Rental car do I need toll pass? (Miami, Miami Beach: buying, live)

[Surfertx]

I'll be vacationing in Miami landing in MIA airport driving to Miami beach. Do I need to get a toll pass from the car rental co.? It will be for 3 days.

[Marc Middleton]

Yes! Tolls everywhere, including on the SR-112 when you leave the airport or if you get on the 836/Dolphin.

If you take the Venetian Causeway to avoid Boatshow traffic there is a toll. If you go to Key Biscayne, there is a toll. If you hop in the express lanes on i-95 to go to Ft. Lauderdale/Aventura, you'll need a pass as well.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by Surfertx

I'll be vacationing in Miami landing in MIA airport driving to Miami beach. Do I need to get a toll pass from the car rental co.? It will be for 3 days.

If you have time before your trip, the best thing to do is set up your own Sunpass account and purchase one online and have it mailed to you. It will be cheaper than the ripoff daily fees that the rental companies charge. Dollar & Thrifty, for example, charge $10.49/per day, whether you go through any tolls or not. Hertz "only" charges $4.95/day plus tolls, but then, their daily fees for the car itself are usually much higher.

[elchevere]

I used Avis before moving here and was assessed toll fees and only a $2.50 toll reader usage fee per day only on days when I went on a road in which tolls were assessed.Ask for a car with toll reader (or whatever it is called) when making your reservation if you choose Avis....not sure if that is standard or if my company had a negotiated rate with Avis.

[hurricaneMan1992]

My last rental (with Sixt in South Beach--highly recommended if you can afford their rates) actually didn't have an actual sunpass. The car's license plate was registered so you can either get the unlimited toll plan or pay per toll plus a admin fee, which more than two tolls would amount to more than the unlimited plan. Thing with buying a sunpass is you have to get the $19.99 portable one + $10 minimum initial load value, which depending on the length of your rental and whether you will be coming back to visit in the near future may not be worth the hassle. For a 3-day rental, IMO it's probably not worth it, just get the unlimited toll plan or learn where the toll roads are and avoid them.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by elchevere

I used Avis before moving here and was assessed toll fees and only a $2.50 toll reader usage fee per day only on days when I went on a road in which tolls were assessed.Ask for a car with toll reader (or whatever it is called) when making your reservation if you choose Avis....not sure if that is standard or if my company had a negotiated rate with Avis.

Yeah, that had to be a special negotiated rate with your company. Avis's standard rate for Joe Consumer is $3.95 per rental day - whether you use the car or not - plus any tolls incurred.

https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

As I stated in my previous post, the best option is to purchase your own Sunpass before arriving in Florida.

[bmw335xi]

It's not worth it and don't fall for their... hey we can fill your gas tank for you for our special price of XYZ. Decline! Decline! Decline!

[himain]

Yes you'll need one

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by Surfertx

I'll be vacationing in Miami landing in MIA airport driving to Miami beach. Do I need to get a toll pass from the car rental co.? It will be for 3 days.

I was in Miami last summer and was told by the rental agency and others that I would need a toll pass. However, I had a buddy who lived in the area and he told me not to purchase one because it wasn't necessary. He was right. I was able to get around the city without once encountering a toll. Of course, the pass may make it a bit more convenient during rush hour, etc., but I did not have any issues when we were there and we travelled everywhere.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

I was in Miami last summer and was told by the rental agency and others that I would need a toll pass. However, I had a buddy who lived in the area and he told me not to purchase one because it wasn't necessary. He was right. I was able to get around the city without once encountering a toll. Of course, the pass may make it a bit more convenient during rush hour, etc., but I did not have any issues when we were there and we travelled everywhere.

I go to Miami quite often as a tourist and I have no idea why you would get a toll pass for a 3 day trip to Miami. I could understand if you would be relocating or if you planned to travel to other parts of Florida... but just to hang out around Miami and Miami Beach, there is no need.