Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

PreFlight Airport Parking vs PayByPhone Parking

PreFlight Airport Parking 4.8★ · Free to download 40
Winner PayByPhone Parking
PayByPhone Parking 4.8★ · Free to download 65

PayByPhone Parking is the better choice for general parking needs due to its wider applicability and more consistent core functionality, despite its own issues, while PreFlight Airport Parking's app is currently plagued by critical bugs that undermine its service.

Full reviews: PreFlight Airport Parking · PayByPhone Parking

PreFlight Airport Parking offers excellent airport parking service, but its app is severely broken, often failing to display reservations or allow logins. PayByPhone Parking, while having its own share of glitches and fees, generally allows users to pay for parking and extend sessions, making it more functional for its intended purpose.

Head to head

Core Functionality (Making/Viewing Reservations & Payments) edge: PayByPhone ParkingR1R3R4R7
PreFlight Airport Parking Many PreFlight Airport Parking users report that the app is "useless" and "buggy" because it frequently fails to show existing reservations, even those made within the app itself, forcing them to rely on emails or the website R1R3R4R7. Some also experience issues with payment processing within the app, needing to use alternative methods like Apple Pay .
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking users frequently report issues with the app failing to recognize parking zone numbers or locations, especially in specific cities like San Francisco, rendering it unusable for payment R64R70R73. Payment glitches are also common, with the app rejecting payment forms or Apple Pay, and some users get tickets despite paying .
Ease of Use & User Interface tieR1R2R4R6
PreFlight Airport Parking While some PreFlight Airport Parking users find the app easy to navigate , many others complain about it being slow to load R2R6, having a "broken UI" R15, and issues with logging in or staying logged in R1R4. Features like adding to Apple Wallet , editing/removing old cards , or redeeming points are also reported as non-functional.
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking is praised by some for being "easy" and "simple to use" , but many users are frustrated by frequent logouts , the need to re-enter car information , and difficulties with the UI, such as keypads not disappearing on iPhone 15 Pro Max or inability to edit saved card details .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R4R7R10
PreFlight Airport Parking PreFlight Airport Parking's app is widely criticized for being unreliable, with users reporting it's "flaky" , "buggy" R7, "bricked" R10, and "almost unusable" . The primary complaint is the consistent failure to display current reservations, which is a critical function R1R4R7R10.
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking also suffers from significant reliability issues, with many users stating the app "doesn't work at all" R64, particularly regarding location recognition R64R67R70R73. Payment processing can be slow or fail , and the app frequently logs users out .
Price/Value & Fees edge: PreFlight Airport ParkingR15R26R37R51
PreFlight Airport Parking PreFlight Airport Parking is praised for its "great price" and "reasonable cost" for airport parking R26R37R51. The app itself is free to download, but users find it offers little value when it doesn't function properly, forcing them to use the website instead R15.
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking is generally considered affordable for parking , but many users are frustrated by additional fees, such as convenience fees R67 and SMS fees for notifications R66R67R96. Some find the overall cost, including these fees, to be expensive R87.
Customer Support edge: PreFlight Airport ParkingR8R19R50R59
PreFlight Airport Parking PreFlight Airport Parking users appreciate that they can get a "live person on the phone to help you navigate apps or reservations online" R8. Some also mention helpful customer service when dealing with app issues R59. However, one user reported being blamed for app issues and told to use a desktop R19, and another found no answers from PreFlight when calling about app problems R50.
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking receives strong criticism for its customer service, with users reporting "no customer service support" , an "horrible waste of time AI" chatbot that sends them in circles, and difficulty speaking with a live person . Issues like not receiving SMS for password recovery also point to support deficiencies .
Pick PreFlight Airport Parking if

Pick PreFlight Airport Parking if you prioritize excellent in-person airport parking service, including helpful drivers and shuttle reliability, and are willing to manage reservations primarily through their website or email due to the app's current unreliability R8R26.

Pick PayByPhone Parking if

Pick PayByPhone Parking if you need a widely available app for general street or lot parking, are comfortable with potential glitches and occasional fees, and value the convenience of extending parking sessions from your phone .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. The evidence for PreFlight Airport Parking's app functionality is overwhelmingly negative, despite its high lifetime rating which seems to reflect the quality of the physical parking service rather than the app itself. PayByPhone Parking has a much larger user base and more reviews, with a mix of positive and negative feedback, but recent reviews highlight significant functional breakdowns.

