A word to the wise when renting a car [be mindful of the toll transponders] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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A word to the wise when renting a car [be mindful of the toll transponders]
...especially from Budget. I knew all about the transponders that are available for the tolls, and the fees involved, etc., but my recent rental from Budget at MCO, already had it in the car, and it was ON! According to Budget, the person at the rental desk was supposed to tell me it was there. They didn't. Silly me thought that that was something you had to request, like a car seat. Because I rented the car at night when it was dark out, the car rental garage is dark, and the thing was directly behind the rearview mirror, I never saw it until the next day. I immediately turned it off, but too late. I was charged for it anyway (almost $16), plus $2.74 in tolls. Fortunately, I was able to get the fee waived, but got stuck with the extra toll charges. (I had used the exact change baskets, so I had no receipt). So make sure you check for that before you leave the garage!
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Another thing people often don't think to look into is whether or not your car insurance policy covers rental cars. You may not need the rental agency's insurance coverage at all.
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I know with Budget you're supposed to turn it on, but they should have checked to make sure it was off!! And Budget, if you just use the transponder once, you're charged the admin fee for entire rental period, up to what they cap it off as. Ugh.
I use Alamo, and their policy is that you only pay admin fee on days you actually use it. For us, I find it handy to use their transponder, as I fly into FtbLauderdale first, to visit family. Then I drive up to Orlando. Lots of turnpike booths!! It's nice not to have to stop at each one!
I found an informative web site a few years back about toll fees and rental cars. I just googled it. Surprising the difference with companies. Interesting the low cost car rental companies are the highest fees!!
Another thing people often don't think to look into is whether or not your car insurance policy covers rental cars. You may not need the rental agency's insurance coverage at all.
Here, we have an add on option that covers car rentals. Well worth the extra $40/yr. covers everything. What those rental companies charge for insurance is crazy
We also rent from Costco web site which waives additional driver fee.
I just wish Fl would switch to the EZ Pass program and get rid of SunPass. Then I could use my own transponder!
It would be nice if there was one toll pass system in the US that worked in all toll roads and bridges, wouldn't it?
That said, even if you bring your own transponder, it isn't always possible to use your own EZ Pass transponder with a rental car. It has to do with how the rental car is registered with EZ Pass. You need to add the rental car plate to your EZ Pass Transponder in your EZ Pass account. If the rental car is registered with EZ Pass via the same EZ Pass agency (NY State Thruway, for example), you can receive an error message that will not allow you to complete the registration to your transponder.
If you are able to register the rental car to your transponder, make sure you remove the one on the car and put it in the glovebox. Sometimes, the little transponder holder box doesn't block the charge to the transponder provided by the rental company and you end up getting charged for using the rental's transponder (& possibly yours). Just remember to put it back before you return the rental car or you could incur a fee for removing the toll transponder from the car.
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