National Squeezes More TollPass Money From Renters
Jan 1, 2018, 9:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: U.S. East Coast
Programs: DL, AA, WN, B6, National, Choice, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 13
National Squeezes More TollPass Money From Renters
National has just listed a new master rental agreement on their website. National has decided to squeeze more tollpass money from renters to increase their profit and not care about "customer service". I rented a car last month in Florida where National had a notice that the tolling was done by license plate cameras and that they had an agreement with the tolling authority that renters would be charged the SunPass transponder,
i.e. the lowest, rate.
Now National will begin:
1) charging renters a fee for the tollpass service, either a transponder (where available) in their rented vehicle or to use the camera tolling facility
2) the rate charged for the actual toll will be the HIGHEST non-discounted rate applicable for that toll
"(5) The optional Tollpass service accepted by Renter provides for the daily rental of a toll collection transponder(Tollpass Transponder Service) or, in some statesor provinces, the use of video-monitored toll collection services (TollpassAutomatic Service, and together with the TollpassTransponder Service, collectively the Tollpass Service). In addition to the daily charge for theTollpass Service, Owner, its affiliate or a third party may separately charge Renter’s credit or debit card(or bill Renter, as applicable, for cash rentals) for each toll (or other charge) incurred using the Tollpass Service during the Rental Period on covered roads within the Tollpass Service area at the higher of the applicable toll authority’s video toll rate, cash toll rate or highest undiscounted toll rate."
i.e. the lowest, rate.
Now National will begin:
1) charging renters a fee for the tollpass service, either a transponder (where available) in their rented vehicle or to use the camera tolling facility
2) the rate charged for the actual toll will be the HIGHEST non-discounted rate applicable for that toll
"(5) The optional Tollpass service accepted by Renter provides for the daily rental of a toll collection transponder(Tollpass Transponder Service) or, in some statesor provinces, the use of video-monitored toll collection services (TollpassAutomatic Service, and together with the TollpassTransponder Service, collectively the Tollpass Service). In addition to the daily charge for theTollpass Service, Owner, its affiliate or a third party may separately charge Renter’s credit or debit card(or bill Renter, as applicable, for cash rentals) for each toll (or other charge) incurred using the Tollpass Service during the Rental Period on covered roads within the Tollpass Service area at the higher of the applicable toll authority’s video toll rate, cash toll rate or highest undiscounted toll rate."
Jan 2, 2018, 8:19 am
#2
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
It's not news that there is a charge for the toll road itself in addition to a per-day fee if you access such roads using a rental car. In fact, I think the rate charged has always been the highest "non-discounted" rate (plus any fees), so I'm not sure where you got the information that you received some sort of preferential pricing before. For example, when using the ETR outside of Toronto, the actual toll paid by tollpass users in rental vehicles is the same as those users with a personal transponder, however, because tollpass relies on the cameras to run the billing, renters pay the toll charge plus the "camera fee" (which varies depending on what part of the road you're using).
Keyword here is, of course, "optional" so renters are always free to opt out of Tollpass/sunpass/etc. at the counter or exit booth.
Frankly I don't find this practice any more objectionable than some states charging a higher rate to out of state transponder users (i.e., using a non-NY EZPass in a NY EZPass location).
The easy solutions here are to 1) opt out, 2) find another route, 3) use your own transponder/tag (if possible), or 4) accept the fact that some states have monetized infrastructure in this way and tourists like you and me are footing the bill. You can always vote with your wallet and skip the Florida vacation next time
Keyword here is, of course, "optional" so renters are always free to opt out of Tollpass/sunpass/etc. at the counter or exit booth.
Frankly I don't find this practice any more objectionable than some states charging a higher rate to out of state transponder users (i.e., using a non-NY EZPass in a NY EZPass location).
