Denver Airport Parking Rates Spark Frustration as Travelers Question Fairness of Cost Structure
Denver International Airport is facing scrutiny over its parking fee system after frequent travelers expressed frustration with charges they describe as excessive and unfair. The issue came to light when a passenger was billed a full day’s parking fee for going just minutes beyond the 48-hour mark.
A Frequent Traveler’s Costly Experience
Steve Conney, a 53-year-old medical device salesman who flies in and out of Denver nearly every week for work, recently shared his experience. He parked in the airport’s west garage, where the daily maximum fee is $35.
After a short trip, Conney returned to retrieve his vehicle. His parking receipt showed he had parked for two days plus two minutes. Despite exceeding the two-day window by only a couple of minutes, he was billed for three full days, totaling $105.
“I would say it’s ridiculous,” Conney said. “I just couldn’t believe they were charging me a full day for two minutes. It was almost like getting a parking ticket.”
Airport Policy on Parking Fees
According to the airport’s official guidelines, parking lots operate on a flat daily rate structure. For close-in garages and lots, each additional 24-hour period is billed at $35 per day, with no option for hourly charges once the 24-hour threshold is passed.
That means even a few minutes over the allotted time results in a full additional day’s charge. While Conney’s employer typically covers his parking expenses, he said the issue is about fairness and principle, calling the policy unreasonable.
Comparison With Other Airports
A review of other major airports across the United States shows that many facilities revert to hourly rates after the first 24 hours, providing more flexibility for travelers. In contrast, Denver’s structure applies flat daily charges with no grace period or partial-hour pricing.
This difference in billing practices highlights why some travelers feel Denver’s policy is harsher compared to other airports, where guests are less likely to face unexpected full-day charges for just a few extra minutes.
Airport Response and Revenue Importance
Mark Nagel, Senior Vice President of Parking and Commercial Transportation at Denver International Airport, explained that the airport’s fee structure is designed to remain simple and consistent.
“Yes, if they are five minutes over, we will charge them the full daily rate,” he confirmed. He added that the approach is not meant to unfairly raise revenue but rather to align with market conditions and maintain a straightforward system.
Parking operations represent the airport’s largest source of non-aeronautical revenue, generating $229 million last year—more than concessions, car rentals, or hotel income. Nagel noted that high costs for parking lot maintenance and shuttle services also contribute to the pricing strategy.
Traveler Behavior and Alternatives
For Conney, the experience has changed his habits. He now chooses to take buses to the airport more frequently rather than risk unexpected fees for parking.
The airport maintains that travelers can appeal their parking charges if they believe an error has occurred. However, in Conney’s case, his appeal for a fee adjustment was denied, with airport management citing adherence to posted policies and duration of stay.
Policy Unlikely to Change
Despite ongoing traveler complaints, officials have indicated that there are no current plans to adjust the parking fee structure. The system will remain in place, meaning that even minimal overtime stays will continue to trigger a full day’s charge.
For frequent fliers like Conney, the issue remains one of fairness. As he put it, “I don’t think it’s a fair policy,” a sentiment shared by many who rely on Denver International Airport for regular travel.