Paying tolls with a rental car
 

Some friends are coming to Florida next month. They are flying into Orlando and will be renting a car. They plan on going all over the state so they are concerned about toll roads. They do not have an EZ Pass and they asked me if they should buy the rental car company's Toll Pass Convenience service. It costs about $6.00 a day plus tolls.

I suggested that they buy the EZ Pass before coming to Florida. Depending on where you get them, they are free.

However, after further research, I saw something called the Visitor Toll Pass. I had never heard of it before.

You get it at the Orlando airport ($10 deposit that is refunded when you return it) and it works like EZ Pass. You just hang it from your rearview mirror. It works at all toll roads in Florida and you get charged the lowest toll rate! It says no hidden or extra fees.

It sounds too good to be true. Has anyone used it?

Visitor Toll Pass | Visit Orlando

If they do that make sure they can block the Rental Car's transponder. Years ago, I paid a double toll on a trip.

Did they refund your money??

No they will not refund the money because you are fighting the rental company who makes easy money. It depends on who you rent from, some have built in toll, which they say they will not activate, but they are. So double tolls.

If you go on websites for rental companies they may or may not give you the info on their toll

I am not sure how the buying an EZ pass ahead of time will, ours required adding the vehicle license plate to the transponder when we registered the transponder, and you will not have the rental car license plate until you get here. Then remember you need to REMOVE the license plate from your account when you leave.

I don't think you need the license plate for the EZ Pass to work. It reads the EZ Pass. However, you can add the license plate of the rental car while you are at the airport. But you have to take it it with you when you return the car! Or if you forget, go online and delete the EZ Pass account or call EZ Pass!

I saw this on the internet.

Technically, you’re supposed to add the rental car’s license plate to your E-ZPass account. In our experience, you don’t have to. Just make sure you firmly hold your transponder up to the center of your windshield. If for some reason the toll plaza doesn’t read your transponder, it’ll bill the rental car company anyway.

If the rental company has a transponder in the windshield on suction cups. Remove it wrap in foil. Then use easy pass

No, I gave up fighting after a few months. It was actually an argument with the turnpike authority. They said I didn't register my transponder to the rental car. But it was a company trip, and I worked the double charge into my expense account:laugh:

Has anyone used the Visitor Pass? Or know anyone who used it??

Look up Sunpass.com. They could order now. They have to add a credit card and I think the license plate which they should be able to do on the internet at the airport. I think some grocery stores may sell this at customer service. Probably sold at the airport too. I think the cost is about $5.

They don't sell it at the airport.

Orlando International and Orlando Sanford do not offer the option to buy a SunPass at the airport. However, you can purchase a SunPass online before you head to Florida, or you can find them at rest stops, Florida Welcome Centres, Amscot, and so on. You can use the SunPass for tolls, and also for parking.


There is a one-time fee for the transponder device, which is either $4.99 for the SunPass Mini or $14.95 for the SunPass PRO, plus tax.

It seems that the Visitor Pass would be cheaper. It is free but there is a $10 refundable deposit.

The Florida toll system accepts transponders from many if not most of the states east of the Mississippi River. Check their website for details. If they live in a state that has reciprocity, just have them bring their current transponder. No need to register the rental car as long as the transponder works. And yes, bring some foil to cover the transponder in the rental.

We have both, EZ pass and Sunpass which I had for many years of FL rentals before EZ pass was accepted. SunPass is the better option as you don't have to add the license plate, but you can online with the app. . and you can keep it and reuse it on any car. . and get it online or at the different places mentioned above

Good to confirm options ahead of time.
My experience, recognize the days of paying at a toll both are essentially gone, but not sure of the areas they will visit. If the renter goes through a toll bridge/both, etc, there is a fee assigned to every day of the rental, plus the tolls accumulated on the way. Eveb if the toll was for one time, ouch!! The service was not managed by Hertz in my case but was managed by another party.
Please confirm a post when the final/best option is selected so we can benefit from your research.

Rented Avis in PA in June, agent advised I should register my ezPass. I didn't, for 4 days, then I did. Talking to the ezPass agent he advised that they usually have a 2-3 day grace period for registration. Then they bill the rental company (by license plate) and they have the option to eat it or pass it on with appropriate fees. When I asked for the rationale he said that when the transponder doesn't match the license plate (they have a data base that does that I assume) their options include consider the transponder was stolen and would therefore turn if off or assume it was probably ok and bill to the plate and leave the rental car company deal with it. He did say that when they bill the rental car companies they always pay. Your experience may vary depending on what state your ezPass is in. I'm still waiting for Avis to bill me but the tolls I ran up were less than 10 bucks so assume I won't be.

They live out west. They don't have EZ Pass in their state.

You are an optimist!!

I hate car rental companies. They are dogs.

I rent cars very often at MCO (Hertz). The vehicles no longer have a transponder on the windshield. The tolling is done by plate during your rental period and you are billed directly to your credit card for the tolls plus convenience fee a few weeks following the return of the rental. Using an EZ pass or SunPass in the rental may lead to double payment.

As someone who travels the turnpike regularly with rental cars for work, it depends on how long they’re gonna be staying in the villages and staying off the turnpike. If they’re coming for 7 days, however, only need to travel the turnpike for 2 days I would not recommend buying the toll pass for the rental car company. They do toll by plate, which means after a few days if you turn in your rental car, you’ll get another bill for the turnpike charges charge your credit card at the rental car company. It’s not that much more than having a transponder and getting the discount. If they are gonna be traveling a toll road every day while in Florida, I would recommend just buying the tow pass from the rental car company and let them take care of it.

double pay
 

yes talk to car rental happened to me -

If they do that make sure they can block the Rental Car's transponder. Years ago, I paid a double toll on a trip

A family member used this service at MCO. Described the pick up and drop off of the device similar to a Redbox movie and had no issues.

Check to see if they have a pass already from where they live. I thimk the EZ pass from NJ works too
FL Sunpass works in GA , so do some research on it

Visitor toll pass rental cars to expensive

The SunPass mini must be attached to the windshield. Once it is removed it is voided. Get the regular SunPass and remove it before you return the rental car. Cancel the plate online. Easy!

Then they have it for the future. A new SunPass is avaothat works on most of the toll roads east of the Mississippi. Check the coverage on line. Also look at EZ Pass.

Yes, we used visitor pass
 

We signed up at a kiosk at MCO on the way to picking up our rental car. We had previously been heavily overcharged by rental companies so we now always verify at time of rental that we do NOT want their transponder on. Getting the visitor pass was quick and easy and worked like a charm. No problems at all. You must remember to return your pass to get your deposit back. There's a place to deposit it after you return your rental on the way to airport. But even if you forget, the $10 is most likely less than the rental car company add-ons.

At this point, the Visitor Toll Pass seems to be the best choice.

I will tell them to use the Visitor Toll Pass and to be sure to cancel the rental car transponder.

P.S. I am amazed at how many people get double billed for tolls!

Thanks for your assistance!

I purchased a UNI off of Amazon. 1 flat fee of $15 and it works in 19 states. Used it in Florida when I rented from Hertz. Have to put in the rental car license plate. No problems and no double charges.