Extend By Phone

How do I Extend-by-phone?

After parking, go to the nearest pay station to pay for your parking using a credit card. When prompted, enter your mobile number to receive a text message reminder prior to expiry. Reply to the text message with the amount of additional minutes needed. This amount will be charged to the card you used for payment at the machine.

How much does it cost to Extend-by-Phone?

You pay only the stated posted hourly parking rate for the lot where you parked. Texas A&M Transportation Services does not charge the customer a transaction fee to use the service.

What is Extend-by-Phone?

Extend-by-Phone is an innovative service that enables the parking meter to send you a text message reminder when your parking is about to expire, and allows you to add time to your parking by simply replying to the reminder message with the amount of additional minutes you need.

How to Extend-by-Phone

1. Pay for parking at the meter using your credit card
2. Enter your mobile phone number when prompted
3. Receive a text message reminder prior to expiry
4. Reply with the amount of additional minutes you need
5. Receive a confirmation text message

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I add time to my parking session?
   To add time to your parking session, simply reply to the reminder text message with the amount of additional time you need. For instance, if you need to add 60 minutes, text the number "60".

2. What does it cost to use Extend-by-Phone?
   It's free to receive expiry reminder messages. In most cases there is a $0.25 service fee (in addition to the parking rate) to add time to your parking session using Extend-by-Phone. The service fee amount will always be stated in the free reminder message. The parking operator may adjust the fee amount.

3. No service fee was stated in the reminder message I received, what does this mean?
   If no service fee (in addition to the parking rate) is stated in the reminder message, then no service fee will be charged when you add time to your parking session using Extend-by-Phone.

4. Why do I need to pay with my credit card in order to use Extend-by-Phone?
   In order to allow you to add time to your parking session remotely, using your mobile phone, a credit card is required to process the transaction.

5. How long do you keep my credit card number?
   Your credit card number is securely deleted from the system when your parking session expires.

6. Why do you need my mobile phone number?
   Extend-by-Phone needs your mobile phone number so it can send you a text (SMS) message reminder when your parking is about to expire.

7. How long do you keep my phone number?
   Your phone number is deleted from the system when your parking session expires.

8. Will my phone number be given to other companies?
   None of your personal information is ever shared with other companies.

9. How far in advance of expiry will I receive the reminder message?
   Extend-by-Phone usually sends you the reminder message 15 minutes prior to your parking session expiring. The parking operator may adjust this time.

10. How much time do I have to reply to the reminder message
    You must reply to the reminder message before your original parking session expires.

11. How do I know that I have successfully added time to my parking session?
    If you have successfully added time your parking session, you will receive a confirmation text message showing your new expiration time and the amount charged.

12. Can I receive a receipt after I add time to my parking session?
    Not at this time. However, your Extend-by-Phone transactions will appear on your credit card statement.

13. Why am I not able to add time to my parking session after I received the reminder message?
    If your parking session has reached the maximum allowable stay time, you are not able to add time. If you parking session has expired, you are not able to add time.

14. Why did the meter not ask me to enter my phone number?
    You must successfully pay for your parking using your credit card for the meter to prompt you to enter your mobile phone number. Extend-by-Phone is only available on meters that offer the Extend-by-Phone service. If the meter you used offers the Extend-by-Phone service and you were not prompted to enter your phone number, after successfully paying with your credit card, contact the parking operator.

15. Do I need a Smartphone to use Extend-by-Phone?
    No, any cellular phone capable of sending and receiving (SMS) text messages will work with Extend-by-Phone.

16. Can I use a different phone to add time to my parking session?
    No, to add time to your parking session you must reply to the reminder text message using the same phone and phone number that received the reminder message.

17. I received a parking citation but I used Extend-by-Phone to add time to my parking session. What happened?
    If you received a confirmation text message showing your new expiration time and you received a parking citation, please contact the parking operator.

18. Who can I contact if I have a problem using Extend-by-Phone?
    If you have a problem using Extend-by-Phone, please contact the parking operator.

19. Who can I contact if I have more questions about Extend-by-Phone?
    If you have more questions regarding Extend-by-Phone, please contact the parking operator.

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