Miami tolls are the biggest tourist rip-off in the country
Aug 5, 2016, 3:30 pm
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
1. Correct. If you fail to remove the rental agency's transponder from the car when you place yours, it will charge both transponders.
Again, any transponder in the windshield, if read, will be charged. The gantry cannot determine it's the same vehicle as it is reading the chip in the transponders as they pass and since vehicles are passing at a high rate of speed, it just sees the transponder as it passes below the gantry.
Again, any transponder in the windshield, if read, will be charged. The gantry cannot determine it's the same vehicle as it is reading the chip in the transponders as they pass and since vehicles are passing at a high rate of speed, it just sees the transponder as it passes below the gantry.
Seems what Non-NonRev has said is more to the actual happening.
Aug 6, 2016, 12:53 pm
#153
Join Date: May 2015
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL Skymiles KE Skypass
Posts: 2,363
Well, either the Avis transponder is a decorative item thus not usable, despite it is there and is unable to "turn off" as explained before, or the gantry does not read that transponder - Avis has not bill us for anything. Since the usage occurred on June 15 and now we are on Aug 5, if there is still no charge from Avis, I think we can conclude that the gantry does not read both transponders. Only ours is being charged.
Seems what Non-NonRev has said is more to the actual happening.
Seems what Non-NonRev has said is more to the actual happening.
I speak from my knowledge of being a fleet manager of over 300 vehicles and having to break down the monthly bill to different cost centers all over the state of Florida. So I will leave it at that and say what happened in your situation may not be the norm as I don't work for a car rental agency.
Aug 6, 2016, 3:55 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I have had charges come in a few months later to my Sunpass account due to late capture analysis of my tag. Also Avis may have just let it go as it is only one charge for $1.00 or so. It sometimes cost more to charge someone that just eating a charge that low marking it as a cost of doing business.
I speak from my knowledge of being a fleet manager of over 300 vehicles and having to break down the monthly bill to different cost centers all over the state of Florida. So I will leave it at that and say what happened in your situation may not be the norm as I don't work for a car rental agency.
I speak from my knowledge of being a fleet manager of over 300 vehicles and having to break down the monthly bill to different cost centers all over the state of Florida. So I will leave it at that and say what happened in your situation may not be the norm as I don't work for a car rental agency.
The toll is nothing. The "convenience fee" is where the rental car companies make their money. There are enough discussions all over the web about which rental car companies are less evil (National. which has a cap) when it comes to the daily charge of such fee, and which companies are really bad. (Avis is among those bad ones).
The charge should be automatically processed. I seriously doubt it is manually done.
Last time Avis charged us in about a month.
Dec 13, 2016, 11:54 am
#155
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
hi all,
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
Dec 13, 2016, 3:04 pm
#156
Join Date: May 2015
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL Skymiles KE Skypass
Posts: 2,363
hi all,
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
I believe you actually need a transponder number when registering for an account, it's been so long since I did it. Using the App, this is the first thing asked when trying to set up a new account.
https://www.sunpass.com/sunpassretailers
The transponders can be purchased at any local Publix Supermarket Walgreens, or CVS Pharmacy. I would say the nearest one (CVS) is a mile north of the airport on the corner of US-1 (Federal Highway) and SE 17th Street. Just take the US-1 North exit from the airport and look for the CVS on the right side just after the Comfort Suites. If you purchase the mini ($4.99), be sure to also buy scotch tape to tape it to the window. They are meant to be permanently attached to the windshield, and will be destroyed if you attempt to move it after sticking it to the windshield. You may want to look at the more expensive one ($19.99) that attaches by suction cups so you can move it from car to car as needed.
I don't think the transponders come with the cars, they are an add-on that you must agree on. I don't rent at the airport as I am a local resident, but I do rent from Hertz at one of their neighborhood locations as needed.
Hope this helps.
Dec 14, 2016, 3:11 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,243
hi all,
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
I'm travelling to florida next week,and renting a car from Hertz at FLL to drive down to the keys and then later up to North Florida. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, or I would have had no idea regarding the extra charges associated with rental cars and toll roads. I rather wish I had seen this earlier, since Hertz seems to have one of the highest fees- capping at $25 for use of the "plate pass." I visit the Orlando area reasonably often, so I think I'm going to try purchasing a sunpass on this trip, which I can then presumably use again to save money in the future. As I understand it from reading the thread, the process I should follow is something like this:
1) Register for a sunpass account (I assume I can do this now?)
2) On arrival at FLL, ask Hertz how to turn off or remove their transponder, and do whatever necessary to deactivate it.
3) Purchase a sunpass mini, then immediately go online and add the transponder number and rental car plate numbers to my sunpass account.
Does that sound like the right procedure to avoid getting hit with the Hertz charges?
If so, does anyone know if I can purchase a sunpass in FLL airport itself, or if not, where the closest/easiest retail location might be?
thanks!
