We have 3 vacations in Orlando by November. Should I get the Sun Pass?

[hajjah]

So far I only

Is there any way to disable the Fox transponder that is in the car? Some we have seen have a switch or a slider that you can use to disable it. Other than that, it might mean your next rental should be through another agency that uses PlatePass instead of a transponder. I know Alamo cars don't have transponders in them.

As of today, I used the 528 once to come to Cypress Harbour from Fox rental. How long does it take for the toll to show in an account? I don’t know where the transponder is in the car. I’ll look tomorrow.

Btw, this is the first rental off airport in 24 years at the advice of a younger friend (40’s) who came here in July. She loved Fox, so I decided to give them a try. I normally use Alamo or Thrifty. Both of them were at least $300 higher. Well, my next two rentals will not be with Fox. It isn’t worth the hassle taking the shuttle and I’m not impressed with their cars.

 

[dioxide45]

I beleive the transponders are either in the window or could be where the licence plate is on the front. If you don't see one, they are probably using Plate Pass. Did you also have your UniPass in the window? Since Uni isn't a direct Sunpass product, it may take a few days to hit your account since Sunpass or E-Pass has to send it to whoever runs Uni.

 

[hajjah]

I do see something on the left windshield. The toll from yesterday did hit my account today and it’s for $2.03 when I would have paid $2.75 for that toll. Now I need to call Uni Pass to see if I should continue to use it, or remove it during this vacation with the Fox Rental. I don’t want to pay two fees.

 

[hajjah]

I do see something on the left windshield. The toll from yesterday did hit my account today and it’s for $2.03 when I would have paid $2.75 for that toll. Now I need to call Uni Pass to see if I should continue to use it, or remove it during this vacation with the Fox Rental. I don’t want to pay two fees.

Update:
Today I called Fox and Uni Pass. Fox checked my account and said their transponder is not active on this rental since I declined at the pick up. Uni said I should not have any problems. So far it’s wonderful since we drove to Cocoa Beach and was able to avoid stopping to pay cash.

 

[CPNY]

You can order portable sunpass online. You a load money onto it online. It’s what I use.

 

[hajjah]

Update: So far, this Uni Pass is the best ever! We used it to travel the 528 to Cocoa Beach last week. I was able to switch the pass to my daughter's car when she arrived and I left. They returned from Cocoa Beach yesterday and loved not stopping for the tolls.

 

[jackio]

Update:
Today I called Fox and Uni Pass. Fox checked my account and said their transponder is not active on this rental since I declined at the pick up. Uni said I should not have any problems. So far it’s wonderful since we drove to Cocoa Beach and was able to avoid stopping to pay cash.

Last year, when I rented from Fox in Orlando, they told me they could not deactivate their transponder because it was embedded in the license plate.
Do you have a separate transponder? We have a reservation again with them in January and I would like to get the Uni Pass for the tolls. I have an EZ Pass, and it did work last year, but Fox told me I would get doubled billed since their transponder is always on.

 

[hajjah]

Last year, when I rented from Fox in Orlando, they told me they could not deactivate their transponder because it was embedded in the license plate.
Do you have a separate transponder? We have a reservation again with them in January and I would like to get the Uni Pass for the tolls. I have an EZ Pass, and it did work last year, but Fox told me I would get doubled billed since their transponder is always on.

What Fox told you is a flat out lie. That’s what I was concerned about, being billed twice. I called Fox corporate and they assured me that my rental did not have their transponder activated. I refused it when picking up the car. I also spoke with the manager when I returned the car on Monday. I advised her of the initial agent’s negative disposition when I picked up the rental. She was agitated when I declined the toll transponder, additional insurance AND, not allowing them to refill the gas. Just be careful when gassing up to return the car. The first couple of gas stations near the airport are a rip-of! I filled the tank near the resort a few days prior to the return so I would only need to top off the tank. Well, the Suncoast Energy station doesn’t have their prices posted. I used Gas Buddy only to arrive at the tanks to find the price of $5.95 per gallon instead of $3.17 listed. That cost for 4 gallons was $26.00! I requested to be reimbursed when I took the car back because I returned the first car after 4 days because the defogger didn't work. So, that meant I filled two cars. The manager took $20 off the bill.
Btw, your EZ Pass does work in FL. No need to by the Uni. We’re returning on the 24th, so I only need to add a few dollars to my account.

