Friday, August 21, 2015

If you plan to see the glitz and lights of Vegas:

I found this deal for Car Rental Car Rentals at Las Vegas, NV, International Airport
I've been to Reno and Lake Tahoe, but not Vegas myself. Maybe on my next west bound vacation. I don't believe Nevada has a toll road issue.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

If you are flying into Phoenix I found this Car Rental deal

Car Rentals at Phoenix, AZ, International Airport
Unlike FL and CA I never had issues with toll roads in AZ. I did find this article, a bit dated 2013, that talks about future toll charges for single riders in HOV lanes at azcentral.com

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

If you plan to visit San Francisco I have found this deal

Car Rentals at San Francisco, CA, International Airport
Check out thetollroads.com for details about toll road electronic passes throughout California. I noticed that not all toll roads have booth payment options. The Golden Gate Bridge is in that list, and unlike other states where buying a pass is fairly easy for tourists, I found it next to impossible around the GGB as I approached it, last summer. They will find and bill you after the fact but you risk paying a much higher rate, especially if they do not find you before they consider the bill past due, then they'll charge penalties too! I speak from experience about this issue. Be aware or better yet be prepared.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

If you are headed to L.A. we found this airport car rental deal for you:

Car Rentals at Los Angeles, CA International Airport
Check out thetollroads.com for details about toll road electronic passes throughout California. I noticed that not all toll roads have booth payment options, and given the traffic it is not always easy to avoid toll roads. They will find and bill you after the fact but you risk paying a much higher rate, especially if they do not find you before they consider the bill past due, then they'll charge penalties too! I speak from experience about this issue. Be aware or better yet be prepared.

Monday, August 17, 2015

If you are off to see the Mouse or otherwise going to Orlando

We found this deal for Car Rentals at Orlando, FL, International Airport
My experience with renting at the airport in Orlando, is that it is difficult but not impossible to avoid the toll roads between the Airport and most of the attractions, and hotels.
Obviously the fastest way is along those toll roads, using a window mounted SunPass toll tag. If you are toll aversive, like I am sometimes, a good GPS guide service like WAZE might help you get around it, but will add a lot of travel time, and stop light traffic, maybe making the difference in gas costs, but surely making it in your personal time.
The Rental car companies have a relationship allowing you to opt-in to paying your toll fees through them, read the contract carefully to understand any upcharging they may apply for this service, just as you would check the gas refill details in the contract.
There was a time when you could get the Sunpass yourself pass online through Amazon.com, and you can still get it online through Sunpass.com, but note that you will not want to permanently mount it on the rental car windshield so a e-Z Pass Suction Cup Mount - For Your Electronic Toll Pass might also be helpful. Another bit of advice for the first time Florida toll user there are various Florida e-pass services, you can use any on any Florida tool roads, they are equivalent. Don't worry if the road toll signs don't include the service name you have chosen.