(Pay by plate)Ok, so at first it’s confusing but it takes 2-3 days for the tolls to be processed and you will get an email saying that the tolls are there and you can put a payment, then I put my payment information and it took 3-4 days to process , ignore if it says it can’t be processed or paid just submit again as long as your card is there and say primary on the card you put and you should be ok. Then it’ll accept payment before 14 days. You will also get a email confirmation stating that your toll has been paid as long as your card says primary and you submit your card you should be ok but do it right as the tolls are up and ready to pay or if you start paying 1-2 days before the 14 days it’ll take 3-4 days to process that payment and it’ll be considered late and you’ll pay a late fee. It was confusing but now I know.

I got burned after last year’s trip to Chicago because I didn’t know about paying the tolls online. When I did download the confusing app and (thought I) paid, it turned out I had paid on an old plate, so I was penalized with a late fee. When I finally found a telephone number to speak with an actual person and explain the situation, I was given a “grace” period but never a resolution. I eventually ended up paying the fee plus the late penalty. For this year’s trip, not only did I know to use the app, but also warned friends traveling with us about the challenges Chicago visitors face using the toll roads (which no longer have tickets/booths, only easy-to-miss/confusing signs that say “Pay online”) and reminded them to use the app. I just went on to see what I owe and the app says there are “no current charges” and that I may wait up to TWO weeks to see my charges. Unfortunately, there’s only a TWO week period to pay the tolls without penalty. So, now I wait around to see if things come through the app in time for me to not have to pay a penalty. Do better, Chicago. This system is stressful to visitors and not in the least customer friendly.

I installed the IPass app to look up account information online. The app has all the functionality of the website in an easy to use interface. It is easy to navigate and now I can see current usage and history as well as pending orders. I can also use the app to keep my cars in transponders properly associated and updated. The only question or issue I have is that the app said I had a delinquent toll from two days ago. I chose to manually pay the toll, although I was not sure if the unpaid toll showed up because of a glitch in the payment or because it had just not yet worked through the payment process.

I drive the tollway 8-14times a year which for some is so little but for me it means going to see family in NC from Wisconsin. I have used the pay by plate system for 2 years and just 10 minutes ago I ordered a transponder because I never get my toll invoices on the app or online until I receive an extremely expensive letter in the mail and the cheapest one I have received was 286 dollars, i have not received any notice from the last 3 trips we’ve made (6 trips on the tollway) one in march one in July and one in August. All of my information about me my vehicle and payment method are valid and up to date, so why do I have to pay over 300 dollars up to 6 months later for trips that should post at the maximum 30 days after travel.I am not upset but I know that with the transponder I will only travel the tollway in an emergency trip to see my parents otherwise I am going to take the extra time to drive through Iowa Missouri and Tennessee to get home!!!