If you’ve ever rented a car and later noticed a charge labeled ERAC TOLL on your credit card statement, you might have wondered what it is and why it’s there. Car rentals are often accompanied by various fees and charges, some of which may seem confusing at first glance. ERAC, short for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, is one of the largest car rental companies in the world, and “ERAC Toll” generally refers to toll charges incurred during your car rental period.
In this article, we will dive into What is erac toll on my credit card?, how they work, and what you can do to manage or dispute these charges if needed.
Understanding ERAC Toll Charges
When you rent a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car (or its related brands, such as National Car Rental or Alamo Rent A Car), you might encounter various additional charges besides the base rental fee. These can include insurance, fuel surcharges, and, as in this case, toll charges. ERAC Toll refers to charges incurred when you drive through toll roads or use toll services during your rental period.
How Do Toll Roads Work?
Toll roads are highways or bridges that charge a fee for usage, which is used to maintain infrastructure or pay for the construction costs. Traditionally, toll booths were staffed by attendants who collected cash or coins from drivers. However, many toll roads today have moved to cashless, electronic toll collection systems. These systems, such as E-ZPass or FasTrak, automatically charge drivers as they pass through toll booths or designated toll lanes.
When you rent a car from Enterprise, you might encounter toll roads in certain areas, and depending on how the tolls are set up, you may not have the option to pay manually. If you pass through a toll gate without paying cash (where allowed), the toll is registered electronically, and the charges are later passed on to you.
How Does Enterprise Handle Tolls?
Enterprise, like most major car rental companies, has partnerships with toll service providers to simplify the process of collecting tolls from their customers. When you drive through a toll road in a rented vehicle, Enterprise receives a bill for the toll charges, which they then pass on to you via your credit card.
Here are the most common ways that tolls are managed during a car rental:
- PlatePass or Equivalent Toll Services: Many car rental companies offer services like PlatePass, which allows drivers to use toll roads without needing to stop and pay. These toll services use the car’s license plate or an installed electronic toll transponder to automatically charge the toll to your account. Enterprise will receive a bill for the toll charges and will charge your credit card for the amount incurred, along with an administrative fee for managing the toll transaction.
- Manual Payment: In some areas, you can still pay tolls manually using cash or a credit card. If you choose to pay manually, you won’t incur additional toll charges from Enterprise. However, if you accidentally drive through an electronic-only toll lane, Enterprise will receive the bill, and you will be charged accordingly.
- Toll Transponder Use: In some cases, you may have the option to use your own personal toll transponder (such as an E-ZPass) if it is compatible with the toll system in the area you’re traveling. This can save you from paying additional fees from the rental company.
What Is the Administrative Fee?
When you drive through tolls during a car rental period, you won’t only be charged the amount of the toll itself. Rental companies typically apply an administrative fee for processing the toll charge. This fee is separate from the actual toll amount and is designed to cover the costs incurred by the rental company in managing the toll process.
For example, if you incurred a $5 toll while driving a rental car, you might be charged an additional $3.95 administrative fee per toll occurrence, meaning the total charge could be $8.95 on your credit card statement. The fee structure and rates can vary based on the rental company and toll service provider.
Why Do I See “ERAC Toll” on My Credit Card?
Now that you have a basic understanding of how tolls work with Enterprise car rentals, let’s break down why you’re seeing ERAC Toll on your credit card statement. Essentially, the ERAC Toll charge is a combination of the actual toll fees you incurred while driving through toll roads and any associated administrative fees applied by Enterprise.
Here’s a step-by-step overview of how this happens:
- You Drive Through a Toll: During your rental period, you drive through a toll road, bridge, or tunnel that uses electronic toll collection. If you don’t pay manually at a cash toll booth, the toll is registered electronically using the vehicle’s license plate or installed transponder.
- Enterprise Receives the Toll Bill: After you return the rental car, Enterprise receives a bill for any tolls you incurred while driving the vehicle. These charges are typically sent to Enterprise by the toll authorities or toll service providers.
- Enterprise Charges Your Credit Card: Enterprise adds the toll charges to your rental record and processes them on the credit card you used to rent the vehicle. This charge is labeled as “ERAC Toll” on your credit card statement. In some cases, the charge may appear days or even weeks after your rental period has ended, depending on when the toll data is processed.
- Administrative Fee is Applied: Along with the toll charges, Enterprise may also apply an administrative fee to cover the costs of processing the toll payment.
How to Manage and Avoid ERAC Toll Charges
While toll charges are often unavoidable if you drive on toll roads, there are several ways to minimize or manage the ERAC toll charges on your credit card. Here are some practical tips:
1. Use Cash Toll Lanes Where Possible
If you’re driving in an area with toll roads, opt for toll lanes that accept cash or credit card payments. By paying directly at the toll booth, you can avoid having Enterprise process the toll and charge you additional administrative fees.
2. Rent a Toll Transponder
In some regions, Enterprise offers the option to rent a toll transponder with your vehicle. This can be a convenient way to pay tolls without worrying about administrative fees or post-rental toll charges. However, be sure to review the costs associated with renting the transponder to determine if it’s worth it based on your expected toll usage.
3. Use Your Own Toll Transponder
If you have your own toll transponder (such as an E-ZPass or SunPass), check whether it’s compatible with the toll roads in the area where you’re driving. Using your own transponder can help you avoid rental company fees. However, remember to remove your transponder from the car after the rental period to avoid accidental toll charges after returning the vehicle.
4. Check Your Route for Toll Roads
Before embarking on your trip, use mapping apps or navigation systems to check your route for any toll roads. Many navigation systems allow you to avoid toll roads altogether, saving you from incurring toll charges and fees. If you’re traveling in unfamiliar areas, this can be a helpful way to stay in control of your travel expenses.
How to Dispute ERAC Toll Charges
If you believe that the ERAC Toll charge on your credit card is incorrect or you were unfairly charged, you can dispute the charges through the following steps:
1. Review Your Rental Agreement
Start by reviewing your rental agreement to understand the toll policies and fees outlined by Enterprise. This can give you a clearer picture of the terms you agreed to when renting the vehicle.
2. Contact Enterprise Customer Service
Reach out to Enterprise’s customer service department with details of the charge in question. Provide your rental agreement number, dates of rental, and specific toll charges that you are disputing. Enterprise should be able to investigate the charges and provide you with a detailed breakdown.
3. Check Toll Service Providers
If you have concerns about the tolls themselves, you can contact the toll service provider in the region where the toll was incurred. They may provide more information about the toll charges and whether any errors were made in processing.
4. File a Dispute with Your Credit Card Company
If you’re unable to resolve the issue directly with Enterprise or the toll provider, consider filing a dispute with your credit card company. Your credit card issuer may be able to reverse the charge while investigating the issue on your behalf.
Conclusion
An ERAC Toll charge on your credit card statement is a toll-related fee from your rental car use with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. While toll roads can make your travel more convenient, understanding how these charges work and how to manage them can help you avoid unexpected fees. Whether through using manual payment options, renting a transponder, or navigating toll-free routes, you can take proactive steps to minimize your expenses when renting a car.
