If we got a dollar for every time someone scrambled for change to pay for airport parking, we’d be filthy rich by now! Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a newbie, we can bet that this has happened to you at least once at a busy airport. It could either be from accidentally ending up in the cash-only lane or your card not working in the machine for unknown reasons. Being stuck in the exit lane with no money to pay for parking is embarrassing and causes inconvenience to others behind you. Fortunately, all major airports in Florida now accept SunPass Plus to pay for airport parking. But what is SunPass, and should you get one? Allow us to take a deep dive into SunPass airport parking and answer your questions.
What is SunPass?
SunPass is an electronic toll collection system that lets users pay the fee for using toll roads. SunPass uses an RFID-enabled transponder called the SunPass Mini or SunPass Portable. Once the RFID transponder is fixed to the windshield of your car, users can drive through SunPass-only toll lanes in Florida and avoid the long lines at the cash lanes. Users can top off their SunPass account online using their debit or credit card and drive through high occupancy vehicle lanes or toll roads without having to stop at a toll booth to pay by cash.
If you have a SunPass Plus account, you could even use it to pay for airport parking at key Florida airports like Fort-Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
How do I use SunPass for airport parking?
Before we answer that, make sure you have a SunPass Plus account with the option for automatic replenishment using your credit card or bank account. Once that’s done, you are good to drive up to the onsite airport parking garages at Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Palm Beach, Miami, and Orlando.
At the airport, use the lane exclusive to SunPass Plus account holders and come to a stop at the toll barrier. Here, a computer will read your SunPass transponder before the gate arm opens to let you park your vehicle. When it’s time to exit the parking facility, ensure you are in the SunPass Plus lane at the toll plaza. The computer will again read the transponder and calculate the parking fee based on your parking duration. It then accesses your SunPass account to pay for airport parking and even replenishes your account if there are insufficient funds.
By using a SunPass Plus account for FLL airport parking or Orlando airport parking, you get to avoid the long lines at the cash lane, beat the traffic, and get home early. It also comes in handy at Palm Beach airport parking’s Economy Lot as it is the only other mode of payment apart from credit cards. Best of all, a SunPass Plus account also lets you save a significant amount of money at toll plazas in Florida and toll roads in North Carolina and Georgia that use Quick Pass and Peach Pass payment methods.
Where can I buy SunPass Plus for airport parking?
To use SunPass Plus, you will need the SunPass transponder. These come in two varieties – SunPass Mini and SunPass Portable – and can be purchased from CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, AAA Auto Club, and Amscot check-cashing stores.
The SunPass Mini transponder costs $4.99. It comes in the form of a sticker that sticks to the inside of your vehicle’s windshield. This sticker cannot be peeled off for use in another vehicle. If you wish to use one transponder for multiple vehicles, you must buy the SunPass Portable, which costs $19.99 and comes with suction cups.
Once you’ve bought the SunPass transponder, it’s now time to activate your SunPass account. You can set it up with credit or debit cards by going online or calling the SunPass customer service center. You could also replenish your account using cash by visiting the nearest check cashing location. Make sure that your SunPass Plus account is topped up every time you make a trip to the airport, as you do not want to be incurring an additional fee for having insufficient funds.
Verdict
Sure, having a SunPass Plus account is a bonus considering you get to exit the airport parking facilities quickly and save a chunk of money on tolls. However, you will still be paying the listed price for onsite airport parking. And with busy airports like Fort-Lauderdale and Tampa charging between $12 and $24 a day for long-term parking, you could still rack up a hefty parking receipt.
Fortunately, several parking websites and apps like way.com offer cheap and secure parking at offsite lots near the airports for rates starting as low as $3 a day! So if it were up to us, we’d get SunPass Plus to save on tolls and download the Way app from Google Store or the App Store for finding cheap airport parking!
Check out more blogs on the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
