SANEF Toll Tag

[Spinal]

Eurotunnel are doing a special offer (Sanef Tolling - Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) on the SANEF toll tag (a little gadget that helps you beat the queues on french toll booths... in theory).

Question is, have people found these of use? I usually pay by card at the booths, and can't think of times that I've seen massive queues...

Also - when they charge you, do they charge in Euros or GBP? If in sterling, what exchange rate do they use?

Just trying to decide if to continue on a card, or move to one of these things...

M.

 

[davidjpowell]

Yes -especially when on the car on my own when you need superman arms.

Also jumped a few queues, but not as far as I would like as one car out of our convey left it too late like a donut.

 

[Spinal]

Do you get billed in Euros or GBP? I found that my credit card's exchange rate is shockingly good compared to the high street, and I don't get charged any fees... so I've pretty much stopped exchanging money before I leave and just pay by card...

It wouldn't be massive, but on 200-euros a journey to the tolls, it does build up...
M.

 

[davidjpowell]

Do you get billed in Euros or GBP? I found that my credit card's exchange rate is shockingly good compared to the high street, and I don't get charged any fees... so I've pretty much stopped exchanging money before I leave and just pay by card...

It wouldn't be massive, but on 200-euros a journey to the tolls, it does build up...
M.

I get billed in euro's but I have a french issued tag.

One of the biggest bit's of amusements was watching the french see a UK registered car go in the tag lane, thinking they've done it now (quite a few stop so that you can reveres out), and the look of amazement when the barrier goes up.

 

[rf065]

You get billed in Pounds, obviously converted from euros at whatever the rate was when the bill is made up. Never noticed it to be any worse than any other euro to pound coversion.

The biggest advantage to me is not jumping queues, but rather not even having to stop. Many of the toll lines are now drive throughs without stopping at all.

Also heard they can now be used for parking charges at certain car parks in France, but never used it for that yet.

Russ

 

[Spinal]

Thanks - that's the part that worried me, that they did the conversion of € -> £... Wonder if they publish what rate they use...

EDIT: Answered my own question:

(we use an average mid market exchange rate for the relevant month + 2%)
Source: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/support

So there is a 2% surcharge.
M.

 

[GP801]

The 2% does not bother me. Most of my motorway driving through France to Italy or back is done solo. It is worth the 2% to save getting out at every toll booth especially in the winter. I have rarely used it in the holiday season but this year our daughter "borrowed" ours and found it did save some time queuing.

 

[Halcyon Days]

I've had a tag for a couple of years, used it this year for the first time with my CLK this year and I had quite a few issues with the tag being "read" as I went through the gates - I had to stop in the drive-thru, waving the tag around out of the window in an attempt to get it read :-(
Sanef said that it's due to the CLK having very little of the black-coated segment to the windscreen and so the signal gets blocked... Very frustrating!

My last bill included:
Calais to Roissy (Paris) 21:40 Euros + tax (19.6%) + Foreign exchange finance charge + monthly fee...
exchange rate of 0.84168

Anyway.. for 5 euros, it's worth the convenience (if it worked like it did in my Saab!! lol)

 

[Spinal]

The 2% does not bother me. Most of my motorway driving through France to Italy or back is done solo. It is worth the 2% to save getting out at every toll booth especially in the winter. I have rarely used it in the holiday season but this year our daughter "borrowed" ours and found it did save some time queuing.

Does it work in Italy?! That would be a major plus for me.

I've had a tag for a couple of years, used it this year for the first time with my CLK this year and I had quite a few issues with the tag being "read" as I went through the gates - I had to stop in the drive-thru, waving the tag around out of the window in an attempt to get it read :-(
Sanef said that it's due to the CLK having very little of the black-coated segment to the windscreen and so the signal gets blocked... Very frustrating!

My last bill included:
Calais to Roissy (Paris) 21:40 Euros + tax (19.6%) + Foreign exchange finance charge + monthly fee...
exchange rate of 0.84168

Anyway.. for 5 euros, it's worth the convenience (if it worked like it did in my Saab!! lol)

Just checked that route is eur21.40 - did they charge you tax on the toll? That would be quite a surcharge if so. Even on the sanef "journey cost" site.

Did some looking around, and found this too https://www.bipandgo.com - which seems cheaper (just under 2eur instead of £5 per month, no annual charge) - but can't figure out how to order from the UK. They have several european countries though...

M.

 

[Halcyon Days]

Ummm.. not sure about the tax? I think nearly all the tolls are subject to the equivalent to VAT... . so it was charged at exactly the rate sanef state on their site - 21:40.

The sanef monthly charge is only charged if you use the tag, is the other one the same?

and no, it doesn't work in Italy :-(

 

[Halcyon Days]

just looked at that bip&go site.. that's exactly the same tag as I have - and they too only charge for the months you use the tag... I wonder if I can transfer?! ;-)

 

[rf065]

Sanef said that it's due to the CLK having very little of the black-coated segment to the windscreen and so the signal gets blocked... Very frustrating!

I'm sure my CLK windscreen is just the same as yours and I've had no problems with mine, works perfectly every time.

Russ

 

[Halcyon Days]

I'm sure my CLK windscreen is just the same as yours and I've had no problems with mine, works perfectly every time.

Russ

Really? I had no end of trouble :-( Does yours have the big sensor thing behind the rear-view mirror?

 

[rf065]

Really? I had no end of trouble :-( Does yours have the big sensor thing behind the rear-view mirror?

Yes it does, never had one bit of trouble and I've been using mine for the last 4 years all over France.

Russ

 

[Spinal]

I've emailed the bip&go people to see if I can order from the UK - it also seems like they'll take payment by credit card which I prefer to giving my bank details away...

 

[R120]

Never had any issues in my 204 (I have theUK one and charged in pounds).

I don't really care what it costs, it has shaved a good 45 minutes off my regular French journey.

 

[GP801]

No it does not work in Italy but the Italian Telepass is easy enough to get from a Punto Blu on the autostrada. They are however allocated to the registration number. Two registration numbers are allowed and you can alter them online. Ours is linked to our italian bank account but I think a credit card is fine. Foreign plates are also fine. Our 124 remains UK registered.

 

[Halcyon Days]

Yes it does, never had one bit of trouble and I've been using mine for the last 4 years all over France.

Russ

Out of interest, where have you placed the tag? Sanef suggested placing it on the back of the plastic shroud, at the back of the sensor.

 

[rf065]

As you sit in the drivers seat, mine is placed on the windscreen to the left of the plastic shroud/sensor, directly on the glass with the black dotted area.

Russ

 

[mejermy]

They should be at the top LHS of the screen to put them as close as possible to the receiver in the peage. This position works for me on both a RHD S211 and a LHD S124. If you have problems in this position place the transponder on the windscreen behind the central rear view mirror where there is usually an area of glass without any coating which can affect signal transmission.