How to Rent a Car in Miami for $3.15 a Day

You've probably seen those car rental deals in Miami that seem too good to be true - like $3.15 a day. They sound incredible... until you reach the counter and discover that the actual price is 5 to 10 times higher. In this guide, you'll find out what's really behind those ads, how most travelers end up losing money when renting a car in Miami, and how to avoid hidden fees, mandatory insurance, SunPass traps, and misleading contracts.

Why you see car rentals for $3.15 a day, but end up paying much more

If you've ever searched for a car rental in Miami, you've likely come across tempting offers - like $3.15 a day for a compact sedan.

It seems like a bargain, right? In reality, it's just bait. The actual cost ends up being much higher.

So, what's really behind that "magic" price?

The $3.15 is just a number meant to get you to click on the ad. When you reach the counter, they tell you it's just a "nominal fee" and that everything else - taxes, insurance, mandatory fees, and extras - is paid separately.

Insurance is almost always added on, even if your reservation says it's already included. It's hard to decline, and in many cases, it's simply not possible to do so.

They'll also ask you to pay for the SunPass (Florida's toll system), which is often presented as mandatory, at a cost of $10 to $15 per day. Technically you can decline it, but in practice many customers aren't allowed to.

Most rental cars in Miami already have a SunPass transponder installed. When you drive on toll roads, the system charges you automatically. But the rental company adds its own surcharge on top.

Sometimes, instead of charging a flat $3 per day, they bill you $25 for each toll road used - not including the actual toll, which is usually only $0.75 to $3.00.

And that's not all.

Right when you're about to sign the rental contract, more hidden charges can pop up:

• Concession recovery fee: $5 to $15 per day, or 10% to 15% of the total
• Vehicle license fee: $2 to $4 per day
• Customer facility charge: $4 to $7 per day
• Energy recovery fee: $0.50 to $2 per day
• Tire and battery fee: $1 to $3
• Administrative fee: between $25 and $200

After returning the car, you might also be charged for:

• Early or late return: $10 to $50

Most international booking platforms hide these fees in the fine print or don't show them at all. Automatically translated terms only add to the confusion - especially for those renting in the U.S. for the first time.

In summary: no one is going to rent you a car for $3.15 a day. Think about it - that price isn't even sustainable for companies. The actual cost is usually between $25 and $80 per day, depending on the car. If you know upfront what you're paying, it's fair. Just don't be fooled by prices that seem too good to be true.

The prepayment trap: how you can lose money before you even arrive

Many booking sites ask you to pay upfront - $30, $100, or even the entire rental amount. It gives you the feeling that everything is under control, that the car is "guaranteed." But this is one of the most common ways to lose your money.

Why does this trap work?

• You've already landed in Miami and you're at the counter. Leaving now seems inconvenient, especially if you already paid through the third-party site.
• The staff tells you: "These are mandatory state fees" (and you assume everyone is being told the same).
• You feel like you've already paid in full - but in reality, you only paid a commission to the third-party, not the rental company.

What's the problem?

Booking site (intermediary) ≠ Rental company

You paid a third party, not the rental company. When you arrive, they are under no obligation to honor your prepayment.

The real price is revealed at the counter

Only when you're about to sign the contract do you discover that:

• Insurance is mandatory
• Airport fees are added
• Toll services are automatically included - and overpriced
• Extras you didn't ask for are added without your approval

Your deposit might not be fully refunded

The company puts a hold of $500 to $1000 on your card. They can then deduct charges for:

• Traffic tickets
• Tolls
• Interior cleaning
• Minor scratches
• Not refueling completely
• Returning the car without the "prepaid fuel package," even though you never agreed to it

Complaints don't help much

You contact the third-party - they tell you to talk to the rental company. The company tells you: "You didn't pay us - talk to the third-party."

In case of a dispute, you'll likely lose. You accepted the third-party's terms without reading them. At best, you'll lose the prepayment, which the third-party keeps.

And all of this happened simply because you fell for the $3.15-a-day car rental trap in Miami.

How to avoid the prepayment trap:

• Book directly with rental companies, not through intermediaries (and read reviews in advance)
• Look for rentals with free cancellation
• Don't pay upfront unless absolutely necessary
• Always ask for the final price before paying or signing a contract

The reality is that the system is designed this way: first they show you a price that stands out against the competition, and then they start charging you little by little - before (the intermediary's commission), during, and after the rental (the company's charges).

