Alamo toll beware

[Pembo]

We used Alamo in March. We paid cash for all our tolls. This weekend I noticed a charge for $4.20 for tolls on my cc, dated 3 weeks after our trip. I called Alamo today. I didn't keep any receipts for tolls, I know shame on me.

There is a toll by the airport that we paid cash for. I was able to get it reversed. Alamo tolls said that even though people pay cash, they often get charged for it anyway. The toll was $1.25 with a $2.95 surcharge.

As I said she refunded it and recommended I keep all receipts just in case next time.

Just wanted to give a heads up to all out there, beware the airport toll booths.

 

[seashoreCM]

All the rental companies do this.

So when paying in cash, try not to use the exact change lanes in order that you can get a receipt.

If you do use an exact change lane and the light does not turn green, try to find the address of the toll agency, either posted at the booth or searchable using Google, and mail in the payment (or a dispute letter) immediately; don't wait until you get back home.

 

[littlestar]

My sister was charged $15.00 from dollar for supposedly running a toll when she was at the pool all day. Said it's creepy and makes her not want to visit Orlando.

 

[mguedes]

Pembo,

There is a $2.95 fee per rental day (24 hr. interval) that customer incurs tolls. This charge is limited to $14.75 per rental period.

So, you rented the car for 10 days and used the toll system every day you´ll pay $14.75 (let´s say a convenience fee) plus the tolls.

I think it is well worth the cost as you just don´t have to keep looking for coins.

But I understand your concern, as you paid cash and hence should not be charged.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

All the rental companies do this.

So when paying in cash, try not to use the exact change lanes in order that you can get a receipt.

If you do use an exact change lane and the light does not turn green, try to find the address of the toll agency, either posted at the booth or searchable using Google, and mail in the payment (or a dispute letter) immediately; don't wait until you get back home.

Actually, Exact Change toll lanes are unattended and do NOT provide receipts.

The main toll plazas between MCO and WDW also have Change/Receipts lanes. Use these to get receipts.

In Florida, it's now easy to overlook a toll or two at many toll locations. The cash lanes look like exits, while the main road continues at freeway speed under an open road tolling reader. If you pay close attention to the signs, you won't miss any cash tolls -- but if you're not expecting an exit and you're thinking about your vacation, it's easy to go under the open road tolling reader without even realizing you've done so. In that case, you legitimately owe the convenience fee and the toll(s).

Both the Beachline toll road (airport north exit) and 417 toll road (airport south exit) have two tolls in each direction. There's another toll on 417 if you continue past the International Drive / World Center Drive exit.

Pembo,

There is a $2.95 fee per rental day (24 hr. interval) that customer incurs tolls. This charge is limited to $14.75 per rental period.

So, you rented the car for 10 days and used the toll system every day you´ll pay $14.75 (let´s say a convenience fee) plus the tolls.

I think it is well worth the cost as you just don´t have to keep looking for coins.

But I understand your concern, as you paid cash and hence should not be charged.

Toll convenience fees vary by rental car company.

For a summary of rental car toll programs in Florida, see the following link: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

As far as the convenience fee being worth it, I think it depends on where you're driving and how many tolls you'll encounter.

In Orlando, I typically incur two tolls on our arrival day and two tolls on our departure day. I use the Change/Receipts lanes and get receipts. I've never needed the receipts.

In Miami -- staying in the Doral area and making day trips each day -- using the rental car company's toll service was great. Given how many tolls there were while driving on toll roads that were unfamiliar to me, the convenience fee was well worth it.

 

[seashoreCM]

My sister was charged $15.00 from dollar for supposedly running a toll when she was at the pool all day. Said it's creepy and makes her not want to visit Orlando.

If you dispute the charge, then be sure to write them about your dispute promptly after you hear about the charge.

This is fair game for a credit card dispute too. You do need to contact the rental company first, except if the toll date (not the billing date) is not during or near your rental period.

 

[mikehn]

I know on Alamo cars, there is not a way for a driver to "turn off" the sunpass transponder. However, on Budget cars, there is a toggle switch that allows drivers to toggle off the transponder and pay cash instead.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know on Alamo cars, there is not a way for a driver to "turn off" the sunpass transponder. However, on Budget cars, there is a toggle switch that allows drivers to toggle off the transponder and pay cash instead.

Again, I would refer readers to https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

With most rental car companies in Florida, the "opt in" is automatic -- but you only incur tolls and fees if you actually pass a toll location without paying cash. (At least that's how it's supposed to work.)

In most cases, there is no transponder on the windshield. The toll locations capture license plate numbers and do the tolling that way.

Opting out (or declining), when that's an option, is not necessarily a good thing. It doesn't mean you won't have to pay tolls or fees. In fact, with a number of companies, if you miss even a single toll on a single day, you are then charged a $15 administrative fee in addition to the toll.

 

[Pembo]

OP here - We always carry a roll of quarters for the expected tolls in MCO so I know I paid them

I found it interesting that Alamo quickly reversed my charge because the airport exit toll is the one most often charged in error. I just wonder how much extra $$$ they are making if people don't check their cc statements for those extra charges after the fact.


And an extra story, we got off at an unmanned toll booth in Orlando on arrival day. The signs clearly indicated you had to have exact change for that exit. The guy in front of me was confused. He was looking at the toll booth, then at me, he got out of his car to open the back to find change in his luggage...I was ready to hand him my quarters. LOL

If you go to the counter do the rental companies tell you that there is a transponder on the car?? We went straight to the garage.

 

[Fire14]

How the heck do I opt out of Alamo's tolls than I have my own sunpass.

 

[gmeh1]

OP here - We always carry a roll of quarters for the expected tolls in MCO so I know I paid them

I found it interesting that Alamo quickly reversed my charge because the airport exit toll is the one most often charged in error. I just wonder how much extra $$$ they are making if people don't check their cc statements for those extra charges after the fact.


And an extra story, we got off at an unmanned toll booth in Orlando on arrival day. The signs clearly indicated you had to have exact change for that exit. The guy in front of me was confused. He was looking at the toll booth, then at me, he got out of his car to open the back to find change in his luggage...I was ready to hand him my quarters. LOL

If you go to the counter do the rental companies tell you that there is a transponder on the car?? We went straight to the garage.

Alamo does not have transponders, it is a toll by plate. https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar I am not sure how many people miss that toll as it is very clearly marked and there is more than enough advanced warning for it. They probably refunded you so quickly because you are a customer and they value you.

 

[gmeh1]

How the heck do I opt out of Alamo's tolls than I have my own sunpass.

It only takes pictures of your plate IF you go through without paying and since you have your sunpass that will register as you paying.

 

[Fire14]

It only takes pictures of your plate IF you go through without paying and since you have your sunpass that will register as you paying.

Ok thanks. I used it once a few years back but since than the rental transporters have gone more wide spread.