An auto-started rental means our enforcement team scanned your license plate while your vehicle was at one of our parking facilities and found that you did not have an active session. To protect you from receiving a parking violation or being towed, AirGarage started a rental on your behalf.
How does auto-start work?
AirGarage uses a combination of camera systems and enforcement staff to monitor license plates at our parking facilities (LPR Privacy Policy). If your plate is detected in the lot without an active session, the system or an enforcement officer will initiate a rental for your vehicle.
What am I charged?
Auto-started rentals are charged the daily maximum rate for that parking facility.
This charge may also include a convenience fee. The total amount charged will appear on your AirGarage account and in your email or text receipt.
How to avoid being auto-started
The best way to avoid an auto-start charge is to always start your own rental session when you park.
- Scan the QR code on the signs or text "Pay" to the number on the signs as soon as you park.
- Complete the rental process and wait for your confirmation text message before walking away.
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If you will be parking at the same location regularly, consider the AirGarage app, which allows you to start sessions more quickly.
How to dispute an auto-start charge
If you believe your rental was auto-started in error, contact our support team. Common dispute scenarios and the information that helps us resolve each one are listed below.
"I already had an active rental when this happened"
- This can occur if you started a rental but your plate on file did not match your vehicle exactly, or if you were using the app under a different account.
- If this happened to you get in touch with our support team, if you are able to provide a screenshot of your active parking session with the incorrect plate on file we can reverse the auto-start charge.
"I wasn't parked there — I just drove through"
- If your vehicle passed through the lot briefly without parking, our camera system may have captured your plate but a rental will not be started unless you park or drive around the facility for at least 15 minutes.
- If you parked in the facility but remained in your car, you are still responsible for starting a rental even if you only intend to stay a few minutes.
"That's not my plate / not my vehicle"
- In rare cases, a plate may be incorrectly matched. If you were not at that location at all, please tell us and we will initiate an investigation.
"I had a valid discount code or validation and it wasn't applied"
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Reach out to our support team and provide your discount or validation code, the location, and the date and time.
How to submit a dispute
Submit a request from the AirGarage Help Center home page. Please include your license plate number, the phone number or email associated with your account, the date and amount of the auto-started charge, and the reason for your dispute. The more specific you can be, the faster we can resolve it. Our team typically responds within 1-2 business days.'