I'd get the sun pass as soon as you can after exiting the airport and register it immediately.
Dec 15, 2016, 7:54 am
#158
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
There is an app available on Google Play for Android Devices; I don't use the Apple devices, but I would assume it's there as well.
I believe you actually need a transponder number when registering for an account, it's been so long since I did it. Using the App, this is the first thing asked when trying to set up a new account.
https://www.sunpass.com/sunpassretailers
The transponders can be purchased at any local Publix Supermarket Walgreens, or CVS Pharmacy. I would say the nearest one (CVS) is a mile north of the airport on the corner of US-1 (Federal Highway) and SE 17th Street. Just take the US-1 North exit from the airport and look for the CVS on the right side just after the Comfort Suites. If you purchase the mini ($4.99), be sure to also buy scotch tape to tape it to the window. They are meant to be permanently attached to the windshield, and will be destroyed if you attempt to move it after sticking it to the windshield. You may want to look at the more expensive one ($19.99) that attaches by suction cups so you can move it from car to car as needed.
I don't think the transponders come with the cars, they are an add-on that you must agree on. I don't rent at the airport as I am a local resident, but I do rent from Hertz at one of their neighborhood locations as needed.
Hope this helps.
I believe you actually need a transponder number when registering for an account, it's been so long since I did it. Using the App, this is the first thing asked when trying to set up a new account.
https://www.sunpass.com/sunpassretailers
The transponders can be purchased at any local Publix Supermarket Walgreens, or CVS Pharmacy. I would say the nearest one (CVS) is a mile north of the airport on the corner of US-1 (Federal Highway) and SE 17th Street. Just take the US-1 North exit from the airport and look for the CVS on the right side just after the Comfort Suites. If you purchase the mini ($4.99), be sure to also buy scotch tape to tape it to the window. They are meant to be permanently attached to the windshield, and will be destroyed if you attempt to move it after sticking it to the windshield. You may want to look at the more expensive one ($19.99) that attaches by suction cups so you can move it from car to car as needed.
I don't think the transponders come with the cars, they are an add-on that you must agree on. I don't rent at the airport as I am a local resident, but I do rent from Hertz at one of their neighborhood locations as needed.
Hope this helps.
Had I seen this thread earlier I would have ordered the sunpass by mail, but it sounds like things should work out ok even though I didn't...
Dec 15, 2016, 9:28 am
#159
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
Just looking for a word of advice... based on this thread, I opted to fly into FLL instead of MIA for a trip to Sunny Isles Beach next month.
Personally, I'd just like to avoid the whole transponder thing for the entire trip and just stick to non toll roads. How tricky is it to dodge the tolls around the FLL terminal? Is there a particular route that is recommended?
Personally, I'd just like to avoid the whole transponder thing for the entire trip and just stick to non toll roads. How tricky is it to dodge the tolls around the FLL terminal? Is there a particular route that is recommended?
Dec 15, 2016, 11:15 am
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Just looking for a word of advice... based on this thread, I opted to fly into FLL instead of MIA for a trip to Sunny Isles Beach next month.
Personally, I'd just like to avoid the whole transponder thing for the entire trip and just stick to non toll roads. How tricky is it to dodge the tolls around the FLL terminal? Is there a particular route that is recommended?
Personally, I'd just like to avoid the whole transponder thing for the entire trip and just stick to non toll roads. How tricky is it to dodge the tolls around the FLL terminal? Is there a particular route that is recommended?
Another good reason to fly into FLL instead of MIA. And if you fly an airline that uses FLL's Terminal 1 (WN and UA are the biggies), you just walk across a pedestrian bridge to get to the cars. At MIA it's an odyssey to reach the car rental facility for everyone.
Dec 15, 2016, 11:50 am
#161
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
You won't run into any toll roads near FLL. On I-95, just don't take the SunPass express lanes as you head south (take the "normal" free lanes).
Another good reason to fly into FLL instead of MIA. And if you fly an airline that uses FLL's Terminal 1 (WN and UA are the biggies), you just walk across a pedestrian bridge to get to the cars. At MIA it's an odyssey to reach the car rental facility for everyone.
Another good reason to fly into FLL instead of MIA. And if you fly an airline that uses FLL's Terminal 1 (WN and UA are the biggies), you just walk across a pedestrian bridge to get to the cars. At MIA it's an odyssey to reach the car rental facility for everyone.
Good news. I've flown into FLL before but never rented a car there... I'm always happy to avoid the bloated rental car centres you need to take a bus to access.
Not gonna lie, the fact that there is a YWG-FLL nonstop (but not YWG-MIA) was a big factor in my decision, but once I read about the shenanigans at MIA here that was it, I made up my mind to rule out MIA.
Dec 15, 2016, 4:41 pm
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
^^^
Good news. I've flown into FLL before but never rented a car there... I'm always happy to avoid the bloated rental car centres you need to take a bus to access.