The easy solutions here are to 1) opt out, 2) find another route, 3) use your own transponder/tag (if possible), or 4) accept the fact that some states have monetized infrastructure in this way and tourists like you and me are footing the bill. You can always vote with your wallet and skip the Florida vacation next time
Jan 2, 2018, 9:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
National has just listed a new master rental agreement on their website. National has decided to squeeze more tollpass money from renters to increase their profit and not care about "customer service". I rented a car last month in Florida where National had a notice that the tolling was done by license plate cameras and that they had an agreement with the tolling authority that renters would be charged the SunPass transponder,
i.e. the lowest, rate.
Now National will begin:
1) charging renters a fee for the tollpass service, either a transponder (where available) in their rented vehicle or to use the camera tolling facility
2) the rate charged for the actual toll will be the HIGHEST non-discounted rate applicable for that toll
"(5) The optional Tollpass service accepted by Renter provides for the daily rental of a toll collection transponder(Tollpass Transponder Service) or, in some statesor provinces, the use of video-monitored toll collection services (TollpassAutomatic Service, and together with the TollpassTransponder Service, collectively the Tollpass Service). In addition to the daily charge for theTollpass Service, Owner, its affiliate or a third party may separately charge Renter’s credit or debit card(or bill Renter, as applicable, for cash rentals) for each toll (or other charge) incurred using the Tollpass Service during the Rental Period on covered roads within the Tollpass Service area at the higher of the applicable toll authority’s video toll rate, cash toll rate or highest undiscounted toll rate."
i.e. the lowest, rate.
Now National will begin:
1) charging renters a fee for the tollpass service, either a transponder (where available) in their rented vehicle or to use the camera tolling facility
2) the rate charged for the actual toll will be the HIGHEST non-discounted rate applicable for that toll
"(5) The optional Tollpass service accepted by Renter provides for the daily rental of a toll collection transponder(Tollpass Transponder Service) or, in some statesor provinces, the use of video-monitored toll collection services (TollpassAutomatic Service, and together with the TollpassTransponder Service, collectively the Tollpass Service). In addition to the daily charge for theTollpass Service, Owner, its affiliate or a third party may separately charge Renter’s credit or debit card(or bill Renter, as applicable, for cash rentals) for each toll (or other charge) incurred using the Tollpass Service during the Rental Period on covered roads within the Tollpass Service area at the higher of the applicable toll authority’s video toll rate, cash toll rate or highest undiscounted toll rate."
Jan 3, 2018, 7:38 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: JFK LGA PBI BOI
Posts: 910
Other majors do this as well, Avis brand (Budget etc) charges the full cash price of the toll plus a daily fee for each rental day on first use.
That is why not even owning a car I have my own EZpass account/tag. Wish Florida would finally accept it.
That is why not even owning a car I have my own EZpass account/tag. Wish Florida would finally accept it.
Jan 4, 2018, 9:44 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: U.S. East Coast
Programs: DL, AA, WN, B6, National, Choice, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 13
It's not news that there is a charge for the toll road itself in addition to a per-day fee if you access such roads using a rental car. In fact, I think the rate charged has always been the highest "non-discounted" rate (plus any fees), so I'm not sure where you got the information that you received some sort of preferential pricing before. For example, when using the ETR outside of Toronto, the actual toll paid by tollpass users in rental vehicles is the same as those users with a personal transponder, however, because tollpass relies on the cameras to run the billing, renters pay the toll charge plus the "camera fee" (which varies depending on what part of the road you're using).
Jan 4, 2018, 10:06 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: U.S. East Coast
Programs: DL, AA, WN, B6, National, Choice, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 13
I just called National. The Rep confirmed that I was charged the SunPass rate in MCO-MIA, not the higher rate. She also confirmed that as of Jan. 1st, this will no longer be what they will do, per the MRA I cited above.
Jan 6, 2018, 3:06 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
You can pick up one of the thin, adhesive SunPass toll tags at any number of retailers across Florida (Publix, drug stores, etc.) for $4.99. Despite all the documentation they provide saying it only works if you peel off the film and adhere it to the glass such that the glass works to conduct/amplify the signal (??? glass is an insulator...), it works perfectly fine if you firmly hold it up to the window as you pass under the toll gantry. Two well-placed pieces of Scotch tape work well, too. It then conveniently fits in a pocket or your wallet or whatever when you're done with the rental.
