SunPass Worthwhile?

[TIGGERGUY]

I travel down to WDW from Atlanta once a month. I end up stopping at 4 toll booths round trip. It just dawned on me I could get a SunPass and save time. I looked on the SunPass site and saw there are two types of transponders (portable and decal). Any thoughts on if this is worthwhile? What are the advantages of the portable device if you don't plan on switching vehicles? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Jacklynn]

We live near Orlando and we have a Sunpass. We use the one that can change car to car even though we only have 1 car at the time. I think we paid something like $25 for it. We keep $25 at a time on it and because we don't need it every day that lasts us about a month or so.

The differences in the sticker and the suction cup SunPasses that I know of:

I the sticker is $4.99 (it used to be at least).
The transferable one like I said is somewhere around $25 I think.

The more expensive one beeps when you go through telling you they took the toll, and it also gives a different beep if you are running low on funds, and then it has a different beep if your Sunpass has just been refilled with money.

The sticker does not beep of course. And you cannot take it off and on because it is a sticker.

If you drive down once a month you will have to decide if you care enough about being able to take it off and having it beep to pay for the more expensive one. We got the more expensive one because we like to know when it is getting ready to put another $25 on it (it does this automatically when the balance on the account runs low).

There isn't a discount for having either in tolls. Well in some areas, but not in the areas we use them. Back in IL where we lived if you had the I-pass it was something like half off. Not here

 

[vicki_c]

Check the Transportation boards - there's a few threads on this.

Bottom line - the sticker type has to be stuck to the window and remain there - you can't tape it to the windshield or anything or use it in multiple vehicles. I think it's $5?

The portable transponder has suction cups and can be used in multiple vehicles. We purchased this and used it in our rental car last trip and now have it for future trips, rental car or our own car. (and the SunPass site suggests you can't use it for a rental but that's not correct - I checked with them before buying it and that's not the case and it worked just fine). It was $25 + $25 in pre-loaded tolls.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I bought mine in 2002 and it's one of the best things I ever bought. Not for discounts but for bypassing the cash lines. In April 2002 I had to wait in line 30 minutes to pay cash and was watching enviously as the Sunpassers just zoomed by. I still have my ancient transponder.

 

[BrettS]

As the others have said, unfortunately the SunPass is more for convenience than saving money (Unless you have your own car that you always drive down).

The transferrable type with suction cups (that you would need for a rental car) must be purchased for $25. You do get a small savings on tolls (maybe $.25 for each toll), so it would take a long time to get your $25 back.

The window sticker type is only $5, plus you get a toll credit of $5 when you purchase it, so essentially it's free, however, it is a sticker and it can't be moved from car to car. This would only work if you drive down and can stick it on your own car windshield.

The only other difference is that the cheaper sticker type cannot be used to pay for parking at the airport and the transferrable type can, but that's probably not really a big deal for most of the people on this board

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board.

 

[matysgrandma]

Check the Transportation boards - there's a few threads on this.

Bottom line - the sticker type has to be stuck to the window and remain there - you can't tape it to the windshield or anything or use it in multiple vehicles. I think it's $5?

The portable transponder has suction cups and can be used in multiple vehicles. We purchased this and used it in our rental car last trip and now have it for future trips, rental car or our own car. (and the SunPass site suggests you can't use it for a rental but that's not correct - I checked with them before buying it and that's not the case and it worked just fine). It was $25 + $25 in pre-loaded tolls.

When you used the transponder in your rental car, did you have to call to register the car with SunPass?

 

[vicki_c]

When you used the transponder in your rental car, did you have to call to register the car with SunPass?

No you don't have to. That's what I was alluding to in my previous post. The website makes it sound like you have to - they have an FAQ that had a question about rental cars. But I e-mailed them and got an answer back that it wasn't necessary. They said most of the rental cars in Florida are already registered with them so that was not needed. And I didn't do that, and it worked just fine.

 

[matysgrandma]

No you don't have to. That's what I was alluding to in my previous post. The website makes it sound like you have to - they have an FAQ that had a question about rental cars. But I e-mailed them and got an answer back that it wasn't necessary. They said most of the rental cars in Florida are already registered with them so that was not needed. And I didn't do that, and it worked just fine.

Thanks for the info. Now I know we'll get one for sure!

 

[hearts8701]

i have a portable transponder we drive down a few times a year i have a question if i use a different car next trip do i have to register the other car too or can i use it in any car

 

[vicki_c]

i have a portable transponder we drive down a few times a year i have a question if i use a different car next trip do i have to register the other car too or can i use it in any car

I believe in that case you have to register the other car. They (SunPass) have the information on rental cars, but of course they wouldn't have any info on any personal car.