Not gonna lie, the fact that there is a YWG-FLL nonstop (but not YWG-MIA) was a big factor in my decision, but once I read about the shenanigans at MIA here that was it, I made up my mind to rule out MIA.
Good news. I've flown into FLL before but never rented a car there... I'm always happy to avoid the bloated rental car centres you need to take a bus to access.
Not gonna lie, the fact that there is a YWG-FLL nonstop (but not YWG-MIA) was a big factor in my decision, but once I read about the shenanigans at MIA here that was it, I made up my mind to rule out MIA.
Regardless, though, you'll save yourself the toll pass hassle.
Dec 15, 2016, 4:58 pm
#163
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
You won't run into any toll roads near FLL. On I-95, just don't take the SunPass express lanes as you head south (take the "normal" free lanes).
Another good reason to fly into FLL instead of MIA. And if you fly an airline that uses FLL's Terminal 1 (WN and UA are the biggies), you just walk across a pedestrian bridge to get to the cars. At MIA it's an odyssey to reach the car rental facility for everyone.
Another good reason to fly into FLL instead of MIA. And if you fly an airline that uses FLL's Terminal 1 (WN and UA are the biggies), you just walk across a pedestrian bridge to get to the cars. At MIA it's an odyssey to reach the car rental facility for everyone.
Dec 17, 2016, 9:03 pm
#164
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265
For those folks heading into Florida who already have a portable transponder with another system, do an internet search on your toll authority + sunpass + interoperability. There are already reciprocal agreements among toll authorities in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia to let the transponders work on all tolled roads & bridges in their system, and there may be other agreements that have been reached I don't know about. (There are federal rules that are pushing toward national interoperability but the country isn't quite there yet.)
Jan 5, 2017, 8:45 am
#165
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
There is an app available on Google Play for Android Devices; I don't use the Apple devices, but I would assume it's there as well.
I believe you actually need a transponder number when registering for an account, it's been so long since I did it. Using the App, this is the first thing asked when trying to set up a new account.
https://www.sunpass.com/sunpassretailers
The transponders can be purchased at any local Publix Supermarket Walgreens, or CVS Pharmacy. I would say the nearest one (CVS) is a mile north of the airport on the corner of US-1 (Federal Highway) and SE 17th Street. Just take the US-1 North exit from the airport and look for the CVS on the right side just after the Comfort Suites. If you purchase the mini ($4.99), be sure to also buy scotch tape to tape it to the window. They are meant to be permanently attached to the windshield, and will be destroyed if you attempt to move it after sticking it to the windshield. You may want to look at the more expensive one ($19.99) that attaches by suction cups so you can move it from car to car as needed.
I don't think the transponders come with the cars, they are an add-on that you must agree on. I don't rent at the airport as I am a local resident, but I do rent from Hertz at one of their neighborhood locations as needed.
Hope this helps.
I believe you actually need a transponder number when registering for an account, it's been so long since I did it. Using the App, this is the first thing asked when trying to set up a new account.
https://www.sunpass.com/sunpassretailers
The transponders can be purchased at any local Publix Supermarket Walgreens, or CVS Pharmacy. I would say the nearest one (CVS) is a mile north of the airport on the corner of US-1 (Federal Highway) and SE 17th Street. Just take the US-1 North exit from the airport and look for the CVS on the right side just after the Comfort Suites. If you purchase the mini ($4.99), be sure to also buy scotch tape to tape it to the window. They are meant to be permanently attached to the windshield, and will be destroyed if you attempt to move it after sticking it to the windshield. You may want to look at the more expensive one ($19.99) that attaches by suction cups so you can move it from car to car as needed.
I don't think the transponders come with the cars, they are an add-on that you must agree on. I don't rent at the airport as I am a local resident, but I do rent from Hertz at one of their neighborhood locations as needed.
Hope this helps.
Just a follow-up on my experience. I was renting from Hertz- their cars all had sunpasses adhered to the upper left corner of the windshield, and they seem to have the worst fees, capping at $26. I asked the attendant when leaving the garage if I could deactivate their transponder; he said there is no way to do so, but putting my own sunpass in the middle should keep theirs from registering. Per teddybear's suggestion, I stopped at the CVS near FLL and purchased a sunpass. They only had the mini, but I had brought tape and taped it to the center of the windshield. I registered for an account on the app and added the rental license plate-- was happy to see that the app allows a plate to be added just for a certain time period, so you don't have to go back and remove the rental manually from your account. All tolls did register on the app - so far Hertz hasn't sent me any charges but I'm keeping an eye on it just in case their transponder did register anywhere. I was able to easily detach the transponder from the vehicle at the end of our rental, and look forward to using it again when next in Florida. Thanks everyone for the very useful (and money saving) advice on this thread!