If the rental price is too low, the company simply has no choice but to "make up the difference" during your trip - in every way possible.

How much does it really cost to rent a car in Miami - full breakdown

1. Booking site commission - 15% (minimum $25)

This is the price you typically see on third-party booking sites: the tempting offer of “from $3.15/day”. In reality, that amount usually only covers the booking site's commission, not the actual rental. For this example, we'll use $25.

2. Taxes and mandatory fees

These charges are always added to the rental:

• Sales tax – 7%
• Rental car surcharge – $2.00 per day
• Concession recovery fee (CRF) – 11.11% (only if renting from the airport)
• Customer facility charge (CFC) – $4.50 per day (at airport locations)

Outside the airport, taxes and fees are usually $3–4 per day. At the airport (for example, MIA), expect to pay between $9 and $11 per day.

3. Insurance

Minimum coverage (LDW/CDW) costs between $8 and $30 per day. They often try to sell you a more expensive premium insurance for $20 to $40 per day.

4. Tolls and SunPass

Almost all rental cars in Florida have a SunPass device. You might pay:

• $10–15 per day as a flat fee (even if you don't use any toll roads)
• Up to $25 per toll, plus the actual toll cost ($0.75–3.00)
• Processing fee of $3–5 per toll

Toll-related charges can easily exceed $30 per day.

5. Extras and add-ons

These can be offered at the counter or added automatically:

• Additional driver – $10–15 per day
• Child seat – $5–15 per day
• Wi-Fi – $10 per day
• GPS – $5–10 per day
• Prepaid fuel package – $60–100 for the entire rental

6. Deposit

The rental company puts a hold of at least $500 on your credit card (depending on the vehicle category). Part of the deposit may be kept for:

• Not refueling
• Late return
• Vehicle damage
• Traffic tickets (speeding, red light)
• Dirty interior
• Other charges upon returning the car

Estimate for 7 days of rental:

• Booking site commission – 15%, minimum $25
• Taxes and fees – $12/day, total $84
• Insurance – $20/day, total $140
• Tolls and SunPass – $15/day, total $105

Total for 7 days: $345
Actual cost per day: $50.57

Summary

If you see a price under $25 per day, it's most likely not the actual final cost.

Realistic range:

• $25–60 per day – for a compact sedan on a short-term rental
• From $18 per day – only possible with long-term rentals outside the airport, with no extras or third-party commissions

How to rent a car in Miami without surprises - Step by step

Step 1: Compare conditions, not just the price

Don't be lured by “from $3.15/day” ads - check what's really included.

Read reviews of the rental company, not just the booking site.

Step 2: Book without prepayment and with free cancellation

The best option is to pay at the counter.

If it's high season, check the deadline for free cancellation.

Step 3: Contact the rental company before or right after booking

(With third-party sites, you often don't get the contact details until after booking)

Ask them:

• Is insurance included?
• Do I need a credit card?
• Are there any hidden fees?
• What documents do I need to provide?

Step 4: Avoid airport pickups

It's always more expensive - expect to pay $7–15 more per day.

It's usually better to take a short ride to their office. Many companies offer a free shuttle.

Step 5: Take photos when picking up the car

Photograph the car’s exterior, interior, windows, tires, fuel level, odometer, and the rental agreement.

Step 6: Return the car in the same condition

• Full tank
• Clean interior
• No new damage (if existing ones were documented)
• On time
• Pay your fines if possible (or even better - avoid getting any)

In summary: The more you double-check before paying, the smoother your rental will go.

Check which cars are available

If you've made it this far, you already know how to avoid tricks and extra fees when renting a car in Miami. Now it's time to choose the right vehicle.

On our website, we only display cars that are actually available - no fake ads. Each car shows its status in real time, and if it says “Available NOW”, it's ready to be booked at that moment.

For example, a Hyundai Accent with automatic transmission costs just $18.30 per day. That price already includes insurance, taxes, SunPass, an additional driver, and a child seat.

And if the car is available right now, you can book it online - no credit card and no prepayment required.

Welcome to Miami - and thank you for choosing an honest car rental.