E-toll vs Administrative Fee
 

I understand AVIS policy and the charges when using the e-toll EZ-Pass device. But I could not find what are the administrative charges if I opt NOT to use the e-toll (if I keep it closed on the windshield) and decide to pay the toll with (I assume) added administrative fee that AVIS adds to the cost of the toll. This is in cases where the registration of the car is photographed and the toll is charged to the owner (AVIS), not when/if I pay to toll with the cash at the booth. Anyone knows? Sorry if this was described somewhere, but I could not find it.

What state?

Avis uses a contracted "toll administrator" which processes anything where you opt out of e-toll and then blow the toll without a form of payment. That toll administrator will bill the tolls (at full price) plus its administrative fees. Depending on state, those fees can be quite hefty.

Any experience/info with NY/NJ/PA/DC areas?

You will need to go on the Avis.com website and navigate to the e-toll page. There is a click through for each of the states you mention. That will take you to the specifics for the state.

Before you spend an afternoon doing all of this, you should understand the very high probability that the administrative fee levied by the third-party "toll administrator" is going to be a whole lot more than you would pay for e-toll. Consider whether you are better of getting your own transponder, loading it with the proper toll amounts and going from there.

The system is designed to make what you are asking about a very poor financial deal, generally for people who had no intention of using toll roads, who find that they must and that the exits they need to not have a cash option.

So I actually did that. And while there is charge for various versions of e-toll service, there is absolutely nothing about how much it costs when the "third party" administers the tolls that need to be paid, when you opt out of e-toll. I wonder where is that information available.

Just buy yourself an NC QuickPass. It works in all the EZPass states plus FL, GA, and NC.

This is the entire goal. Either use the Avis device (which is great for people on a one-off rental or on business travel where it is easier to have expenses separated) or purchase your own device (which can be from any state in the system). You will have to get on the phone to get contact information for each "toll administrator" if you want to go that route, but as noted it is designed to cost a lot more than any other alternative because it is a backstop not a real option. E.g., you stray onto an automated toll road and it is too late.

For metro NY area you can use “pay toll now” service to register a plate and pay the toll for the bridges and tunnels. This doesnt work for NJ tpke and other Jersey road tolls but if you fly into EWR and use pay toll now for the Varanzano narrows plus let the NJ Turnpike go thru the administrator it is a decent savings over the daily avis ez pass charge. The turnpike is a couple dollars plus about $3 fee to the administrator.

Avis hit me with a sneaky new charge in MCO this week. When picking up my car at preferred counter, the agent asked if I want “eTolls”. Thinking this is the usual setup, I said yes.

When I went to return the car, I saw a new charge for $10/day for “unlimited tolls”. I asked the Preferred agent to switch me back to “regular” eTolls, and she took the charge off my bill.

Keep an eye out for this one next time you rent.