San Antonio Airport Parking for Disabled Veterans: Free Economy, 50% Off Long-Term (2026)

As of October 2026, San Antonio airport parking for disabled veterans is free for up to 30 days in Economy, 50% off in the Long-Term Garage and 25% off in the Short-Term Garage, but only for Texas-issued DV or qualifying military plates that are enrolled in SAT's program before you park. Purple Heart and POW plates stay free. Enrollment takes up to five business days, and if you park without it, you pay the posted rate with no refund.

For lots, rates and shuttles for everyone else, see our SAT airport parking hub.

What the DV and Military Plates Program Gives You

SAT's Disabled Veteran & Military Plates Parking Program, in place since 1 November 2025, gives enrolled Texas plate holders these privileges:

• Economy: complimentary parking for up to 30 days (Economy Green is $10/day otherwise).
• Long-Term Garage: 50% off (the drive-up rate is $20/day from 1 November 2026).
• Short-Term Garage: 25% off (the drive-up rate is $30/day from 1 November 2026).
• Purple Heart and POW plates: parking remains complimentary.
• Reservations: you can book any airport parking except valet through a dedicated DV booking site.

Valet is not included, and valet reservations can't be validated for the program. These terms come from the airport's Disabled Veteran & Military Plates Parking page. For the full rate tables before any discount, see our SAT parking prices guide.

Who Qualifies

You qualify if you are the registered owner of a vehicle with a Texas-issued DV plate or an eligible military honors specialty plate and current Texas registration.

• The plate must be permanently attached to the vehicle.
• The registered owner (including a spouse or surviving spouse listed on the registration) must be present at exit, when the privilege is validated.
• Your driver's license or military ID must match the registered owner.
• Out-of-state DV plates and veterans without these plates are not covered; the program is for Texas-issued plates only.

Eligible military honors plates include the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Prisoner of War Medal, Pearl Harbor Survivor and WWII Veteran plates, among others. If the owner isn't present at exit, you pay the posted rate and the airport can revoke privileges for at least a year.

How to Enroll (the DV Parking Form)

Enroll online through the airport's DV form, which is the fastest option, or book an in-person appointment.

1. Open the SAT DV enrollment page and choose Enroll Now (online form) or Schedule an Appointment.
2. Upload your driver's license or military ID, your Texas vehicle registration renewal receipt and a photo of your license plate.
3. Create a Metropolis parking account. Once approved, your plate links to the airport's plate-recognition system.
4. Wait for the approval email before you drive in. Processing takes up to five business days.

In-person appointments are at the SAT Airport Parking Office, 9453 Airport Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78216, and are limited. You can also arrange enrollment by calling the Parking Office at 210-207-3490 during regular office hours. Questions go to satdvparking@metropolis.io.

Validation: What Happens at the Exit

Once enrolled, you drive in and out like any other traveler, and your discount applies automatically from your plate.

The registered owner must be present at exit (validation). If you weren't enrolled before entering, staff can help you sign up, but that stay is charged at the posted rate and the airport will not refund it.

Reserving Parking as a Disabled Veteran

Enrolled members can reserve Economy, Long-Term or Short-Term parking at the discounted or free rate through the airport's dedicated DV reservation site.

Use the DV booking link from the program page, not the general site: the airport says regular parking reservations can't be validated for the program. A reservation guarantees a space in that facility. Our SAT reservations guide explains changes and cancellations, which are allowed up to 1 hour before the booking starts.

DV Plates and Accessible (ADA) Parking

A DV plate on its own does not let you use accessible spaces at SAT unless it carries the International Symbol of Access (the wheelchair symbol).

DV plates with the symbol, or a DV plate used with a valid disabled placard, may park in accessible spaces. Anyone with a valid disabled placard or plate can use accessible spaces in all SAT parking areas, whether or not they are in the DV program. Accessible spaces are close to elevators, terminals or shuttle stops, and every Economy shuttle has a wheelchair lift.

What Texas Law Says

Texas law does not by itself make airport garage or lot parking free for DV plates; SAT's program is the city's own policy.

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 681, Section 681.008 exempts DV and certain military award plates from parking-meter fees charged by a government, and lets a governmental unit, such as a city, extend that to its garages and lots by ordinance or order. Section 681.006 likewise says the general disabled-plate meter exemption does not cover garage, lot or municipal airport parking fees unless extended that way. The same section lets DV plates with the access symbol park in spaces designated for people with disabilities. SAT says its plate list follows Sections 681.008 and 504.317 and the San Antonio City Code. The airport changed its old DV program in 2025 after a federal audit recommended it to stay in line with FAA grant rules.

If You Don't Have Qualifying Plates

Veterans and active-duty travelers without Texas DV or honors plates pay standard rates, so the usual ways to save apply.

Economy Green at $10/day is the lowest official rate; our SAT economy and long-term parking guide covers the shuttle. The Long-Term and Short-Term garages are described in our SAT parking garage guide. One off-site lot on Triply, Homewood Suites, came to $44.63 for a sample week (about $6.40/day), though it has no ADA-accessible spaces. Triply prices are for a sample 7-day booking (check-in 10 AM on 13 November, check-out 2 PM on 19 November 2026), include taxes and fees, and change by date. For enrolled DV plate holders, free Economy parking beats it. Our San Antonio off-site parking guide has the details.