Car Hire

[huggybearv1]

Hey all ..

I have been reading horror stories from customers who have hired cars from Dollar and have been stung for almost $50 per week for Sunpass toll charges when they go to pick up their rental.

Some have declined buying the cover (for $50 per week) and subsequently been charged 70 cents for the toll and $15 admin fee. I have been told most toll booths now are cashless and require a sunpass.

What options do UK renters have to avoid being stung? Can we buy PAYG passes? Do they still have attendants on the toll booths on the Florida turnpike?

Any help appreciated ..

So confused ...

Huggy

[chmurf]

First of all, if you're worried about toll charges, don't rent with Dollar.

Most tolls are cashless if you wander aroung the Miami area (which you will, judging you talk about turnpike)

your only option with dollar is to pay the $52.49 per week fee, which includes all the tolls you can go through
and you'll need to opt in at the desk
if you don't, there come the heavy fees ...

[mick]

I don't know who told you that most of the toll plazas around Orlando are cashless - just not true.

At every plaza on the main carriageways you get the option to use the Sunpass lane or pay cash. Like this one.

However most of the plazas on the off ramps are unmanned so if you are paying cash you need to have the right change. Like this.

There are some cashless tolls on the Turnpike near Miami and downtown Tampa.

Can't comment on Dollar except that it's probably the most expensive of all the toll pass schemes.

Mick

[huggybearv1]

Thanks for the quick replies ...

I start and end my holiday in Miami and no doubt i will be travelling in tolled sections. I've never had issues in Orlando so paying $52 per week when most of the 3 weeks im going to be in Orlando seems wasted money!

Is there such a thing as a PAYG Sunpass (which i have read about on older forum posts) which is a credit card sized thing we stick to the windscreen and top it up?

Huggy

[mick]

Originally Posted by huggybearv1

Thanks for the quick replies ...

I start and end my holiday in Miami and no doubt i will be travelling in tolled sections. I've never had issues in Orlando so paying $52 per week when most of the 3 weeks im going to be in Orlando seems wasted money!

Is there such a thing as a PAYG Sunpass (which i have read about on older forum posts) which is a credit card sized thing we stick to the windscreen and top it up?

Huggy

See more...

You can get to Orlando from the Miami area toll free using the US27.

Can't help on the PAYG pass I'm afraid. The Sunpass is automatically enabled as you drive through a Sunpass lane by taking a photo of your plate. Your CC is then charged.

Mick

[chmurf]

you can buy a sunpass transponder, but it's quite a pain

sunpass/purchase

and, if the toll does not register, you'll get a violation and be charged the Dollar fees anyway.

Can't you cancel and rebook with another hire company ? Maybe you'll find decent rates ? just give it a shot, it will be less faffing around than getting a sunpass transponder.

[billbarbara229]

Originally Posted by huggybearv1

Thanks for the quick replies ...

I start and end my holiday in Miami and no doubt i will be travelling in tolled sections. I've never had issues in Orlando so paying $52 per week when most of the 3 weeks im going to be in Orlando seems wasted money!

Is there such a thing as a PAYG Sunpass (which i have read about on older forum posts) which is a credit card sized thing we stick to the windscreen and top it up?

Huggy

See more...

We use hwy27 instead of the toll roads just as quick and no juggernauts after I 4
Publix do a pass you can buy and load We always use dollar and never have any trouble just tell them your not using tolls and make sure anything in the car is switched off

[huggybearv1]

Originally Posted by chmurf

you can buy a sunpass transponder, but it's quite a pain

sunpass/purchase

and, if the toll does not register, you'll get a violation and be charged the Dollar fees anyway.

Can't you cancel and rebook with another hire company ? Maybe you'll find decent rates ? just give it a shot, it will be less faffing around than getting a sunpass transponder.

See more...

I did think of this .. however the cost of rehiring with someone else almost three times as much now!

I may use the non toll roads until I can get a prepaid card like the other dibber on this post suggested...

[Mr Tom Morrow]

This will help you.

sunpass/purchase

One for you to consider but a right royal pain to set up an account, register the vehicle, ensure you have pre loaded enough monies etc etc.

Get 1 toll wrong and you are better off paying Dollar.

[huggybearv1]

Thanks guys ...

Easiest will be paying Dollar .. I guess i'll sell my other kidney to pay for that ... lol


Huggy