles and hotel points, how to save money on or for your trips, get access to travel articles you may not see otherwise, etc. Whether you've read our posts before or this is the first time you're stopping by, we're really glad you're here and hope you come back to visit again!

This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

Related

Can I Use My Sunpass in a Rental Car

Source: https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2021/06/05/how-to-avoid-crazy-toll-charges-when-renting-a-car-in-orlando/

Share this post