If you log in and tie your rental car's license plate to the account and the transponder does fail to read, then (unlike with E-ZPass) it will correctly associate the rental car's plate with your account (not the rental car company's) and will charge you the TTOL (transponder toll) rate rather than the ITOL (image toll) rate, at least on MCO-area toll roads.
You can also pay $20 for the plastic, portable, E-ZPass-style transponder, but I see no need to spend the extra money and carry along the extra bulk. I also see zero reason to pay the rental car companies to use their service when you can buy your own in three minutes for only a pinch more than paying the rental company for one day of a toll pass.
Source: three trips to Florida in the past year.
If you log in and tie your rental car's license plate to the account and the transponder does fail to read, then (unlike with E-ZPass) it will correctly associate the rental car's plate with your account (not the rental car company's) and will charge you the TTOL (transponder toll) rate rather than the ITOL (image toll) rate, at least on MCO-area toll roads.
You can also pay $20 for the plastic, portable, E-ZPass-style transponder, but I see no need to spend the extra money and carry along the extra bulk. I also see zero reason to pay the rental car companies to use their service when you can buy your own in three minutes for only a pinch more than paying the rental company for one day of a toll pass.
Source: three trips to Florida in the past year.
Jan 6, 2018, 7:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
If you need an EZ pass, I recommending getting one for free through MA. No monthly fee. You also do not need to be a resident of MA. No fee for the toll tag. They will ship it to you too.
I use this for all my rentals.
I use this for all my rentals.
Jan 7, 2018, 7:36 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
Jan 13, 2018, 3:01 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
If you are talking about the NYS EZ-Pass on the go, it isn't exactly "free" per se.
You buy the thing (if you can find a retailer) for $30. Then upon registration/activation that amount is in your account. You then have to set up your account for automatic replenishment or manual. Either way EZP sends reminders when you have a "low balance" (IIRC minimum threshold is $25).
Thus you have to leave a certain amount of money always in the account.
You buy the thing (if you can find a retailer) for $30. Then upon registration/activation that amount is in your account. You then have to set up your account for automatic replenishment or manual. Either way EZP sends reminders when you have a "low balance" (IIRC minimum threshold is $25).
Thus you have to leave a certain amount of money always in the account.
Jan 13, 2018, 3:41 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
If you are talking about the NYS EZ-Pass on the go, it isn't exactly "free" per se.
You buy the thing (if you can find a retailer) for $30. Then upon registration/activation that amount is in your account. You then have to set up your account for automatic replenishment or manual. Either way EZP sends reminders when you have a "low balance" (IIRC minimum threshold is $25).
Thus you have to leave a certain amount of money always in the account.
You buy the thing (if you can find a retailer) for $30. Then upon registration/activation that amount is in your account. You then have to set up your account for automatic replenishment or manual. Either way EZP sends reminders when you have a "low balance" (IIRC minimum threshold is $25).
Thus you have to leave a certain amount of money always in the account.
Yeah and if you're going to get an ez-pass you're going to put money on it. And if you do a manual replenishment you don't need to keep a minimum of 25. If you know what's left you can go as low as you want
Jan 13, 2018, 2:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,663
I think NY is just as free as MA. The only concern I have is leaving BOS lot via I-90W. A person at the counter was vaguely scaring me that my own NY device will not "work out" going immediately under I-90 readers. She was saying "you can no longer just slap your device on windshield, you must first call NY EZpass and add the rental's plate". Why I got scared to even drive out via I-90W: if my device somehow doesn't pay for less-than-a-buck overhead segments, each mailed bill may end up with rental co. - who turns around and charges like +$15 administrative charge for each bill?!
Jan 13, 2018, 2:34 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: GAI
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Posts: 364
A person at the counter was vaguely scaring me that my own NY device will not "work out" going immediately under I-90 readers.
Jan 13, 2018, 3:03 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 50,262
Bottom line is that nobody needs to use the National --- or other company --- device. It is a convenience for those who either can't be bothered or are billing the cost back to someone who can't be bothered.