A Colorado man received a jaw-dropping surprise at Denver International Airport when a quick 27-minute drop-off turned into a nearly $20,000 parking bill.
Jim Boyd, a resident of Glen Haven, told KUSA-TV that he parked briefly in DIA’s garage to drop off his wife, expecting to pay the standard short-term fee of around $7. But when he went to check out, the system calculated his stay as more than 169,000 minutes—charging him $19,824 as if he’d been parked since June 6.
Airport officials later confirmed that the astronomical fee was the result of a license plate recognition glitch. The automated system mistook Boyd’s vehicle for another car with a nearly identical plate, reading a “B” as an “8.” The mix-up led to the system assuming his car had been parked for nearly four months.
DIA representatives apologized for the error and assured travelers that the issue has been resolved, with updated checks now in place to prevent similar incidents. The airport refunded the incorrect charge, and Boyd was relieved to learn that his quick stop didn’t come with a five-figure price tag.
While the problem was fixed by Friday, the incident serves as a reminder of how dependent modern airports have become on automated systems—and how even the smallest digital hiccup can lead to major confusion.
Denver International Airport’s parking operations handle thousands of vehicles daily, making precision key to maintaining smooth operations. Officials say travelers who encounter similar issues can contact airport customer service for immediate help.
Even though the situation was quickly resolved, Boyd’s story spread across social media, sparking laughter—and a little anxiety—from frequent flyers. One commenter joked, “That’s why I just Uber to the airport,” while another added, “Imagine explaining that bill to your credit card company.”
For now, DIA says travelers can rest assured that its parking systems are back to normal—so a quick drop-off shouldn’t cost you a down payment on a house.
