Florida Visitors Beware     

   Don't fear the snakes or gators. It's rental car companies taking bites out of visitors' wallets. 

   Manned toll booths are giving way to overhead electronic devices. Florida residents purchase transponders that SunPass records each time they pass under. Drivers pay later by check or automatic withdrawals. 

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   Originally, Florida advised visitors to check with rental car companies before making reservations. Those companies are removing any doubts.

   Some offer two options: pay a daily fee for handling electronic tolling - in addition to the cost of the tolls, or, opt out and be held liable for the tolls and pay high administrative fees. 

   Hertz (PlatePass) starts at $4.95 a day, up to a max of $24.75 per rental, plus the tolls. Avis charges $3.95 a day for its e-Toll program for the rental period. The service begins the first time you cross under a toll gate, and continues daily even if you don't pass another one, up to a max of $19.75 a month. 

   Dollar's spokeswoman said its fee for PlatePass administrative service ranges from $8.99 to $21.99 depending on location. If you don't buy PlatePass, the agency will charge $9.99 administrative (in Florida) for each toll, up to a max of $90, plus the cost of the tolls. 

   More states are moving to electronic-only toll collection. Call ahead.

Source: Washington Post 

      Jimmy