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We will be going from Ft Lauderdale to Key West by way of a few stops along the way, but I was really looking for some local Floridian travel advice. Last time in the area the counter person at the rental car booth talked us into buying the unlimited toll deal for $45 which was a lot of money for a few tolls. The time before that the person said we would need it if we are going to the keys so we got it as well. They both said something about non cash toll roads and such. Although both times I saw cash booths where we traveled.
Anyhow I am going from the Ft Lauderdale area to Key Largo. I really don't care about the tolls but do I really need to sign up for unlimited tolls for $45? I am thinking not but would like a local to chime in. Sounds like a scam to me. That $45 could be spent in better places like at Alabama Jacks.

Call the rental company and ask about tolls. Most (all?) cars I've rented down there in the past 3-4 years had some form of Plate Pass, where there's either a transponder in the car and you pay $2-$3 a day over the cost of the tolls (WELL worth it), added to your bill, or the Turnpike authority has a deal with the rental company where they bill the company and the company bills you plus a SMALL fee. I've never seen a $45 flat fee; that's plain BS. If that's all you're offered switch companies.

If you are using Florida's Turnpike, when you reach Miami-Dade County, there are no cash toll booths. They use Sunpass (transponder) or the bill-by-plate method. Try the Sunpass web site to calculate tolls plus they have an explanation on how the cash only system works with rental car companies.

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/all-ele ... RentalCars

From the Sunpass web site:

"What happens if I am in a rental car?
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has entered into agreements with companies that offer rental car customers an easier way to travel Florida’s toll roads. Under the agreements, the companies provide the Turnpike with constantly updated lists of rental car fleet license plate numbers so that the Turnpike can bill the companies. Each company has a different payment arrangement so be sure to review your rental agreement carefully."

Thanks all but I really wasn't looking for rental policies and such. I am looking for some advice from a local Keys resident if there are any out there. If I'm driving from Ft Lauderdale what is the best route to avoid a 'CASH ONLY' toll road? I have no problem paying for tolls but just don't want to pay out $45 for a week. I know there is a toll near the Alabama Jacks and that accepts cash as well as (I think) a couple more going out but they accept cash too. So if I tell the counter person to shove the $45 fee what road would I need to be on to get to Key Largo? Is 95 south a cash only road? I can avoid the turnpike since we will not be in a hurry. I found these four on Wiki. Thanks,

Homestead Ext (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike) / SR 821 US 1 Florida's Turnpike / SR 91 Open road tolling
SR 874 (Don Shula Expressway) Homestead Ext / SR 821 SR 826 Open road tolling
SR 878 (Snapper Creek Expressway) SR 874 US 1 Open road tolling
SR 924 (Gratigny Parkway) I-75 / SR 826 SR 953 Open road tolling

catsway wrote:If you are using Florida's Turnpike, when you reach Miami-Dade County, there are no cash toll booths. They use Sunpass (transponder) or the bill-by-plate method. Try the Sunpass web site to calculate tolls plus they have an explanation on how the cash only system works with rental car companies.

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/all-ele ... RentalCars

From the Sunpass web site:

"What happens if I am in a rental car?
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has entered into agreements with companies that offer rental car customers an easier way to travel Florida’s toll roads. Under the agreements, the companies provide the Turnpike with constantly updated lists of rental car fleet license plate numbers so that the Turnpike can bill the companies. Each company has a different payment arrangement so be sure to review your rental agreement carefully."

I was just told by the customer service for Dollar that he doesn't know details but he could offer me a Pass24 for $8.99 per day which includes all tolls. So for us that would be $8.99 x 9 days = $80.91. Now that seems to excessive to me or a simple trip down the keys and back. So if I deny it we need to make sure we are off the 'Cash Only' roads. Which shouldn't be more than $10 or $20 (not $80+). Smells like a scam to me, which I fell for twice and it's not going to be a third. BTW, Alamo just told me that they installed SUNPASS on all vehicles and you only pay at the end for what you used (good deal). Looks like i have a lot of leg work to do.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:Call the rental company and ask about tolls. Most (all?) cars I've rented down there in the past 3-4 years had some form of Plate Pass, where there's either a transponder in the car and you pay $2-$3 a day over the cost of the tolls (WELL worth it), added to your bill, or the Turnpike authority has a deal with the rental company where they bill the company and the company bills you plus a SMALL fee. I've never seen a $45 flat fee; that's plain BS. If that's all you're offered switch companies.

Jen, that happened to us when we were in FLA. for the Tampa show 2 years ago. We ended up on a toll road and didn't have the transponder. They surcharged us.

I just made this drive a month ago. Don't pay up front for tolls. I had Hertz on the way down and Budget on the way back and I never stopped for a toll and they never charged me for one. All the booths were charge by license plate and we cruised right through and nothing showed up on my bill. We went FLL, west to 595 then took the turnpike all the way to US1 in Florida City. That way you don't have to mess with 95 or Miami proper.

Just to chime in real quick:
Almost all rental companies in FL offer PlatePass or SunPass transponders, usually for a small fee of 1.99$ per day you use it, up to a maximum of IIRC 15$ per rental period.
Only exception I know of is Dollar, all they offer are their overpriced flatrates.

Fee plus toll amount will show up on your cc about a month after they incur. (incur? occur? whatevah... )

Without transponder or SunPass agreement they surcharge you I think 25$. Each time you use a cahless toll road IIRC...

Dollar may have cheap rates, but for this reason I prefer Alamo / National.

seminoledq wrote:I just made this drive a month ago. Don't pay up front for tolls. I had Hertz on the way down and Budget on the way back and I never stopped for a toll and they never charged me for one. All the booths were charge by license plate and we cruised right through and nothing showed up on my bill. We went FLL, west to 595 then took the turnpike all the way to US1 in Florida City. That way you don't have to mess with 95 or Miami proper.

It'll probably show up. Took mine 3 months once and 5 months another time.

you can get a transponder at Publix stores. the cash doesn't expire on the account. put it on your upper windshield, approach the plaza w/ confidence. if you fly into FLL, you are good to go from the airport to the Turnpike following 595 to 75 to the TP. Then it's 4-5 plazas to Florida City and off you go into the wilds of Monroe Co. If you fly into MIA, you can take backstreets west to the TP but its 3-4 plazas, otherwise you take the Dolphin Expressway, and then it's 5-6 I believe.