Do you buy sunpass when you rent a car in orlando?

[Keith]

We've searched and I think (stress on think there!) that Herself has finally found a way (buried deep in the requirements and directions) using SUN PASS (not EZ pass) you can purchase your own transponder (about $25) and then activate it through Credit Card use, even though you are not a Florida Resident. Will keep you posted on that, but from what she's learned so far it would take a laptop (or internet access) and the license plate number of the rental car; then you would log on to attach the license plate number to the Sun Pass transponder and off you go (after telling the connection site what the credit card number is and how much you are authorizing at one time). Sounds a bit complicated but for folks who visit often, it really could work out to be a significant savings.

This looks like it's spot on

The recommended transponder is $25 called the sunpass portable (there seems to be a mini stick on for $4.99 but I guess theyre saying that wont come off so easy).

Then you can top the account up even using cash! now since you can buy the transponders over the counter and top up with cash, that would seem to get over the obstacle that most of these things have for UK visitors (credit card not registered to a US address)

obviously $25 pays for a fair few tolls but worth it I think if either you fancy the rental car company's scheme or go out there a lot and pay a lot of tolls.

[Tink]

I knew it could take cash, but wasn't sure if that were available to visitors. It makes it even better that it is. The $25 just purchases the transponder. It will require an additional amount to activate it, and provide for toll payment.

[uscwest]

I have both Sun Pass and Smart Tag, though, like Johnie I wish they were interchangeable. Unless you are doing a LOT of driving $6.95/day from the rental company is, to me, absurd. When we drive to/from Disney from Northern VA I have a tendency to get off of the I-4 at Sanford and take the 417. Using the Sun Pass I don't have to keep stopping at the toll plazas.

[Keith]

I knew it could take cash, but wasn't sure if that were available to visitors. It makes it even better that it is. The $25 just purchases the transponder. It will require an additional amount to activate it, and provide for toll payment.

yep I think you have to immediately top up with at least $10.

When I said $25 pays for a lot of tolls I was thinking more that if someone were to think about purchasing a unit for $25, they'd have to think well, instead of doing that I could just use the $25 towards the tolls and that may well get them through their entire holiday anyway!

So in a way, the investment is only worth it for someone going back frequently.

I'm definitely pondering it. Although we MOSTLY avoid tolls, it'd be nice not to worry about coins when we dont

[Wendy]

We have thought about buying one, but it was too confusing

OK, so there is the initial out lay of $25 for the first year, but you would be saving every year after, I think we might look into it again. I guess it depends on how long it takes to register the rental car's registration when you give them the details We use the 417 so it's tolls straight away for us.

[Keith]

OK, so there is the initial out lay of $25 for the first year, but you would be saving every year after, I think we might look into it again. I guess it depends on how long it takes to register the rental car's registration when you give them the details We use the 417 so it's tolls straight away for us.

Once you get your device you get an online account and you just go into there and put in the rental car registration.

I guess perhaps they have a phone line too but I dont know

[Wendy]

Once you get your device you get an online account and you just go into there and put in the rental car registration.

I guess perhaps they have a phone line too but I dont know

Hhhmm okay, thanks

[uscwest]

Wendy, the $25 is a one time fee. You don't pay it every year. If you put a CC on the account it will automatically add however many $$ you tell it to add whenever your account balance runs low.

[Johnie]

In Virginia, if you link a credit card to the account, you don't have to pay the fee for the transponder. I have mine set up that way. Does Florida work like that?

[uscwest]

In Virginia, if you link a credit card to the account, you don't have to pay the fee for the transponder. I have mine set up that way. Does Florida work like that?

I thought sure I still paid the transponder fee and I definitely have a CC linked.