Frequently asked

Does PreFlight Airport Parking's app reliably show my reservations?
No, PreFlight Airport Parking's app is widely reported to be unreliable for displaying reservations, with many users experiencing blank screens or login loops when trying to access their bookings, often forcing them to use the website or email confirmations R1R3R4R7.
Are there extra fees when using PayByPhone Parking?
Yes, PayByPhone Parking often charges additional fees, including convenience fees (around $0.60 or 50-70p on a £4 parking fee) and SMS fees for notifications, which can make the overall parking cost more expensive than expected R66R67R87R96.
Can I get live customer support for PreFlight Airport Parking?
Yes, PreFlight Airport Parking users have reported that they can reach a live person on the phone for assistance with the app or reservations, which is appreciated R8R59.
Does PayByPhone Parking work reliably in all locations?
No, many PayByPhone Parking users, particularly in areas like San Francisco, report that the app frequently fails to recognize parking zone numbers or locations, rendering it unusable for payment even when the user is at the correct spot R64R70R73R79.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] PreFlight Airport Parking 2/5 · US 2 stars for the app. 5 stars for the service.: Everything about the service is great. However, the app doesn’t show my reservations. It will let me book one; but it doesn’t show up. Have to go to the site to see it. Same issue as another reviewer. Using the lookup by conf # feature, it asks me to login (even though I’m already logged in). Take me to the setting screen, then when I go back,
  2. [R3] PreFlight Airport Parking 3/5 · US App update: Love the actual service from Preflight but the recent app update has made it 100% useless. Can’t book or view my parking pass. Must use the website now.
  3. [R4] PreFlight Airport Parking 2/5 · US App is still mostly useless: I have an account and have purchased parking several times via the website while logged into my account. I’m logged into the same account on the app, but reservations booked refuse the show. I enter the confirmation number, it confirms a reservation was found, and the app asks me to log into even though I’m logged in. The next screen just randomly brings me to my setti
  4. [R7] PreFlight Airport Parking 1/5 · US buggy: rezzie wont show up despite being logged in and making the rezzie in the app. have to print out voucher or screenshot it for phone. pointless app that cant do the basics
  5. [R2] PreFlight Airport Parking 4/5 · US Great Service but the app is glitchy: Awesome service for parking and shuttle. Drivers are kinda and always help with bags. The app is a little slow and often times the reservation screen is blank after you reserve spot. Have to wait a few minutes for the email to come in for your entry bar code.
  6. [R6] PreFlight Airport Parking 3/5 · US Slow to load: The last time I pulled my confirmation into my wallet it did not load. Had to get a ticket at check in instead.
  7. [R10] PreFlight Airport Parking 1/5 · US App is bricked: Pre-Flight has treated me right but in the last few weeks the app no longer shows my reservations. Hopefully my email code works
  8. [R15] PreFlight Airport Parking 3/5 · US Website works better: Please download our app so that we can have all of your data, and then when you use our app, you get so frustrated you just use the website anyway. But in all seriousness this app works so well that I am currently writing this review and the text give it gives me is white letters on a white background. Well done app developers.
  9. [R26] PreFlight Airport Parking 5/5 · US Easiest way to park at the airport: Pre-flight is the best! Close to the airport without the hassle. Reliable shuttle from your car right to the door of your airline. And the prices are great!!
  10. [R37] PreFlight Airport Parking 5/5 · US Easy peasy: Flexible, and reasonable cost
  11. [R51] PreFlight Airport Parking 5/5 · US Great price: Very good airport option, they pick you up right at your parked car, minutes to your terminal, easy shuttle drive back to your car. The price is very reasonable.
  12. [R8] PreFlight Airport Parking 5/5 · US Easy and professional: The staff and drivers are always very helpful. You can get a live person on the phone to help you navigate apps or reservations online, redeem points, or other help. Love the parking ease and the people!
  13. [R19] PreFlight Airport Parking 1/5 · US Still broke and no one wants to fix: I have used their services for several years, but their app doesn’t work for location and for reservations. I have three devices I’ve logged onto and cannot get the app to work, they blame my devices and their final resolution is to use a desktop and print out my barcode. That’s great IT service!!!
  14. [R50] PreFlight Airport Parking 1/5 · US App doesn’t function properly: App lets you make the reservation but then you never get the reservation to show in the app. Also no confirmation email is returned when you make the reservation in the app. I’ve even called preflight and they didn’t have much for answers
  15. [R59] PreFlight Airport Parking 5/5 · US Great Experience: I called to speak to the customer service person because I was having trouble using my Internet explorer browser versus Google Chrome. The customer service person was very helpful and directed me to use the pre flight app which proved to be a great experience and I look forward to using your parking facility going forward thanks again
  16. [R66] PayByPhone Parking 3/5 · US Fees: Stop charging extra fees like SMS I don’t need a text that should be optional my phone is smart enough to set a reminder 😑
  17. [R67] PayByPhone Parking 1/5 · US Awful quality app: Even though I have cell phone signal it absolutely never tells me nearby spots so I have to walk over and look at the number to park. And it charges a $.60 convenience fee! Whose convenience is it? Especially when it doesn’t even tell me the nearby parking lot number and the sign is tiny and far away. And now I also see there’s a $.20 SMS fee. What is that for? Do better pay by
  18. [R87] PayByPhone Parking 3/5 · GB Expensive: £6.20 to part for 3 hours in a evening g in empty carpark.
  19. [R96] PayByPhone Parking 3/5 · GB Notifications: Why can’t you enable notifications from the phone rather than send SMS messages and adding an additional charge. If it’s a cost thing why can’t you take money from the parking charge, very frustrating. I’m being billed by PayByPhone for the cost of the parking!
  20. [R64] PayByPhone Parking 1/5 · US Non functional: After happily using this app for years, it has not worked for the past month or so. It doesn’t recognize the parking zone making it unusable. Moved on to another app.
  21. [R70] PayByPhone Parking 1/5 · US Broken in SF: Completely broken in San Francisco, no locations recognized anywhere. What’s the point of this anymore?
  22. [R73] PayByPhone Parking 2/5 · US Hardly helpful: I’m literally standing here at the meter and it won’t let me punch in the number of the meter to pay on my phone. Even though it shows the meter available as one of the current meters, when I tap on that meter number, it says it’s unavailable. Seriously, what is the point of this app. I just spent the last 30 minutes of my life trying to figure this out. It’s so unreliable
  23. [R79] PayByPhone Parking 1/5 · US No longer working in sfo: For the last few months, the app is no longer working in San Francisco error messages all around, even if I type in the exact location it doesn’t work please fix

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store