 

[jackio]

What Fox told you is a flat out lie. That’s what I was concerned about, being billed twice. I called Fox corporate and they assured me that my rental did not have their transponder activated. I refused it when picking up the car. I also spoke with the manager when I returned the car on Monday. I advised her of the initial agent’s negative disposition when I picked up the rental. She was agitated when I declined the toll transponder, additional insurance AND, not allowing them to refill the gas. Just be careful when gassing up to return the car. The first couple of gas stations near the airport are a rip-of! I filled the tank near the resort a few days prior to the return so I would only need to top off the tank. Well, the Suncoast Energy station doesn’t have their prices posted. I used Gas Buddy only to arrive at the tanks to find the price of $5.95 per gallon instead of $3.17 listed. That cost for 4 gallons was $26.00! I requested to be reimbursed when I took the car back because I returned the first car after 4 days because the defogger didn't work. So, that meant I filled two cars. The manager took $20 off the bill.
Btw, your EZ Pass does work in FL. No need to by the Uni. We’re returning on the 24th, so I only need to add a few dollars to my account.

Thank you.
I was told that to avoid the rental car double charging, I had to add the rental car plate to my EZ pass for the duration of the rental. I did not have my EZ Pass account information with me at the time, to do that. That's why I figured I'd opt for the Uni Pass. Does that sound right to you?

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

The thing about Orlando is, you DO NOT need to use toll roads, you're just paying double-taxes because fuel taxes (what you paid at the pump) built the toll road and then paying tolls = another tax. The difference in time between a toll and a non-toll road is up to 15 minutes. Aggravation? This includes the Reagan (aka Florida) Turnpike between Orlando and either Fort Pierce or Wildwood. Whether in my car or tractor-trailer, I have not seen non-toll delay more than 10 minutes, 15 minutes if there is an accident. Just use your GPS app to get you off the waste of $$$ toll roads and onto scenic US highways!

TS

 

[Rolltydr]

The thing about Orlando is, you DO NOT need to use toll roads, you're just paying double-taxes because fuel taxes (what you paid at the pump) built the toll road and then paying tolls = another tax. The difference in time between a toll and a non-toll road is up to 15 minutes. Aggravation? This includes the Reagan (aka Florida) Turnpike between Orlando and either Fort Pierce or Wildwood. Whether in my car or tractor-trailer, I have not seen non-toll delay more than 10 minutes, 15 minutes if there is an accident. Just use your GPS app to get you off the waste of $$$ toll roads and onto scenic US highways!

TS

That works for you. I hate sitting in traffic. 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, an hour. It doesn’t matter. I will gladly pay the tolls. Of course, I have no problem with paying my taxes, either.

 

[Jan M.]

We live in Florida and have an upcoming trip to the New England states. There are several times we'll be taking toll roads outside of Florida so I did a little research yesterday to see if our 12 year old transponder will work every place we'll be going. No it won't so DH went to the store to get a new one. You can order them online directly from Sunpass, buy them at Publix, Walgreens, CVS and several other places or buy them at certain turnpike stops. The new Sunpass Pro is $14.95 plus tax. It's easy to set up a Sunpass account online and register your transponder. You can easily change the license plate online to put the transponder in a rental car. Make sure to tell the rental car company you have your own transponder. They charge you more than you will pay if you have your own.

If you don't have a transponder they will bill you by plate and you pay a higher fee in addition to an admistrative charge. Here in Florida it's all to easy to unintentionally end up on a toll road. Like being in the wrong lane in heavy traffic. Buy a Sunpass Pro transponder!

