Florida SunPass mini-transponder
 

We're flying to Orlando in three weeks and then driving a rental car to Anna Maria Island (I-4 to I-75, then on to AMI). The rental car will be from either Alamo or Enterprise, both of which indicate "$3.95 fee per usage day (24 hr. interval) that customer incurs tolls, plus tolls (at posted cash/TOLL-BY-PLATE rates)."

I've checked into ordering the mini-transponder online for $4.99, which sticks on the windshield. After reading comments from renters who say they were charged for daily use or a hefty fee was added to their rental, although it appears that with either of these companies, we'd only be paying the $3.95 initially, plus the tolls, not a daily toll as some of the rental companies do, whether you drive on a toll road or not. I'm wondering, though, if this is accurate information, or if it would just make sense to order the mini-transponder and use it. Once we get to AMI, we're don't plan on driving off-island during the week.

Also, once we are ready to return the car, how difficult would it be to get the transponder off of the windshield? Some forums suggest you can attach it with tape, rather than use the adhesive back.

Thoughts?

The SunPass mini is just a sticker - and according to their website it peels off easily and is inactivated upon removal. Website gives instructions for removal of sticky backing from windshield (scrape and then use alcohol) - but I am not sure I would even bother after peeling it off.

Your plan makes sense to me - although Alamo website says they charge max of $19.95 per rental period, so you would only be saving $14.00. But you would have control over the device and not have to rely on Alamo billing you and then disputing charges if you felt they were unfair.

Going from Orlando to AMI you only have to go through a couple of tolls if you take the Beach Line (528) to I-4. Once you get on I-4 there are no more tolls all the way to AMI. Why not just pay cash at the toll booths? Here is a map of the toll roads in Orlando:

https://www.cfxway.com/TravelersExpr...rces/Maps.aspx

It is only $4.00 total in tolls from OIA to AMI and back if you take the Beach Line to I-4.

If it's not your car don;t adhere it to the windshield at all - keep in the glove compartment and just hold it up to the windshield when you go through the toll gate. I often get a loose EZPass when I rent a car and always do this.

(In this area rental agencies don;t have enough EZ Pass for every car so give it only if your ask and they do';t want them glued to the windshields.)

Do the toll booths on 528 still accept money?

Also, I thought I read that there was a toll from I-4 to I-75 near Tampa, which didn't accept money, but perhaps I misunderstood and it was a toll heading toward Tampa, not toward AMI.

Thanks!

I don't know if the sticker type transponder will work by just holding it up. I know once you remove it from the windshield it is no longer good. If the areas you are traveling have actual toll booths (many don't and use the transponder or charge your plate), just pay the cash.
I would call the rental co. and get a definite answer on their policy for this.

twina,

As far as I know all the toll booths in Orlando area still accept cash. The only places that I have seen with cashless tolls is in Miami on the turnpike. There is no toll on I-4 or I-75 or anywhere between Orlando and AMI. I believe that there may be a toll if you take the Skyway bridge on I-275 between St. Pete and Bradenton.

twina,

Just make sure you have lots of quarters so you can go through the exact change line.

The way I read the rental agency's policy, it's $3.95 plus tolls for every day on which tolls are incurred. So to me, the $4.95 transponder makes more sense as it will save you a few bucks. I'm sure it will work if you just hold it up, the toll booths are built to scan a variety of transponders in a variety of positions.

You might consider buying a transponder that isn't a sticker for a few ucks more and saving it for future trips, though.

Lastly, and with all due respect to gmoney--I am not familiar with Orlando, I admit--I wouldn't count on being able to pay with cash. They're pulling out cash booths all over the place and quickly. What a pain if you guess wrong.

Hi, twina49, sorry, I gave bad advice. Having checked the SunPass website, I see that the only other transponder option besides the sticker is a $20 one--which would only make sense if you plan to return to FL often. There used to be a few options, but now there are just the sticker and the hard plastic transponder, as you clearly found. Sorry.

On the 528 (Beach Line) - yes, the toll plazas are still set up for accepting cash. However, the exact change and manned booths are on the side - watch for the lanes that split off to the right, and take them. If you don't, you are continuing through the transponder lines (you do not slow down for these).

Another thing - transponders for rental cars are quickly becoming a thing of the past here. The "TOLL-BY-PLATE" program is taking over, where toll charges are billed per license plate. For Enterprise, participation is automatic; for Alamo, it kicks in when you go through the first tollbooth. This link should be helpful: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

Meant to add, if you do go the transponder route, make sure that your rental car license plate is added to that account, and then removed afterwards.

Good info, sludick. From the link:

How does it work? Cameras take a photo of the rental car's license plate as it goes through the toll lane and sends a bill for the tolls to the rental company's tolling program vendor. The vendor collects the toll plus applicable service fees from the customer's credit card, and pays the toll to the road agency. The service fees are retained by the vendor, not the toll road.

I wonder what the service fees are, and if the $4.95 sticker is still more cost effective? OTOH, the convenience would be worth a few dollars .

Again just so you are clear, it's only $4.00 total if you pay cash.

Your toll is only reported to the rental car company if you use the E-pass lanes. If you go through the E-pass lanes without a transponder then the license plate gets sent to the rental car company.

You can double check with your rental car company but I'm pretty sure this is how it works.

Thanks, everyone, for the advice!