Budget rental with Sunpass transponder

[mmouse50]

Has anyone had any problems using the Sunpass transponder with a Budget rental from MCO? I usually use Dollar or Alamo and with Sunpass never receive any missed tolls or other charges. Is that the same with Budget?

 

[katallo]

We have used our transponder and had issues two times with Budget. It does take a bit to resolve "missed tolls" but they do eventually issue a credit.

 

[puffkin]

We have used multiple car rental agencies over the years (Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Alamo) and have never had any issues with our SunPass transponder. Just make sure you use the Rental Car section in the app to add the rental plate when you are there.

 

[Polskiguy]

We have used multiple car rental agencies over the years (Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Alamo) and have never had any issues with our SunPass transponder. Just make sure you use the Rental Car section in the app to add the rental plate when you are there.

Do you call Sunpass the day after you use the rental car to remove the license plate from your Sunpass account or do you just go into your account and do it yourself?

 

[puffkin]

Do you call Sunpass the day after you use the rental car to remove the license plate from your Sunpass account or do you just go into your account and do it yourself?

In the app you set it up as a rental car....with a start and end time. It will automatically roll off at the end time. I usually set the end time for 1 hour prior to my flight, but if I remember I will go in an manually remove it as soon as we turn in the car (since its usually earlier than 1 hour). But if I would forget, it will automatically drop off. Never had an issue. The app is very easy. My husband loads the luggage while I take care of updating the rental information in the app when we get to the airport.

 

[Gizmo74]

Do I need my own SunPass transponder or does Budget give me one for my rental? How many tolls will I have staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek going to Universal?

 

[EACarlson]

Do I need my own SunPass transponder or does Budget give me one for my rental? How many tolls will I have staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek going to Universal?

You have to bring your own. Budget will charge you an exorbitant fee for the "convenience" of them paying the tolls then charging you, then they charge you the highest rate possible. I don't believe you will have any tolls on I4 between Bonnet Creek and USO, I think the only ones you will have are on 417 between MCO and Bonnet Creek.

 

[erionm]

Below are the rates Budget will charge if you don't have a SunPass or other interoperable transponder in the vehicle:

 

[puffkin]

Do I need my own SunPass transponder or does Budget give me one for my rental? How many tolls will I have staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek going to Universal?

We bought our own directly through Sunpass and just take it with on each trip (its a small rectangular box with suction cups, so lightweight and easy to travel with). We just decline the toll packages with the rentals. I do not believe you will hit any tolls on the route you are taking to Universal. However, we have found time and time again driving around the theme park areas that we often end up on a toll road without even realizing it and many of the exits have unmanned booths, so the Sunpass is very helpful.

 

[Gizmo74]

We bought our own directly through Sunpass and just take it with on each trip (its a small rectangular box with suction cups, so lightweight and easy to travel with). We just decline the toll packages with the rentals. I do not believe you will hit any tolls on the route you are taking to Universal. However, we have found time and time again driving around the theme park areas that we often end up on a toll road without even realizing it and many of the exits have unmanned booths, so the Sunpass is very helpful.

Thank you. I need to buy a SunPass. We leave on 3/13 so it’s to late for it to be mailed. Is there a place near by MCO/car rental area to buy one?

 

[Capt_BJ]

https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/whereToPurchaseSunPass.shtml

 

[Gizmo74]

https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/whereToPurchaseSunPass.shtml
View attachment 560377

Wow! That is great so many places. Where I live it is only sold at the toll main offices. Once I get my rental car I’ll make a quick stop at Walgreens or CVS.

 

[Capt_BJ]

south exit, Publix just south of 417



north exit Walgreens at Lee Vista

 

[Gizmo74]

south exit, Publix just south of 417

View attachment 560465

north exit Walgreens at Lee Vista

View attachment 560473

Thank you! The maps help out a lot. I might just go to Publix to also get some groceries Having the surpass will make it a breeze driving around.

 

[Capt_BJ]

remember you need internet access to 'register' the transponder (open the account) and that also needs a credit card . . .

 

[Sunnyore]

We have used multiple car rental agencies over the years (Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Alamo) and have never had any issues with our SunPass transponder. Just make sure you use the Rental Car section in the app to add the rental plate when you are there.

You might not remember, but was curious if for when renting from Budget, did you have to make sure the car's transponder shield box is in the closed position, or removed it from the windshield completely? This will be my first time renting from Budget at MCO and would like to use my own portable Sunpass. I want to avoid any complications but I'm not quite sure what a shield box looks like or how to know it's closed. Any advice?

 

[Spartan86]

You might not remember, but was curious if for when renting from Budget, did you have to make sure the car's transponder shield box is in the closed position, or removed it from the windshield completely? This will be my first time renting from Budget at MCO and would like to use my own portable Sunpass. I want to avoid any complications but I'm not quite sure what a shield box looks like or how to know it's closed. Any advice?

We have rented a lot in the last 18 months. If the rental has a “company” transponder it is quite obvious if it is on/off, use/don’t use. They are well placarded.

 

[CarolynFH]

You might not remember, but was curious if for when renting from Budget, did you have to make sure the car's transponder shield box is in the closed position, or removed it from the windshield completely? This will be my first time renting from Budget at MCO and would like to use my own portable Sunpass. I want to avoid any complications but I'm not quite sure what a shield box looks like or how to know it's closed. Any advice?

We’ve used our own Sunpass transponder for two Budget rentals (November & March) and just made sure their shield box was closed. It’s pretty obvious - a large black box with a large handle and an arrow showing which way is open or closed. No problems with toll charges on either trip - we actually forgot to make any changes on our account (we also drive to Orlando sometimes, so it’s set up for our car).

 

[wdp]

You might not remember, but was curious if for when renting from Budget, did you have to make sure the car's transponder shield box is in the closed position, or removed it from the windshield completely? This will be my first time renting from Budget at MCO and would like to use my own portable Sunpass. I want to avoid any complications but I'm not quite sure what a shield box looks like or how to know it's closed. Any advice?

[I didn't realize that the Budget cars now have transponders and "transponder shield boxes" in FL.

From their website:

https://www.budget.com/en/products-services/services/e-toll"Opting Out of e-Toll: If you do not choose e-Toll Unlimited, you may avoid the standard e-Toll fees on any day during the term of the rental if you ensure the transponder shield box is in the “closed” position and you (i) pay cash for all tolls, (ii) use your own adequately funded, properly mounted and compatible electronic toll device to pay for all tolls, (iii) pay the toll authority directly through any available online or other service according to the toll authority’s rules and requirements; or (iv) avoid electronic toll roads or passages."

 

[puffkin]

You might not remember, but was curious if for when renting from Budget, did you have to make sure the car's transponder shield box is in the closed position, or removed it from the windshield completely? This will be my first time renting from Budget at MCO and would like to use my own portable Sunpass. I want to avoid any complications but I'm not quite sure what a shield box looks like or how to know it's closed. Any advice?

Our last rental from Budget, in April, did have a mounted transponder. It was pretty noticeable of how to swing it out to the "ready" position. We just kept it closed and used our own transponder. That is actually the first time I have ever seen an actual transponder mounted, but it was easy to work around.