 

[dioxide45]

The thing about Orlando is, you DO NOT need to use toll roads, you're just paying double-taxes because fuel taxes (what you paid at the pump) built the toll road and then paying tolls = another tax. The difference in time between a toll and a non-toll road is up to 15 minutes. Aggravation? This includes the Reagan (aka Florida) Turnpike between Orlando and either Fort Pierce or Wildwood. Whether in my car or tractor-trailer, I have not seen non-toll delay more than 10 minutes, 15 minutes if there is an accident. Just use your GPS app to get you off the waste of $$$ toll roads and onto scenic US highways!

TS

I will say, the small toll (less than $5) is well worth it to zip all the way through Orlando downtown. I just hope they can extend the toll/express lanes south of 535.

 

[hajjah]

Last update: The Uni Pass worked out great! When I left Orlando Monday, I gave the pass to my daughter who was staying at Grande Vista until yesterday. I took my rental off and added hers. When she returned their car, I deleted that rental and added my own car back to the account. We leave back to Orlando on the 24th, so I will add the new rental to the pass. I cannot believe that I paid the cash tolls in Orlando for 26 years. I even remember paying the first .25 cent tolls on the 528 when I took my daughter to Disney at the age of 4. She’s now 30.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

I will say, the small toll (less than $5) is well worth it to zip all the way through Orlando downtown. I just hope they can extend the toll/express lanes south of 535.

As of now, there are no plans. And that is the worst traffic in the area. Between SR-535 and US-27 (east and west). Every time I listen to Orlando traffic, between 7am and 7pm, that stretch is always backed up.

TS

 

[mdurette]

Update: So far, this Uni Pass is the best ever! We used it to travel the 528 to Cocoa Beach last week. I was able to switch the pass to my daughter's car when she arrived and I left. They returned from Cocoa Beach yesterday and loved not stopping for the tolls.

I had a Hertz rental last trip. There was nothing obvious to me about a transponder in/on the car to shut off, so I just let it be and didn't secure a pass. I just got my billing in from them. I just received my billing from them.
MCO to WDW - back and forth
WDW to Cocoa Beach - back and forth

I'm confused on how to avoid this if it reads the plate?

 

[dioxide45]

I had a Hertz rental last trip. There was nothing obvious to me about a transponder in/on the car to shut off, so I just let it be and didn't secure a pass. I just got my billing in from them. I just received my billing from them.
MCO to WDW - back and forth
WDW to Cocoa Beach - back and forth

I'm confused on how to avoid this if it reads the plate?

View attachment 65095

Use the cash lanes or get your own transponder.

 

[Dean]

I had a Hertz rental last trip. There was nothing obvious to me about a transponder in/on the car to shut off, so I just let it be and didn't secure a pass. I just got my billing in from them. I just received my billing from them.
MCO to WDW - back and forth
WDW to Cocoa Beach - back and forth

I'm confused on how to avoid this if it reads the plate?

View attachment 65095

Having the transponder AND adding the license plate number to one's account shoud do so. It's been a while but I've had some success in the past paying such situations out of my SunPass account eliminating the Toll by Plate Fee when charged by SunPass but that won't help if there's a built in transponder or with PlatePass. Here is the PlatePass FAQ https://www.platepass.com/faq. If you pay the toll independently, you should be fine. That doesn't guarantee they won't try to double charge you but if they do and you have documentation you paid the toll, you could just provide that to them. It wouldn't be a bad idea to reach out directly to PlatePass where applicable as well.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

I now have EZPass (live in NY), SunPass (travel to FL frequently) and just signed up for ExpressToll (to use visiting CO). I would consider combining the EZPass and SunPass, but I just bought a Plug in Hybrid and NY offers an extra 10% discount for electric and plug in vehicles and 90% of our tolls are in NY.

