Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

[Jimplication]

I am considering signing up for E-Z Pass, and after sitting in toll traffic for over an hour yesterday on I-95 outside of Maryland, it seems like a very convenient option.

I did quite a bit of reading in regards to how it works, and the automatic replenishment option sounds nice.

My question is: Do account balances expire? If I don't travel much in a given year and still have $23 left in my account, will that balance carry over from year to year, or do balances expire if they aren't used?

[Cebby]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

I don't think they expire.

[Pared]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Whatever you do, DO NOT keep a credit card on file. They will take out your money based on what they "think" you'll need... and this is on a routine basis.

You can not change what they take out during the replenishment. It's absolutely stupid.

[Jimplication]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Whatever you do, DO NOT keep a credit card on file. They will take out your money based on what they "think" you'll need... and this is on a routine basis.

You can not change what they take out during the replenishment. It's absolutely stupid.

Interesting.. I've read that manual account replenishment is a hassle... Does anyone have additional thoughts on this?

How do you pay, and what have your experiences been?

If you could suggest an ideal payment plan, it would be appreciated, as I gather it is hard to change/undo once you sign up.

[Pared]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Manual replenishment is only a hassle if you don't keep track of it. You can make one-time payments pretty easily.

I know some people don't care how much is taken out since they'll use it anyway. Me, personally... I have issues with them taking over $100 of my money when they do replenish my account when I hardly use it.

[Jimplication]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Manual replenishment is only a hassle if you don't keep track of it. You can make one-time payments pretty easily.

I know some people don't care how much is taken out since they'll use it anyway. Me, personally... I have issues with them taking over $100 of my money when they do replenish my account when I hardly use it.

Good info.

Is there anyway to prevent them from taking out more than $35 at a time? I don't suspect I would use the service enough to warrant larger withdrawels.

Also, does E-Z Pass work nationwide, or is it limited to use in the state one signs up in?

[ehh]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Whatever you do, DO NOT keep a credit card on file. They will take out your money based on what they "think" you'll need... and this is on a routine basis.

You can not change what they take out during the replenishment. It's absolutely stupid.

I didn't even know this was an option. I just signed up for one a few months ago because my parents kept bitching about me borrowing theirs and from everything I gathered you're required to have a CC on file.

[warnerwlf98]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Good info.

Is there anyway to prevent them from taking out more than $35 at a time? I don't suspect I would use the service enough to warrant larger withdrawels.

Also, does E-Z Pass work nationwide, or is it limited to use in the state one signs up in?

I think it's state specific. Florida has a "Sun Pass" system for toll roads that works from South Florida to at least Orlando.

[Pared]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

No way to do it. You can call them up and request a change once according to their reps. Anytime thereafter you need to write a letter. See how stupid it is?

I know it works along the east coast... I haven't tried it past VA. It works as far North as Vermont as well.

[Pared]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

I didn't even know this was an option. I just signed up for one a few months ago because my parents kept bitching about me borrowing theirs and from everything I gathered you're required to have a CC on file.

You're right... maybe I should have specified as do not allow them to do automatic replenishment. You can have a CC on file for one-time payments... but the minute you have it on auto-replenish you're at their mercy.

[Jimplication]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

No way to do it. You can call them up and request a change once according to their reps. Anytime thereafter you need to write a letter. See how stupid it is?

I know it works along the east coast... I haven't tried it past VA. It works as far North as Vermont as well.

The notion of them withdrawing more is certainly a valid concern. It's generally hard to undo monetary transfers, even if credit cards make it easier for funds to be credited back to the account holder, and I'm curious how widespread or common it is for them to extract beyond the $35 minimum.

I read a random forum post via Google search result, and the user recommended not going past the E-Z Pass terminal closely behind a tractor trailer, as that may cause them to register as the tractor trailer, and thus incur hefty fees, and perhaps also larger account withdrawels in the future.

Interesting stuff. I'd definitely be interested in more experiences or comments if any of you have them.

[jdros13]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

I have it (go through tolls everyday) and I use the auto-replenish. I have absolutely no interest in having to keep track of how much money I have left in my account, and it is far easier to do it that way, especially since I am spending $60-$100 per month in tolls. It's not like they replenish you at $500 or something.

You can get your money out of ezpass, but you have to send them a letter if I remember correctly and they send you a check. IL uses the same system, and I closed my account there and opened a new one in PA when I moved a couple of years ago. I think I still had about $30 in my IL account and they definitely sent me a check for the balance.

I pity the fools that sit in toll traffic.

edit: I just checked my account, and I get replenished at $70 per transaction...which is what I spend monthly, so that works for me!

[p_rushing]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

That's stupid how they do that. In Georgia, they take out like $30 to start, when you get down to $10, they take out $20 more. Its a set limit, when you reach it, they take out more, but its also set. They should allow you to set a limit or set one on their own.

[Jimplication]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

Thanks for the replies.

Is it beneficial to join with the state you are going to be driving the most in?

I read a few posts online, and some people mentioned states (I think Maryland was one) that had no annual fee for signing up with E-Z Pass, and thus they would sign up in Maryland, despite them living in another state.

I gather the annual fee in PA is $3, which is basically a non-issue, but I'm curious about whether there are any benefits for joining with a particular state, whether it be the one you reside in, or another.

Also, is it hard to add another car/transponder onto the account? If I did sign up, I'd like to add my parents as well. They don't travel much, but it would be beneficial for them to not have to sit in toll line traffic either, and it would be nice to have their fees drawn from my account.

[pk500]

Re: Do E-Z Pass account balances expire?

I am considering signing up for E-Z Pass, and after sitting in toll traffic for over an hour yesterday on I-95 outside of Maryland, it seems like a very convenient option.

I did quite a bit of reading in regards to how it works, and the automatic replenishment option sounds nice.

My question is: Do account balances expire? If I don't travel much in a given year and still have $23 left in my account, will that balance carry over from year to year, or do balances expire if they aren't used?

EZ-Pass is one of the greatest things since twist tops on beer. Don't wait a day longer to get one.

Not sure how our payment plan is set up, since my wife handles all of the finances like an ace. But she has had zero complaints about the EZ-Pass.

Take care,
PK