 

[hajjah]

I had a Hertz rental last trip. There was nothing obvious to me about a transponder in/on the car to shut off, so I just let it be and didn't secure a pass. I just got my billing in from them. I just received my billing from them.
MCO to WDW - back and forth
WDW to Cocoa Beach - back and forth

I'm confused on how to avoid this if it reads the plate?

View attachment 65095

I’m waiting to read a response to this question. Is it possible to decline the rental car plate pass installed on cars at MCO when we have are own transponders? I normally use Thrifty and Alamo, but since I now have the Uni Pass, I’m wondering if I will have the same problem? I have two rentals booked for next Saturday and November in Orlando with Fox due to pricing. November rentals are over $550 for economy.
Ok, I looked again at the Plate Pass link posted by Dean. Number 5 states, “

5. What if I do not what to purchase PlatePass?

To avoid using PlatePass: (1) If your rental vehicle includes a transponder, make sure it remains secured within the shield box, with the shield box closed and (2) pay all tolls with cash, with your personal toll transponder (where permitted) compatible with the toll road and properly mounted in the rental vehicle, or directly to the toll authority (where permitted). Some tollways without cash lanes permit payment in other ways and at other times. Toll authorities sometimes change their toll payment options. Check with the applicable toll authority to learn all payment options.”

 

[mdurette]

Bringing this back up as I prepare for a handful of FL trips over the next few months. I have decided to buy the UniPass from Amazon $14.95 as I can use it in New England too where we frequently travel.

But, I am confused on how it works. I assume there is some sort of registration process for me to link a credit card to. And then do I manually add the plate for whatevr car it is in?

When picking up the rental, I usually go straight to the car and avoid the counter. Will this require a counter stop to tell them I don't want whatever system they use?

 

[pedro47]

Use the cash lanes or get your own transponder.

How much are the cash lane and do you need exact change?.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We are driving to Orlando from Denver and are considering this for our car. We have the one in Colorado that allows us to use toll roads here, but it's so expensive for C470, I think it's $12 to go south with it. I choose not to drive the toll roads.

Rick usually sets his Waze APP to avoid all toll roads when we travel across the country.

 

[TUGBrian]

sunpass is outstanding for anyone who has to drive thru orlando for sure. doesnt even matter what time of day that traffic on i4 straight sucks.

not really going to help with the traffic at the park/springs exits....but having used it twice in the past few weeks its more than paid for itself to bypass the many miles of stop and go traffic near downtown.

in the cases for the florida express lanes, vs a traditional toll road these are simply two lanes that border the existing 4-5 lane interstate but are only available via a toll (sunpass). no toll booths or similar to stop at, either you have a transponder/plate setup with sunpass, or you pay the toll plus a 25 dollar convenience fee and itll get mailed to the owner of the license plate.

 

[Fasttr]

Bringing this back up as I prepare for a handful of FL trips over the next few months. I have decided to buy the UniPass from Amazon $14.95 as I can use it in New England too where we frequently travel.

But, I am confused on how it works. I assume there is some sort of registration process for me to link a credit card to. And then do I manually add the plate for whatevr car it is in?

When picking up the rental, I usually go straight to the car and avoid the counter. Will this require a counter stop to tell them I don't want whatever system they use?

For all of these....once you get the transponder, you create an account, link the transponder to your account, then link vehicles to your transponder, link a credit card, seed the account with some $$ from your credit card, set the limit that when your account falls below the limit they will suck more off of your credit card to replenish account balance, set the amount you want them to suck each time (all this done online) and it all just works from there.

The issue is with rental cars. The SunPass online set up is far superior to the UniPass for rental cars. For the SunPass, you set up the rental car, and put an end date and time when you will turn in the rental, and the system deletes the rental at that time. The others make you manually remove the rental car after you turn it in. If you forget, and the next guy rents it, runs on a toll road, and you have the rental car/plate still linked to your account, guess who will get billed. For this reason, I recommend the SunPass Pro.... https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/pro.shtml

As for rental, just deny the platepass when you make the rental and you can still bypass the rental counter.